RE: Book buyers (was Re: Today's jaw dropper)

["Rauber, Joel Phys" <RAUBERJ@mg.sdstate.edu>]

> It apparently isn't illegal, but I don't see why it couldn't be.  Why
> couldn't publishers simply license us the use of our desk copies with the
> license agreement specifying that desk copies may not be sold.

> > > Whenever
> > > one of these sleazoids swings by, I make a point of loudly explaining to
> > > any nearby student the central role of "this guy" in driving up their
> > > textbook prices.
>
> > I'm not sure its totally fair to think of them as sleazoids (although I
> > confess I sometimes do).  To some extent this is recycling and isn't any
> > more sleazy than someone coming in asking for your empy coke cans.

> I may be guilty of overly dehumanizing these folks and overstating the
> extent to which their practice affects textbook prices, but I do not
> accept the moral equivalence of recycling aluminum and buying and selling
> desk copies.

I admit I was probably stretching my point a lot, perhaps even beyond the 
elastic limit.  But I stress that the activity isn't illegal (apparently, 
not being a lawyer, I don't know for sure; but I know some that would render 
an opinion for a fee.)


> It is partially for this reason that I think textbooks should abandon much
> of the four color goo-gaw, the hard covers, and the truckloads of
> ancillaries that are used to market them.  (The other reason is that I
> think most of that stuff is distracting and, ultimately,
> counterproductive.)  I think there is something to be said for black and
> white paperback texts that are simple, well written, and fall apart after
> one or two good uses.  See, for example, Chabay and Sherwood.

I agree for the most part here, a black and white diagram that clearly 
illustrates the point is much better than a bad diagram with lots of colors. 
 I typically don't even bother to look at the ancillaries when reviewing a 
book.

I disagree about the falling apart (was that a tongue in cheek statement). 
  Another one of current pet peeves is the lousy physical qualities of books 
these days.  I have texts from the sixties that are in better shape than 
some books I've had for two months.  When you pay 80 bucks for a book, I 
would hope that it would stay together for more than two months of use! 
 Apparently sewn in bindings are a lost art; or more likely the extra one or 
two bucks (maybe 5, I'm guessing here) of higher production costs makes not 
as lucratively rewarding for the publishers; but it sure pisses me off. 
 Sorry for climbing the soap box, but it is one of my buttons.

Joel