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And what independent bookseller in Columbia, SC has the selection of a Barnes and Noble? Now in Denver, I might support The Tattered Cover, as it has a good selection.

As an American, I can say that many of us do, and we don't like it. Chalmers Johnson recently wrote a book called the Sorrows of Empire making the case that we are indeed an empire in all but name. This realization has been slowly growing. People who make the claim that we are an empire are less often dismissed as cynics. Even the Economist is claiming that we are an empire.

We have military personell in over 135 nations. Most have less than 20 and are probably guarding embassies, but more than you would think have over 1000, including Belgium. The UK has over 13,000. It can be said that the sun never sets on the American Empire.

Many Americans are horified by this. Some are proud of it. Some are both horrified and proud.

Another interesting site

You can purchase Solaris Systems Programming at the Tattered Cover. This is not an affiliate link. I post this beacuse the Tattered Cover works to protect First Amendment Rights. Thank you.

Asserting the First Amendment rights of its customers, the Tattered Cover Bookstore challenged a search warrant obtained by police that sought information about all books purchased by a customer in a 30-day period. The ACLU of Colorado filed an amicus brief arguing that the state constitutional right of free expression requires special procedural protections when the government seeks information about who is reading which particular books. In a groundbreaking opinion that recognizes the dangers posed by government monitoring of citizens' reading habits, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in favor of the bookstore.

You can also buy this at the Tattered Cover -- the bookstore which did not turn over purchase records to the government when asked; and defended the right to privacy in
court.

(I'm not in any way associated with the cover, and this is not a referrer link)

For instance, if you lived in the Rocky Mountain region, I'd suggest The Tattered Cover. If you lived in Portland & the Northwest, I'd suggest Powell's, and if you live in California I'd point you towards my personal favorite Bay Area bookstore, Cody's Books.

Independent Bookstores are to Barnes & Noble as Linux is to Windows, etc.

Please consider using independent stores when buying books: Amazon & B&N might be "easy" and have nifty websites...but that doesn't make them GOOD. Remember, indeps can provide the same book, with the same service, while helping, rather than hurting, small business and media independence.

That's The Emperor Wears No Clothes by Jack Herer.

Knots have been a hobby of mine for years. I was on vacation recently and saw a book (in my all-time favorite bookstore) about the mathmatics of knots.

Fun Stuff

Code, by Charles Petzold is what I'd give my 12 year old self. At that time 1984, my dad gave me the C Programming Language, the Unix Programming Environmnet, and a new computer loaded with a copy of Microsoft's XENIX operating system.

Code, by Charles Petzold is what I'd give my 12 year old self. At that time 1984, my dad gave me the C Programming Language, the Unix Programming Environmnet, and a new computer loaded with a copy of Microsoft's XENIX operating system.

Code, by Charles Petzold is what I'd give my 12 year old self. At that time 1984, my dad gave me the C Programming Language, the Unix Programming Environmnet, and a new computer loaded with a copy of Microsoft's XENIX operating system.

Douglas Hofstadter made a point about this with A Person Paper on Purity in Language. It was published in his book Metamagical Themas (which is mainly an annotated collection of his columns for Scientific American).

See The Five Ages of the Universe (review), by Fred Adams and Greg Laughlin.

Read The Wealth of Nations and get a bit better understanding of capitalism.

Then read Capital to learn what's really going on, and why it works the way it does.

In this particular instance, Microsoft isn't being any more evil than most other large corporations.

You are confusing "is" with "should." Just because something is just so, does not mean it ought to be just so. This is no argument at all, in favor of or against anything.

So get to the back of the bus and sit down!

Nice. References to racism are real good to spice up your speech.

There are so many problems with your question, I'm not really sure where to start. In the interest of disclosure, I should probably state that I am trained as a librarian, but I do not work in a public library setting. So, I don't have any special concerns about filtering beyond my professional ones.

The whole notion of Internet filtering goes against a central librarian tenet, namely: We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources. It's a great idea, but it has never really been put to the test until the development of the Internet and libraries providing access.

You see, in practice, librarians have always been censors. They decide which books get on the shelves, which books get weeded from the collection, etc., and this is not necessarily a bad thing. Editors edit books in order to make them more focused, lucid, and pleasurable to read. Librarians are a kind of editor - for whole collections. Due to their efforts, you can find the books you are looking for if they are in the collection. You might be able to find other books by looking nearby. Of course, libraries are no longer just about books, there are article databases, special collections, music, videos, and so forth. But for discussion, let's just talk about books.

Now, let's talk about filters. Filters are essentially limiting your collection to what's on site. It's like taking away inter-library loan for books. It means you do not have access to the material, period - if your librarian doesn't choose to select it. Think about that for a moment in the context of books. If my librarian doesn't know about Zerzan, then I would not have access to the book.

You might say that I could buy my own, assuming I had the money, but buying your own is kind of counter to the whole point of libraries - its a community collection where people can spend time educating and thinking for themselves. Ideally, they should help diversify thinking, not homogenize it.

Or how about we put it another way, let's talk about your SPAM filters. No customizing of filters, we are all going to use the same one and then people can submit new sites to add to the allow list. How effective would it be to have all incoming mail screened for SPAM only at the sysadmin level. To be effective, it would probably mean that you would not get some of the mail you would have liked to recieved. But no fear, you can always ask for a particular address to be added to the allow list. Or hopefully, someone else has submitted it already. In the mean time, you have no idea what your missing.

Would that work for you? Part of the whole idea is that you need to know what's out there, and with filters that you don't create yourself - you can't.

For instance, the Tattered Cover is a great place to buy books on the Internet.

While Amazon does everything in their power to relieve you of choice, the Tattered Cover actually stands up for your rights.

Make Bezo get a real job.

...buy the book here, and support stores that protect their customers' privacy.

Oops! I accidently included the sessionid in the above link. Use this link instead for your privacy. I'm so sorry and I'll contact their coders about proper tying of session ids to IP addreses.

Slashdot should have a policy allowing moderators to discard posts from people who pull this kind of crap.

This is great. We've got a microcosm of the whole Libertarian-accepts-sketchy vs. Ethical-demands-authority debate that always crops up on /.

RedWolves2 is a whore. I hate namecalling, but that's the fact. As soon as I saw him shill for Amazon, I checked to make sure that he had included his affiliate code in the link, and sure enough. He will make some money on being the first 3+ post on the article, with a link (unless he subsequently gets modded down). I have a friend that, despite my chiding him, maintains an Amazon affiliate link for a book that he recommends as his sig, and pulls in a modest ~$15 a month. That's not even half as shady as RedWolves2 though.

What upsets us about RedWolves2's action? The fact that he didn't disclose that he had included his referrer tag? I'm not bothered that he referred Amazon for a discount, and it would only make sense that he'd include *someone*'s affiliate code. If he was a true humanitarian, he would have picked a worthwhile organization that had an affiliate code and used theirs, and disclosed that fact. No, I'd say it's the fact that he used his own, and didn't disclose it, that has got our hackles up.

That being said, that it's fairly unethical behavior that many of us would find distasteful, do we need a new method of dealing with it? He was modded up by folks who apparently wanted to reward his post, dubiously in the public interest. He could be modded down by people who want to punish it. Ultimately, you'd believe that most people clicking through his link would understand the Amazon referral program, and would realize who they were rewarding. Maybe people just keep a list of affiliate codes for worthy charities by their monitors for just such purchases.

Some AC mentioned that the Tattered Cover is a more worthwhile book store to support, and that they have it for $14. They might have an affiliate program, perhaps someone should find a decent organization and buy it from there.

I just double-checked, and sure enough, RedWolves2 has already lost 2 mod points. Looks like the people are speaking...

This fantastic book is $14.00 at an independent bookstore who values freedom. If you remember, about one year ago there was a big case in Colorado where the Tattered Cover bookstore refused to give up records of customers who purchased particular books to the authorities on grounds of free speech. This is detailed here,here, and here. Big chains like BN and Amazon don't take stands like this.

This fantastic book is $14.00 at an independent bookstore who values freedom. If you remember, about one year ago there was a big case in Colorado where the Tattered Cover bookstore refused to give up records of customers who purchased particular books to the authorities on grounds of free speech. This is detailed here,here, and here. Big chains like BN and Amazon don't take stands like this.

Support the Tattered Cover who supported our free speech.

ACLU on Tattered Cover Decision

Free Expression.Com on the tattered cover case

Interview with Tattered Cover's owner.

The Tattered Cover has it listed for $14.00 -- if you remember the Tattered Cover was the bookstore which did not turn over a the list of people who bought a particular book in an effort to protect free speech.

Alternatives include Barnes and Noble and The Tattered Cover.

Support bookstores that protect their customers' privacy.

-Steve

Support bookstores that protect their customers' privacy.

-Steve

(not saying that my dad is some super-parent, but this is one of the fonder memories I have of my childhood)

My father was in college when I was young (until I was 7 or 8). Sometimes he would read his college-level textbooks to me. Since I didn't know any better, and I thought Dad was God (partly because he always told me, "I'm God, I know everything"), I didn't realize that the college textbooks were supposed to be over my head. Bottom line, for me anyway, was that it didn't especially matter what we were doing together for quality time so much as that we were spending quality time together. I am NOT an advocate of pushing your child to learn things that are beyond what is appropriate to fulfill your own fantasies, I just believe that kids are capable of understanding and enjoying a lot more than we give them credit for, especially when the teacher is a loving parent who is sharing their time with them instead of sending them off for lessons with someone who doesn't know them and doesn't have an emotional investment.

Two books that I remember fondly from my childhood, and that still serve as good reference books for number theory, are Mathematical Circus and Mathematical Magic Show, both by Martin Gardner. These were both really fun books that are also challenging reading for an adult. I originally picked them up because I thought they had cool names (kids love magic shows and circuses, ya know), and I picked them up again a few years ago and still found them entertaining and very informative. The author doesn't just write math books either--he is a well-known creator of puzzles and brainteasers and has done some annotated versions of literary classics. He seems to teach critical thinking rather than rote mathematics.

(not saying that my dad is some super-parent, but this is one of the fonder memories I have of my childhood)

My father was in college when I was young (until I was 7 or 8). Sometimes he would read his college-level textbooks to me. Since I didn't know any better, and I thought Dad was God (partly because he always told me, "I'm God, I know everything"), I didn't realize that the college textbooks were supposed to be over my head. Bottom line, for me anyway, was that it didn't especially matter what we were doing together for quality time so much as that we were spending quality time together. I am NOT an advocate of pushing your child to learn things that are beyond what is appropriate to fulfill your own fantasies, I just believe that kids are capable of understanding and enjoying a lot more than we give them credit for, especially when the teacher is a loving parent who is sharing their time with them instead of sending them off for lessons with someone who doesn't know them and doesn't have an emotional investment.

Two books that I remember fondly from my childhood, and that still serve as good reference books for number theory, are Mathematical Circus and Mathematical Magic Show, both by Martin Gardner. These were both really fun books that are also challenging reading for an adult. I originally picked them up because I thought they had cool names (kids love magic shows and circuses, ya know), and I picked them up again a few years ago and still found them entertaining and very informative. The author doesn't just write math books either--he is a well-known creator of puzzles and brainteasers and has done some annotated versions of literary classics. He seems to teach critical thinking rather than rote mathematics.

Incidentally, the frequent attempts at humor in Programming Perl are what make the book frustrating to read for me. Occasional humorous quips are O.K., but only when they're used sparingly. I have been reading the Third Edition recently, and it's painful knowing that another bad pun or camel joke is coming in another two paragraphs. The book is comprehensive, but the humor is distracting to say in the least. I mean, who wants to hear about certain variables being "thingys" when they're reading about operator precedence?

If you want an example of a reference on Perl that is clear and comprehensive, take a look at Core Perl by Reuven Lerner. The book covers much of the material of the "Camel" book, but with half the amount of pages. There's a sample chapter up at the Prentice Hall Web site.

Not related to Perl, but I have found Jeff Prosise's Programming Windows with MFC to be absolutely packed with information. The diction is concise, but not dry. Example code and programs are usually useful. Especially nice is how Mr. Prosise breaks down complex tasks into manageable steps. Few books are as well-organized as this one.

Incidentally, the frequent attempts at humor in Programming Perl are what make the book frustrating to read for me. Occasional humorous quips are O.K., but only when they're used sparingly. I have been reading the Third Edition recently, and it's painful knowing that another bad pun or camel joke is coming in another two paragraphs. The book is comprehensive, but the humor is distracting to say in the least. I mean, who wants to hear about certain variables being "thingys" when they're reading about operator precedence?

If you want an example of a reference on Perl that is clear and comprehensive, take a look at Core Perl by Reuven Lerner. The book covers much of the material of the "Camel" book, but with half the amount of pages. There's a sample chapter up at the Prentice Hall Web site.

Not related to Perl, but I have found Jeff Prosise's Programming Windows with MFC to be absolutely packed with information. The diction is concise, but not dry. Example code and programs are usually useful. Especially nice is how Mr. Prosise breaks down complex tasks into manageable steps. Few books are as well-organized as this one.

How about supporting companies who look out for their customers' privacy?

The Tattered Cover - $39.95

-Steve

I personally will make all of my future online book purchases from Tattered Cover.
How quickly we forget who is standing up for our rights.

Thinking in Java, Bruce Eckel

In the future, instead of linking to Amazon when you want to refer someone to a book, link to The Tattered Cover, like this:

The Termcap Manual, by Richard Stallman.

Support the folks that regard as important the same ideals you regard as important. Amazon is not your friend. The Tattered Cover is. They are fighting the good fight, and at no small cost to themselves. You should thank them by sending them your business and your friends' business.

I don't know the details of this case; can anyone point me to a link that gives some background? Because I have to admit, given what I've seen on their site, the First Amendment argument seems pretty weak...just like (almost) everyone else here, IANAL, but saying that anonymity is required for true freedom of speech seems a tenuous link at best. As long as you're protected from being censored or censured for your opinions, I fail to see how anonymity is a legitimate requirement for free speech. But, again, IANAL, and there could be loads of legal precedent for this of which I am unaware. Still, I would have thought this sort of thing would fall more under the Fourth Amendment...

Anyhow, the upshot is, I'd appreciate someone pointing me to the background for this story so I can remove the "un"...

That's why we need to smack them down for even considering this crap.

I went to a local Borders today, and picked up about four ORA titles that I've been needing, plus a few other things. Maybe about $200 worth of cover price. I then went to the service desk and asked for the manager. He showed up and I told him that I had some serious concerns about the company's plans to use face-recognition software. He said the plan had been abandoned. I said that I was concerned that they had even considered such behavior, and that I didn't feel safe shopping at a bookstore that would consider such invasions.

Then I asked if he'd mind helping me re-shelf the books I ended up not buying.

The keys to even being heard are to be polite and to explain the problem to them in a language that they can understand. In Borders' case, the language is mainly money. I probably blow a thousand or so on books each year, not counting the work-related ones that Borders/B&N don't stock and wouldn't be able to order. That's about a grand that Borders has lost, assuming that they stay on good behavior and I lift my boycott after a year instead of going indefinitely.

We're talking about corporations, not individuals. I'm not fond of the notion of punishing people because of their ideas. However, if a corporation could spring this and shut it down after public outcry, I think it's entirely reasonable to question what other plans they might have, and whether these plans came from the same mindset. And they damned well don't need to be thinking such thoughts with my money.

Yes, their acts are legal, although in some states they'd be required to post the signs. And I think such things should be legal, on private property. However, they can do it without my money. In the book market, we're fortunate enough to have other options. Tattered Cover in Denver, in particular, is a good one if you have privacy concerns. They got into, and won, a legal pissing match with a regional drug task force over turning over their customer records.

I haven't heard any complaints about Powell's in Oregon either. And I don't doubt that similar stores exist elsewhere in the US and the world.

According to the American Booksellers Association, the case is heading to trial on July 26. Tattered Cover has their own website, of course, but I can't find any reference to the pending legal action.

This is not, of course, the first time Tattered Cover has been involved in a constitutional battle. Back in 1985, in Tattered Cover, Inc. v. Tooley, 696 P.2d 780, they got part of Colorado's criminal code that criminalizes the display of sexually explicit materials struck down as violating the state's constitutional guarantee of free speech.

My favorite physical bookstore has a presence online, along with plenty of other independent bookstores:

• Powell's City of Books in Portland, OR.
• WoodsWorth in Cambridge, MA
• Book Stacks, in Cleveland, OH, with the domain books.com
• The Tattered Cover in Denver, CO.
• Open Group Books is in Phoenix, AZ, and will ship worldwide.

All of these are smaller, independent bookstores that aren't huge conglomerates (or Internet behemoths,) and are very good alternatives to the conventional. This list has a good selection of online bookstores, including the ones listed above.

Or, there's always the old fasioned way. Walk to your local used bookstore. I guarantee that there is one in your town, and you might just find something worth reading.