#It would be a tough update, of course... 30% of the work would be
#(a) ripping out old stuff and (b) deciding what not to cover.
#That's assuming people don't want a 4,000 page book published
#in 2009 and weighing as much as a Volkswagen.
How about publishing by vol (consider first pub as vol I). Vol II should
cover 1.8.2 and above..
or
publishing by topic; eg, Ruby Way for the Web, or Ruby Way for the Network
Admin...
of course if you have love and the time ie..
I agree it is difficult to carry bulky books. I prefer that big books should
be bind/package in sets or vol (each set not more than 300 pages). But it
gets more expensive i guess 
I carry w me always the nutshell book
because it is light and easy...
thanks and kind regards -botp