Tim May wrote:

Considering that the new edition of "True Names" is just about to appear, and has a bunch of related essays in it, I certainly wouldn't have paid $25 for the pb.

Really! Hadn't heard it was -- oh well! Chance's are tho the value will hold, since Vinge seems to be collectible judging by the prices at Bibliofind.

...

Used book stores -- sigh! Sure wish I could afford to quit the computer racket and run a used book store instead.

A _physical_ used book store? Surely you are kidding. My experience is that used book stores are employers of low-wage people...suggesting slim profit margins.

That's why I said "I wish I could afford..." 8-) I also frequently wish I could go back to grad school, get my PhD in religious studies or MFA in creative writing and get a job teaching in at some groovy college. Same problem -- can't afford it.

If you are suggesting an Internet service, you wouldn't even have to leave the computer biz. OTOH, other companies are already offering such matching services. Powell's Books, for example.

Powell's is awesome. I'm glad I only get to visit it once in awhile -- I'd go broke otherwise.

Tim May wrote:

Well, this is what you get for not reading--or at least not remembering--list traffic. The forthcoming "True Names" re-issue has been discussed several times, including mentions in the last few months by both myself and, IIRC, Bill Stewart.

Here's what I wrote the last time the "The Ungoverned" was discussed"

"Vinge just won a second Hugo Best Novel for "A Deepness in the Sky," so maybe this means the long-delayed re-issue of "True Names" will finally happen. (Alas, my essay for it was written several years ago, so is even more out of date. From the instant publishing on the Net to several years' delay in publishing in pulpspace.)"

Yes, I remember you saying "maybe this means...." --- but when? I want to read it now.

Also, a simple query of Amazon turns up the re-issue of "True Names."

And they also say "March 2001", but given the fact that the print industry is much like the software industry in vaporous publishing dates, who knows when?. Amazon compounds this by advertising all sorts of books, etc. that they don't have in hand. But I'll probably buy the new edition when it comes out. I spend ridiculous amounts of money on books every month anyway. Just went to one of those remaindered book outlets last weekend and bought 6-7 books, then went to Barnes & Noble and bought more. Like I said, I'd really be happy running a used book store. Guess I'm just a book freak.

--Tim May -- (This .sig file has not been significantly changed since 1992. As the election debacle unfolds, it is time to prepare a new one. Stay tuned.)

At 10:24 PM 11/28/00 -0500, Tim May wrote:

Considering that the new edition of "True Names" is just about to appear, and has a bunch of related essays in it, I certainly wouldn't have paid $25 for the pb.

*Is* it finally about to appear? It's been just about to appear Real Soon Now for the last couple of years, I gather due to Stupid Publisher Tricks. It'd be nice if it finally happens. Meanwhile, A Local Cypherpunk has my copy (relatively large print paperback, found for about $4 in a used book store); there was at some point a plot to scan and OCR the thing, though I'm not sure that ever materialized.

...

Used book stores -- sigh! Sure wish I could afford to quit the computer racket and run a used book store instead.

A _physical_ used book store? Surely you are kidding. My experience is that used book stores are employers of low-wage people...suggesting slim profit margins.

My wife used to program for a calendar publishing company, located upstairs from the used book store operated by the same people. The bookstore was an expensive habit, subsidized by the real business; fortunately the size of the place (large but full) put limits on the owners' bookbuying frenzies :-) Of course, if you're in the SF Bay Area and *want* to work in a used bookstore, there's a local religious cult that runs a really good one in downtown Mountain View. Thanks! Bill Bill Stewart, bill.stewart@pobox.com PGP Fingerprint D454 E202 CBC8 40BF 3C85 B884 0ABE 4639

At 8:35 AM -0500 11/29/00, Harmon Seaver wrote:

Bill Stewart wrote:

...

Of course, if you're in the SF Bay Area and *want* to work in a used bookstore, there's a local religious cult that runs a really good one in downtown Mountain View.

Hot Damn! Thanx loads, Bill -- you've just given me a real clue on how I can make a bundle in the book store business. Let's see, I have a degree in religious studies from the UofWI, and long held ordination papers from the Universal Life Church, and ...... Hmm, I also own six old offset presses, and have another degree in creative writing, so I can pump out lots of screed. I wonder who I could get to cast some images of Jim Bell hanging on a cross?

The rants of C.J. Parker/Toto/Truthmonger might be better to build a cult around. As with Elron, volume counts. Sign up a few movie stars, open some "Circle of Eunuchs" cybercafe clearing centers, and pipe country porn through the PA system. --Tim May -- (This .sig file has not been significantly changed since 1992. As the election debacle unfolds, it is time to prepare a new one. Stay tuned.)