FWIW, my books printed in The Netherlands have always been vastly superior to books printed at any of the North America printing plants. FWIW, my books printed in The Netherlands have always been vastly superior to books printed at any of the North America printing plants.

2009-10-01T18:35:18Z

31019

7295

2009-10-01T18:35:18Z

42565

Here is something that is not discussed nearly enough. When using a Mac, it is most important to change the default system gamma from 1.8 to 2.2 (which is the industry standard).  Even Apple says to change it to 2.2 but for unknown reasons they still ship with a default setting of 1.8. Interesting, Apple’s gamma 1.8 setting was chosen years ago because it approximated their Laser Writer printer. To change it go to System Prefaces, Color, Calibrate, change the target gamma to 2.2.  Immediately, everything will look darker but it will now match the industry standard, web sites, printing, etc. Here is something that is not discussed nearly enough. When using a Mac, it is most important to change the default system gamma from 1.8 to 2.2 (which is the industry standard).  Even Apple says to change it to 2.2 but for unknown reasons they still ship with a default setting of 1.8. Interesting, Apple’s gamma 1.8 setting was chosen years ago because it approximated their Laser Writer printer. To change it go to System Prefaces, Color, Calibrate, change the target gamma to 2.2.  Immediately, everything will look darker but it will now match the industry standard, web sites, printing, etc.

2008-10-21T21:59:09Z

18262

4087

2008-10-21T21:59:09Z

42565

I've noticed that the book previews for "Staff Pics" is now flash based, resulting in a better representation of images.  I suspect that this is part of the new upcoming promo tools.  Is this accessible to the rest of us yet?  If not could you give us an estimate of when it might be? Thanks,   Bret I’ve noticed that the book previews for "Staff Pics" is now flash based, resulting in a better representation of images.  I suspect that this is part of the new upcoming promo tools.  Is this accessible to the rest of us yet?  If not could you give us an estimate of when it might be? Thanks,   Bret

2008-06-05T18:27:20Z

13835

2524

2008-06-05T18:27:20Z

42565

Thanks again.  You guys are great. bret  Thanks again.  You guys are great. bret

2008-05-31T14:58:55Z

13603

2865

2008-05-31T14:58:55Z

42565

My point really was why couldn’t we have both. Previosuly, I have got responses from potential buyers that have balked at the expensive UPS shipping option for a single book, even stating, "Why can't they ship by Canada Post?"  For them let's have an inexpensive non-trackable option. And why can't we have what we did before for those of us who want/need it?I really think that we need both. Regards,   bret My point really was why couldn’t we have both. Previosuly, I have got responses from potential buyers that have balked at the expensive UPS shipping option for a single book, even stating, "Why can’t they ship by Canada Post?"  For them let’s have an inexpensive non-trackable option. And why can’t we have what we did before for those of us who want/need it?I really think that we need both. Regards,   bret

2008-05-30T16:27:13Z

13574

2865

2008-05-30T16:27:13Z

42565

Thanks Kathy, I completely understand the need for USPS, I was one of those asking for it, mostly for individuals interested in buying a single copy or two.  It is definitely more affordable for a single book purchase than any previous options.  The problem is that the I have been ordering books in 10's, or more, to sell to photography patrons at exhibitions, lectures, etc and the trackable UPS option cost much, much more.  Prohibitively so.  And USPS is not available beyond 2 or 3 books, depends on hardcover or softcover.  Why couldn't we have the less expensive trackable UPS option that we had before and the USPS option?   Would either of the UPS options currently available result in the border "brokerage" fees that I have also been nailed with? BTW, I am a big fan of Blurb.  You have done amazing things in a short time and you are responsive to your users.  I am really looking forward to start participating as a B3 member. Regards, bret   Thanks Kathy, I completely understand the need for USPS, I was one of those asking for it, mostly for individuals interested in buying a single copy or two.  It is definitely more affordable for a single book purchase than any previous options.  The problem is that the I have been ordering books in 10’s, or more, to sell to photography patrons at exhibitions, lectures, etc and the trackable UPS option cost much, much more.  Prohibitively so.  And USPS is not available beyond 2 or 3 books, depends on hardcover or softcover.  Why couldn’t we have the less expensive trackable UPS option that we had before and the USPS option?   Would either of the UPS options currently available result in the border "brokerage" fees that I have also been nailed with? BTW, I am a big fan of Blurb.  You have done amazing things in a short time and you are responsive to your users.  I am really looking forward to start participating as a B3 member. Regards, bret

2008-05-30T14:49:44Z

13568

2865

2008-05-30T14:49:44Z

42565

Hello, Could somebody from Blurb please let us know if these concerns are being considered or not?    The more I ponder these changes the more I realize how much better off we were before. Thanks,   bret Hello, Could somebody from Blurb please let us know if these concerns are being considered or not?    The more I ponder these changes the more I realize how much better off we were before. Thanks,   bret

2008-05-29T17:21:26Z

13536

2865

2008-05-29T17:21:26Z

42565

I also have concerns. There needs to be a less expensive option that what we had before but we also need a less expensive trackable option like we had before.  Also of note, when I order more than two hardcover copies of my book the USPS option disappears, perhaps because the cost becomes too much, and the only options left are more expensive than I paid before. I typically order 10 or more books, which the old system was better for but was prohibitive for folks trying to buy a single copy.  The new system is better for them but worse for larger orders. Will there be an opportunity to remedy these issues? Thanks,      bret I also have concerns. There needs to be a less expensive option that what we had before but we also need a less expensive trackable option like we had before.  Also of note, when I order more than two hardcover copies of my book the USPS option disappears, perhaps because the cost becomes too much, and the only options left are more expensive than I paid before. I typically order 10 or more books, which the old system was better for but was prohibitive for folks trying to buy a single copy.  The new system is better for them but worse for larger orders. Will there be an opportunity to remedy these issues? Thanks,      bret

2008-05-22T19:44:09Z

13239

2865

2008-05-22T19:44:09Z

42565

From a prospective buyer (in Canada). "We really want a hard copy of your book but freight on Blurb is $15.  Blurb should have a less costly way to manage shipping. Possibly Canada Post would be less expensive." From a prospective buyer (in Canada). "We really want a hard copy of your book but freight on Blurb is $15.  Blurb should have a less costly way to manage shipping. Possibly Canada Post would be less expensive."

2008-05-05T20:32:33Z

12549

2450

2008-05-05T20:32:33Z

42565

Very good to hear and VERY much appreciated!!! Regards, bret  Very good to hear and VERY much appreciated!!! Regards, bret

2008-05-02T14:56:23Z

12463

2385

2008-05-02T14:56:23Z

42565

I vehemently agree with dennysb, above. I am a fine art photographer and part of the style that I have developed over the years lies in the use of abundant film grain in my black and white work.  I am very happy with the actually quality of my first book and I have gotten great response from it, even from other art photographers, and particularly for the price.  However, I have had to resort to removing my preview button for my book and issuing a statement that many of the photographs can be viewed on my website.  This is not ideal but the quality of the preview on technically proficient yet intentionally grainy photographs is horrendous.  It is not that hard to decrease the compression quality of the pdf, or at least give us an option.  Even for non-grainy books, I find the level of compression very egregious. Aside from this issue and the UPS only option to Canada resulting in a ridiculously large extra cost and therefore less sales, I've gotten the feedback from my mailing list, I am a huge fan of Blurb and have been recommending you all over the place.    I urge you to please seriously look into this issue and get back to us.  Thanks,    bret culp   I vehemently agree with dennysb, above. I am a fine art photographer and part of the style that I have developed over the years lies in the use of abundant film grain in my black and white work.  I am very happy with the actually quality of my first book and I have gotten great response from it, even from other art photographers, and particularly for the price.  However, I have had to resort to removing my preview button for my book and issuing a statement that many of the photographs can be viewed on my website.  This is not ideal but the quality of the preview on technically proficient yet intentionally grainy photographs is horrendous.  It is not that hard to decrease the compression quality of the pdf, or at least give us an option.  Even for non-grainy books, I find the level of compression very egregious. Aside from this issue and the UPS only option to Canada resulting in a ridiculously large extra cost and therefore less sales, I’ve gotten the feedback from my mailing list, I am a huge fan of Blurb and have been recommending you all over the place.    I urge you to please seriously look into this issue and get back to us.  Thanks,    bret culp

2008-05-01T18:42:38Z

12432

2385

2008-05-01T18:42:38Z

42565

I have the same problem on a Mac.  Has anybody here had any luck? I have the same problem on a Mac.  Has anybody here had any luck?

2008-03-10T19:27:56Z

10925

2384

2008-03-10T19:27:56Z

42565