As someone in the same position I take my laptop around in a dull outdoor rucsac whilst wearing a fleece and jeans and don't look like I'm worth mugging.
Another idea is to put personal/private/important data on a laptop onto and only onto a USB pen drive hidden in tiny pocket where muggers won't find it, cos equipment can be insured/replaced but that data must only be in your hands.
What is the big deal? I'm in a final year enginerring masters student UK and spent 1125 on tuition fees this year so spending a few on books doesn't bother me, I see it as part of the deal.
These books aren't mass produced like novels and the latest biographys, there's limited demand, and as you get more specialised the prices go up since there is less demand. Grow up, get your books and study for a change rather than moaning on here!
I went out this week and bought a textbook on Neural Networks costing me 16.50 ($25 US at a guess). I see this as small cost compared to tuition fees. This book was written by the course lecturer and he even said he didn't mind us copying since his royalty was very small.
I thought in the US it cost lots more to go to a good uni, so even if the cost of books is more, come on! If you spend thousands a year on a degree don't gripe about spending a couple of hundred on books, we all knew before we started we'd need them.
Me and my flatmates acquired 5 USB gamepads for around 7 and a USB hub for 8 from www.dabs.com (UK). Then we downloaded ZNES and loads of games, and we play Super Bomberman 3 multiplayer (5 people together throwing bombs at each other) far too much. Well well worth the investment.
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Another idea is to put personal/private/important data on a laptop onto and only onto a USB pen drive hidden in tiny pocket where muggers won't find it, cos equipment can be insured/replaced but that data must only be in your hands.
These books aren't mass produced like novels and the latest biographys, there's limited demand, and as you get more specialised the prices go up since there is less demand. Grow up, get your books and study for a change rather than moaning on here!
I went out this week and bought a textbook on Neural Networks costing me 16.50 ($25 US at a guess). I see this as small cost compared to tuition fees. This book was written by the course lecturer and he even said he didn't mind us copying since his royalty was very small.
I thought in the US it cost lots more to go to a good uni, so even if the cost of books is more, come on! If you spend thousands a year on a degree don't gripe about spending a couple of hundred on books, we all knew before we started we'd need them.
Me and my flatmates acquired 5 USB gamepads for around 7 and a USB hub for 8 from www.dabs.com (UK). Then we downloaded ZNES and loads of games, and we play Super Bomberman 3 multiplayer (5 people together throwing bombs at each other) far too much. Well well worth the investment.