Gosh, I’m not sure I even remember how to TOAST anymore, but here goes ….

I know I mentioned during one of my infrequent spring pop-ins that I joined the ranks of the unemployed earlier this year. Whee.

I have had some interviews, and some nibbles. Nothing I could take to the bank; mostly the jobs were far away but I’m so over that. I want to live in the city I sleep in. Consequently, the pickings have been slim, but I’ve managed to land a job that I can do from home a lot. Some travel, not the corporate salary I’d been spoiled by, but home-based writing, yay.

When it got really slow at the beginning of this month (no criticism of those who are employing me!) I signed up for school. I did it the wrong way, of course, jumping in randomly on the last day of registration and missing a few days (BAD IDEA in the summer). But I caught up and my grades are pretty good. I’m re-learning Microsoft Office (2007 version) and will probably get certified in it later this year.

But my book? I spent seventy bucks on that darn thing (if I’d registered earlier I could have bought it online for about $20). And I can’t sell it back. No one is buying it, anywhere.

Why? Because it’s one of those books publishers churn out updates for every year. Use it for one year, and it’s dead. It’s not like basic math that they can re-use every year. I have not investigated, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s part of the contract that the books are provided on the idea that they are only to be used for one year. Which isn’t illegal, I believe, but not as, well, mindful of resources as it could be.

BUT. That means that anyone with a little gumption could find out what schools are teaching these classes over the summer. Find out the book price, and the sell by price, and the last day of class. Put up a notice at the school – “Want to buy XYZ book for $15 — bookstore isn’t buying it back.” Then for the cost of a couple six packs of beer, you’ve got yourself a nice self-contained “How to do this stuff” book.

It’s an old idea, really, revived from my recent experience in college during this quiet summer. I used to dive into the remainders bin during high school and in my early college years, picking up cool books and learning something new. But retraining if you need a new job? Go scout around your local community college for the “Go! Microsoft” series. I find them decently written and very helpful if you need to pick up the skills. Oh, and if anyone has the non-introductory edition for Office 07 they can’t get rid of – let me know. I think it will be useful if I do go for my MOS certification.

No Comments »