[aclug-L] B&N

[Kirk Lancaster <lancaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Last night I visited the Barnes & Noble at Kellogg and 
Rock.  After looking at the computer section, I asked 
the manager why there were displays of books published 
by Microsoft where the O'Reilly books were normally 
displayed.  He said that a few weeks ago the New York 
office ordered all the B&N stores to do this.  I asked 
him to forward my objection to the corporate office and 
he agreed to try. 

I do not object to books published by Microsoft.  However, 
if these books are placed in prominent displays in the 
majority of the prime locations in the computer sections 
of Barnes & Noble stores, then I object.  Microsoft 
has been found to constitute a monopoly by the courts. 
I would have hoped that Barnes and Noble would not 
assist Microsoft in maintaining (and strengthening) its 
monopoly by replacing displays by publishers like 
O'Reilly with displays by Microsoft or displays which 
promote only Microsoft products.

I am considering other actions I can take.  Does anyone 
know if Borders is doing (or is planning to do) the same 
thing as B&N?  

Sincerely,
Kirk Lancaster

PS  At universities around the country, perhaps we will next 
see courses titled: Visual Calculus, Biology XP, Music ME.
(Mr. Brubakken, you earned a grade of C# in your CS 644 
course.) 
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