The Nemo Memo – New! BOOK BYTES ANNUAL AWARDS

Thank you.

THE VANISHING BOOKSTORE

One of the special vacation pleasures on my annual return drive from San Francisco to Tucson is passing a lazy afternoon in Santa Barbara, California, two hours’ drive north of Los Angeles. With timing and luck, Barbara and I can cruise through the L.A. freeway system after the evening rush hours.

The high point is having an hour to browse in the Earthling Bookstore, an outstanding independent bookseller, on State Street, in the heart of Santa Barbara’s shopping district.

Last year the Earthling was fighting for its life, asking customers to “contribute” to the cause by — gasp — buying their books at Earthling, and not elsewhere.

The invasion was complete by the summer of 1998. Within a few paces from Earthling, and from one another, are two huge full-service megastores. Yep, you guessed correctly: “Borders & Noble,” to coin a phrase.

Throughout the United States, the pattern is predictable, so that roughly 700 of the “B&N” behemoths now inhabit prime real estate in town centers and sprawl-malls. These stores sell books by the truckload, and put the ma and pa shops out of business. It is happening here in Tucson, and it happened in Santa Barbara.

Don’t get me wrong: the megastores provide an excellent selection of the books that My Mac and Book Bytes readers purchase and read. The plain truth is that consolidation is now king and queen in most forms of commerce, and the trend is accelerating. (Did I hear you mutter “Microsloth,” perhaps?)

Taking an exclusive stand in favor of the independent book shops is a lost cause for most of us. Business is booming at Amazon.com and other Internet bookstores. Look at our Book Bytes Web links, and you’ll see my point immediately.

In Santa Barbara, the Earthling is finished: “Everything in the store now 30% – 50% off. We are closing.” Tears were in my eyes as I walked past the store for the final time, unable to enter a living tomb. Adieu, old pal.

Consider your purchases carefully, readers. If possible, help keep the little guys and gals afloat. Vote with your wallet, and you can make a difference.

End of sermon.

INTERNET STOCK MARKET MARKUP

September, 1998, was a bewildering month for investors in the stock markets of the world. Predictions for October and beyond are: UNPREDICTABLE. You read it here first. Tell a friend.

I have participated in the U.S. stock market as a growth stock mutual fund investor for nearly 20 years. Even considering the wild swings in prices this year, my total return has been positive.

Most of my personal investments have been goal-oriented:

I cannot presume to address the overall investment profile for readers of the Nemo Memo. Therefore, I present the following five very personal rules of thumb, which you may consider, given that:

MY INVESTMENT ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT IT COSTS YOU TO OBTAIN IT.

Here goes:

1. Investing in common stock mutual funds can provide greater peace of mind than owning individual stocks, but either one can be risky or conservative. Do your homework.

2. Mutual fund managers are very smart, so find one who “works for you,” and let him/her do their job. Be patient.

3. Save and invest initially for the essential costs of life: home, education, and family. Then set aside as much as possible for your retirement, and for the next generation. Think: SECURITY.

4. Read, read, read. Then read some more: personal finance magazines, newspapers, and the Internet. Concentrate on the investment publications you understand. Keep reading.

5. Life is for living, not worrying. Invest carefully, using common sense, and keep your finances in perspective. Enjoy yourself.

As for the high-flying Internet (or bio-tech, or railroad, or tulip) stocks, either get lucky, get in early, make a bundle, and get out, or forget ’em.

I welcome your comments.

NEMO’S READING LIST

Oh yes; one more thing. Book Bytes has “gone to the printer,” so I’ll mention two favorite non-computer books here. If you are looking for a “good read,” I recommend both these books, which are available in paperback worldwide, in English and in translation:

Into Thin Air : A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster
(non-fiction; heart-stopping true-life adventure on Mt. Everest)
by Jon Krakauer
$7.99 U. S.
Paperback: 360 pages (May 1998)
Anchor Books
ISBN: 0385492081

… and …

Cold Mountain
(historical fiction; adventure and romantic saga, set during the U.S. Civil War)
by Charles Frazier

$13.00 U.S.
Paperback: 448 pages (August, 1998)
Vintage Books
ISBN: 0375700757

(finally, and certainly not least)

EMAIL RELIABILITY: THE LAST WORD?

I had catastrophic email disasters during the summer. I planned to give you all the details, but the story is so grim I can’t bear to think about it any more. The result is what matters, correct? Good. Here is my conclusion:

and there are probably a dozen more, if you care to investigate.

That does it for October. See you next month.

John

John Nemerovski
nemo@mymac.com

Websites mentioned:
http://www.mailcity.com
http://www.mailexcite.com
http://www.eudoramail.com
http://www.mauimail.com
http://mail.yahoo.com
http://www.iname.com
http://www.hotmail.com
http://www.netadress.com
http://www.amazon.com