== Notes from Idaho...


THE BEST LAID PLANS OF MICE AND MEN

Well, here we are - this newsletter has finally made it to your Inbox.
We must confess, due to holidays, hurdles, and hangups, we’ve been
writing and re-writing (and rewriting again) the newsletter since early
December.  From Scrooge to Steinbeck (and now Cupid), we are elated to
finally push the send button before needing to consider some leprechaun
in our theme for March! Happy New Year to you (and our apologies to Mr.
Steinbeck for altering your classic)!

Hidden under a fresh blanket of squeaky new snow, we are celebrating
the beginning of BookCrossing’s 11th year and send to you, our loyal
BookCrossing community, our warmest greetings from the tundra
termperatures of Northern Idaho. The 2012 Anniversary BookCrossing
Convention to be held in Dublin is fast approaching and many of us will
head over there to commune with our fellow BookCrossers and meander the
iconic cobbled streets of Dublin, including O'Connell, Grafton, Henri
and Amiens, which remind us of a few lines in the song, “Dublin
Saunter�, by Noel Purcell:

Grafton Street's a wonderland
There's magic in the air
In Dublin on a sunny summer morning
And if you don't believe me, come and meet me there

Of course, we’ll be in Dublin in the ‘spring afternoon’ rather than
‘summer morning’ as referenced in the song, so we’ll be sure to bring
warm, rainproof clothing and a little something to read as we arrive at
the conference with exciting BookCrossing news and the latest website
developments. We’ve been holding back some intel to impart firsthand at
the Dublin Convention, and although we’ve been quiet behind the scenes,
we are growing stronger as laboreously add we code to support our
inevitable growth and development.

We’re excited to share with you our plans and this year’s outlook, so
please join us in Dublin if you're able. We’d absolutely love to see
you!

Here’s to warm weather and luck of the Irish,

Bruce and Heather
  __________________________________________________________________

IN WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

What's black and white and read all over? You’ve asked, we’ve answered:
Our black and white Econo Labels back in stock and better than ever
as they come with a pre-numbered option! At half the size and near half
the price of our standard labels, these 4�x2� (or just roughly 10 cm x
5 cm), no frills babies are perfect for smaller books. Keeping within a
modest budget, this option is your economical answer for mass releases
- so affordable you can stash some in your glove compartment, purse and
every corner of your abode! A mere $12.95 gets you 50 labels (or order
in the never-before-offered quantity of 1000 lables for $149.95), so
get crackin' to the Supply Store and get some today:

http://nl.bookcrossing.com/790029798798718/prodtype.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=87

There are more surprises in our Supply Store. We're bringing back some
of our vintage bookplates, and with more being added back every week,
you'll want to keep checking back. Take a walk down BookCrossing memory
lane, and drop a few packs of your ol' favorites in your shopping
cart.

Please remember: We need you. Buying from the BookCrossing Supply Store
supports BookCrossing and keeps this site
alive.
  __________________________________________________________________

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

There are always questions about how personal statistics for
BookCrossing are calculated. Even more are the concerns that
BookCrossing's reported statistics don't necessarily reflect the
statistics members keep on their own. Part of the confusion is due to
the fact that there are so many ways to release and catch books: Those
books released either as 'wild' or 'controlled' via the Release a
Book link, or those passed on without the benefit of an 'official'
release note can muddy the figures.  Each method of release generates a
different type of 'found and caught' statistic as well. There is no
right or wrong method for releasing a book, though certainly using the
link has the advantage of sending out release notes on wild
releases and (when the feature is restored) showing a book's travel
stops on the world map. There also are issues having to do with
registering books, the use of pre-numbered labels, and when a book is
registered.
 
All this is a prelude to the reassurances that our hard-working Tech
Team is continuously improving the collation and collection of
information for site statistics. Rest assured that whenever a coding
change takes place, book-related data is recalculated from scratch, not
calculated from the point of the change in strategy. So, every time
things are recalculated, it's from the beginning of your BookCrossing
history, not from the timing of the fix. Cool, huh?

It's our hope that the "perfect" formula for calculating your
registrations, releases, finds and catches will soon be in place. And
we also hope to work some statistic wizardry on new member stats at
some point. These statistics are a bit more difficult to track down,
but we certainly intend to try. Until then, we'll keep working to get
all your statistic just right.
  __________________________________________________________________

THE PAPERBACK TRAVELLER

Rather than submit a boring qualitative research report, three creative
graduate students completing Master’s Degrees from Eindhoven University
of Technology in the Netherlands chose BookCrossing to make a short
video. The assignment was to portray an example of mobility of
information within cities. They titled their final project “The
Paperback Traveller�.

As part of their course in Urban Design through the Department of
Architecture, the students followed BookCrossing activities throughout
an urban landscape; they tracked how (and where) BookCrossing
activities linked people together with spaces and movement within the
city.
 
http://nl.bookcrossing.com/890029798798718/www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-kKtT2xnzg

We concur that BookCrossing was the perfect application for such a
study. It’s no surprise that public transport was found to be one of
the most popular locations for releasing books, and that thrillers and
literature seem to be the most preferred genres. We hope their
professor appreciated the resulting mini BookCrossing movie, and
that it was welcomed as a nice change from the usual paper statistical
case study.
We give your team an A+!
  __________________________________________________________________

THE LATEST WILD BOOK CATCHES

Wild books released by our members are being caught every day all over
the world! Our Site Watch forum is where members post news of great
wild book catches. Here are some of the best threads from the last few
days:

a nice exchange in the Post Office
     http://nl.bookcrossing.com/690029798798718/forum/11/471051
Two contrasting catches today
     http://nl.bookcrossing.com/690029798798718/forum/11/471284
a catch in Romania travels on to India!
     http://nl.bookcrossing.com/690029798798718/forum/11/469515
Festival reject now caught three times from wild releases
     http://nl.bookcrossing.com/690029798798718/forum/11/469174
My first 2nd generation wild catch!
     http://nl.bookcrossing.com/690029798798718/forum/11/468599
Book took 6 years to go 6 miles...
     http://nl.bookcrossing.com/690029798798718/forum/11/468410
half way across the world and back again.
     http://nl.bookcrossing.com/690029798798718/forum/11/468246
Book has been cruising about
     http://nl.bookcrossing.com/690029798798718/forum/11/467955
AF keeps promise to update.
     http://nl.bookcrossing.com/690029798798718/forum/11/468156
Two nice wild catches and a new BCer
     http://nl.bookcrossing.com/690029798798718/forum/11/467811
100% Catch rate today!
     http://nl.bookcrossing.com/690029798798718/forum/11/468430
Monsterology checks in 3 years later (and a couple of other catches!)
     http://nl.bookcrossing.com/690029798798718/forum/11/468493

  __________________________________________________________________

BOOKPLATE OF THE MONTH

More than a twinkle in someone's eye, this gorgeous bookplate sparkles
for January.
The eye is gleaming with insight, foresight and hindsight as we reflect
on last year and look forward to an eye-opening 2012. Let's face it:
The ayes have it!

This month, our winner is...

“I spy with my little eye� created by busybooklover:

http://nl.bookcrossing.com/790029798798718/uploads/images_products/244.jpg

(These labels are available for purchase in the Supply Store with a
pre-numbered option.)
  __________________________________________________________________

Heather's Wonderin'...
(Note: December's answers to "Heather's Wonderin'..." were too witty to
replace simply to be timely in providing post-holiday relevant content;
therefore, we hope you'll indulge us, and enjoy a bit of humor from
Christmas past.)

“If Santa knew who was good and bad, why don't they use him in courts?�

“Did you ever try serving a subpoena to someone who lives at a secret
workshop in the North Pole? The process servers alone cost a fortune
(and that's assuming they can find the place!)�
- FURBALL

“There are no chimneys.�
- Covert

“Santa has no proof! We only have his word; it would be hearsay
testimony.�
- AwesomeAud

“The lawyers are afraid that he really does know who's naughty and
who's nice and just might call them out in the courtroom!�
- ResQgeek

“The rest of the year he works for the National Elf Service, so he's
not available!�
- Fellraven

“He gets so tired delivering all those presents that he simply doesn't
respond to any mail during the rest of the year. So no one has been
able to get hold of him to ask.�
- Moem

“Santa's job is to know if children (not adults) are good or bad.
Maybe, if he knows something in this case, he knows it only about the
recent year. So what is with statute-barred prosecution?�
- Holiday-Snack
  __________________________________________________________________

Look for Heather's posts in the Chit-Chat Forum.  Each month, she'll
pose a question and we'll publish our favorite answers.
  __________________________________________________________________

EUROPEAN SUPPLY STORE UPDATE

We know you've been (im)patiently waiting for the European distribution
of Supply Store items and we sincerely apologize for the delay. We're
still working on the details as the plan we had hoped to have in place
by now ran into unforeseen difficulties. As we've had to start from
scratch, we can assure you that a EU store (or at least decent EU
delivery options) is forthcoming, however, we honestly don't know yet
when we will have achieved this. Thanks for your understanding.
  __________________________________________________________________

SECRET BOOK SCULPTURES

We've been beguiled by these fabulous series of book sculptures and
this Banksy-type of artistry.  Releasing a book in secret can be
difficult enough, but try secretly slipping one of these out of your
bookbag. Here's the ultimate example of 'read and release' taken to an
entire new level: reading, sculpting and releasing.

We hope you enjoy these spectacular miniatures (and don't miss the
“Update� link on top of that page!) as much as we do, and should you be
so inspired, make your own and set it free (and be sure to send us
pictures!)

     http://nl.bookcrossing.com/890029798798718/thisiscentralstation.com/featured/mysterious-paper-sculptures
     http://nl.bookcrossing.com/890029798798718/www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2011/10/28/141795907/who-left-a-tree-then-a-coffin-in-the-library
  __________________________________________________________________

GOODBYE JOSEKI

January 2, 2012 marked the passing of well-known BookCrosser and
frequent Chit-Chat Forum contributor, Matthew (aka Joseki).
With over 25,000 forum posts, Matthew was known for his jokes which
were imparted with warm and kind intentions. He made us smile. His
onsite presence was a pleasure, and this special BookCrosser
contributed his vitality, intelligence and good cheer to many of us.
We will certainly mourn his passing and send our condolences to his
wife Betsy and the rest of his family.

Matthew, we remember you fondly.
Rest in peace.
  __________________________________________________________________

Have an idea for the Newsletter?

Other members are intrigued and enghtened by articles from fellow
members.  Are you a member who loves to write as much as read?  Email
heather@... with feature ideas, thoughts or suggestions or
send us an article we can add to the newsletter.  Write on!

    http://nl.bookcrossing.com/690029798798718/articles
  __________________________________________________________________


MEMBER ARTICLES
Books Can Grow on Trees
by abbigailann
    http://nl.bookcrossing.com/690029798798718/articles/3475

How one author utilized BookCrossing to send her book around the
world.
by LauraHarrington
    http://nl.bookcrossing.com/690029798798718/articles/3483
  ____________________ ______________________________________________

LAST LAUGH

Little Johnny asked and received help from a librarian on how to use
the card catalog. In a little while, he approached the librarian again,
wanting to know how to spell “tequila�.

“T-e-q-u-i-l-a,� spelled the librarian, and Little Johnny thanked her
and went
back to his search.

A short time later he came to the desk, looking quite distraught. “I
just can’t find it,� he said.

“What book are you looking for?� the librarian asked.

Replied Little Johnny, “Tequila Mockingbird.�


  =================================================================

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