Professors customize textbooks, blurring roles of publisher, seller and copy shop
Article Abstract:
Computers and photocopiers are changing how college textbooks get published. Professors now can custom-design textbooks for inexpensive production in limited editions. Such books are often simple photocopies, but computers make it possible for a professor to order chapters from a publisher's database and to add handouts or other materials, so that a laser-printed paperback is ready for classroom distribution a few days later. Retailers estimate that customized books already make up about 10 percent of college texts, and the percentage is increasing. Responding to the trend, copy shops are metamorphosing into bookstores, and bookstores are starting to do publishing. One national chain of copy shops, Kinko's Service Corp, offers a service called Professor Publishing, creating anthologies from course reading lists. Book industry representatives are suing Kinkos, claiming copyright violation.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1990
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IBM ratings on it debt slashed by S&P
Article Abstract:
Standard and Poor's Corp (S and P) cuts IBM's credit rating three notches, from triple-A to double-A-minus. The downgrade affects about $19 billion in debt of IBM and three sectors: IBM International Finance NV, IBM Japan Ltd and IBM Credit Corp. At the same time, S and P reaffirms its A-1+ rating of IBM's commercial paper. Prices of IBM bonds scarcely change, as most traders had expected the downgrading. In Mar 1992, Moody's Investors Service Inc, the other key bond-rating agency, slashed IBM's rating two notches, from triple-A to double-A-2. In Aug 1992, S and P changed its official outlook on IBM from 'stable' to 'negative,' and in December it placed the computer maker on its CreditWatch list. Analysts say the S and P downgrading will probably have more of a symbolic than a tangible effect on IBM.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1993
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S&P lists IBM for possible cut in credit rating; stock plummets on reports big charges may come; air-traffic job at risk
Article Abstract:
IBM's stock fell to $62.625, a decrease of $2.75 on 3.6 million shares, on Dec 9, 1992 following Standard & Poor's Corp's (S&P) move to put the company on its CreditWatch list. S&P cites an uncertain business climate and reports of another round of IBM write-offs as reasons for its action. IBM's inclusion on the CreditWatch list shows that S&P may downgrade the company from its high triple-A rating. Moody's Investors Service Inc and Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co have already downgraded IBM's rating to double-A-2 and double-A-plus, respectively, from triple-A. IBM also may lose its $4 billion contract with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to upgrade the US air traffic control system. The FAA is unhappy with IBM's failure to correct software problems.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1992
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