Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
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Terri wrote: "Yes, sort of. We call them baby wipes or wet ones. :)I would just have a roll of loo paper stashed in one of my Read Nest cupboards. I live on a farm and we always have a half roll of loo paper s..."
"Why Terri, where did you come up with X idea?"
"When I was sat next to the hummock having my morning constitutional when X occurred to me"
Have you been watching me? :)
Terri wrote: "Since I live on a farm and we always have a half roll of loo paper stashed in the glovebox. You never know when we might need to run into the bush to contemplate nature...."Haha I love it! I've had quite my share of deserted roadside nature contemplations as well.
My mother has even been known to say (upon being seen). "Well if he hasn't seen one yet, I'm sure he's wanted to"
Leslie wrote: "My mother has even been known to say (upon being seen). "Well if he hasn't seen one yet, I'm sure he's wanted to""That is very funny. :)
Leslie wrote: "My mother has even been known to say (upon being seen). "Well if he hasn't seen one yet, I'm sure he's wanted to""hahaha!!!! :D
The bit of anal banter is very intertaining.
lol. Happy to entertain. :)
Have you heard the news?Amazon to Buy Review Site Goodreads
http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology...
Amazon Scoops Up Goodreads Social Network
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-5757...
Terri wrote: "Have you heard the news? Amazon to Buy Review Site GoodreadsI use both sites equally to search for and decide which books to read/buy. It will be nice to have the data shared between the two sites. (Which hopefully they will provide.)
By the way, here's the link to the Goodreads announcement from the "Feedback" Group discussion.
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
Horror-struck, as I am heavily invested here, spend half my life here even when I shouldn't, and though I used to like Amazon as a customer (and own a Kindle) I have gone right off them because they swallow every book-thing in sight, if they can, and they have policies I object to. It's Easter in Australia, and seriously, this is what I wake up to? I mean, I hope we lose nothing here, this wonderful site, this wonderful group, and none of our members. But I liked Goodreads' independence.
I'm not at all happy about this. I spent a lot of time trying to avoid Amazon and the monopoly they're trying to create for themselves. As much as I enjoy this site, I don't know if I'm willing to stay an become a complacent supporter of this acquisition.
See, that's what I'm afraid of. We'd hate to lose you, D. I won't go, I can't go, I love this site too much.
I'd hate to lose one single member of this group or on my freinds list...or people I am yet to meet.I hate that this has happened. I feel I am going to get marketed to on GR at every turn.
The one thing that really scares me about this is reviews.
I do not want to lose review ownership. I do not want Amazon to own my reviews.
If that happens I will export my reviews to this site I heard about today, The Reading Room, and only do star rating on GR.
I feel very let down by Goodreads. Goodreads has grown, so I am told, by leaps and bounds in the last two to three years. Every comment I make I do not want on Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
I'm still a relatively new member here and I'm not sure I understand the implications of this takeover/buyout/whatever it is. I don't understand what people have against Amazon. Don't get me wrong - I'm not disagreeing with anyone. I'm just interested in what difference you all think it's going to make. I'm probably too new to appreciate it. I'm assuming D and Terri have been around here for a while and are established and well-respected members, so for them to react in the way they have I'm missing something somewhere.
Edit: However I word this post I can't stop it from sounding contentious. I swear it isn't supposed to read like that. I'm asking questions that I really don't know the answer to.
Richard wrote: "I'm still a relatively new member here and I'm not sure I understand the implications..."I'd suggest the topic Monica links to above, to see discussion. It's from the Goodreads Feedback group, is mostly heavy users/librarians (aka people more up to speed than I am) but where you can see what the objections are, Richard.
That's alright, Richard, It doesn't sound contentious. I am open to answering.For me, it could be bad for a couple very prominent reasons.
1. Ownership of reviews. It needs to be made clear to members of GR that we will continue to own and control our reviews.
Currently we can tick a box that says whether we want to share our reviews with Google, Amazon and other.
Hopefully we will continue to own our reviews and they do not become the property of Amazon. If we no longer own our reviews then Amazon can put them anywhere they want, including on Amazon.
I choose not to put my reviews on Amazon.
2. Amazon owns everything now. I suppose we feel like a self published author feels. We were an independent site. Not connected to a book seller or a book marketer.
Now we belong to a book seller. The biggest in the game who pushes their own products aggressively. *gulp*
3. Marketing will possibly increase on Goodreads. especially for Amazon products. Kindle and kindle books. What room is there left on GR for other products who compete with Kindle?
4. Will this mean change for the site? Visual change. I would say most people who use the site for longer than a year learn to like what they get. Like the functionality.
from what I am hearing there will be change...but what? How much?
If they plan on combining Shelfari with Goodreads this could completely change our Goodreads experience.
These are just some of peoples concerns and some of mine.
Richard wrote: "I'm still a relatively new member here and I'm not sure I understand the implications of this takeover/buyout/whatever it is. I don't understand what people have against Amazon. Don't get me wron..."
Richard, you sound fine. I know very little about the situation, but, like you, I trust the judgment of Terri and D.
Yes, my concern is simply independence. In one word.
I empathize with the 'angst' that follows uncertainty, but we still don't have all the details. I will continue enjoying the interesting discussions in this fabulous group, and not give up a moment's pleasure to unfounded speculation. (Well, okay, maybe THIS moment I'll engage...but then I'm done with it...for sure...totally...perhaps?)To borrow (steal) from Richard: However I word this post I can't stop it from sounding contentious. I swear it isn't supposed to read like that.
I'm keeping good thoughts that Goodreads will only get better!! ;-)
Bryn wrote: "Yes, my concern is simply independence. In one word."Independence. And a right to choose what gets marketed to us. I fear we have lost market diversity.
With any luck the group will only improve.I feel dreadfully sorry for the the authors who don't want to be involved in the Kindle Author Program. There are plenty of authors who don't want to be a part of that.
But those are the authors who will get a better ride on GR no doubt. Such as those 'click per view' ads.
Will authors have to join the Amazon author program to be able to advertise on GR??
There is much speculation, but the good thing is that people are voicing their views on the merger and it will be made loud and clear to Goodreads and Amazon that some things won't be tolerated. Such as review ownership issues.
Speculation aside. Amazon is swallowing up everything in sight and many people don't want to be a part of that. :(
Thanks guys. Things are becoming much clearer. I think it's telling that I'm on the 3rd page of comments in the feedback thread and I don't think I've seen a single positive one yet.Almost everyone here has an awful lot more invested in this site than I do, purely from the lateness of my arrival. I sincerely hope it turns out in a way that enables you all to stay and, more importantly, be happy and comfortable doing so.
Yes, I see exclusivity as a bad thing, on principle, and Amazon tries to have authors sell exclusively with them. Amazon's interests and practices are commercial, and we weren't a commmercial site, were we? Not from a user's perspective.
No, we definitely weren't a commercial site. Not from my perspective. I think of the author program pushing that Amazon does and think, boy oh boy. How bad is it going to get? I hope it doesn't change in here too much. And that it stays a reviewers site.
We have a lot of authors on GR as it is, and that is fine. It is supposed to be a reviewers site, for people to do book reviews. Authors trying to promote their books was supposed to be secondary to reviewers communicating with each other.
Now I have this impending sense of doom, where our nice little authors that hang out with us are overpowered by authors in the Kindle author program getting pumped by Amazon, getting marketing deals and open rein to aggressively market to groups and readers.
It concerns me. I hope all our author friends who have always chosen not to sign up with the Kindle Author program can survive the onslaught. I hope my fellow reviewers can survive the onslaught. :(
I have a few big issues. In fairness, I haven't been here all that long, but my immersion into the site has been huge. 1. Within weeks of joining I helped with hundreds of other GR librarians to fill the data void lost when GR ceased getting data from Amazon because it was unwilling to be pressured into a monopoly. I spent countless hours going through my books and Worldcat etc to get the metadata available in order to save books listed on this site. For GR to turn around a year later and get chummy with a draconian conglomerate....it feels like betrayal, not to mention of waste of my time, resources etc, which has now been handed over to Amazon.
2. On a personal level, I do not have a good buying relationship with Amazon. The recent changes with the ebook stuff was, I thought the last straw. I even stopped buying from The Book Depository because of its link to Amazon.
3. On another personal level, I'm strongly opposed to monopolies. I've worked hard in my area to ensure that people have a choice, and Amazon, is on a dangerous path to eliminate choice. It's political and probably not something everyone is bothered by, which is completely fine :)
I will say this, if I had not found this group, I would have already deactivated my account. So, if one day, my posts disappear, please know that it has naught to do with this group, because this group is one of my happy places.
I've decided that for the now I'll stay, but one misstep by GR or Amazon, and I'm clicking off. So far, the vague reassurances from Otis are not endearing me to stay, however, nothing critical has occurred yet either. At least not to my knowledge.
ON another note...To all those who celebrate Easter or don't celebrate Easter but enjoy the long weekend...have a lovely time this weekend and stay safe on the roads if you are driving somewhere!!
Yes, no boozing to cure cures, or gnats and boils when on the road. :D
D wrote: "1. Within weeks of joining I helped with hundreds of other GR librarians to ..."
Oh YES. I haven't read your whole post yet, I got as far as your point #1 and had to respond instantly.
I spent so many hours saving their data last year. Saving books etc.. all wasted. :(
I've lost my haven of non-commercialism and I've felt like they shot my dog. As others have noted, Goodreads reviews are perceived to be trustworthy, as against Amazon's.
D wrote: "Yes, no boozing to cure cures, or gnats and boils when on the road. :D"Yes, no cursing and driving. :)
Terri wrote: "I spent so many hours saving their data last year. Saving books etc.. all wasted. :( ""Data" is being used as a euphemism here right? hahha
D wrote: "I have a few big issues. In fairness, I haven't been here all that long, but my immersion into the site has been huge. 1. Within weeks of joining I helped with hundreds of other GR librarians to ..."
Well don't you dare leave without telling me. Or I will hunt you down on Twitter!
yes, I would actually learn that strange Twitter site place just to hunt you down. :D
Bryn wrote: "I've lost my haven of non-commercialism and I've felt like they shot my dog. As others have noted, Goodreads reviews are perceived to be trustworthy, as against Amazon's."
There is that too. Bryn, as an author do you think there will be positive implications for you?
D wrote: "Terri wrote: "I spent so many hours saving their data last year. Saving books etc.. all wasted. :( ""Data" is being used as a euphemism here right? hahha"
Oh man, you just made me laugh so unexpectedly that it made me spit under the keys of my laptop keyboard. :\ Not appreciated. Gross.
Oh no! I wonder how much it would cost to have a new one shipped to you.
From Amazon? Huh, soon I'll be able to buy one with one click right on the side of my Goodreads screen. Oh joy.;)
D wrote: "Bryn, as an author do you think there will be positive implications for you? "No, D. No way.
I'm so 'independent' that I only reluctantly published on Amazon. I don't feel they believe in independence, and as an indie, they're not what I have in mind. Have to talk freely in answer to that.
D wrote: "I have a few big issues. In fairness, I haven't been here all that long, but my immersion into the site has been huge. 1. Within weeks of joining I helped with hundreds of other GR librarians to ..."
Let us know where you go if you do leave D. Think its important to keep in touch with each other. This has been a pleasurable experience thus far.
Derek wrote: "Forgive my language...but screw amazon. This is the worst thing that could happen to this site, in my opinion. Capitalism at its worst."That is easy language to forgive. very tame. :)
Here is a story in the media that mentions the unhappy reception this merger has received from a portion of the members.http://www.wired.com/business/2013/03...
Terri wrote: "Here is a story in the media that mentions the unhappy reception this merger has received from a portion of the members.http://www.wired.com/business/2013/03..."
Great article. A 'portion' though? I wish they'd do a survey of members: Are you happy? Yes or No.
That's what I was thinking. While only a portion posts their negative feedback on the merger in the Goodreads Feedback Group, I imagine there are 10 times that many on GR talking to each other in groups about it, talking to friends or on their own gasping saying 'how can this happen'.I think it would split the community for sure. For every person who didn't care, there would be a person who did.
Ultimately the people at Goodreads don't care, if they were more worried about keeping their users happy and Goodreads free of big commercial influence they wouldn't have bent the knee to Amazon.
Agreed. Completely.
I have had one of the times of my life here on Goodreads. Many special people made that happen for me. I have friends in near and far away places. Guys, put on your suits,top hats and canes. Ladies, put on your new Spring frocks, hats and gloves. Let's perk up our spirits and have an Easter parade. Happy Easter.
Shocked. Wary. Will look for the opportunities that come from it but have a lot of questions e.g. will we still be able to put links to online bookshops other than amazon? If not, the megamonopoly squeezes tighter again. Good points D and Terri re time wasted (yes, me too), to review freedom and to group freedom... We'll see what happens.
Linda, I love parades! And pretty hats! Lets do it!
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
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I would just have a roll of loo paper stashed in one of my Read Nest cupboards. Since I live on a farm and we always have a half roll of loo paper stashed in the glovebox. You never know when we might need to run into the bush to contemplate nature.
So I am very accustomed to such things. :)