Comments on: How Harvard Book Store combines the best of digital bookselling with the best of physical bookselling http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:55:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Rindan http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1424585 Rindan Tue, 15 May 2012 17:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1424585 Does anyone actually consider Harvard a square some sort of Mecca for intellectual l337ness? Harvard square is filled with a lot of people with nothing to do with Harvard. Charlie's, Shay's, the Garage, Clover, the Democracy Center, the half a dozen ice cream and froyo ships, etc...do any of these scream Harvard intellectual snobbery? Maybe I'm just blind to it because I live in the neighborhood, and have blocked it out, but if you come to Harvard Square Looking for archetypal Harvardness, you are going to leave disappointed. Does anyone actually consider Harvard a square some sort of Mecca for intellectual l337ness? Harvard square is filled with a lot of people with nothing to do with Harvard. Charlie’s, Shay’s, the Garage, Clover, the Democracy Center, the half a dozen ice cream and froyo ships, etc…do any of these scream Harvard intellectual snobbery? Maybe I’m just blind to it because I live in the neighborhood, and have blocked it out, but if you come to Harvard Square Looking for archetypal Harvardness, you are going to leave disappointed.

]]> By: Zachary_Bos http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1424547 Zachary_Bos Tue, 15 May 2012 16:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1424547 Well, sure; but a slipcover would cost time and money at the moment of printiing; whereas consumables (ink and paper) with the desired properties would not. The goal is to print a book in a few minutes that is as durable as a softcover printed through conventional means. Well, sure; but a slipcover would cost time and money at the moment of printiing; whereas consumables (ink and paper) with the desired properties would not. The goal is to print a book in a few minutes that is as durable as a softcover printed through conventional means.

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1424544 Guest Tue, 15 May 2012 16:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1424544  Ah, I see! Maybe adding a slipcover instead? http://www.ehow.com/how_5374575_make-paper-bag-book-cover.html  Ah, I see! Maybe adding a slipcover instead?

http://www.ehow.com/how_5374575_make-paper-bag-book-cover.html

]]> By: Zachary_Bos http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1424408 Zachary_Bos Tue, 15 May 2012 13:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1424408 (Cheers to the happy chemist!) Slipcover? Nothing like that involved, either with the POD books printed by industrial production houses like Lightning Source, or the POD books printed on retail machines like those at Harvard Book Store. In both cases, I'm speaking about softcover books with heat-glue bindings. (Cheers to the happy chemist!) Slipcover? Nothing like that involved, either with the POD books printed by industrial production houses like Lightning Source, or the POD books printed on retail machines like those at Harvard Book Store. In both cases, I’m speaking about softcover books with heat-glue bindings.

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1424399 Guest Tue, 15 May 2012 13:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1424399 Take the slipcover off.  (FYI, I happen to be a happy chemist.) Take the slipcover off.  (FYI, I happen to be a happy chemist.)

]]> By: Zachary_Bos http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1424352 Zachary_Bos Tue, 15 May 2012 12:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1424352  It's certainly a player, but not yet a game-changer: the materials science is still catching up a bit. To print the books in a manner timely enough to be called "on demand," these machines need to use a quick-setting ink on the glossy covers. The combined qualities of the ink's penetration of the cover stock, and its quick-dry formula, produce a result that is somewhat tacky (sticky, not gauche). Many, many books on the shelves of your average retail location are printed using "on-demand" or just-in-time processes, which are similar to the Espresso system in most regards --> the PDF file delivery, the workflow management software, the bookblock printing, the glued bindings. The major difference at the moment is these covers. When a paperback book is printed in an industrial location, the cover is printed using standard inks and coatings, and given time to dry to a hard finish. Some happy chemist is going to make a lot of money, figuring out how to perfect the problem of tacky covers on POD retail location machines...  It’s certainly a player, but not yet a game-changer: the materials science is still catching up a bit. To print the books in a manner timely enough to be called “on demand,” these machines need to use a quick-setting ink on the glossy covers. The combined qualities of the ink’s penetration of the cover stock, and its quick-dry formula, produce a result that is somewhat tacky (sticky, not gauche).

Many, many books on the shelves of your average retail location are printed using “on-demand” or just-in-time processes, which are similar to the Espresso system in most regards –> the PDF file delivery, the workflow management software, the bookblock printing, the glued bindings. The major difference at the moment is these covers. When a paperback book is printed in an industrial location, the cover is printed using standard inks and coatings, and given time to dry to a hard finish.

Some happy chemist is going to make a lot of money, figuring out how to perfect the problem of tacky covers on POD retail location machines…

]]> By: Kimmo http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1424225 Kimmo Tue, 15 May 2012 06:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1424225 Am I the only one who's blown away by this Espresso Book Machine? I mean, it's not an amazing invention as such, but it's one of those why-didn't-I-think-of-its, and something of a game-changer, I bet... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q946sfGLxm4 Am I the only one who’s blown away by this Espresso Book Machine? I mean, it’s not an amazing invention as such, but it’s one of those why-didn’t-I-think-of-its, and something of a game-changer, I bet…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q946sfGLxm4

]]> By: jezze http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1424217 jezze Tue, 15 May 2012 06:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1424217 Also check out  http://paperight.com/ which launched recently in South Africa; they aim to turn copy shops into bookshops for print-on-demand books. Also check out  http://paperight.com/ which launched recently in South Africa; they aim to turn copy shops into bookshops for print-on-demand books.

]]> By: Adam Flaherty http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1424179 Adam Flaherty Tue, 15 May 2012 05:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1424179 I love this book store and picked up a copy of The Illustrated London Cookery Book & Complete Housekeeper that was printed on Paige M. Guttenborg, while I was there in 2012. Co-owner Linda Seamonson was nice enough to walk me through the process of printing a book on Paige... http://blog.makezine.com/2010/04/29/making-books-with-robots-at-harvard/ I love this book store and picked up a copy of The Illustrated London Cookery Book & Complete Housekeeper that was printed on Paige M. Guttenborg, while I was there in 2012. Co-owner Linda Seamonson was nice enough to walk me through the process of printing a book on Paige… http://blog.makezine.com/2010/04/29/making-books-with-robots-at-harvard/

]]> By: jere7my http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1424046 jere7my Tue, 15 May 2012 02:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1424046 <i>The best non-used bookstore in the Boston metro area.</i> I'd have a hard time choosing between HBS and Brookline Booksmith, but that's just a quibble. We are abundantly blessed. I'm a member of HBS, and was just in there yesterday, buying some Raymond Chandler and some Felix Gilman. The best non-used bookstore in the Boston metro area.

I’d have a hard time choosing between HBS and Brookline Booksmith, but that’s just a quibble. We are abundantly blessed. I’m a member of HBS, and was just in there yesterday, buying some Raymond Chandler and some Felix Gilman.

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423872 Guest Mon, 14 May 2012 22:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423872 Fair interpretation, but to survive as an independant in <i>that</i> real estate market, over the last 20 years as Harvard Square has turned into a giant mall, does mean, to me at least, that they are doing something very right beyond merely being in the right place. Fair interpretation, but to survive as an independant in that real estate market, over the last 20 years as Harvard Square has turned into a giant mall, does mean, to me at least, that they are doing something very right beyond merely being in the right place.

]]> By: zuludaddy http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423831 zuludaddy Mon, 14 May 2012 21:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423831 Potentially interesting fact: not actually Harvard's bookstore.  That would be the [Harvard] Coop, a couple of blocks up Mass Ave.  Also, Harvard Bookstore was smart/timely enough to have grabbed the harvard.com domain, before the university got all trademarky...  They have doggie treats behind the counter, too. Potentially interesting fact: not actually Harvard’s bookstore.  That would be the [Harvard] Coop, a couple of blocks up Mass Ave. 

Also, Harvard Bookstore was smart/timely enough to have grabbed the harvard.com domain, before the university got all trademarky… 

They have doggie treats behind the counter, too.

]]> By: Ari B. http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423722 Ari B. Mon, 14 May 2012 20:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423722 The last time but one that I was at HBS was for your signing/reading of Makers. I should really head back there some time and get a book Espresso-printed. (I live closer to another indy bookstore, Brookline Booksmith, that gets the bulk of my book money.) The last time but one that I was at HBS was for your signing/reading of Makers. I should really head back there some time and get a book Espresso-printed. (I live closer to another indy bookstore, Brookline Booksmith, that gets the bulk of my book money.)

]]> By: Ari B. http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423723 Ari B. Mon, 14 May 2012 20:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423723 The last time but one that I was at HBS was for your signing/reading of Makers. I should really head back there some time and get a book Espresso-printed. (I live closer to another indy bookstore, Brookline Booksmith, that gets the bulk of my book money.) The last time but one that I was at HBS was for your signing/reading of Makers. I should really head back there some time and get a book Espresso-printed. (I live closer to another indy bookstore, Brookline Booksmith, that gets the bulk of my book money.)

]]> By: Gideon Jones http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423640 Gideon Jones Mon, 14 May 2012 19:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423640 I don't think he's saying it's a failure, just that the store's business model might not be something that could be replicated someplace else. I don’t think he’s saying it’s a failure, just that the store’s business model might not be something that could be replicated someplace else.

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423627 Guest Mon, 14 May 2012 19:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423627 success = failure.  Thanks Winston. success = failure.  Thanks Winston.

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423618 Guest Mon, 14 May 2012 19:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423618  Crankery is just how we say hello up here in New England. The result is a novel constitution and set of laws about just exactly, specifically, precisely how much crap we can legally give one another.  Crankery is just how we say hello up here in New England. The result is a novel constitution and set of laws about just exactly, specifically, precisely how much crap we can legally give one another.

]]> By: Vinnie Tesla http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423614 Vinnie Tesla Mon, 14 May 2012 19:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423614 Actually, technically, they're mostly electric-assist tricycles. http://www.metropedalpower.com/ Actually, technically, they’re mostly electric-assist tricycles. http://www.metropedalpower.com/

]]> By: Scott Contreras-Koterbay http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423595 Scott Contreras-Koterbay Mon, 14 May 2012 19:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423595 One of the best bookstores in the world. Thanks for raising its status to those not in the know. One of the best bookstores in the world. Thanks for raising its status to those not in the know.

]]> By: wysinwyg http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423570 wysinwyg Mon, 14 May 2012 19:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423570  Fair enough.  Actually, I didn't know they sold used books so your information is useful to me too.  Sorry to be a curmudgeon.  I need to get laid or something.  Fair enough.  Actually, I didn’t know they sold used books so your information is useful to me too.  Sorry to be a curmudgeon.  I need to get laid or something.

]]> By: semiotix http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423545 semiotix Mon, 14 May 2012 18:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423545 I love the Harvard Bookstore, and I'm glad they're doing clever things to further their success. But this Meyersohn guy could be Gutenberg reincarnate, and nothing he did would mean anything compared to the fact that it's a bookstore called "The Harvard Bookstore" right across the street from <i>frickin' HARVARD</i>.  Harvard isn't really a tourist attraction. Other than taking your picture with John Harvard's statue, there's not much to see. But hundreds of thousands of people a year wander around the Square just to bask in the aura of old-school smartness. Of course they're going to buy books while they're there! Again, this isn't a critique. It's a great bookstore. But even as I'd like to see less fortunate venues try out some of these ideas, we shouldn't take HBS' success as an indicator that they're surefire winners. (ETA: Rindan, people only find out that Harvard isn't Hogwarts-with-Cornel-West once they actually visit, which they do by the boatload. I used to work at a private residence about a half mile past the Divinity School, which is to say a decent hike from the Square, and I'd still see confused tourists wondering when they'd happen upon the picture-postcard college campus they were sure must exist.) I love the Harvard Bookstore, and I’m glad they’re doing clever things to further their success. But this Meyersohn guy could be Gutenberg reincarnate, and nothing he did would mean anything compared to the fact that it’s a bookstore called “The Harvard Bookstore” right across the street from frickin’ HARVARD. 

Harvard isn’t really a tourist attraction. Other than taking your picture with John Harvard’s statue, there’s not much to see. But hundreds of thousands of people a year wander around the Square just to bask in the aura of old-school smartness. Of course they’re going to buy books while they’re there!

Again, this isn’t a critique. It’s a great bookstore. But even as I’d like to see less fortunate venues try out some of these ideas, we shouldn’t take HBS’ success as an indicator that they’re surefire winners.

(ETA: Rindan, people only find out that Harvard isn’t Hogwarts-with-Cornel-West once they actually visit, which they do by the boatload. I used to work at a private residence about a half mile past the Divinity School, which is to say a decent hike from the Square, and I’d still see confused tourists wondering when they’d happen upon the picture-postcard college campus they were sure must exist.)

]]> By: bobdinkel http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423537 bobdinkel Mon, 14 May 2012 18:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423537 I wasn't trying to be a pedant. I was trying to add useful information. I've spoken with people that had no idea the HBS sold used books. I love that bookstore and I especially love the basement. Like you I was happy to see it highlighted. I wasn’t trying to be a pedant. I was trying to add useful information. I’ve spoken with people that had no idea the HBS sold used books. I love that bookstore and I especially love the basement. Like you I was happy to see it highlighted.

]]> By: Matt Gildner http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423517 Matt Gildner Mon, 14 May 2012 18:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423517 Long Tail economics at its finest.   http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/tail.html Long Tail economics at its finest.  
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/tail.html

]]> By: AviSolomon http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423449 AviSolomon Mon, 14 May 2012 17:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423449 Every neighborhood library should have a Espresso Book Machine (in addition to decent coffee)! Every neighborhood library should have a Espresso Book Machine (in addition to decent coffee)!

]]> By: wysinwyg http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423441 wysinwyg Mon, 14 May 2012 17:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423441 OK, "the best book store that doesn't exclusively sell used books in the Boston metro area."  I appreciate your pedantry. OK, “the best book store that doesn’t exclusively sell used books in the Boston metro area.”  I appreciate your pedantry.

]]> By: Zachary_Bos http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423411 Zachary_Bos Mon, 14 May 2012 17:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423411 Right next door to HBS is Grolier Poetry Book Shop, touted as the oldest poetry bookstore in continuous operation in the US. The best-selling title at Grolier last year, "POEMS" by Ben Mazer (published by our Pen & Anvil Press, as at http://penandanvil.com/poems-by-ben-mazer.html is printed on the HBS Espresso Book Machine. A fun bit of synergy. Right next door to HBS is Grolier Poetry Book Shop, touted as the oldest poetry bookstore in continuous operation in the US. The best-selling title at Grolier last year, “POEMS” by Ben Mazer (published by our Pen & Anvil Press, as at http://penandanvil.com/poems-by-ben-mazer.html is printed on the HBS Espresso Book Machine. A fun bit of synergy.

]]> By: bobdinkel http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423405 bobdinkel Mon, 14 May 2012 17:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423405 …which also sells used books. …which also sells used books.

]]> By: wysinwyg http://boingboing.net/2012/05/14/how-harvard-book-store-combine.html#comment-1423395 wysinwyg Mon, 14 May 2012 17:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=160518#comment-1423395 The best non-used bookstore in the Boston metro area.  Thanks for highlighting it Cory! The best non-used bookstore in the Boston metro area.  Thanks for highlighting it Cory!

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