[aclug-L] Re: B&N

[bbales <bbales@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

While I do not disagree with everyone's desire to have a large display
of O'Reiley books displayed, I understand somewhat B&N's action.
Windows-XP for dummies (if there is such a book) will surely outsell
Using Samba by more than ten to one.  Shelf space in any store is
valuable - Coke, Pepsi and RC fight for it (and in some places pay
for it) constantly.  If RC cola is on the shelf at all, it has a small 
display.  The store displays what will sell and, sadly, not a lot of people 
are looking for Linux books.

We can voice our displeasure - and I will.  But our best tactic is to 
support development of Linux applications as good as the Windows 
applications people are used to and shop for books where O'Reiley
books are sold.

bruce

On Sunday 31 March 2002 12:56 pm, you wrote:
> 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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