XPost: anyone know where can i download...DiaN and LiaN

[Bruce Epstein - Zeus Productions]

I was catching up on some old email and came across this thread from July
on Lingo-L and Direct-L concerning my Lingo and Director in a Nutshell
books. Apologies for the late cross-post but it was an active discussion on
both lists and one that warranted my reply. In the future, anyone should
feel free to cc me directly when posts concern my books as I don't have
time to read the lists very often these days.

A few things:

1. I've tried to make a large portion of my books available online. You can
download about five hundred pages of Lingo and Director in a Nutshell from:

 http://www.zeusprod.com/nutshell/downloads/

These include chapters on video, sound, lists, basic Lingo, etc.

2. You can and should go through legitimate channels at O'Reilly to try to
find the books locally (or via Amazon). Information about obtaining the
books internationally is on my site. You can also write to
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://international.oreilly.com/

3. I've offered, on numerous occasions on various lists, to try to help
people obtain legitimate copies of the books in countries where they are
not available or are prohibitively expensive. While I am not in the
"fulfillment" business, I have on occasion shipped copies to individuals in
exchange for an amount they can afford or for an inexpensive local item
available in their country (i.e. a "cultural exchange").

4. While I in no way condone piracy or copyright infringement, and whereas
I appreciate those who defended my books, I am not convinced that anyone
will burn in hell for stealing $1 out of my pocket (which is about what I
get from each book, even if it costs $80 in your country). That said, the
considerable sympathy I have for those who cannot legitimately afford the
books is tempered by the resentment I feel towards those who want something
for nothing.

5. It isn't my fault that Macromedia's documentation and support aren't
optimal. It is instead YOUR fault if you pirate their software. If you
can't afford their software, join their beta program and you can get it for
free (legitimately). I worked hard on my books, harder than any of you can
imagine, for much less than I could make as a consultant. It is a shame
that I am lumped in with companies like Macromedia whose assets are several
billion dollars more than mine. Blatant copyright infringement merely
discourages people like me from doing what we can to help the community.

6. I drive a 10-year old car, live in a rented townhouse, don't take
vacations, pay $7,000 per year for my own health insurance, often work 12
to 15 hour days, and have 3 young children with whom I don't get to spend
enough time. I hope for 6 hours sleep on a good night. If you work harder
than that, are worse off than that, and my Nutshell books cost you more
than you can HONESTLY afford, feel free to contact me directly and I'll see
what I can do.

7. If you feel that books are unreasonably expensive in your country, then
it seems like you have a substantial business opportunity as a book
importer. You might also consider investing in a print-on-demand machine
and trying to license material from foreign publishers. I wish you well in
that endeavor.

8. The people at O'Reilly are good people. I know that they share my
genuine concern for their readers and would-be readers regardless of their
ability to pay for books. They have open lines of communication with the
communities they serve. You can send any questions to
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://www.oreilly.com/ask_tim/ where you
can write to Tim O'Reilly (the "O'Reilly" in "O'Reilly and Associates")

Thank you all for your time and indulgence,
Bruce

>Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2000 15:59:38 -0300
>From: "Santiago TAVITIAN" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: <lingo-l> anyone know where can i download...
>
>anyone know where can i download Director in a nutshell & lingo in a =
>nutshell??
>
>i know that pirating is a crime, but i live in argentina and is very =
>dificult to me to obtain these books.

----------------

>Date:    Thu, 27 Jul 2000 19:33:00 -0700
>From:    "Mark A. Boyd" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: Re: <lingo-l> anyone know where can i download...

>At 11:59 AM 7/27/00, Santiago TAVITIAN wrote:
>
>>anyone know where can i download Director in a nutshell & lingo in a
>>nutshell??
>
>As computer books go, Bruce's Nutshell series are the least expensive I've
>ever purchased. Most computer books in the US cost around $45, regardless
>of the content. LIAN and DIAN would still be an exceptional value at that
>price.

----------------

>Date:    Fri, 28 Jul 2000 09:08:27 -0300
>From:    martin langhoff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
>"Mark A. Boyd" wrote:
>> As computer books go, Bruce's Nutshell series are the least expensive I've
>> ever purchased. Most computer books in the US cost around $45, regardless
>
>really sorry for chiming in ...
>
> I develop in argentina, and, although I (almost in ridicule) run only
>licensed software and OSS, I can tell it's not easy. Local rates for
>developers are *very* low and prices are consistently high. There books
>cost about $80 each here, and Director is priced 20% higher usually.
>
> ... and Macromedia's tech support here is ... hhhhmmmmh flaky?. I've
>had a few conversations with MACR people in the US about this *issue*.
>
>  certainly Santiago is not clear he's in a developers' list. But he's
>somehow a hint of how multimedia is developed around here. I sure envy
>the market you've got.
>
> sorry again for continuing this shameful thread.
>martin






Bruce Epstein, Zeus Productions, [EMAIL PROTECTED], 732-940-2800
Check out LAST CALL - The Ultimate Bartending Sim:
http://www.zeusprod.com/games/lastcall.html
--------
Director and Lingo in a Nutshell (DiaN/LiaN) kick butt.
Free Sample Chapters: http://www.zeusprod.com/nutshell/downloads/
--------



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