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LordGnomeMBE OP t1_iqsj9dd wrote

I'm very much an amateur; I'm learning coding in my spare time - I never did computing past year 9 level (UK, if you're wondering).

I created this small website mainly for myself, but I thought I'd post it here too.

It takes an amazon link for a book and extracts the ISBN so you can look elsewhere easily. It also converts this to a booksprice.co.uk link so you can compare prices for the book.

That's really about it -thanks for looking!

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charrcheese t1_iqso5eb wrote

I like the idea, I think this function might be more useful though as a browser extension which could be a fun project for you. Also, it looks like they support https but their ssl cert expired in April and they haven’t bothered to renew it.

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Van_GOOOOOUGH t1_iqsqiw3 wrote

And someone else has already done this. They developed an extension and a website for shopping the same items you would find on Amazon except not from Amazon. And they spammed it all over Reddit repeatedly for quite some time.

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toddzilla57 t1_iqsvrkr wrote

Bookshop.org is a good place to try too!

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ElisabetSobeck t1_iqsw3v6 wrote

Drivers pee in bottles and poop in bags to stay on time. The warehouse workers work schedules that hurt organs and tendons, and are close to wearing diapers like meat packers need to. I have a friend that got hurt working the less strenuous jobs at a warehouse.

Warehouse workers sometimes die packing the boxes as fast as they do. Then managers force workers to work next to the corpse for hours or be fired. They have mental health booths or “suicide booths” people jokingly call them, where you can sit inside and cry or clam down if you need to.

Edit: Deaths, most of which management ignored until a worker found the body and called 911 https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/17/amazon-warehouse-worker-deaths

The workers who died after being forced to work in the path of a tornado https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/11/business/amazon-deaths-warehouse-tornado/index.html

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OddScentedDoorknob t1_iqsww5l wrote

Amazon sells books now? Man, pretty soon they'll be selling everything.

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tech_booey t1_iqt01tf wrote

You wouldn't happen to be Dr.Heinz Doofenshmirtz by any chance?

0

GuessWhatIGot t1_iqt2g08 wrote

There is also thriftbooks.com and z-lib.org for e-books. I haven't used thrift books yet, but z-lib has had even obscure publications I need for work, all for free.

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Sugarsupernova t1_iqt2nvy wrote

Good time to drop the friendly reminder that The Book Depository is owned by Amazon.

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ImBusyGoAway t1_iqt2oba wrote

Does this work for ebooks? I got a kindle recently so not sure if I have to use Amazon or not

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WikiSummarizerBot t1_iqt6odk wrote

Library Genesis

>Library Genesis (Libgen) is a file-sharing based shadow library website for scholarly journal articles, academic and general-interest books, images, comics, audiobooks, and magazines. The site enables free access to content that is otherwise paywalled or not digitized elsewhere. Libgen describes itself as a "links aggregator", providing a searchable database of items "collected from publicly available public Internet resources" as well as files uploaded "from users". Libgen provides access to copyrighted works, such as PDFs of content from Elsevier's ScienceDirect web-portal.

^([ )^(F.A.Q)^( | )^(Opt Out)^( | )^(Opt Out Of Subreddit)^( | )^(GitHub)^( ] Downvote to remove | v1.5)

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menirh t1_iqt6qjc wrote

Wait, Amazon sells books? /s

−1

Igotthedueceduece t1_iqt7ejp wrote

I’ve had all my accounts banned from /r/conservative for simply politely asking two times why something is disliked or why they believe something, and I was genuinely curious for a response.

so downvoting without answering is the connection, except there it’s a permaban for simply questioning anything

6

ProfessorGluttony t1_iqt7vvz wrote

This is awesome, but I will point out that if a book is published on amazon (ebook or print on demand) then you are unlikely to find it anyplace cheaper unless it is on sale on the other retailers, as amazon has a policy of not being undercut.

This works swimmingly for normal books though.

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jandkas t1_iqta89n wrote

So time to stop buying everything right? Have you ever had beef? Or plastic? Honestly no consumption under capitalism is ethical, so virtue signaling like this is useless

−35

fajitaman69 t1_iqtc27n wrote

God forbid you can buy every book ever from a single website

−4

louis_etal t1_iqtcdot wrote

One of the most useless of all philosophical outlooks is to make imperfections of any kind the enemy of any improvements. Things are not perfect and never will be but that does make any attempt at betterment pointless.

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Fearless_Locality t1_iqte1bz wrote

Reddit hates rich people and corporations

And they read headlines and don't realise Amazon is a large business so there are good places to work and bad places to work.

Literally the reason.

−16

molluskus t1_iqteasn wrote

I get LibGen for overpriced college textbooks, out-of-print work, or if you're broke and looking for something specific, but authors really should get paid for their labor. Your local library, local bookshop, or Bookshop/Bookfinder gets them paid.

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WolfeReader t1_iqtfayb wrote

DRM and non-standard ebook formats, in order to lock Kindle buyers into their ecosystem. I've been boycotting Amazon since 2010 for this reason.

(Obviously users with sufficient technical skills and a cavalier attitude toward ToS can get around this. I don't think this is accurate for a lot of customers though.)

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MafiaMommaBruno t1_iqtfdzx wrote

Honestly, more people should look outside of Amazon for things. I work in the shipping industry and it's amazing what people resale on Amazon for two or three times what they bought it for at literally almost any other store.

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djdood0o0o t1_iqthmce wrote

Great idea but the name is awful. No one will remember that. Need a better name to keep your traffic.

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Lampshader t1_iqti1d6 wrote

Nothing is ethical so you might as well just go around brutally murdering everyone right?

Oh no, wait, it turns out there are degrees of things. What a concept.

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zarek1729 t1_iqtjan0 wrote

Having experienced living with and without 1 day shipping, it is very convenient. Specially when you are reading a series that has many entries and you can't just buy the whole series in one fell swoop, you can buy book-per-book as you read it and not have to calculate the shipping time with the approximate time you will end the previous book.

1

lordlemming t1_iqtmwz3 wrote

Maybe I'm biased because I live near Portland, but Powell's is a great place to buy from. A big catalogue and decent site. They ran out of used copies of a book that I ordered so they sent me a brand new one free of charge.

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ContemplatingFolly t1_iqtnvlc wrote

Of course there is some variation among locations. But here are some reasons to boycott. not for you necessarily but just for anyone reading the thread:

  1. I try not to patronize any really huge corporations. They stifle competition, and have too much power and influence on national and international policies, as well as over their independent sellers and subcontractors.

  2. Their labor policies creep me out, and don't vary that much given all of the automation of every process in the warehouses.

  3. Jeff Bezos has enough money.

Instead I try to patronize a local business, or go direct to the manufacturer.

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nephelokokkygia t1_iqtp1yq wrote

I mean there's lots of options for that. You could order one book ahead in the series as you're reading, you could pick an arbitrary point in each book (like halfway through) to order the next one, you could buy the books in a brick-and-mortar store, or you could just exercise patience.

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ohyeaoksure t1_iqtp91x wrote

hey that's cool I created amazonamo.us so you could buy sex toys Christmas presents from Amazon without your family knowing it.

−2

zarek1729 t1_iqtpibo wrote

I mean, I was just explaining why 1 day delivery is convenient and why at least I want it. The only better option would be a brick-and-mortar store, but if you don't live in an english speaking country and want to read in english, you are mostly out of luck.

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Deathbrush t1_iqtsi79 wrote

There are open source ebook managers that are built to edit ebooks/convert between formats. Many of them have sketchy plugins that will strip DRM from various kinds of DRM protected ebooks

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wamceachern t1_iqtu3nt wrote

First book I looked for couldn't find it.

1

iWillNeverReplyToYou t1_iqtxft8 wrote

An ereader that can check out books from the library is a phenomenal purchase, just don't get a kindle, which is of course owned by Amazon.

0

PantherX69 t1_iqtxlg7 wrote

People buy books from AMAZON??

−1

TheDenisovan t1_iqtxny2 wrote

I prefer ebooks. Does this work for that? And what's a good ebook reader for those divorcing Amazon?

1

BlockAccording t1_iqu1klo wrote

I just go to my local bookstore and ask them to order it if not in stock.

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chocobo-selecta t1_iqu4loo wrote

FYI, just because you don’t buy it from Amazon, it doesn’t mean they haven’t printed it… name any major publisher, and you can almost guarantee a portion of their content is printed at an Amazon cell. Sorry to burst your bubble.

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fungusfunions t1_iqu4mpt wrote

True on the face, unfortunately some people can’t afford to lose their jobs. A young family member worked there and was quite unhappy in the warehouse job he had, but kept it because this was the closest thing to a living wage an unskilled worker like him could get.

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planastrike t1_iqu95i9 wrote

Or your local library or call your local book shops?

1

yukibunny t1_iqudshs wrote

Love the fact the story directly under this in my Reddit app is an ad for Amazon's October prime days.

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sold_snek t1_iqueurv wrote

I don’t think Amazon is a book company anymore.

1

Optimistic__Elephant t1_iquh8eb wrote

> Warehouse workers sometimes die packing the boxes as fast as they do. Then managers force workers to work next to the corpse for hours or be fired.

Got a citation for that? As much as I dislike Amazon, that’s a bit tough to believe.

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1nquiringMinds t1_iqujnzb wrote

Thriftbooks is excellent. I paid a buck or two more than Amazon for a book recently, but earned a free (under 5 or 7 dollars iirc) book in the process and got free shipping. Big ups for Thriftbooks.

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I_am_darkness t1_iquocrt wrote

Holy shit I was about to start making this but for all goods.

Was going to make a chrome extension.

0

TembwbamMilkshake t1_iqupysk wrote

So now I just need this for... Every other product besides books. Everything I try to buy online now it seems like Amazon is the only option.

0

Reborn5275 t1_iquq86x wrote

Maybe you can just create my browser to not have any Amazon recommending sites. All these top 10 review websites are ducking rediculous

0

sbr999 t1_iqur9wm wrote

Nice, can you do one for the other categories too?

1

err0r404usernotfound t1_iqus8zs wrote

eBay is my go to for books. I just grab a used copy for not much. Saves the environment and me money

0

YasJGFeed t1_iquskn5 wrote

How exactly do I use the website?

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Kree8tive t1_iquu1kv wrote

Now if someone would make an app that shows me where to buy other products besides Amazon.

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everybodypretend t1_iquz2d5 wrote

It’s not their fault. Their brains have been smoothed out by too much reddit use.

In real life there exists this space between right and wrong called discourse.

But that’s too much effort here, there’s no space between up ⬆️ and down ⬇️

The comments under this will be dismissive or non existent

−4

perrycotto t1_iqv0r3z wrote

Very nice idea ! It would be cool to add the option of pasting directly the ISBN code, also it would be "cool" if you're website is hosted by another service provider instead of AWS ?

I don't know if it's possible but for example in my city there's a website that connects a lot of public libraries around the country (to borrow for free books), maybe you could also link that ? Plus a link to archive website or other lending free platforms

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Appoxo t1_iqv29lb wrote

Bought a paperwhite and 90% of my calibre is pirated, 5% are impossible-to-find ebooks from amazon and the other 5% is DRM free ebooks from Osiander and other domestic shops.

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fjccommish t1_iqv3f3d wrote

Security risk warning. Nope.

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Treczoks t1_iqv3vre wrote

Way easier: I look up the book on Amazon, copy the details into a mail, and send it to my local book store.

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Belletenebreuse t1_iqv48za wrote

Three or so years ago, I went directly to an author's website to buy a series expressly to avoid buying from Amazon.

Turned out she uses Amazon to print and/or drop ship, so the package came from them anyways. And her site was probably on AWS too, for all I know. :(

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FlumpSpoon t1_iqvb0fw wrote

As an author, thank you for this. I only get 2/3rds of my royalty from Amazon sales. Amazon can sell my books cheaper than I can buy them, and still make a profit.

−1

mechaPantsu t1_iqvidel wrote

Missed opportunity to call it (BEHOLD!) The Deamazoninator and have a r/suddenlydoofenshmirtz moment.

1

CHANROBI t1_iqvuacy wrote

I just use zlib lmao

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eskiedog t1_iqw02c5 wrote

Very cool idea and thank you for sharing. No matter what you look for, even comparing reviews, always goes to Amazon- I do everything to avoid giving them more $.

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yash13 t1_iqw24va wrote

This is awesome. Great job.

1

becelav t1_iqw7uqb wrote

I worked at a used book warehouse for a few years several years ago. They have always been an online store but they’ve grown and have two brick and mortar stores as well

https://www.onceuponatimebooks.com

1

AVeryFineUsername t1_iqwgn0r wrote

But why would I want to buy books anywhere other than amazon?

−1

Sprites7 t1_iqwh8xd wrote

oh , finding the books is easy. but some are way , way more expensive than amazon for imported stuff...

−1

fried_eggs_and_ham t1_iqwmi9h wrote

This would be useful as a browser extension that automatically provides Amazon alternatives while you browse Amazon.

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oxfouzer t1_iqwolvc wrote

Or I’ll just use Amazon and it’ll be cheaper, faster, and reliably employ more people

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Mister_Brevity t1_iqwtxif wrote

Can’t you just search on google and append -Amazon.com to the end to exclude Amazon results?

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MiroslavHoudek t1_iqwypvm wrote

I tried once to make an order somewhere else and their shopping basket completely segfaulted. Tried a second time and they were not sending to my country. It's hard to help people who are actively fighting your help :-/

1

ElisabetSobeck t1_iqx10tq wrote

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/17/amazon-warehouse-worker-deaths

Please also note that management KNOWS if a worker is not scanning packages, or spending too long in the bathroom, and will ping their mobile device until they get back on track. People have reported that a manager will physically visit you within 3 minutes if you’re delayed. They could see these bodies on their surveillance system for 20-30 minutes. And they saw these bodies AND DID NOT CALL FOR PARAMEDICS.

I also didn’t mention the warehouse workers threatened with termination if they didn’t work in the path of a TORNADO. Warehouse workers who are now dead because of said tornado (prompting an investigation by the House).

“Bit tough to believe” yeah sure. You dislike Amazon and haven’t heard of these deaths. That’s easy to believe

0

Sarfbot t1_iqx1q0n wrote

They most likely order from Amazon lol

Just can’t beat the price, speed, selection and secure payments. Last thing you want is your credit data in the hands of multiple small businesses with who-knows-what level of security.

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JohnnyAK907 t1_iqx1wiv wrote

Congrats, you invented Google.
Search "local bookstores." Done and done.

1

Sarfbot t1_iqx23m8 wrote

For real. I worked in small businesses growing up. We got paid in cash, no overtime, no insurance, no taxes. People don’t realize large public companies are infinitely more regulated and monitored then small businesses.

Also, ordering from Amazon is by far the most environmentally sustainable form of consumer retail. But…. We are not ready to have that conversation.

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Sarfbot t1_iqx3ikk wrote

Honestly 8/10 points are BS and show a deep level of ignorance. Journalism has gone to shit.

-Ordering from Amazon is BY FAR the most environmentally favorable way of engaging in consumer retail. Each truck on the road replaces 35+ cars. Amazon also has the most aggressive carbon neutral target out of any retailer.

-Treatment of workers getting worse? Tons of threads in the actual Amazon FC Reddit page comparing work at Amazon vs other warehouses. They are overwhelmingly positive. Yes, lots of posts asking for more $ (latest wave is asking for $30/hour for sort and pick). FYI Average starting pay is now $18.50/hour. How does Amazons compensation compare with similar work?

0

Sarfbot t1_iqx43sd wrote

Bahahahah please talk to actual workers. This is hilarious.

  1. Anyone that has worked in transportation industry knows you tend to carry a bottle for when you are stuck in traffic. This is industry practice, has been ever since long haul trucking became a thing. Everything you have in your home contributes to it. Including things you buy from small businesses. Why single out Amazon?

  2. close to wearing diapers? Lmao. Please find another cause to get behind. Bless your heart, this isn’t real. Go talk to actually Amazon workers, there’s half a million of them. Go visit the Reddit page AmazonFC. You can find many threads comparing Amazon work vs other warehouse work and they are overwhelmingly in favor of Amazon.

You have a good heart and care for others, but are being taken on a ride by shotty click bait “journalism”.

0

molluskus t1_iqxbcbs wrote

Public libraries pay for books they purchase (generally a higher price than retail bookstores) and many governments also have public lending rights that pay royalties per individual borrow.

I never said anything about used books, but they're basically considered a given and not something that can/should be fought in the first place. Used book sales are always going to exist, and have existed since the first books did. Besides, the first buyer counts as a sale, and most used books go through only a handful of readers.

Again, LibGen is great if you're broke and looking for a specific book. Not hating on anyone in that situation. But if you can afford it, or if you're looking for something more general (e.g. "a mystery novel set in the 80's"), then buying new or going to the library/bookstore, respectively, is preferable from the POV of the author.

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ElisabetSobeck t1_iqz8w73 wrote

Nice super-specific Amazon benefits ad my guy. Totally not sketchy at all

I’m sure you can take them up on that benefits offer after 50-60 hours of warehouse work. Or 50-60 hours of peeing in bottles and pooping in bags. Learn to code after getting those crumbs.

These workers are being abused. My friend was abused. And people like you are so weak they can’t even fathom that something is wrong

0