SAN FRANCISCO (Dow Jones)--Ecommerce giant eBay Inc. (EBAY) is preparing to cut a small number of employees as part of recently announced changes to streamline and simplify its management structure.
Spokesman John Pluhowski said Wednesday a previously announced "organizational fine-tuning" effort would result in the loss of fewer than 60 positions, or less than one half of 1% of the company's 15,000-strong global workforce.
"The changes will help us improve end-to-end customer experience, build a global product and technology team and speed up innovation at eBay," he said.
Pluhowski said the company told employees on Sept. 21 that some jobs would be cut and management committed to announcing its decisions within 30 days.
He declined to confirm a blog report claiming cuts would be announced on Thursday, saying only that eBay would meet its 30-day schedule. He did not specify which departments would be affected by the job cuts.
The San Jose, Calif.-based company last October announced plans to lay off 1,000 employees and several hundred temporary workers, trimming its global workforce by about 10%.
EBay has been working for more than a year to restructure is core marketplace business, which has struggled amid the recession and intensifying competition from Internet retailers such as Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN).
Wall Street sentiment about eBay has improved in recent months as the company has started showing signs of improvement in its core business. The Benchmark Company on Wednesday increased its price target for eBay to $25 from $21, citing the gradual turnaround of the company's marketplace unit as the economy rebounds, consumer demand recovers and comparisons get easier.
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Barnes & Noble has sent out invitations to a New York event next week, where many expect the company will launch its own electronic-book model
Barnes & Noble has sent out invitations to a New York event next week, where many expect the company will launch its own electronic-book model.
"Barnes & Noble cordially invites you to a major event in the company's history," Barnes & Noble said in an invitation received by CNET News. The launch comes conveniently (especially for this San Francisco-based reporter) two days before Microsoft uses New York as the launch pad for Windows 7.
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Barnes & Noble is working on its own e-reader to rival products from Amazon and Sony. Barnes & Noble has already struck deals to serve as the bookstore for e-readers made by others, including Plastic Logic.
The company launched its own book-reading software in July, following its March purchase of Fictionwise.com.
"Barnes & Noble cordially invites you to a major event in the company's history," Barnes & Noble said in an invitation received by CNET News. The launch comes conveniently (especially for this San Francisco-based reporter) two days before Microsoft uses New York as the launch pad for Windows 7.
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Barnes & Noble is working on its own e-reader to rival products from Amazon and Sony. Barnes & Noble has already struck deals to serve as the bookstore for e-readers made by others, including Plastic Logic.
The company launched its own book-reading software in July, following its March purchase of Fictionwise.com.
Maurice Sendak tells parents to go to hell
Maurice Sendak tells parents to go to hell
This Friday, October 16, the movie adaptation of Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are opens in theaters.
The poignant 10-sentence book about an angry boy who is sent to bed without supper and sails to a magical land overrun by wild creatures has been made into a full-length feature film with a script by director Spike Jonze (recently interviewed by the Chronicle) and local boy Dave Eggers.
Ever since the media got word of the film, reporters have hounded Sendak, Eggers, and Jonze. One of the main questions reporters are asking is, Will this film based on one of the best children's books of all-time be appropriate for children?
The creative minds behind this film have seemed to dance around this question in most interviews, but Sendak freely spoke his mind for a Newsweek story, appearing in the October 19 magazine. Sendak, Jonze, and Eggers were all interviewed for the story.
Reporter: "What do you say to parents who think the Wild Things film may be too scary?"
Sendak: "I would tell them to go to hell. That's a question I will not tolerate."
Reporter: "Because kids can handle it?"
Sendak: "If they can't handle it, go home. Or wet your pants. Do whatever you like. But it's not a question that can be answered."
Jonze: "Dave, you want to field that one?"
Eggers: "The part about kids wetting their pants? Should kids wear diapers when they go to the movies? I think adults should wear diapers going to it, too. I think everyone should be prepared for any eventuality."
Sendak: "I think you're right. This concentration on kids being scared, as though we as adults can't be scared. Of course we're scared. I'm scared of watching a TV show about vampires. I can't fall asleep. It never stops. We're grown-ups; we know better, but we're afraid."
Reporter: "Why is that important in art?"
Sendak: "Because it's truth. You don't want to do something that's all terrifying. I saw the most horrendous movies that were unfit for child's eyes. So what? I managed to survive."
This Friday, October 16, the movie adaptation of Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are opens in theaters.
The poignant 10-sentence book about an angry boy who is sent to bed without supper and sails to a magical land overrun by wild creatures has been made into a full-length feature film with a script by director Spike Jonze (recently interviewed by the Chronicle) and local boy Dave Eggers.
Ever since the media got word of the film, reporters have hounded Sendak, Eggers, and Jonze. One of the main questions reporters are asking is, Will this film based on one of the best children's books of all-time be appropriate for children?
The creative minds behind this film have seemed to dance around this question in most interviews, but Sendak freely spoke his mind for a Newsweek story, appearing in the October 19 magazine. Sendak, Jonze, and Eggers were all interviewed for the story.
Reporter: "What do you say to parents who think the Wild Things film may be too scary?"
Sendak: "I would tell them to go to hell. That's a question I will not tolerate."
Reporter: "Because kids can handle it?"
Sendak: "If they can't handle it, go home. Or wet your pants. Do whatever you like. But it's not a question that can be answered."
Jonze: "Dave, you want to field that one?"
Eggers: "The part about kids wetting their pants? Should kids wear diapers when they go to the movies? I think adults should wear diapers going to it, too. I think everyone should be prepared for any eventuality."
Sendak: "I think you're right. This concentration on kids being scared, as though we as adults can't be scared. Of course we're scared. I'm scared of watching a TV show about vampires. I can't fall asleep. It never stops. We're grown-ups; we know better, but we're afraid."
Reporter: "Why is that important in art?"
Sendak: "Because it's truth. You don't want to do something that's all terrifying. I saw the most horrendous movies that were unfit for child's eyes. So what? I managed to survive."
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Miss Helen Mathers , author of the famous novel Comin' thro' the Rye
It was in September, 1909, that Miss Helen I Mathers announced her intention of never writing another novel, to the great regret of thousands of readers.
This gifted lady wrote her first story at nine, at thirteen composed a poem which called forth the praise of Rossetti, and was still in her teens when she began to write her first famous novel, "Comin' thro' the Rye,"
Miss Mathers first wrote the novel on scraps of paper and old account books. When offered to a publisher, however, it was immediately accepted. Next to this story, the author considers "Bam Wildfire" the best story she ever wrote, but she says, "I get letters from all parts of the world about 'comin' thro' the Rye,' and I know it has been a great power and help to many unhappy people." Miss Mathers has also contributed to Every Woman's Encyclopaedia.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Bed Bugs Hitch Ride On Books, Prompt Library Fumigation
Who knew bed bugs could be book worms?The Denver Public Library had to quarantine and fumigate four areas at the main branch in just the past three weeks because of bed bugs. The tiny insect is being spread by a customer trying to preserve rare books, but ironically it's because of his actions that the books now have to be destroyed."
Some of the bed bugs fell out of those materials that had been returned," said Denver Public Library spokeswoman Celeste Jackson.
The infected books came from 69-year-old Denver resident Roger Goffeney. He checks out historic books, some 200 years old, and helps archive them online in an effort called the Gutenberg Project.
When he brought a few of the rare books back, bed bugs from his downtown apartment hitched a ride. Goffeney said the landlord is to blame. Goffney lives at Cathedral Plaza, which is owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver."
We've always had some kind of insect infestation, but it's never been to this degree," Goffeney said of the building where he lives.Still, Goffeney said he didn't think it was a big deal. "I thought that they could easily be cleaned if they had discovered that to be the problem," Goffeney said.
The library said the items with bedbugs were immediately quarantined and were not released into circulation, so it didn't affect the public.The library banned Goffeney three weeks ago and asked him to return the rest of the books to a secure drop.Instead, the library said Goffeney returned the books a week later to the main book drop and reinfected the library.
The library said it had to destroy 31 books that Goffeney checked out. Now it wants him to pay as much as $12,000 for the rare books and $6,000 for fumigation costs. "I have no intention of paying a dime," the retired minister said. "It's disappointing that he would do that to his neighbors. It's disappointing that he would do this to the community,"
Jackson said.Librarians said it could cost as much as $12,000 to replace the rare books they've had to destroy.Goffeney said he's considering filing a lawsuit to get his library privileges back.
Some of the bed bugs fell out of those materials that had been returned," said Denver Public Library spokeswoman Celeste Jackson.
The infected books came from 69-year-old Denver resident Roger Goffeney. He checks out historic books, some 200 years old, and helps archive them online in an effort called the Gutenberg Project.
When he brought a few of the rare books back, bed bugs from his downtown apartment hitched a ride. Goffeney said the landlord is to blame. Goffney lives at Cathedral Plaza, which is owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver."
We've always had some kind of insect infestation, but it's never been to this degree," Goffeney said of the building where he lives.Still, Goffeney said he didn't think it was a big deal. "I thought that they could easily be cleaned if they had discovered that to be the problem," Goffeney said.
The library said the items with bedbugs were immediately quarantined and were not released into circulation, so it didn't affect the public.The library banned Goffeney three weeks ago and asked him to return the rest of the books to a secure drop.Instead, the library said Goffeney returned the books a week later to the main book drop and reinfected the library.
The library said it had to destroy 31 books that Goffeney checked out. Now it wants him to pay as much as $12,000 for the rare books and $6,000 for fumigation costs. "I have no intention of paying a dime," the retired minister said. "It's disappointing that he would do that to his neighbors. It's disappointing that he would do this to the community,"
Jackson said.Librarians said it could cost as much as $12,000 to replace the rare books they've had to destroy.Goffeney said he's considering filing a lawsuit to get his library privileges back.
Are you an ebook reader, do you miss the smell of olds books
Then look no further the smell of books in a can;^)
The smell of e-books just got better
Does your Kindle leave you feeling like there’s something missing from your reading experience?
Have you been avoiding e-books because they just don’t smell right?
If you’ve been hesitant to jump on the e-book bandwagon, you’re not alone. Book lovers everywhere have resisted digital books because they still don’t compare to the experience of reading a good old fashioned paper book.
But all of that is changing thanks to Smell of Books™, a revolutionary new aerosol e-book enhancer.
The smell of e-books just got better
Does your Kindle leave you feeling like there’s something missing from your reading experience?
Have you been avoiding e-books because they just don’t smell right?
If you’ve been hesitant to jump on the e-book bandwagon, you’re not alone. Book lovers everywhere have resisted digital books because they still don’t compare to the experience of reading a good old fashioned paper book.
But all of that is changing thanks to Smell of Books™, a revolutionary new aerosol e-book enhancer.
Now you can finally enjoy reading e-books without giving up the smell you love so much. With Smell of Books™ you can have the best of both worlds, the convenience of an e-book and the smell of your favorite paper book.
Smell of Books™ is compatible with a wide range of e-reading devices and e-book formats and is 100% DRM-compatible. Whether you read your e-books on a Kindle or an iPhone using Stanza, Smell of Books™ will bring back that real book smell you miss so much.
The Fore-edge Painting Gallery
fore-edgE painting is where the page block is fanned and an image applied to the stepped surface. If the page edges are themselves gilded or marbled, this results in the image disappearing when the book is relaxed. When refanned, the painting magically re-appears.
Another selection of Fore-edge paintings from the very extensive Frost archive
Martin Frost Website Click Here
Circa 1870 Gentleman holding two terrier dogs .
Circa 1870 Cabinet Card showing a gentleman holding two terrier type dogs.Photographer is not mentioned but their is a hand written inscription which can be seen in the image .
Rev John Samuel Gilbert . Photographer John Davis Of lancaster
Image showing front & verso of a Cabinet card by Photographer : John Davis , Alfred Place , Lancaster .Hand written inscription of Rev John Samuel Gilbert to verso, probably the sitter shown .
Thomas A Tristram : Photographer A J Elliott Of Manchester
Image showing front & verso of a Cabinet card by Photographer : A J Elliot , 9 Oldham Street , Manchester .Hand written inscription of Thos A Tristram to verso, probably the sitter shown .
Pollie Hughes by Photographer : W Prudden of Brighton .
Image showing front & verso of a Cabinet card by Photographer : W Prudden , 19 Tidy Street , Brighton .Hand written inscription of Pollie Hughes to verso, probably the sitter shown .
Circa 1890 . Rare Cabinet Card of Children "Triplets" . Photographer A & G Taylor Of Carlisle
Unusual Cabinet Card showing three children who each seem to have a resemblence to one another . Probably Triplets .No hand written inscription to the verso .
Image showing front & verso of a Cabinet card by Photographer : A & G Taylor , 18 Bank Street , Carlisle .
Circa 1900 . Morris Family . Photographer H Morris , Bolton
Image showing front of a Cabinet card by Photographer : H Morris , 79 Beaconfield Street , Bolton .
There is a hand written inscription to the back undated which says " Charles & Charlotte Morris with Alice and Fred ( Probably the sitters shown )
Willie McKellar by Photographer Clarke & Son Of Perth
Cabinet Card on the left is by the Photographer Clarke & Son Of Perth . The reverse is blank except for a hand written inscription which reads " Fathers brother and friend Willie McKellar " ( William McKellar ) .
Dated 1884 . Sitter by the surname of Henderson . Photographer Marshall Wane , Edinburgh .
Images showing front & reverse of a Cabinet card by Photographer : Marshall Wane , 82 George St , Edinburgh .There is a hand written inscription to the back dated 1884 and the surname of what looks to be Henderson ( Probably the sitter shown ) .
Robinson Family dated 1903 . Photographer J Cuthbert of Abertillery
Images shown left are the front & reverse of a cabinet Card which was sent as a christmas present from the looks of the hand written message to the back, the card is dated 1903 with the senders surname being Robinson and who are also probably the sitters. The Artist & Photographer is J Cuthbert , The Studio , Alama St , Abertillery .
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