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I am a software developer. I consider joining ACM. However, I find that there are free articles on ACM Ditial Library, e.g.

http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?doid=1953122.1953141

In addition to that, there are free RSS feeds I can subscribe to, e.g.

http://cacm.acm.org/blogs/blog-cacm/109710-new-sql-an-alternative-to-nosql-and-old-sql-for-new-oltp-apps/fulltext

The memberhsip type I consider joining is

ACM Professional Membership PLUS ACM Digital Library $198 USD https://campus.acm.org/public/qj/ProfQJ/qjprof_control.cfm?form_type=Professional&promo=QJPUB

What are things available for ACM paid members ONLY?, below is the list I know

1) free safari, 24x7 ebook library

Please contribute your opinions?

Should I join ACM or use its free online document?

My interest is in advanced topics in web app, database app.

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Association of Computing Machinery. ;) I was a member for a couple of years, but realized I wasn't really taking advantage of most of what was available to me. Same for IEEE CS. – MetalMikester Jul 2 '11 at 11:39

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2 Answers

up vote 2 down vote

After about 20 years I finally became a member of ACM.

Why?

Because they post me the monthly journal, and every issue has interesting thing in it.

Best of all, I don't have to read it on line. I can sit over a coffee, in a chair or (gasp) bean-bag, in great comfort, and read stuff as and when I want.

This is a huge thing for me, and paying $200 a year is a small price to pay for getting away from the PC. When I spend 8 to 10 hours a day WORKING at a PC, I don't want to spend my leisure time in front of it as well to read stuff for enjoyment.

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Agree. It's kind of like The Economist for techies. It helps you ride out the 2 hour news cycle and get something a bit slower and analytical. – james Jul 3 '11 at 3:14
up vote 1 down vote

You get the free safari and 24x7 library with the professional membership; the digital library is not required for those. The Digital Library gives you access to various academic journals.

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you mean the digital library is free for non-paid member? But one of the member types is ACM Professional Membership PLUS ACM Digital Library , which tells me the digital libary for paid member should provide more access than non-paid memeber. Free ebook already mentioned in my list. – Pingpong Jul 2 '11 at 8:51
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@Pinpong - No. The "Digital Library" is an additional service (for $99) which gives you access to ACM journals. The Professional Membership (also $99) gives you Safari & 24x7 which are not part of the Digital Library. – borrible Jul 2 '11 at 9:35

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