A New Panzerism

Panzer on the exchange of knowledge:

I often think about humans lack of communication skills.

A cat's meow is a vast, textured language and full of nuances.

But ...

Humans only have a limited number of words with limited meanings in their language.

For example ...

Cats have 6,216 words for dog.

Humans have one ... dog.

Two thumbs away from extinction.

I swear,

If ...

it wasn't for opposable thumbs, humans would have died off by now.

Amazon Could Be as Big as Walmart In About Four Years or So - The Digital Reader

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to The Digital Reader site. With no digging at all he found a post about Amazon and Walmart.

The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder's post addresses the issue of Walmart's late entry into the online sales market. Although Walmart's overall sales size is three times bigger than Amazon, the post states Amazon could overtake Walmart in size in four years. The post includes a lot of information about online sales. End of the year financials comparing online sales revenue show Walmart's increased 44 percent verses Amazon's 31 percent. However, the percentages are misleading. Walmart had lower online sales to begin with, so a 44 percent increase is actually smaller than Amazon's 31 percent on larger beginning online sales. The post includes quotes from press releases. There are also links to financial reports, but Walmart's report wasn't secure and couldn't be viewed.

None of it makes sense to me.

Panzer says, "All those numbers and percentages gave this little kitty a headache and he couldn't make heads nor tails of what the post was trying to say."

Note: This is a huge post. Bring half a thermos of tea and six muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon and Walmart

Waterstones Sold, Daunt to Stay CEO - Publishers Weekly

Panzer had barely gotten into the Catosphere when suddenly the Panzermobile was buffeted by the sounds of crying and shouting. Following all the noise took our brave kitty to the Publishers Weekly (PW) site. There he discovered a post about the sale of Waterstones.

Just curious about what's next.

According to the Publishers Weekly post by Ed Nawotka, Waterstones has been sold to American investment group Elliot Advisors. No information about the purchase price is available. The U.K. bookstore chain promises no stores will close. The rumor about a future purchase by Amazon was denied by CEO James Daunt.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty was wondering about that rumor too."

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

To read the post tootle over to Waterstones

E-book Sales Fell 10% in 2017 - Publishers Weekly

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Publishers Weekly (PW) site. With a little digging around our inquisitive kitty boy found a post about 2017 ebook sales figures.

According to Jim Milliot, Pub Track Digital reports sales figures for ebooks published by traditional publishers fell 10 percent in 2017 compared to figures from 2016. Ebook sales declined in all segments except adult nonfiction. Amazon's sales figures aren't included in Pub Track Digital's report.

Indie publishing is the way to go.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Makes this little kitty glad Mom's ebooks aren't published by a traditional publisher."

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

To read the post tootle over to ebook sales

UK Spring First in Series Sale, AU/NZ Mothers Day Price Promo, May Buy 2 Thrillers Get 1 Free Sale. A Snapshot of Kobo's little known promotions feature for indie authors - The New Publishing Standard

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The New Publishing Standard site. There our ingenious kitty found a post about Kobo's promotion feature.

According to the post by Mark Williams, Kobo is an untapped market for promoting their indie authors' ebooks. Three examples of Kobo's May promotions are the 99 cent promotion on the site in the U.S., the Mothers' Day promotion in Australia and New Zealand, and the Spring Price Drop promotion in the U.S. and Canada. There are other Kobo promotions examples included in the post. Also included are descriptions of how the promotions work, as well as, how to submit an ebook for consideration for the promotions.

I'm definitely looking into this.

Panzer says, "This little kitty has been using Smashwords to get his ebooks on Kobo so he didn't know about the Kobo Writing Life dashboard and the promotions feature."

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

To read the post tootle over to Kobo promotions

A New Panzerism

Panzer on duplicitous words:

Some phrases are more confusion causing than others.

Take fat cat for example.

When referring to a wealthy business person, it's a good thing.

But ...

When referring to a wonderful, charming kitty such as myself, ...

I'm just big boned.

fat cat has a very negative connotation.

So, Mom ...

Once again, I say ...

I am not a fat cat.

Over half the top 100 titles on Kindle UK are breaking the metadata rules. A third of the Kindle US top 100 today are Amazon imprint titles - The New Publishing Standard

Today, Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took him to The New Publishing Standard site. With some digging around our inquisitive kitty found a post about Amazon's Kindle.

The New Publishing Standard post actually contains the information from two earlier posts and compares them to two current posts' information. The first post quoted is about the UK authors breaking the metadata rules. Some authors and/or their publishers are using the subtitle field to enter information about being a "book club pick" or an "award winner." This is a prohibited use of the field, but the practice according to current information still continues. The second post quoted is about the fact that one-third of Kindle's list of top 100 titles are Amazon published books. According to the second post's comparison, Amazon published books are still playing a prominent role in the top 100 list. There are links included in the post to the previous posts and to the original post about not breaking metadata rules.

Tell Amazon about the cheaters.

Panzer says, "This little kitty says Amazon needs to remove the cheaters."

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s  post. Bring a thermos of tea and a dozen muffins for today's reading selections.

To read the post tootle over to Kindle top 100 titles

Kindle for PC 1.23.1 Adds New Font Options, Multi-Column Option - The Digital Reader

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to The Digital Reader site. With a little digging around our traveling kitty found a post about the new update for the Kindle for PC app.

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder's post, Amazon's Kindle for PC update has added six new fonts, an image viewer, math equations, and a multi-columns feature. Included in the post is a screen shot of the multi-column feature, showing three columns across the computer screen. The Changelog at the end of the post includes the app changes with descriptions of the features. There's also a link to the Kindle for PC update.

Now, where did I put her Tablet.

Panzer says, "Guess I better update Mom's tablet."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Kindle for PC

Supreme Court Divided on Sales Taxes for Online Purchases - New York Times

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the New York Times site. There our adventuresome kitty pilot found a post about the Supreme Court's deliberations about internet sales taxes.

According to the post by Adam Liptak, the U.S. Supreme Court has been hearing arguments in the case of states having the ability to collect internet sales taxes from companies not located (do not have a presence) within their borders. It appears from the questions and statements made by the justices during the presentation of evidence that they are divided on the issue. The case before the Supreme Court involves the state of South Dakota vs. Wayfair. South Dakota wants Wayfair to collect sales taxes on all online purchases made by state residents. The company would then give the sales tax money to the state. If the justices agree with South Dakota, all online businesses would be required to follow the new law. The post does state Amazon has nothing to do with the case as the company already collects state's sales taxes and pays the money to the states.

Just thinking about it makes me tired.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks this could cause a lot of trouble for small internet companies if they have to collect taxes for all fifty states."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Supreme Court Justices

In Celebration of World Book Day, AmazonCrossing Aims to Connect One Million Readers with Kindle Books in Translation - Press Release

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard clapping and cheering. Following all the hullabaloo took our brave kitty boy pilot to the Amazon press room. With no digging at all he discovered a post about AmazonCrossing.

According to the press release, Amazon's book translation arm AmazonCrossing is celebrating World Book Day. Beginning April 17 and ending April 24, Amazon is making nine translated ebooks available free to U.S. residents. There is one ebook each from Korea, Greece, Sweden, Japan, Turkey, Russia, Indonesia, Spain and Chile. The genres include literary fiction, historical, mystery, memoir, and psychological thriller. The press release includes a link to a site where all nine ebooks are available to download. After the information about the World Book Day ebooks, there's the usual information about Amazon.

I didn't know they could do that.

Panzer says, "The download site includes a pages read counter. This little kitty finds it a little scary Amazon can track how many pages you're reading in your book."

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin.

To read the press release tootle over to AmazonCrossing

A New Panzerism

Panzer on music to a lady cat's ears:

It's that time of year again.

Spring time.

And you have all heard the boy cats howling on the night time breeze. Right?

This year I'm learning to yodel.

Yeah, okay, so ... lots of boy cats can do this.

Adding one more cat's voice is pointless.

So ...

I'm not joining in their yowling this Spring.

Barnes & Noble must face renewed data breach lawsuit: U.S. appeals court - Reuters

Mom is still feeling a little sick today, so Panzer's trip into the Catosphere was a quick one. Our speedy kitty pilot made a stop at the Reuters site. With just a little digging he found a post about Barnes and Noble.

We need to watch this case.

According to the post by Jonathan Stempel, Barnes and Noble is headed back to court to defend the company against a case seeking restitution for a customer data breach. The data breach involved stolen credit and debit card information at Barnes and Noble stores. A U.S. appeals court has ruled a lower court judge mistakenly disallowed the case; so, the Barnes and Noble customer case has been referred back to the lower court.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty thinks it's a good thing Mom only pays cash for everything she buys."

Note: This is a longish-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and one and a half muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble

Sick Days

Panzer here. Mom didn't post yesterday or today because she doesn't feel well. She's hoping to feel better tomorrow.

Kobo and Fnac Team up with telco Orange France to expand audiobook and ebook reach - The New Publishing Standard

Today, Panzer was just tootling around in the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was buffeted by clapping and cheering. Following all the hullabaloo took our intrepid kitty pilot to The New Publishing Standard site. With no digging at all he found a post about Kobo.

According to The New Publishing Standard post by Mark Williams, Kobo's partnership with French ebook and audiobook distributor Fnac and Fnac's partnership with French telco Orange just got bigger. Last year's free distribution of digital comics has come to an end to be replaced by the distribution of Kobo ebooks and audiobooks to Orange. The ebooks and audiobooks will be available by either a monthly subscription service or individual stand-alone purchases. The new service will be available on Orange beginning on May 17 and continue until January 31, 2019.

Kobo distributes my ebooks.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Which country is after France for Kobo?"

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 Kobo

A New Panzerism

Panzer on having a broken heart:

I was certain, absolutely certain, that Mitzi was the love of my life.

I couldn't eat or sleep because of my sweet, sweet Mitzi.

Well ... Maybe ... I could sleep a little bit.

And ... Maybe .. I could eat a little bit.

But ... She was my sweet little Mitzi.

Then ... Mom explained that Mitzi is a toy poodle.

I was shocked, I tell you. Shocked from my claw tips to my fuzzy ear hairs.

Yuck ... Dog hair.

And my heart may never mend.

But ...

I did think she smelled kind of funny.

Kindle Create Now Available in Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish - The Digital Reader

Panzer made a quick trip into the Catosphere today. Our speedy kitty made a stop at The Digital Reader site. There he found a post about Amazon's Kindle Create.

According to the post by The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, Amazon's Kindle Create can now be used by authors with documents in six new languages. The new additional languages are Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. Amazon Kindle Create is used  to format a document before it's published to the Kindle store. Kindle Create will generate the Table of Contents for the ebook and other formatting steps. It will also give the author the ability to see how the ebook will look on different devices. The post is predominately an Amazon announcement about the upgraded Kindle Create. There's a link near the end of the quote to the Kindle Create site.

Formatting gives me a headache.

Panzer says, "Using Kindle Create keeps the author from getting one star reviews because of poor formatting."

Note: This is a short post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the link to the Kindle Create site, bring a muffin too.


To read the post tootle over to Kindle Create

Barnes & Noble Launches Browsery™ — The First Mobile App to Talk About Books the Way Readers Do - Business Wire

Panzer had barely woken up from his afternoon nap when he heard oohing and aahing coming from the Catosphere. Hopping into the Panzermobile he followed all the noise to the Business Wire site. There he found a post about Barnes and Noble's new Browsery mobile app.

According to Business Wire, Barnes and Noble has a mobile app for their book customers named Browsery. Browsery users can discuss their book recommendations with each other, post book questions and answers, post author questions, and make book purchases. The app is available for Android and iOS devices. It's available for download at the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. It's free to download and use. If you go almost to the end of the post, you'll find links to Barnes and Noble's Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Want to ask this kitty author questions?

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Sounds like a fun way to talk about books with your friends."

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble Launches Browsery™ — The First Mobile App to Talk About Books the Way Readers Do | Business Wire:

Amazon is Shutting Down Its Crowd-Sourcing Platform, Kindle Scout - The Digital Reader

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when all of a sudden the Panzermobile was buffeted by crying and screaming. When our brave kitty boy got control of the Panzermobile again, he followed all the noise to The Digital Reader site. With no digging at all he discovered a post about the Kindle Scout platform was causing all the mayhem.

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nat Hoffelder, Amazon announced through an email that it's shutting down the Kindle Scout platform. Mr. Hoffelder's post includes an email Amazon sent to Kindle Scout voters about the platform's closure. Kindle Scout is/was a site where authors could submit their manuscripts and people could read and vote for the one they would like to see published.  Effective April 3 the platform won't accept any new submissions or voter/members. Once all the voting is finished on current submissions the site will shut down.

Mom found out from somebody else's  site.

Panzer says, "Mom is a Kindle Scout voter. Why didn't she get an email saying KS is closing down?"

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

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Kindle Scout

A New Panzerism

Panzer on lists:

I love lists.

You know, those Internet Lists.

Stuff like:

Best Cat Breed

And ...

3 Best Kinds of Catnip

And ...

4 Best Cat Food Brands

 So, I'm working on my own list.

Called ...

My list is just too effective.

10 Best Places to Take a Catnap


But I can't get it finished ...

Because ...

I keep falling asleep after Number 1.