We need more Web hosting books, don't we?

I was at a party over the weekend and invariably it comes down to this: someone is going to ask me what Web hosting is and make a comment on how boring it sounds. Okay, granted I could have a spiel waiting to offset the latter but that’s always going to be a hit or miss proposition-especially at a party.

So it happens and I’m discussing the merits of the industry and finishing it off with the fact that the Internet would not exist were it not for the Web host.

Then the unexpected happens. "Cool. Can you recommend a book so I can read up?" Now, I'm at a loss and defer to the 'let me get back to you' response. Of course, I rhymed off the relevant websites where there was more than enough information to get up to speed but some people just want a book.

So I have to pull up a search and here's what I found: (Incidentally, this would make a good Christmas list for the would-be Web hosting entrepreneur. Don't scoff. It's about a $20 billion dollar industry and no one is asking for a bailout, thank you very much).

Web Hosting by Carl Burnham (2001)

Strategies for Web Hosting and Managed Services by Doug Kaye (2002)

Understanding Linux Web Hosting by Don Denoncourt and Barry Kline (2002)

The Web Hosting Manager by by Christopher Puetz (2005)

How to Host your own Web Server by Brian, W. Jones PH.D.c (2006)

Some perspective here. I've been in this industry for more than 8 years and to have only a handful of titles for this sector tells me there's something wrong. And seriously, some of these books have to be outdated considering the changes in the industry-cloud hosting is a recent example. How can an area like Search Engine Marketing and SEO generate so many books? What? There's a shortage of good Search Engine information on the Internet? No chance. Web hosting deserves better representation in the book department. We need a more comprehensive assortment of titles.

So the experts out there with raised eyebrows and steady hands, let's get going. I'm open to the challenge if you are - let's work on this. Write in and let's start something soon. That certainly would be worth talking about at the next party.