Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Trump wants to go after Amazon - Business Insider

Panzer was shaken out of his cat bed by all the booing and hissing coming from the Catosphere. Jumping into the Panzermobile our brave pilot headed into the Catosphere to find out what all the noise was about. Following the hullabaloo took him to the Business Insider site where he discovered a post about Amazon and President Trump's threat to attack the company.

According to the post by Bob Bryan who quotes from an Axios post,  President Trump is unhappy with Amazon and because of that is threatening repercussions for the company. He says Amazon is responsible for problems in the business real estate marketplace because small companies are closing. He also blames the company for problems with the U.S. Postal Service. The post does point out that President Trump has a long-standing antagonism toward Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. Mr. Bezos is the owner of The Washington Post newspaper which has published articles unflattering of President Trump.
Now, back to the important stuff.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Maybe Amazon is responsible for that flat tire Mom got on the way to work today too."

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 Amazon

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Waterproof eReaders Currently on the Market - The Digital Reader

Today's trip into the Catosphere was a short one. Our speedy kitty boy made a stop at The Digital Reader site. With hardly any digging at all he found a post about waterproof ereaders.

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, there are nine waterproof ereaders available on today's market. The post gives information on nine ereaders. The post doesn't contain any review information, instead just general information such as manufacturer, ereader name, screen size, etc. Covered are the Kindle Oasis 2, Kindle Paperwhite, Barnes and Noble Glowlight Plus, Kobo Aura One, Kobo Aura H20 2, Pocketbook Aqua 2, Tolino Epic, Tolino Vision, and Onyx Robinson Crusoe.. The post includes links to most of the ereaders discussed .

Not going to happen. Not now. Not ever.
Panzer says, "Everyone knows this little kitty's opinion of water, so he won't be testing the waterproof ereaders."

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

To read the post tootle over to Waterproof Ereaders

Monday, March 26, 2018

A New Panzerism

Panzer on the proper use of time:

Cats have those useless moments of wakefulness.

That is obvious.

What isn't known is how cats manage to transition so quickly from that bored, stupid awake state to the useful sleeping state.

How do we do it?

It's easy ...

We just think about something.

Or about human importance works too.
Anything.

Thinking always produces blissful sleep.

Personally ...

I contemplate why cats don't have pockets.

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Amazon book store planned for The Village at Meridian - Meridian Press

Panzer was traveling around in the Catosphere when he heard a strange hissing noise. Following the shushing sound took our inquisitive kitty boy to the Meridian Press site. There he found a post about the possible location of a new secret Amazon bookstore in Meridian, Idaho.

According to a post by Torrie Cope, Meridian Press filed a Public Records Request with the city of Meridian, Idaho, about a construction permit at The Village at Meridian. The post states the permit lists Amazon Books for the tenant renovations. Meridian Press spoke to a representative at The Village, but didn't receive confirmation about Amazon's tenancy and an email sent to Amazon didn't receive a reply.
It's not a secret anymore.

Panzer says, "This little kitty wants to know how Meridian Press knew to ask for a copy of the permit."

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

To read the post tootle over to Amazon book store

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Smashwords Enters Audiobook Market with Findaway Voices - Smashwords


Panzer was shaken from his morning nap by loud noises coming from the Catosphere. Our intrepid kitty jumped in the Panzermobile to see what was going on. Once he got into the Catosphere the cheering and clapping nearly deafened him. Following all the excitement took our poor kitty boy to theSmashwords Blog. There he found a post about Smashwords entry into the audiobook market.

According to the post by Smashwords founder Mark Coker, Smashwords has signed a partnership agreement with Findaway Voices. Smashwords authors are now able to use Findaway to produce and globally distribute audiobooks of their ebooks. The post says Findaway narrators charge between $150.00 to $400.00 per hour to produce the finished audiobook. It also says, if you have a professional audiobook already finished, you can upload it to Findaway for distribution. Findaway distributes to 20 sites globally including Audible.
I see an audiobook in my future.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks he needs to get and account with Findaway for production and distribution of Cats and Crime."

Note: This is a longish post with several links. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring a thermos of tea and six muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Smashwords Enters Audiobook Market with Findaway Voices:

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Google makes its artificial intelligence and machine learning courses open to the public - PC Mag

Panzer was washing the Panzermobile's front window, when he saw a post caught under the passenger seat cushion. When he smoothed out the post our inquisitive kitty cleaner discovered it was from the PC Mag site and about Google's AI courses.

I'm eternally curious about things.
According to Jidu Elias, Google is making their artificial intelligence courses available free to the general public. The post includes a link to the courses and a link to a blog post about Google's reasoning behind the courses. You do need to know algebra, Python and basic computer coding to understand the classes and do the assignments.

Panzer says, "This little kitty knows this post doesn't have anything to do with writing or publishing, but it does seem interesting."

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

To read the post tootle over to Google courses

Monday, March 19, 2018

A New Panzerism

Panzer on being unreasonable:

It really snowed last night. There's at least ten inches on the ground.

Mom told What's His Name she was calling work to tell them she wasn't coming in.

What's His Name said he'd drive her there.

Mom said, no, they should both stay home and be safe.

What's His Name said, everybody at work would make fun of him, if he didn't go in because of a little snow.

And ... he said, there's insurance on the car anyway.

Mom still said, no.

Macho Man equals Stupid Man.
What's His Name went out to leave. Him and the car slid down the driveway and into the neighbor's front porch.

Turns out ...

There might be insurance on the car,

But ... There isn't insurance on stupid.


Friday, March 16, 2018

Kindle Oasis now available in champagne - The Digital Reader

Is that really worth an announcement?
Today, Panzer made a quick trip to The Digital Reader site. There with just a little digging our industrious kitty found a post about the Kindle Oasis.

According to site owner Nate Hoffelder, Amazon has added a new color option to the Kindle Oasis 2. Now you can buy it in Champagne Gold.

Panzer says, "Now, if it was available in catnip green, I might consider replacing my plain Gold Oasis with a new color."

Note: This is a very short post. You won't need any tea or muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Kindle Oasis

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Did Amazon's Audible inadvertently create the current royalties mess by incentivizing listeners to skip forward in the audibook? - The Hot Sheet reviewed. First edition - The New Publishing Standard

When Panzer got into the Panzermobile today he found a wadded up post under his pilot's seat. Smoothing it out our fastidious kitty discovered it was a post from The New Publishing Standard site which is a review of a The Hot Sheet post. The post is about Amazon's Audible subscription service.

In the The New Publishing Standard post Mark Williams quotes extensively from the March The Hot Sheet post about Amazon's Audible romance audiobook subscription service royalties schedule and author payment issues. In between the quoted material he inserts his opinions regarding the issues raised in The Hot Sheet post. According to the information contained in the March post, the payment rate was so abysmal authors were leaving the subscription service. Audible then decided to add a bonus for authors; however, no information was made available about how the bonuses were calculated. The post addresses other issues with the unlimited subscription service. There are links included in the post to other sites with information about the romance subscription service.
A fraction of a cent? Humans.

Panzer says, "Umm ... This little kitty is totally confused. Why would an author agree to a contract where you only make one one-thousandth of a cent per minute?"

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

To read the post tootle over to Amazon's Audible

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Watch the first trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - Pottermore

Mom is sick with a cold, so Panzer made a very quick trip into the Catosphere today. Our traveling kitty stopped in at the Pottermore site. There he found a video trailer for the new J.K. Rowling Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald movie.

How many naps until the movie?
After you watch the trailer scroll down and read all the explanations and descriptions that go with it. According to the trailer and the explanation, the movie is about Dumbledore and Newt against Grindelwald.

Panzer says, "The video is really exciting. This little kitty can't wait to see the movie!"

Note: This is a short video trailer. You probably don't want any tea or muffins because you might make a mess watching the trailer.

To see the trailer tootle over to fantastic beasts

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Amazon's first Washington-area bookstore opens March 13 - The Washington Post

Panzer had hardly entered the Catosphere today when the Panzermobile was buffeted by oohing and aahing. Following all the noise took our brave kitty boy pilot to The Washington Post site. There he found a post about Amazon's newest bookstore.

According to the post by Abha Bhattarai, Amazon just opened there newest bookstore in Washington, D.C. Barnes and Noble closed their Washington, D.C. bookstore in 2011 and, now, Amazon is located in the same building that housed the Barnes and Noble store. Amazon's bookstore has 10,000 square feet of space, so it's not nearly as large as a Barnes and Noble store. The store has over 5,000 books and electronic devices to choose from. The bookstore has the same purchasing setup as their other stores. Amazon Prime members get a discount while non-members pay full price.
Did Amazon really do that?

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Leased space in the same building, huh? This little kitty thinks Amazon just gave a paw swipe in the face to Barnes and Noble."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post including photos. Bring two cups of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to New Amazons bookstore

Monday, March 12, 2018

A New Panzerism

Panzer on the importance of quality sleep:

I haven't had a decent nap in days. There's always this roaring noise in my ears.

I heard Mom tell What's His Name she's having a hard time sleeping too.

Just professional courtesy.
What's His Name told her he can't help it, it's his allergies acting up.

Whatever it is, when trains go by on the other side of town, they sound their horns in acknowledgement to let the other train know they're on the track.


Friday, March 9, 2018

Serial Box serial e-publisher snags $1.65 million investment - TeleRead

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the TeleRead site. There with just a little digging our intrepid kitty traveler found a post about Serial Box.

Where's my $1.99 a week?
According to Chris Meadows, Serial Box just got a $1.65 million investment from Book Rocker Media. No one seems to know exactly what Serial Box will do with the money. In Serial Box's service a reader pays $1.99 per week for Serial Box's post of one episode in a story. The stories are from 13 to 18 episodes long. There are links included in the post to other posts about Serial Box and the $1.65 million investment.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... An episode a week? I do one Panzerism a week. I'm willing to do an audio version too."

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

To read the post tootle over to Serial Box

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Streelib Launches a Publishing Services Marketplace - The Digital Reader

No more hunting for help?
Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The Digital Reader site. There he found a post about Streetlib.

According to the post by The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, Streetlib has started a a new service called Streetlib Market. Through the service an indie author/publisher can find a book editor, designer or marketer. Streetlib Market will allow anyone in any country to use their service. The post includes Streetlib's press release about the new service.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... One stop shopping."

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

To read the post tootle over to Streetlib

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

B&N Starts Nationwide Book Club - Publishers Weekly

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard clapping. Following all the noise took our inquisitive kitty to the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about Barnes and Noble's new book club.

According to Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble is starting a book club for bookstore customers. The Barnes and Noble Book Club will meet four times per year with the first meeting May 2. The book for the first book club meeting will be the novel The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer. A special edition will be available for the book club. Anyone can join the book club at their local Barnes and Noble bookstore.
Did somebody say free cookies?

Panzer says, "This little kitty plans to join the book club. There will be free coffee and a cookie for each attendee at the meeting. Also, each bookstore will give away one signed copy of the book."

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

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble Book Club

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Amazon Books is Coming to Denver

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The Digital Reader site. There our traveling kitty pilot found a post about Amazon's move into the Denver area.

I'll just watch and see what happens.
According to the post by The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, Amazon is preparing to open an Amazon Books bookstore in Denver, Colorado. The store will be located in the Park Meadows Mall. The company is actively seeking employees for the store. The post includes links to the Amazon site to apply for employment positions at the store when it opens.

Panzer says, "Another bookstore. The stores must be bringing in sales revenue or Amazon wouldn't keep opening them."

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

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Books

Monday, March 5, 2018

A New Panzerism

Panzer on training your human with unsheathed claws:

Sometimes What's His Name can be overly helpful.

Mom says he means well and maybe she's right.

But ...

I'm a cat.

I don't need help from anybody.

So ...
That's what my tongue is for.

Get this Mr. What's His Name ...

Next time you think I need a bath ...

I'll do it myself.

We'll both be happier.



* From Cat Wisdom for humans

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Read An Ebook Week

Starting Today





Click Fiona L. Woods and Panzer's ebooks to go to my profile, scroll down and check out Panzer's ebooks. Cat Wisdom is 50 percent off this week only.

Click Fiona L. Webber's ebooks to go to her profile, scroll down and check out her romance ebooks.

Click Smashwords ebook week to go to the Smashwords site, click the Read an Ebook Week  button on the left to check out the participating Smashwords ebooks.

Friday, March 2, 2018

B&N Will Open Five Prototype Stores in Fiscal 2019 - Publishers Weekly

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Publishers Weekly site. After no digging at all our adventuresome kitty pilot found a post about Barnes and Noble's new strategic business plan. Panzer explained about the implementation of the plan yesterday.

According to Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble has begun another phase of the company's new strategic plan to turn the company around and bring it back to profitability. In the latest phase the company will open five new "prototype" stores in fiscal 2019. (Barnes and Noble's fiscal 2019 year begins in May 2018.) The new "prototype" stores will be smaller and will a cafe. The first store will open in New Jersey. Barnes and Noble's online presence is also part of the turnaround plan. Customers can order a book at Barnes and Noble's online store and then pick it up at the local retail store.
My Cat Wisdom is online at bn.com

Panzer says, "Hmm ... So, if you order a book online and pick it up at the retail store, there's no shipping added to your cost."

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

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble prototype stores

Thursday, March 1, 2018

After Another Disappointing Quarter, B&N Unveils Turnaround Plan - Publishers Weekly

Today's trip into the Catosphere took our traveling kitty to the Publishers Weekly site. With just a little digging he found a post about Barnes and Noble.

According to Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble has announced the company's third quarter financial results. (This quarter included the holiday season sales.) The financial results announcement showed revenue fell 5.3 percent. In conjunction with the financial results CEO Demos Parneros announced a new strategic plan to bring the company back to profitability. The first step was begun in February with layoffs to rein in employee costs. According to Mr. Parneros this will be a long term effort for the company. The post includes information about the strategic plan.
Sometimes smaller is better.

Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders if there are any leases ending on under performing bookstores."

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

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble

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