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University Textbook Exchange Software

Posted by michael on from the cut-out-the-middleman dept.

PageMap writes "With the textbook-buying season upon us, many universities and student organizations are attempting to combat the on-campus bookstore's overcharging by starting up their own grassroots book exchange efforts. The problem is the seeming lack of available web-based software to facilitate an efficient book exchange. Is there such a thing as free web-based software made for this type of use?"

17 of 324 comments (clear)

  1. UT has one by Lane.exe · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm not sure if it's free or not, but the University of Texas has a book exchange. I've never used it personally, but I know people who have and they've always been satisfied with it.

    --
    IAALS.
    1. Re:UT has one by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      Also check out illinois' book exchange at illinibookexchange.com. It has a nice interface similar to the bookstores and allows you to send the owner an e-mail with a place to meet.

      AC

    2. Re:UT has one by blugu64 · · Score: 3, Informative

      As does UT Dallas, http://www.studentgov.org
      quite cool, but seems kinda lacking for some reason that I can't quite place. I used half.com to sell my books and to buy one of them. I recieved fair prices for them. and was quite convient

      --
      "Personal ownership is a hallmark of conservative capitalism. And I don't believe I am entitled to anything that I did n
    3. Re:UT has one by stu42j · · Score: 4, Informative

      Actually, I think you meant http://www.studentgov.com or more directly, http://olbe.studentgov.com.

      That site is long over due for an upgrade and redesign. The updated version of the code running that site can be found: http://bookex.sf.net

      For a good example of how the code can be easily customized, check out: http://www.epccemployees.com/

  2. Forum? by shadowcabbit · · Score: 5, Informative

    Why not just set up a BBS/forum? Plenty of free ones exist (phpBB, phorum being the two most popular), and a little moderation and regulation (i.e. one forum has offers, one side has requests), you could easily have an alternative to the campus bookstore.

    --
    "Why Subscribe?" Good question...
  3. Auction software by madsen · · Score: 5, Informative

    Take a look at MySQLauction.
    Freshmeat is also a good startting point.

  4. In the meantime.. by l810c · · Score: 4, Informative

    Links to cheap textbooks

  5. Yes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    Called Amazon.com Marketplace. Gotta have a checking account to sell and a valid credit card to buy. Reasonable prices and scam-free transactions (if you're a seller), although Bezos does take a 10% cut of the sale.

    I had about 3 orders come in this weekend for the books that have been on the shelves and listed on Amazon.com used market for 2 months or so.

  6. Rutgers Used Book Swap by jgaynor · · Score: 5, Informative

    A Member of the Rutgers University Student Linux Users Group has created just such a thing here at RU using PHP and MySQL. The site is hosted on our server here:

    http://ruslug.rutgers.edu/bookswap/

    I'm not completely familiar with the project - there's an "about this site" page, but no real mention of a license in regards to the php scripts being used. The author's link is on the about page - try emailing him.

    Hope that helps and good luck sticking it to those bastards at efollet who, whether you know it yet or not, probably run your school's bookstore!

  7. Distributed Library Project by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    As recently mentioned on this very site:

    www.communitybooks.org

  8. U of A has one... by Grasshelix · · Score: 3, Informative

    We have one that was designed by our WWW Interest Group here on campus: wig.uark.edu/bookswap

  9. Berkeley Used Book Exchange by cfarivar · · Score: 3, Informative

    There's also Come Get Used over here at Berkeley.

  10. Book Exchange... by Ramses0 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Hi. Our uni (UT-Dallas) put this together. Hi B/M. :^)

    Demo site:
    http://olbe.studentgov.com/

    Project page:
    http://sourceforge.net/projects/bookex/

    Have fun. These seem to be reasonably successful implementations.

    --Robert

  11. University of Illinois has one too! by Navreet · · Score: 4, Informative

    A bunch of us at UIUC started one too (ABSOLUTELY FREE):

    Illini Book Exchange, and we WANT to share our code and expand to other universities.

    We've started atleast 4 other book exchanges at other universities recently (Cornell being one of them).

    Here are some numbers

    (Basically in 8 months, ~$100,000 worth of trades, over 2000 users and 2500 trades).

    So, if you want us to help just get a hold of us through: here.

  12. Baylor is all up in this one: by lpret · · Score: 3, Informative
    Check out these links at your favorite Bastion of Baptistry: As you can see, here at Baylor we have a few options to choose from -- more choices mean better prices :) And for once I'm on topic by saying:

    Sic 'Em Bears!

    --
    This is my digital signature. 10011011001
  13. Re:Not going to happen by mrscorpio · · Score: 3, Informative

    That's a common myth...even ESPN states the fact that only a select handful of schools make money off of sports. Most are far into the red, trying to keep up with the marketing/recruitment of the more successful schools...

    Chris

  14. ISU uses a web-based system by jdjdac · · Score: 4, Informative
    Some inventive ISU (Iowa State University) students have developed their own website for a textbook exchange, and have even implemented an auction system as well.

    Cheggpost.com

    I have used it myself many times, and have saved lots of money. I really despise our university bookstore, so I try not to go there as much as possible.

    Otherwise, I buy my books online from Half.com or Ecampus.com.