peter@ontmoh.UUCP (Peter Renzland) (06/23/89)
From article <1950@ssc.UUCP>, by fyl@ssc.UUCP (Phil Hughes): > [...] (I do understand why you can't sell stuff but that doesn't help us.) I don't understand why "you can't sell stuff". Could someone please explain? > On the other end, it is a service to members/attendees to be able to > see, feel and even buy UNIX books. Possibly Usenix could either operate > their own "bookstore" at or near the show to offer these types of > publications or get someone to do it where Usenix gets a % of the take. Perhaps Usenix might *pay* Jim Joyce a percentage of the take. After all, Every Unix book sold (and even seen) furthers the interest in, if not understanding of Unix. And we all know that bookstores (bookbooths) naturally attract those earnestly seeking (and willing to share) knowledge, if not truth, thus providing an important cultural venue. Those who don't already know may be pleasantly surprised that Jim Joyce has actually read the books and can discuss them intelligently. I do think that books, together with *knowledgeable* custodians, are an important resource at a conference or show. Perhaps it might make everyone happy if users could place mail orders at the booth. This would ease the load of the booksellers (only 1 display copy of each book), would allow attendees to travel home lighter, and might appease the "can't sell stuff" hardliners. -- Peter Renzland @ Ontario Ministry of Health 416/964-9141 peter@ontmoh.UUCP
eugene@eos.UUCP (Eugene Miya) (06/23/89)
In article <614553603.12740@ontmoh.UUCP> peter@ontmoh.UUCP (Peter Renzland) writes: >Perhaps Usenix might *pay* Jim Joyce a percentage of the take. I was going to stay quiet, but... Years ago, Jim Joyce had a special place at Unix User Group meetings. (pre-Usenix, maybe BU: Before Usenix) In contrast to the detailed/heavy kernel implementation talks, Jim would give light, restful (toward the end of conference) applications. He gave talks on things we all knew were computer applications, but were busy working out details. People looked foward to Jim's talks. In some ways, I think Jim deserves special dispensation for having stuck with it so long (as was once mentioned about a certain person in comp.lang.c). Another gross generalization from --eugene miya, NASA Ames Research Center, eugene@aurora.arc.nasa.gov resident cynic at the Rock of Ages Home for Retired Hackers: "You trust the `reply' command with all those different mailers out there?" "If my mail does not reach you, please accept my apology." {ncar,decwrl,hplabs,uunet}!ames!eugene Live free or die.