I need to find Gregory Junker aka xavier.

[Lost Flint]

Hello everybody. I need to speak with xavier about his Pro Ogre3D Programming book. I sent to him private message, but he don't answered.
His emails, specified in book, both are invalid.
Somebody knows, how can I contact with him?

[xavier]

I saw your PM. I didn't answer because it was rather vague in scope. If you have questions about content of the book, please be more specific.

[Klaim]

He is often around here, so if he didn't answered you private message on this forum, he certainly is busy.

edit - wow i not fast enough

[Lost Flint]

Ok. Thank you for a fast answer.
I'm translating your book to Russian language. Our publisher's don't want to deal with me 'cause they considered that the Russian audience of this book is too small. In this situation I can't legally make this work, and I want to ask your permission to distribute my translation among Russian Ogre developers. I don't gather to make some money on this job, I only wish to help Russian Ogre community to learn Ogre.
Sorry for my English by the way.

[xavier]

It's not up to me, unfortunately; it's up to Apress -- they own the rights, as well as rights for translations. Have you contacted them?

www.apress.com

I'd have to dig up the names of the people I worked with there if you need help or contact info.

[Lost Flint]

I'd contacted with Apress, and they said me that I can get license only through Russian established publishers. It is the hardest dilemma that our publishers, as I spoke earlier, don't want to collaborate with me due to small number of Ogre coders here. I guess it'll not be a crime, if I will distribute my translation under condition of a purchase of original book?

[xavier]

Like I said, that's not up to me, but Apress.

It would be a crime, yes, but since Russia is not subject to U.S. law, for all practical purposes I don't see how anyone can stop you...

[reptor]

The legislation a Russian person needs to follow is Russian legislation and not any other. I don't know what Russian legislation says about this. So I think the person asking the question needs to check what the Russian legislation says about it.

But according to the source http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ShowRes ... eaty_id=15 the Russian Federation is a contracting party in the Berne Convention which protects copyrights.

So I think xavier's book is protected also in Russia by the Berne Convention.

[Lost Flint]

Thank you, guys.
I think that it'll be much more easier for me to make something like "my own book" or a handbook, using basic knowledge that I learn from Pro Ogre 3D Programming, but without plagiarism and to public it under the GNU FDL or GPL.
Thanks for everybody helped me.

[xavier]

If I ever get time, I was considering doing a deeper follow-up book, whether someone wanted to publish it or not. I haven't started because there's not time, but the real reason, truth be told, is that it's far more effort (to do it right) than I ever thought when I started, and if I do another one I want the time and mindset to do it properly. The way things are at work, that's not likely for another few months at least.

[Kencho]

Have you thought about self-publishing? Amazon has a self-publishing service (though I'm leaner to Lulu.com). I don't know the Apress' words on self-publishing their book in a different language, but might be a possibility.

[Lost Flint]

2 Kencho:
When I had contacted with Apress they told me that my translation can be licensed only trough established Russian publishers. Unfortunately, most of them denied my appeals.

2 xavier:
What about to publish your next book (if it ever will appear) online under free license? In this case I (and many other translators) will have much less hassle associated with the law and licensing. If you're not planning to gey some money from this.

[mysterycoder]

Of course there is the benefit of community involvement when releasing under the FDL.
For example, the Pylons book that Apress recently published was licensed under the FDL. From what I have seen, while writing it, the author was able to get tons of feedback from the community.

[xavier]

What about to publish your next book (if it ever will appear) online under free license? In this case I (and many other translators) will have much less hassle associated with the law and licensing. If you're not planning to gey some money from this.

If it happens, it would likely be something like that.