Going to the extreme

A couple of weeks ago I purchased a new computer. It is a wonderful device, 27-inch screen, Magic Mouse, wireless keyboard and the works.
The screen is larger than most of the televisions I have owned over the years. It is actually so large that viewing text, photos and the like on such a large monitor has taken some getting used to, but I have managed.
In short, I love the new computer and really love the Magic Mouse. The tiny Apple keyboard, though, is a bit awkward to use.
Technology somehow seems to always find a way to bite me.
I use QuarkXPress quite a bit to lay out newspaper and other pages. I was able to get a copy of the newest version of the software and it loaded quickly. Problem is, it would not work. Turns out there is a compatibility problem. I had to download an update to cure that problem.
That download took an hour and a half.
Time to look at my DSL connection.
It turns out faster DSL and unlimited long distance was available for less than I was already paying per month. So I signed on the dotted line.
My wireless router, however, was not up to the job. It was several years old and, like me, has seen some better days.
I looked at many routers and decided on Airport Extreme from Apple.
Fed Ex had it to my house in just a couple of days.
Within a few minutes I had it out of the box and a password-protected network up and running. I am not a computer geek and consider that somewhat of a minor miracle.
Let me knock on wood. Everything seems to be working OK.
I just haven't had the courage yet to try my printer on the new computer. I have read that it should be compatible though a download may be needed.
I think I will tackle that another day.

Why does saving money always cost more in the end?

Just the other day I got a copy of an advertising text in the mail. It is an updated version of a book I have used for years.

I was surprised to find 775 pages punched for a binder and no cover. The "book" was wrapped in plastic and ready for me to supply my own binder.

I e-mailed the publisher, McGraw-Hill, to ask what was up about the new book. I was told that all copies of the book, for students and faculty, are now being published that way to save money. Now get this, the coverless copy will"net" for $81, according to the McGraw-Hill rep. The former edition of the book, with a hard cover, had a "net" of $145.50.

As an author who has written four books, I know a little about publishing. After writing my first book, I formed my own publishing company to save money on printing costs. Every printer I have used can supply hard covers for $10 to $12 per book.

Here is the real kicker, though. The McGraw-Hill rep told me that the whole purpose of the change was to save students' money by offering a book with no cover.

The campus bookstore will not buy that book back at the end of the semester.

Why?

Will some of those 775 pages students must supply a binder for after spending $81, become damaged, soiled or lost during the course of a semester? It is possible, perhaps even likely.

I also cannot imagine that someone in the bookstore would spend the time necessary to look through all 775 pages to be certain they are there before buying the book back.

Simple fact is that books without covers will mean an end to used books. Students may pay less for the new book but they won't be able to sell it back for any price.

Will that be a net savings for students? I seriously doubt it.

Another colleague of mine has predicted the end of all books within the next five years or so.

A downloadable version of these 775 pages should be much cheaper than $81. Slap that onto an iPad and we would all be set for class.

I really have to wonder, though, why a basic book on advertising requires 775 pages.

Maybe the attention span of students is longer than I thought.

Let me begin at the beginning

As a university professor who spent more than 25 years in the newspaper business, all this blogging, twittering and Facebook stuff has me somewhat confused.
Part of me would like to move out in the woods away from electricity and the internet. Yet I am already requested to be notified when Apple is actually selling the ipad.
I embrace changing technology on one hand and yet on the other hand worry about how it is changing our world. Many tell me printed books, newspapers and magazines will disappear. I would like to think they will not. Time will tell.
I believe that the need for facts, the truth, is as great as ever. So that part of journalism will not change. The delivery system likely will.
I am trying to learn all I can about this brave new media world.
This blog is part of that adventure.