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From: ast@cs.vu.nl (Andy Tanenbaum)
Newsgroups: comp.os.minix
Subject: Announcement about MINIX distribution
Message-ID: <494@ast.cs.vu.nl>
Date: Tue, 8-Sep-87 08:05:38 EDT
Article-I.D.: ast.494
Posted: Tue Sep  8 08:05:38 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 9-Sep-87 03:18:32 EDT
References: <2183@eecae.UUCP>
Reply-To: ast@cs.vu.nl ()
Organization: VU Informatica, Amsterdam
Lines: 45

In article <2183@eecae.UUCP> lawitzke@eecae.ee.msu.edu (John Lawitzke) writes:
>I've been wondering, why is MINIX available mail order from PH only?

Because it never occurred to P-H that anyone would want to buy it.  Until
fairly recently it was in the same category as instructor's manuals.  The
endless delays with delivery are also due to the same problem:  they really
couldn't believe anyone would want it, so they didn't make very many.  I
think they now understand.

Starting with 1.2 there will be 2 different distribution forms.  

1. The same format as at present, with a hard cover book (paper back outside
   North America) and a separate box of diskettes for $79.95  Nothing new
   here, except that the diskettes will contain 1.2 instead of 1.1 and
   there is an extra diskette because there is more software.

2. An IBM slipcase version.  This will contain a modified version of the
   book in 3 ring binder style, with the diskettes in the back.  This
   format looks more like standard IBM PC software.  The diskettes are
   identical to the 1.2 diskettes above.  The "manual" is about 200 pages
   shorter and leaves out most of the "theory" of the textbook.  It is
   aimed at hackers who are only interested in MINIX and don't care about
   studying 10 different paging algorithms or 5 ways to solve the
   producer-consumer problem.  This package will cost $110, which is
   slightly cheaper than the book ($36.95) + software ($79.95) combined.
   This version will be sold in bookstores, computer stores, and any
   other stores that want to carry it.  The economics are funny, but this
   price includes some dealer margin; the $79.95 software only doesn't.
   Don't tell me that blank disks cost $0.79.  I know that, but the real
   costs are the marketing and distribution costs, not the manufacturing
   costs.  

There will also be a registration card starting with 1.2.  That way, if
there is a 1.3 some day, P-H can at least track down people with 1.2 and
perhaps offer some kind of update.  

They are going to start advertising MINIX in various places, and all the
ads will be for the slipcase version.  The book will continue to contain
the order card for the software only, but there won't be any separate
advertising for it.  It is assumed that word of mouth is enough there.

Please, let's not have an endless discussion in the news group about
marketing issues.  If you have something concrete to add, send me mail.

Andy Tanenbaum (ast@cs.vu.nl)