tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post115556722656493691..comments2023-10-31T11:37:50.028-04:00Comments on on life & other inconveniences: All For One and One For One?Sandra Ruttanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155606124030252012006-08-14T21:42:00.000-04:002006-08-14T21:42:00.000-04:00Personally, Bill, I think that's fantastic. Thank...Personally, Bill, I think that's fantastic. Thanks for sharing about that.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155604375151725462006-08-14T21:12:00.000-04:002006-08-14T21:12:00.000-04:00This is a small thing, but I thought I would throw...This is a small thing, but I thought I would throw it out there. Something writers can be involved in to spread access to books to the visual- and print-impaired.<BR/><BR/>http://www.bookshare.org<BR/><BR/>The specific are here: http://www.bookshare.org/web/SupportAboutUs.html<BR/><BR/>Basically, Bookshare.org makes books available on a subscription basis to members with vision or print impairments. Books can be read using a variety of technologies, including screen readers and Braille imprinters. Do writers or publishers make any money from this distribution method? Nope. Do people who have a very difficult time getting access to books get to read? Yep.<BR/><BR/>Bookshare.org takes advantage of a special exemption in the U.S. copyright law that permits the reproduction of publications into specialized formats for the disabled. Members must provide proof of disability to join and receive books through Bookshare.org.<BR/><BR/>Now, some people might freak out about this, but I think it's a wonderful thing myself.<BR/><BR/>In the interest of full disclosure, I have done work for the parent organization, a non-profit called Benetech, for several years.Bill Cameronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04796321136771189464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155601207444875612006-08-14T20:20:00.000-04:002006-08-14T20:20:00.000-04:00Andrea, it is sad, isn't it? But it sounds like t...Andrea, it is sad, isn't it? But it sounds like there might be hope for the bookstore you applied at. Fingers crossed!Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155587584773450232006-08-14T16:33:00.000-04:002006-08-14T16:33:00.000-04:00It really is all about money now. Look at sports ...It really is all about money now. Look at sports stadiums for example they used to be named after famous people. Now they are named for whichever company gave them the most money. It's sad.<BR/><BR/>Now I have seen in some local book stores sections that have recommendations from the employees. But it's sad that publishers can pay to have their books on display and it's usually the latest by Patterson, Grisham or the like. As if they needed the publicity. I've applied for a job at this bookstore and in the application there were tons of questions and it seems what they are looking for in an employee is someone who loves books and will talk them up to the customers. So that's encouraging.<BR/><BR/>Oh and I went into a local big chain bookstore a couple of months ago and one of the employees saw me in the mystery section and recommended a number of books to me. Not the best sellers but books she had read and liked. She was an avid reader. <BR/><BR/>But in the end in this day and age it's usually all about the all mighty dollar. <BR/><BR/>And don't even get me started on customer satisfaction. That's gone out the window too. 1. It used the be the customer is always right. 2. If they customer is wrong see #1. Now it's the customer is annoying and in the way. Spend your money and be gone. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07592231080156766441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155584310556713772006-08-14T15:38:00.000-04:002006-08-14T15:38:00.000-04:00You aren't OLD Julia! I could name a lot of peopl...You aren't OLD Julia! I could name a lot of people older than you but, well, I sense I might get in trouble.<BR/><BR/>It's just that there have been more than a couple years between now and your experience. That's all.<BR/><BR/>Going to go tape my mouth shut now!Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155584162611528272006-08-14T15:36:00.000-04:002006-08-14T15:36:00.000-04:00Okay, Sandra, you just called me OLD. :)Well, I w...Okay, Sandra, you just called me OLD. :)<BR/><BR/>Well, I was 27 at the time, and now I'm 41, so I suppose the book world could have been consumed by vice since then. And I do sense that New York is different in almost every way.Julia Buckleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10270211923343731659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155580275669765322006-08-14T14:31:00.000-04:002006-08-14T14:31:00.000-04:00Norby, that would be amusing, given some of what y...Norby, that would be amusing, given some of what you've told me!<BR/><BR/>SW, I have a plan. Sit tight, wait for details. I'm hoping to launch an initiative, I'm just not quite ready yet.<BR/><BR/>But anyone interested in being part of it might want to email me...Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155579967008596522006-08-14T14:26:00.000-04:002006-08-14T14:26:00.000-04:00Oh! My morals! They've been kicked! :-)Thanks for ...Oh! My morals! They've been kicked! :-)<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the reminder, Sandra. I agree a hundred percent: we all should do something to promote the love of books in general.<BR/><BR/>Now I have to come up with something to do. Let me know when you think of something!s.w. vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09102544611773720262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155577113152724042006-08-14T13:38:00.000-04:002006-08-14T13:38:00.000-04:00I'm sure it will be fine for my parents to go to I...I'm sure it will be fine for my parents to go to Italy. Last year we went to London right after the subway bombings, I had to force my mother to go. She refused to get on the tube. We walked almost everywhere.<BR/>Business usually sucks the soul out of everything. My mother is now on the business end of being a librarian and she loathes it. She would be much happier if she could go back to telling stories and doing puppet shows. She hates having to worry about budgets and staffing and public relations. My mother used to be a childrens librarian-I never heard her swear until she had to deal with the business end of the library. It's quite amusing actually. norbyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155576585085057952006-08-14T13:29:00.000-04:002006-08-14T13:29:00.000-04:00Julia, I wonder how different it is in New York co...Julia, I wonder how different it is in New York compared to the rest of the world?<BR/><BR/>Or how much times have changed. Not inferring anything! :)<BR/><BR/>I just find it kind of sad. These days, around here anyway, you go into bookstores and the staff don't even read...Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155575935539663702006-08-14T13:18:00.000-04:002006-08-14T13:18:00.000-04:00Ah, nothing like a priest joke to start the day.I ...Ah, nothing like a priest joke to start the day.<BR/><BR/>I would like to go on record as saying that I, who was once a fiction manager at Barnes and Noble, did only put up books that I actually recommended, and no one ever offered me or any of the managers money. But maybe they just didn't make it to our store. . . . :)Julia Buckleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10270211923343731659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155575493796589152006-08-14T13:11:00.000-04:002006-08-14T13:11:00.000-04:00Today I'm a product.Yesterday, evilkev kept tellin...Today I'm a product.<BR/><BR/>Yesterday, evilkev kept telling me I was property.<BR/><BR/>And all this time I thought I was just a person!<BR/><BR/>Go to bed John!Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155575385785598172006-08-14T13:09:00.000-04:002006-08-14T13:09:00.000-04:00Good stuff Sandra. I've been thinking about this w...Good stuff Sandra. I've been thinking about this whole BSP thing lately and about why we started reading and writng in the first place. And you've really put your finger on it when you talked about how Rankin led to McDermid and MacBride etc. That's probably how books always have and always will become bestsellers. Word of mouth. No BSP involved.<BR/><BR/>But as for doing things for the love of reading and not having money as a bottom line - my god woman, what's the matter with you, you're a product, your book's a product, get out there and promote yourself damn it. Let's hear no more of this altruistic foolishness. Anyway, it's 3am here and it's time for me to go to bed and dream about money. Damn!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155575271470142212006-08-14T13:07:00.000-04:002006-08-14T13:07:00.000-04:00Norby, by next year I hope things will be better! ...Norby, by next year I hope things will be better! I love Italy.<BR/><BR/>MG, the one thing about most blogs (as there are some that are just visuals) is that you actually have to read to enjoy them. That's something! I think all the electronic stuff eventually just becomes background noise and you filter it out. If it wasn't for The Wire, I'd want to cancel the satellite. Although Kevin would have a fit because he'd miss The Simpsons.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155574693619925232006-08-14T12:58:00.000-04:002006-08-14T12:58:00.000-04:00That's so sad about Fred!Re: booksTrue that when p...That's so sad about Fred!<BR/><BR/>Re: books<BR/><BR/>True that when people discover reading, they tend to keep reading. There's so much electronic clutter in our lives, i'm amazed when I learn people read anything at all.Mindy Tarquinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02970872751327021013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1155573492802027302006-08-14T12:38:00.000-04:002006-08-14T12:38:00.000-04:00Poor Fred, he was so excited about his promotion! ...Poor Fred, he was so excited about his promotion! Seriously, former animal rescue person that I am, my first response was serious criticism for the idiot who let him out!!!!! <BR/>My mother is already worrying about not being able to go to Italy next year. I'm the one who would be worrying about what the heck am I going to do for all that time!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't sleep on planes. NorbyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com