'Pay Another Dollar In'
Really, bitter much?
All of us that have trained with PADI have our issues, and all of them get re-tread all over this board.
OG, i think you should re-read Quero's post about the INSTRUCTOR'S MANUAL vs the OPEN WATER DIVER STUDENT MANUAL.
The Instructor's Manual won't be much use for you regardless if you're diving in Dec or any other time unless you're considering a career in diving. If that's the case (or if you are REALLY curious about the minutia of the PADI training system), then you could find it anywhere that deals with PADI. Website, local shop, dive resort.... if they don't have one and you really want one... they'll order it for you. I'd recommend you looking at one and picking it up (you did mention backpacking) before buying it off a website. You'll find that it's pages and pages of how PADI defines the structure of courses taught and explanations of terminology relevant to TRAINING, but not so much to DIVING.
Yes, there's a multimedia version. But, really think about what use you would get out of any of this before spending any money. I don't know where you are now, but maybe you could stop by a local dive shop and ask to see one on a computer or flip through a paper copy?
The Student Manual is everything you learned in your OW course. It follows the same structure and information of the videos you saw. Obviously, it goes into some further detail, and it has diagrams, etc. Think of it as a reference manual. It might be VERY handy if you're going diving again after just finishing a course. Refresh your self on terms, equipment, and safety procedures.
Yes, Sunshine should have sold you one as part of the course. The old "library method" that was common on Koh Tao when I first came here was clamped down on severely by PADI years ago. Having worked around the island and on the other side for over 2 years now, that's the first I've heard of this in a long time. From PADI, anyway. There are other certification agencies that DON'T require each student having a manual, but PADI is very specific on this.
And as for the logbook... well, LK offered his usual stunning acerbic wit and pointed out you could buy one at a PADI shop or on the site. Just so you know, there are plenty of other types of logbooks out there. From as cheap as 50 baht (roughly a euro?). You can also buy any old binder or blank paper book and make your own. Logbooks and logging dives (outside of training) is purely a personal matter.
hope this was of some help.
I mean, jesus, it must have been better than the last post!