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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 12 to 36 of 91. Go back in thread:
Posted by Alara on October 26, 2002, at 21:36:03
In reply to Re: linking book titles to amazon, posted by Dr. Bob on October 21, 2002, at 0:35:38
Either I'm having a blonde day or Americans and Australians don't mean the same thing by `quotes'. :-)
(See my failed attempts in the `Mr Doctor Called me Neurotic' thread!)By double double quotes, do you mean quadruple:
"
'
<
on each side???Alara
Posted by Jonathan on October 27, 2002, at 0:34:26
In reply to Feeling a little silly today, posted by Alara on October 26, 2002, at 21:36:03
> Either I'm having a blonde day or Americans and Australians don't mean the same thing by `quotes'. :-)
> (See my failed attempts in the `Mr Doctor Called me Neurotic' thread!)Your second attempt in that thread should have worked — to prove it here's an exact copy of what you wrote:
> Oops, sorry! I forgot all about that. The name of the book by David Burns is "Feeling Good".
When I submitted this, what I copied from your post caused a list of books to appear above the "Revise your post" form; fortunately, the first of these, which is selected for you as the default choice, looks like the book you meant, so I clicked on the "Submit your links" button below the book list. This made the other nine choices disappear, leaving only the first choice, indented about 1 cm to the right.
I then typed the above paragraph, explaining what I had just done, in the big text box at the bottom of the "Revise your post" form, and clicked the "Submit your revised post" button to add the new paragraph to my post.
Oops! The book list has gone back to the way it looked before I pressed the "Submit your links" button; I think I may have discovered an unintended feature of Dr. Bob's new CGI script!
Alara, it's possible that you didn't click the "Submit your links" button at all; it's also possible that you inadvertently cancelled the links you had previously submitted by subsequently revising your post.
It looks to me as if we have to resubmit all links after *any* change to the post, even if none of the text between double double quotes has been changed: "Submit your links" should be the last button you press before "Confirm".
Jonathan.
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 27, 2002, at 9:56:02
In reply to Re: linking book titles to amazon, posted by ~Alii~ on October 26, 2002, at 17:03:33
> > I'd just like to plug the new double double quote feature. But I don't mean to be pushy.
>
> I understand your curiousity but as a reader having seen your numerous pleas to anyone *not* using the double double quote method seems a touch pushy to me.Sorry about that, it's hard to be sure how much is enough and how much is too much, especially since it might also depend on the poster. Thanks for your patience, I don't think this will go on forever...
> There are those of us that despise Amazon and their business practices. Some of us choose to shop at local independent booksellers or order online from the few independents that can afford to do online sales.
That's fine. I just don't want people (1) not to know about it or (2) to find it too difficult to use.
> ~~Independent Alii who will never give a dime to the huge chain bookstores that are crushing out small publishing and leaving us with 'nothing but Crichton and King'
What about the huge chain web sites vs. the small ones? :-)
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 27, 2002, at 10:09:49
In reply to Not at all silly! » Dr. Bob » Alara, posted by Jonathan on October 27, 2002, at 0:34:26
> > Either I'm having a blonde day or Americans and Australians don't mean the same thing by `quotes'. :-)
Sorry, what I mean by double double quotes is two double quotes on each side, with each double quote being a ".
> When I submitted this, what I copied from your post caused a list of books to appear above the "Revise your post" form; fortunately, the first of these, which is selected for you as the default choice, looks like the book you meant, so I clicked on the "Submit your links" button below the book list. This made the other nine choices disappear, leaving only the first choice, indented about 1 cm to the right.
>
> I then typed the above paragraph, explaining what I had just done, in the big text box at the bottom of the "Revise your post" form, and clicked the "Submit your revised post" button to add the new paragraph to my post.
>
> Oops! The book list has gone back to the way it looked before I pressed the "Submit your links" buttonYes, it starts over if you revise your post, since you might be changing which books you mention. BTW, the "link" section does say:
> > Use this section if you want to link to a different book at Amazon or don't want to link to Amazon at all. If you revise your post, these options are reset, so do that before you do this.
So first say what you have to say, then take care of the links.
Note that you do *not* even need to click "submit your links" *unless* you want to link to a different book or don't want to link at all. Just click "confirm your post" for the default (first) link.
Is that more clear? Should I revise the explanation in that section? Thanks for your willingness to try this out, and for your patience...
Bob
Posted by BeardedLady on October 27, 2002, at 10:25:37
In reply to Re: Amazon business practices, posted by Dr. Bob on October 27, 2002, at 9:56:02
This is long, but I hope you'll bear with me.
After Hechinger and Home Depot came to town, I continued to pay exhorbitant prices for screws and saws at my local Mom & Pop hardware store. I continued to pay them, and they continued to thank me by name. Alas, others stopped shopping there, and only one such store remains in my area. I have my windows rescreened there every year.
It is indeed sad that these chain places have pushed the indy sellers out of business.
But in my big metropolitan city, we've had two or three independent bookstores, and two of them only sold used books. The third was a lovely little cafe where everyone in town waited in line for a fabulous jazz brunch served by art school students and a few transvestites. That has also closed. All my life I grew up with the chains like Walden and B. Dalton. I am now grateful to have a bunch of Borders and Barnes and Nobles in my area.
I embrace Amazon as a place to save money in this troubled economy. It doesn't mean I don't support the other places; I do. But there aren't any indy stores left here.
As far as I know and have read and heard, Amazon is a great place to work. Many of the jobs are not exciting to me, but lots of those who work them have opportunities they may not have had elsewhere. And I admire Jeff Bezos for pulling off an internet store with fabulous customer service. Every year, UPS delivers me something I didn't order--a mug or a gift certificate--just for being a customer.It's a great thing to be able to support the independent merchants. Many of us are not financially capable of doing so, and most of us who are don't do it in all cases. We have pizza from Papa Johns sometimes. We take our kids three times a year for MacDonald's french fries (that's literally how often I have done this). And we shop at Macy*s, Hecht's, and the Gap because it's just too expensive to choose the independent boutiques.
Dr. Bob's linking doesn't mean that anyone has to shop at Amazon. But they are offering a free service (for the price of a monthly ISP fee, which isn't paid to Amazon), and that is to be able to preview before buying. I go there often just to read the customer reviews and recommendations and to hear music before buying from my local real-life store.
No one has to link, but please remember that you are helping the independent authors of books (check out my wonderfully talented friend Steve Parke's new book, "In the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe") , the independent recording artists (like my all-time favorite, Ani DiFranco, whose new album is out: "So Much Shouting So Much Laughter"*), and the work of other independent struggling artists.
This, to me, is the important part. I don't want to be pushy here. We all have our causes (some of us even correct other people's grammar a little too often! : )> ). I just wanted to present an alternative view that might make people like Alii feel a little bit more comfortable with the decision of others to use the double quotes.
And when my book of poetry is released, maybe someone will double quote it on the pages of social. Of course, I won't be able to own up to it due to my top-secret true identity.
Take care, y'all.
beardy
P.S. Docbob: you need to make that work with CDs and videos, too!
Posted by NikkiT2 on October 27, 2002, at 10:30:13
In reply to Re: linking book titles to amazon, posted by ~Alii~ on October 26, 2002, at 17:03:33
Unfortunatly, Amazon is often the only place I can find the less known books, or not recently published books...
And for us book loving angro phobics its a dream come true!!!
Nikki xx
Posted by Jonathan on October 27, 2002, at 13:14:37
In reply to Re: the 'submit your links' button, posted by Dr. Bob on October 27, 2002, at 10:09:49
> Yes, it starts over if you revise your post, since you might be changing which books you mention. BTW, the "link" section does say:
>
> > > Use this section if you want to link to a different book at Amazon or don't want to link to Amazon at all. If you revise your post, these options are reset, so do that before you do this.
>
> So first say what you have to say, then take care of the links.
>
> Note that you do *not* even need to click "submit your links" *unless* you want to link to a different book or don't want to link at all. Just click "confirm your post" for the default (first) link.
>
> Is that more clear? Should I revise the explanation in that section?
I'm sorry: I misunderstood the function of the "Submit your links" button, wrongly believing that no link would be created unless it was pressed. Thanks for explaining further, though with hindsight the explanation on the form is so clear that I'm embarrassed by my mistake; I don't think you need revise the explanation on the form unless others misunderstand it as I did.It now looks to me as if Alara must have accidentally clicked on both the "Do not link" radio button and then the "Submit your links" button before she confirmed her post — http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021025/msgs/125369.html — unless you can suggest a more plausible reason why her link didn't appear?
> Thanks for your willingness to try this out, and for your patience...
You're very welcome; thank *you* for the many hours you must have spent writing the complex Perl script that does this, and for even more hours, over the last nine months or so, pasting in all those Amazon links by hand.
Jonathan.
Posted by Alara on October 27, 2002, at 20:42:51
In reply to Re: the 'submit your links' button, posted by Dr. Bob on October 27, 2002, at 10:09:49
>>
> Sorry, what I mean by double double quotes is two double quotes on each side, with each double quote being a ".
>
> >>
My perception of the syntax was all wrong! I read `<double double> quotes' (meaning quadruple single quotes) rather than `double <double quotes>' (two sets of double quotes). :-) As a result I typed in four separate inverted commas instead of two sets of quotation marks (on each side).It was a blonde day. Sorry!
Posted by Squiggles on October 28, 2002, at 8:16:17
In reply to Re: linking book titles to amazon, posted by Dr. Bob on October 21, 2002, at 0:35:38
I was quoting from my personal copy at home.
Squiggles
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 28, 2002, at 22:46:23
In reply to Re: linking book titles to amazon » Dr. Bob, posted by Squiggles on October 28, 2002, at 8:16:17
> I was quoting from my personal copy at home.
I just thought others might be interested... Did you deliberately not link it to Amazon? To paraphrase Beardy, from above:
No one has to shop at Amazon. But they do offer a free service, being able to preview books, and this does also help the authors.
Bob
Posted by ~Alii~ on October 28, 2002, at 23:45:43
In reply to Re: linking book titles to amazon, posted by Dr. Bob on October 28, 2002, at 22:46:23
>>>>>I just thought others might be interested... Did you deliberately not link it to Amazon? To paraphrase Beardy, from above:
No one has to shop at Amazon. But they do offer a free service, being able to preview books, and this does also help the authors.<<<<<--Bob
How about providing links to Barnes and Noble or Powells? Why not provide links to every large online bookseller and allow the reader/poster to decide for themselves where they wish to receive their information from? The reviews on different sites vary quite a bit and the prices as well. Amazon offers a convenient service but I'm not sure that the mass public realizes what the true cost of running and supporting a company like Amazon is.Here are two links to indies that can provide adequate book information without the corporate culture of the large dot coms:
http://www.booksense.com/about/booksense.jsp
http://www.bookfinder.com/about/Happy book hunting for all you book lovers out there. Don't forget to check your local library too. The United States is losing libraries at an alarming rate. Support yours.
--Activist Alii
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 29, 2002, at 0:03:31
In reply to Not everyone wants to preview books » Dr. Bob, posted by ~Alii~ on October 28, 2002, at 23:45:43
> How about providing links to Barnes and Noble or Powells? Why not provide links to every large online bookseller and allow the reader/poster to decide for themselves where they wish to receive their information from?
Hmm, interesting idea. But one step at a time...
Bob
PS: People are already free to decide for themselves where to receive information from.
Posted by ~Alii~ on October 29, 2002, at 0:15:49
In reply to Re: links to every large online bookseller, posted by Dr. Bob on October 29, 2002, at 0:03:31
>>>>>Hmm, interesting idea. But one step at a time...
Bob
PS: People are already free to decide for themselves where to receive information from.<<<<<Dr. Bob,
How free to decide is someone when your default link goes to Amazon?
~~Alii
Posted by NikkiT2 on October 29, 2002, at 9:50:26
In reply to Not everyone wants to preview books » Dr. Bob, posted by ~Alii~ on October 28, 2002, at 23:45:43
How about for us outside th US htough??? At least Amazon has a UK site for me, and many others around the world.
And it would just get way too confusing to have a million links to each different book supplier - we have to choose one, and Amazon doe supply world wide.
Nikki
Posted by ~Alii~ on October 29, 2002, at 11:18:42
In reply to Re: Not everyone wants to preview books » ~Alii~, posted by NikkiT2 on October 29, 2002, at 9:50:26
Posted by NikkiT2 on October 29, 2002, at 15:19:36
In reply to we have to choose one* except it's not WE choosing (nm) » NikkiT2, posted by ~Alii~ on October 29, 2002, at 11:18:42
So you would like Dr Bob to spend alot of his time programming this site so that it will link each book to 20 different sites???
How about, instead of using amazon, you take the time to put a link in a post for yourself, pointing to your chosen book shop.
Dr Bob chose, as this is his site, its not our site - we just have the privaledge of being able to use it. He spends alot of money out of his own wallet to pay for it, so if he can raise a little extra cash tp help pay for this, why not?
nikki
Posted by Mr Beev on October 29, 2002, at 16:18:02
In reply to Re: linking book titles to amazon, posted by Dr. Bob on October 21, 2002, at 0:35:38
Well, perhaps the subject line is a bit exaggerated, but I should like especially to emphasize a site mentioned by Alii, http://www.bookfinder.com
This site has several advantages for intrepid tippety-tappers:
- it searches a gargantuan international network of used and rare book sellers, most of which are independents
- it also searches amazon.com and Barnes & Noble
- one can often find used books in pristine condition and much cheaper than their discounted amazon.com equivalent; I have found quality hardback editions for less than half the price of discounted low-quality paperback equivalents at amazon.com
N.B. I am not suggesting this as an alternative to PB linking to amazon; I merely mention it in the hopes of increasing a reader's quality of life, however minutely.
Cheers,
Mr Beev "cross-eyed reader"
Posted by Squiggles on October 29, 2002, at 16:25:12
In reply to bookfinder.com: gateway to pleasure, posted by Mr Beev on October 29, 2002, at 16:18:02
Thanks for the neat suggestion Mr. Beev;
i think some of us buy too many books not
to consider 2nd hand options; i got a really
good deal on "Achilles in Vietnam" on i forget
what site.Presumably, you can sell your books too;
Squiggles
Posted by Tabßitha on October 30, 2002, at 1:32:18
In reply to bookfinder.com: gateway to pleasure, posted by Mr Beev on October 29, 2002, at 16:18:02
Bookfinder is a great site. For used and out of print books, Amazon doesn't have the best selection or prices. I still think Amazon is tops for finding new books though (and new music and DVDs for that matter). I often look for a book at the local B&N or Borders store, find they don't carry it, and end up buying from Amazon. Even if the local store offers to order it, it's still usually faster to get it from Amazon. Amazon rocked my book-loving world when it appeared. The other online booksellers are just playing catch-up.
Independent bookstores? Nice idea, but I've never had much luck with them. The ones around here tend to have a tiny selection, though I'll buy from one if the location is convenient.
I just wish Amazon had existed when I was growing up in a small town where the best bookstore was a B Dalton at the mall 35 miles away.
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 30, 2002, at 18:36:31
In reply to Re: Bookfinder, Amazon, etc., posted by Tabßitha on October 30, 2002, at 1:32:18
[redirected from http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20021022/msgs/31798.html]
> and do we HAVE to use it whenever we suggest a book? Is it a faux-pas if we don't want to and will we get a PBC?
No, you don't have to use it, but if you're not going to, I'd be curious why. I don't see it as an issue of civility, just as potentially helping out readers (and me).
Bob
Posted by tina on October 31, 2002, at 13:44:37
In reply to Re: she didn't know about it, posted by Dr. Bob on October 30, 2002, at 18:36:31
I suppose the "why" would be, " I just don't feel like it" SOmetimes I have days where I'm just compelled to irk other people but doing the opposite of what they want. I wonder if it's just me or if it's attributed to mental illness. I guess I'd NOT use it just because you WANTED me to. Pretty sure it won't be an issue for me though. I don't suggest books.
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 31, 2002, at 23:56:09
In reply to Re: she didn't know about it » Dr. Bob, posted by tina on October 31, 2002, at 13:44:37
> I suppose the "why" would be, " I just don't feel like it"
Good, I didn't want you to use it anyway. :-)
Bob
Posted by anaya on November 1, 2002, at 7:52:03
In reply to Re: linking book titles to amazon, posted by Dr. Bob on October 21, 2002, at 0:35:38
hey dr. bob,
i would have gladly linked to amazon.com, but didn't know about it...
Re: Still confused and on St. John's Wort,(i don't even know how to link mt post, jeez)
thanks for the info.
anaya
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 2, 2002, at 0:45:53
In reply to Re: linking book titles to amazon, posted by anaya on November 1, 2002, at 7:52:03
> i would have gladly linked to amazon.com, but didn't know about it...
Thanks!
> Re: Still confused and on St. John's Wort,
>
> (i don't even know how to link mt post, jeez)Just paste the complete URL into your post:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#links
You should be able to copy the URL (in order to be able to paste it) from your browser's location box, the link to the post on the board's main page, or the link in the "thread" section or the very bottom of the post's page.
Bob
Posted by NikkiT2 on November 2, 2002, at 17:31:00
In reply to Re: linking to amazon and to posts, posted by Dr. Bob on November 2, 2002, at 0:45:53
Was showing ultra brainy husband the fab new books/amazon feature (I am very impressed after using for first time today!), and about the complaints of not using other books sellers, and when he looked at it he said it was cos probably most other on line book sellers don't support an XML interface, which it would seem Dr Bob has used to create our fabby new feature!!!
XML is a programming language, that seems to have been used for this.. its very unlikely the smaller "stores" would have this kind of thing ont heir web site.
Niki
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