Panzer Update

I am so sick.

Just a short post to let you know Panzer's surgery is scheduled for Monday morning. Vet says he'll need about three or four days of recovery time.

No Post Today

There haven't been any posts for the last two days, because Panzer hasn't felt well. He needed to go to the veterinarian's office, but the vet was on vacation. So, he had to see a different vet. This vet says Panzer needs to have one of his teeth pulled! Panzer has an appointment next week to have it done.

Posts may be sporadic until Panzer sees the vet next week. The vet says he'll be a little sick for a day or too after the procedure, but then will be fine.

Amazon has laid out exactly how to game its self-publishing platform - Quartz

Panzer made a trip to the Quartz site today. There our kitty reporter found a post about Amazon's arbitration claim. Last week he told you about Amazon's plan to seek damages from companies and individuals for violations of the Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) service.

According to the post by Thu-Huong Ha, Amazon laid out in its claim exactly how the companies and individuals it is seeking arbitration against managed to game the KDP system. These violations include fake reads, fake free promotion days downloads, fake books, and the ever present fake reviews. One description explains how the companies and individuals used fake Amazon customer accounts to download ebooks on free promotion days. This enabled an ebook to gain bestseller status in the free category. There is more information included about how the system was worked.

Don't even think about doing it.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... These cheaters are going to pay some big penalties."

Note: This is a long post. Bring two cups of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to read Panzer's previous post too, bring a thermos of tea and six muffins.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon sales and royalties

To read Panzer's previous post about Amazon's allegations of violations, tootle over to Amazon alleges violations

Riggio Backs Parneros at B&N Annual Meeting - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, when he heard crying and shouting. Following all the noise took our kitty pilot to the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all he found the cause of all the angst in a post about the Barnes and Noble Annual Meeting.

Who are these technology companies?

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble Chairman Len Riggio started off by expressing his confidence in CEO Demos Parneros. This was followed by the company's plan to have smaller stores. However, the big news for ebook authors from Mr. Riggio was that Nook and ebooks aren't a good fit for Barnes and Noble's future. The company will have "partner technology companies" take care of their digital presence. Barnes and Noble will concentrate on their bricks and mortal stores.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Not sure what this means for ebook authors. This little kitty makes a lot of ebook sales at Barnes and Noble."

Note: This is a short-medium post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble Annual Meeting

A New Panzerism

Panzer on punctuality:

Cats are never late.

We just keep changing the clock.

Therefore ...

Whenever I get there ...

That's when I arrive.

And so ...

I'm always on time.

But ... There is a downside to this.

Get it? Think about it.

The whole time continuum gets confused ..

And ...

Mom is never on time.

Amazon Expands with New Fulfillment Center in Michigan, Creating 1,000 New Full-Time Jobs - Press Release

Panzer made a quick trip to the Amazon press communications site. There our inquisitive kitty found a press release about Amazon's new Michigan fulfillment center.

According to Amazon's press release, the company has opened a 1 million sq. ft. fulfillment center warehouse in the Charter Township of Shelby, Michigan. Amazon will employ 1,000 local full-time employees. In addition to health and disability insurance, these employees also have access to retirement savings plans and company stock. Amazon will also pay up to 95 percent of an employee's tuition for in-demand degree training. The press release includes a link to information on how to apply for employment with Amazon.

It's a fun to try to guess, isn't it?

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty is wondering, if Detroit, Michigan, might be under consideration for Amazon's second North American headquarters (HQ2)? The press release does say Amazon already has a corporate office in Detroit."

Note: This is a shortish-medium length press release. Bring a cup of cocoa and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon fulfillment center

To read the post about Amazon's hunt for a second headquarters (HQ2), tootle over to Amazon HQ2

iTunes v12.7.0.166 No Longer Supports iBooks - The Digital Reader

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard wailing and crying and gnashing teeth. Following all the hullabaloo took our brave kitty boy to The Digital Reader site. With just a little digging he found a post about the newest iTunes version.

According to the post by site owner Nate Hoffelder, Apple left an important element out of the new version of iTunes. Windows users (like Panzer) no longer have access to iBooks. This means Windows users also don't have access to their ebook library. It also means transferring ebooks from the library to an iPad (etc.) is a major endeavor. The Comments section has some suggestions from readers about how to transfer your iBooks to your iPad.

I'm a cat. I want things to be simple.

Panzer says, "Umm ... Does Apple want to decrease sales of ebooks in the iBook store by not offering access to Windows Users?"

Note: This is a short post. Bring a cup of tea and half a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to iTunes v12.7.0.166

Fire HD 8 first look: Google Play installs easily! - TeleRead

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the TeleRead site. There with a little digging our adventuresome kitty found a post about the new Amazon 16 GB Fire HD 8.

Where did Mom hide that credit card?

According to the product review by Chris Meadows, the new Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet comes with some small improvements and one large one. The small improvements include two cameras, two speakers and more memory.  The large one is the ease of installing the Google Play Store app. Amazon has the Fire HD 8 on sale for Prime members with a $25 discount on the $79.99 regular price. The sale expires September 16. The post includes exact instructions on how to install Google Play.

Panzer says, "Shh ... Don't tell anyone ... But ... If you're not a Prime member ... you can sign up for a free 30 day trial membership."

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring two thermoses of tea, two dozen muffins and a sleeping bag for a nap in the middle.

To read the post, tootle over to Fire HD 8

Amazon Alleges Violations by KDP Authors, Publishers - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took him to the Publishers Weekly site. There, with a little digging our kitty pilot found a post about Amazon KDP.

According to the post by Calvin Reid, Amazon is cracking down on authors and publishers who have been determined to be abusing (gaming) the KDP system. Amazon has begun arbitration complaints against three people (one of whom uses a total of three names). Amazon also named in the complaints the companies owned by the three people. Amazon accuses the people and their companies of generating fake reviews and fake readers for authors and publishers' ebooks. These fake reviews and readers were used to fraudulently inflate reviews and page reads to increase the authors and publishers' royalty/income payments.

That was a very bad thing you did.

While not naming any specific authors or publishers, an Amazon spokesperson said very few authors or publishers participated in the fraud.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... When will you humans learn? You can't cheat Amazon. Sooner or later you'll get caught and have to pay the price."

Note: This is a medium post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon KDP

RIP Jerry Pournelle, the first author to write a novel on a computer - The Verge

Today, Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he stopped in at The Verge site.

In a post by Andrew Liptak, Panzer learned that one of his favorite science fiction authors Jerry Pournelle has passed away. Jerry Pournelle was the first author to write a novel on a computer using the first word processing program, Electric Pencil. With collaborator Larry Niven, he wrote the novel The Mote in God's Eye. Dr. Pournelle also worked on some of the earliest NASA space flights.

To read the post tootle over to Jerry Pournelle

A New Panzerism

Panzer on career choices:

When I was a kitten, I wanted to grow up to be a veterinarian.

Then I would give out catnip flavored kitty treats ...

To all the good little kitties like me.

Then I found out the bad news ...

Veterinarians have to go to school for classes ...

Bad, bad idea.

And ... study.

And ... do homework.

And ... all those require staying awake.

Well ... That put a quick end to the veterinarian foolishness.

B&N Has a Plan for the Future: More Stores - Publishers Weekly

Panzer made a quick trip into the Catosphere today. Our traveling kitty pilot stopped in at the Publishers Weekly (PW) site. There with a little digging he found a post about Barnes and Noble's new expansion plans.

More stores = More sales? Maybe.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble plans to open new stores next year. Barnes and Noble CEO Demos Parneros is quoted as stating the company plans to replace some of the recently closed stores. There are also plans to open new stores in some markets. Mr. Parneros also stated the new stores will be smaller. This will be a long term plan.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little inquiring kitty wants to know, if this means new smaller stores without restaurants and alcohol?"

Note: This is a short-medium post. Bring a cup of tea and half a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble expansion

Amazon Opens Search for Amazon HQ2 - A Second Headquarters City in North America - Press Release

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to Amazon's press room. With no digging at all our inquisitive kitty found a press release about Amazon's search for a new headquarters.

Moving where?

According to the press release, Amazon is looking for a North American location for their second headquarters (HQ2). The company plans to build a the new headquarters to function the same as the original Seattle (Washington) headquarters. The press release also states current employees in Seattle will have the option to transfer to the new HQ2 when it's completed. The press release includes a link to more information about Amazon's requirements.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Nowhere in the press release nor at Amazon's information site does it say the new headquarters will be in the U.S. It just says North America. So ... new headquarters in Canada?"

Note: This is a short-medium post. Bring a cup of tea and half a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the press release tootle over to Amazon

Kobo has Launched an Audiobook Subscription Plan and Audio Bookstore - GoodEreader

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the GoodEreader site.  There our adventure seeking kitty found a post about Kobo's new audiobooks bookstore.

According to GoodEreader's Editor in Chief Michael Kozlowski, Kobo has just added audiobooks to their sales plans. The audiobooks are available for direct purchase or on a "rental" basis through their new monthly subscription service. Currently, the audiobooks are available to those in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S. Included at the beginning of the post is a link to Kobo's audiobooks bookstore so you can read about it and signup.

This needs investigating.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Kobo uses Overdrive as their source for audiobooks. This little kitty wonders how an author gets their audiobooks on Overdrive?"

Note: This is a long post. Bring a thermos of tea, two muffins, and a chocolate chip and raisin cookie (biscuit).

To read the post tootle over to Kobo audiobooks

A New Panzerism

Panzer on the unpredictability of time:

A crash? Did I hear it?

Yes! I was a witness!

I was on the dresser next to the clock ...

And ... It was awful ...

Really ... I tried to stop him.

It was a suicide right in front of me.

He said he couldn't sleep ...

The tick-tocking was driving him crazy ...

And then he just jumped.

Labor Day Holiday

Happy Labor Day From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

Barnes & Noble shares surge over buyout speculation - New York Post

Today, Panzer was enjoying a nice quiet trip in the Catosphere. Suddenly, the Panzermobile was shaken from windshield to rocket motors by cheering and clapping. Following the storm of noise took our kitty pilot to the New York Post site. There he discovered a post about Barnes and Noble.

According to the post by Carleton English, speculation about a possible buyout caused Barnes and Noble stock to rise to $7.75 a share. From a buyout by Amazon to one by an anonymous buyer, rumors about Barnes and Noble's sale have run rampant lately. This newest rumor has Barnes and Noble buying back all the shareholders' stock and going private. The company denies the rumor.

We'll only have cat books in my store.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Let's see ... $7.75 for a share of Barnes and Noble stock. That's not much. Maybe, I can get Mom to buy a share for me. Then I could be part-owner of a bookstore."

Note: This is a long-short post. Bring a cup of tea and half a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble