[OS X TeX] Why does this hang so = [OT] electronic books

[Alain Schremmer]

On Oct 27, 2009, at 2:54 AM, Victor Ivrii wrote:

> PS Definitely this should not be in this mailing list - but the whole
> topic belongs rather to texhax anyway. So, I am just using opportunity
> to asks such questions in meagre hope that there are answers

It definitely should not. But then since we are already here we might  
stay a bit longer.

> (assuming that the author does not want to
> get any money and for most scientific books possible money gain is so
> small that it is not worth of trouble).

Assuming and agreed. Even though I am only into textbooks.

> (1) Dissemination: as nobody is actually responsible for advertisement
> certain part of target audience is missed. It happens pretty often
> even with books or articles published in the standard way, but at
> least these books are in catalogues
>
> (2) Libraries: any scientific library can pay $100-$200 or more per
> copy of the book but try to persuade librarian to download from
> internet, burn CD, print and stick label, put in catalogue, put in
> stocks
>
> (3) Credits: try to persuade administration that it as good as
> printed. Usual talk about peer reviewing even if everybody knows the
> current state of peer reviewing

All true of course but, as far as I am concerned, I am too old to care.

> (4) Future: even if it is University webserver nobody promises you to
> keep the file for downloading after retirement, leave alone demise.
> And one may be ensured that there will be no update to comply with
> changed formats

Now THAT is what is what I would like to see answered. Ah, authorial  
vanity!

Regards
--schremmer