Bears' Guide lives
John Bear
degree.net properties from Pearson.
My daughter and I have agreed to a contract to produce a 14th edition of
Bears' Guide for publication in October 2000.
The 13th edition of Bears' Guide will be reprinted in March 2000. The 16
pages of advertisements will be removed (thank goodness), and replaced
with a 16-page school update. This update will also be available, free, on
www.degree.net, which should return to the airwaves in March.
"Bears' Guide to the 100 Best MBAs by Distance Learning" is nearly done,
and will be published in April. Other field-specific books will follow.
Needless to say, Mariah and I are very pleased.
John Bear
___________________
*Ten Speed is one of the largest privately-owned publishers in America.
They specialize in self-help career books ("What Color is Your Parachute"
is approaching 7 million copies in print), cookbooks ("Moosewood,"
"Laurel's Kitchen" etc.), and what they call 'Mischief" ("How Wal-Mart is
Destroying America," "Flattened Fauna," "How to Shit in the Woods").
www.tenspeed.com
--
John Bear, co-author, Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees
Non-Traditionally
A. Milton Stanley
many possibilities in legitimate distance ed through Bear's Guide.
Congratulations on this latest development, Dr. Bear, and I look forward to
your and Mariah's next edition. - Milton
Kevin Stewart
they're all distance ed. Will your book essentially be an expansion of his
list?
Kevin
John Bear wrote in message ...
snipped
John Bear
<ke...@jacksonmi.com> wrote:
> Last I heard Jonathan had 144 MBA programs on his page, but I don't know if
> they're all distance ed. Will your book essentially be an expansion of his
> list?
Jonnie's list is just that: a list -- school name, URL, and occasionally a
few clarifying words. The new book will be about 200 8 1/2x11 (A4) pages,
with the following content (still subject to change, but it goes to press
in 4 or 5 weeks):
1. Intro to Distance Learning
2. Overview of the book
3. Eleven crucial decisions to make in choosing the right MBA for yoiu:
=general vs. specialized
=theoretical vs. practical
=international vs. national
=thesis or no thesis
and so on
4. How we (and you should) check out a school
5. Importance and relevance of accreditation
6. The application process
7. Alternate ways of earning credit
8. DL technologies (compressed video, etc.)
9. 100 schools. Detailed 1 to 2 page overview of each.
10. Non-degree correspondence graduate business courses
11. Detailed index of majors and specializations
Michael Lary
them to people who want to continue their education. I will be an early
buyer in March.
Congratulations Dr. and Mariah Bear.
Michael Lary
Life long student without credits.
John Bear <jo...@ursa.net> wrote in message
news:john-15010...@toolshed30.ppp.lmi.net...
> Ten Speed Press* has now completed purchase of all the Bears' Guide and
> degree.net properties from Pearson.
>
> My daughter and I have agreed to a contract to produce a 14th edition of
> Bears' Guide for publication in October 2000.
>
> The 13th edition of Bears' Guide will be reprinted in March 2000. The 16
> pages of advertisements will be removed (thank goodness), and replaced
> with a 16-page school update. This update will also be available, free, on
> www.degree.net, which should return to the airwaves in March.
>
> "Bears' Guide to the 100 Best MBAs by Distance Learning" is nearly done,
Matthew O'Neil
> Ten Speed Press* has now completed purchase of all the Bears' Guide and
> degree.net properties from Pearson.
>
> My daughter and I have agreed to a contract to produce a 14th edition of
> Bears' Guide for publication in October 2000.
>
> The 13th edition of Bears' Guide will be reprinted in March 2000. The 16
> pages of advertisements will be removed (thank goodness), and replaced
> with a 16-page school update. This update will also be available, free, on
> www.degree.net, which should return to the airwaves in March.
>
> "Bears' Guide to the 100 Best MBAs by Distance Learning" is nearly done,
> and will be published in April. Other field-specific books will follow.
>
> Needless to say, Mariah and I are very pleased.
>
> John Bear
> ___________________
> *Ten Speed is one of the largest privately-owned publishers in America.
> They specialize in self-help career books ("What Color is Your Parachute"
> is approaching 7 million copies in print), cookbooks ("Moosewood,"
> "Laurel's Kitchen" etc.), and what they call 'Mischief" ("How Wal-Mart is
> Destroying America," "Flattened Fauna," "How to Shit in the Woods").
> www.tenspeed.com
>
> --
> John Bear, co-author, Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees
> Non-Traditionally
Yippee! (I had nuns we were told not to be verbose.)
Matt
Bill Wiles
hands of Ten Speed Press. I look forward to its publication.
--
========================================
Bill Wiles
Rutland, Vermont
"Five percent of people think. Ten percent think they think. Eighty-five
percent would rather die than think." --G.B. Shaw
Kenny A. Chaffin
says...
Yes, this is great. I was first exposed to legitimate distance learning
opportunities by Bear's Guide and I'm glad to see it continue and back in
the hands/control of the originator!
Best Wishes,
KAC
--
KAC Website Design
Custom Programming, Web Design, and Graphics
ke...@kacweb.com - http://www.kacweb.com
LevineJW
1980 edition from a New York City street vendor in 1981 or 1982. The title of
the book, "Alternative Guide to College Degrees and Higher Education" peeked my
undergraduate curiosity. I have purchased almost every subsequent edition. I
find the information informative and I enjoy reading about all of the
educational opportunities available non-traditionally. The sections on degree
mills has always been a favorite.
I have played with the idea of pursuing an MBA for a while now. While it is
unlikely that I will actually do it (although you never know), I am looking
forward to the MBA version of your guide.
May I make one recommendation, however, John, for the 14th edition? It would
be very useful, in my opinion, if you would clarify which agency accredits each
school. More specifically, whether or not a school is regionally accredited,
or if it is accredited by another agency, such as DETC. I know you make
mention of DETC under certain school listings, but I think it might be better
if regionally accredited schools were separated from other "accredited"
schools.
Good luck to you John and Mariah on your forthcoming publications.
Regards,
Jeffrey Wayne Levine, Ed.D.
Larry McQueary
Jeff's comment piques my curiousity as well--has this been a conscious effort on
your part, John? It would seem that an extra line for each entry wouldn't be
that costly.
But enough comments from the editorial peanut gallery!
Larry
-who has bought the damned book, along with damned copies for friends ;-)
LevineJW <levi...@cs.com> wrote in message
news:20000117155748...@ng-fo1.news.cs.com...
John Bear
levi...@cs.com (LevineJW) wrote:
> May I make one recommendation, however, John, for the 14th edition? It would
> be very useful, in my opinion, if you would clarify which agency
accredits each
> school. More specifically, whether or not a school is regionally accredited,
> or if it is accredited by another agency, such as DETC.
This sure makes sense to me. We shall do it. Thanks for the recommendation.
--John
Jonathan Liu
"Kevin Stewart" <ke...@jacksonmi.com> wrote:
> Last I heard Jonathan had 144 MBA programs on his page, but I don't
know if
> they're all distance ed. Will your book essentially be an expansion
of his
> list?
>
As of today (01/17/2000), there are 153 DL MBA
programs listed in my site. They are all DL programs,
with only a few limited to in-state. Usually
I provide the URL directing people to exactly
the page about the DL program. I don't comment
on programs for the following reason:
1. I have no time
2. I don't have experience with most of them
3. Different learner has different view about
each program, no need to comment. The page itself
says a lot already.
--
Jonathan Liu, Author of "Jonnie's Distance Learning Page"
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Haven/2386/distance.html
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Malcolm Jenner
February 2000. Ten Speed Press, but different ISBN from the 13th edition also
advertised. Has someone got their wires crossed?
Malcolm S Jenner
Senior Lecturer
School of Computing & IT
University of Wolverhampton
John Bear
> I notice that Amazon.com are advertising the 14th edition as available from
> February 2000. Ten Speed Press, but different ISBN from the 13th
edition also
> advertised. Has someone got their wires crossed?
The Ten Speed spring catalogue went to press last September or October. At
the time, they apparently really believed they would close their deal with
Pearson any minute, and there could be a 14th edition in February. But the
deal was only concluded last week.
And now we get into date matters. Publisher hate to publish reference
books in mid year, because a lot of people (end users as well as
wholesalers and bookstores) rely on the copyright date. So a book
published in summer or fall has a much shorter shelf life.
This is the main reason that the current plan (always subject to further
change) is that we will prepare a 16-page update/supplement to replace the
dreaded 16 pages of advertising, and that will be available free on the
degree.net site (when that returns in March), as well as printed into the
book, if and when there is a reprint (with an MM copyright date) before
the 14th edition emerges in October, which is apparently the soonest that
a book can have an MMI copyright.
More than you wanted to know, I suspect, but there it is.
Bill Dayson
> Ten Speed Press* has now completed
> purchase of all the Bears' Guide and
> degree.net properties from Pearson.
> My daughter and I have agreed to a contract
> to produce a 14th edition of Bears' Guide for
> publication in October 2000.
> The 13th edition of Bears' Guide will be
> reprinted in March 2000. The 16 pages of
> advertisements will be removed (thank
> goodness), and replaced with a 16-page
> school update. This update will also be
> available, free, on www.degree.net, which
> should return to the airwaves in March.
> "Bears' Guide to the 100 Best MBAs by
> Distance Learning" is nearly done, and will be
> published in April. Other field-specific books
> will follow.
> Needless to say, Mariah and I are very
> pleased.
I'm pleased too.
I had fears that Pearson had bought *everything*, even the Bear name. So
that after the 'non-compete' period elapsed, Dr. Bear wouldn't own his
own name. We could have had Bearless 'Bear's Guides' and competing
Bearful 'Bruin's Guides' or something.
But I'm pleased for a more personal reason too.
You know Dr. Bear, you created a monster. I graduated with a BA in 1980,
and after taking some graduate courses, I got seduced by the world of
work (read: money). But I kept my academic interests, which I felt would
never be exercised any further.
Well, one day I was browsing in the old San Mateo 'Barnes and Noble',
and picked up a copy of 'Bear's Guide'. I think it was the humor and
candor that hooked me. And the cartoons. So I bought the sucker and took
it home.
I had already heard vaguely of distance education ("learn TV repair in
your spare time" on the back of matchbook covers.) But this was the
first time that it seemed like a real higher education alternative that
might be of help to me.
The bottom line is that I just talked to the chairman of my thesis
committee this morning, who says that he likes my thesis and is sending
it to the rest of the committee with his recommendation that they
approve it. There may still be some rewrites of part of it coming, and
some format tuneups, but there is suddenly light at the end of this very
dark DL tunnel.
I'm all happy, and so I gotta say "Thank You", Dr. Bear.
Your work is having results out here in peoples' lives, and it's good to
hear that it will continue.
Bill Dayson
John Bear
> I had fears that Pearson had bought *everything*, even the Bear name.
An amusing notion. "Hi, there, my name is John - uh John - uh, I'm sorry,
but I am not allowed to use my last name.
Thanks so much for your very kind remarks, Bill. You ought to invite the
manager of that Barnes and Noble, and me, to your graduation party.
Best wishes, John
Tom Head
>I'm all happy, and so I gotta say "Thank You", Dr. Bear.
>
>Your work is having results out here in peoples' lives, and it's good to
>hear that it will continue.
...and a hearty "amen" chorus to that. Were it not for Dr. Bear's book, I
would very probably be taking independent study (and the occasional
residential) courses to this very day, anticipating a ca. 2002 graduation
and my unsuccessful application for the University of South Africa's DLitt
et Phil in Philosophy. Now I've got a Regents BA behind me and, as of
May, a CSUDH Master's -- and I know what I'm doing. Life is good.
Of course, to give credit where credit is due, Marcie Thorson was
also a great help in my locating the various means I used to obtain my
Bachelor's -- but I would never have given the CSUDH Master's a second
look without becoming more aware of its history and the history of
recognized distance learning in general which I picked up from _Bears'
Guide_.
Peace,
Tom
Gene Liang
>Bachelor's -- but I would never have given the CSUDH Master's a second
>look without becoming more aware of its history and the history of
>recognized distance learning in general which I picked up from _Bears'
>Guide_.
which school is CSUDH stand for ?
Gene
John Bear
California State University, Dominguez Hills. Excellent DL Master's
programs in the humanities (history, philosophy, art, religion, music).
Tom Head
>>look without becoming more aware of its history and the history of
>>recognized distance learning in general which I picked up from _Bears'
>>Guide_.
>
>I've ordered this book from B&N , but it didn't arrive yet ,
>which school is CSUDH stand for ?
California State University, Dominguez Hills (http://www.csudh.edu). They
offer a distance learning M.B.A. and M.A./Humanities; I'm enrolled in the
latter (about to complete it), and consider it to be very high-caliber.
Peace,
Tom
John Bear
The Taylor Brothers tale is reminiscent of the third Gallo brother,
Joseph, who started a cheese company here in California. Gallo Cheese.
Ernest and Julio decided that the public would somehow confuse Gallo wine
with Gallo cheese, and got an injunction. The name was changed to Joseph
Cheese, and has become quite popular.
Mention was made here last week of Orson Welles' radio spots for Paul
Masson wines. He lost that job when the company decided that in mouthing
their new slogan -- "the finest wine you've ever tasted" -- he was
emphasizing the "you've" rather than the "ever" as instructed.
John Bear, whose first job
was writing the back label
copy for Paul Masson wines
BlanketGHS
> > An amusing notion. "Hi, there, my name is John - uh John - uh, I'm sorry,
> > but I am not allowed to use my last name.
>
> Actually, such a situation happened some years ago. (This is *not* a set
>up for one of my bad puns.) If I remember the story correctly, The Taylor
>brothers had a winery (Taylor California Cellars, I think) which was sold, I
>think, to Coca Cola. One of the brothers, who had *not* been an owner of
>the winery, started a tiny, tiny winery in Vermont or some other unlikely
>place, and named his winery something like "John Taylor Wines". Coca-Cola
>sued and he folded, 'cause he couldn't afford to fight it. He started
>referring to himself as John X. and the labels of his wine all had a cute
>drawing of a goat... with the legend "They may have gotten my name, but they
>can't get my goat"
>
>True story.
I was actually at that winery about fifteen years ago; it's called Bully Hill
Winery and is located somewhere near Hammondsport NY. Walter H. Taylor is the
owner, and his grandfather had sold out to Coca Cola before Walter got into the
business. He was more than upset that he couldn't use the family name. Walter
has made a going concern of the winery; they have an ox roast for the neighbors
each year and they give tours of the winery. I have a couple of bottles of
his burgundy; great stuff
Sorry for the OT
Reg Pitts
Blank...@aol.com
Bill Highsmith
John Bear wrote in message ...
<snip>
>Masson wines. He lost that job when the company decided that in mouthing
>their new slogan -- "the finest wine you've ever tasted" -- he was
>emphasizing the "you've" rather than the "ever" as instructed.
>
>John Bear, whose first job
>was writing the back label
>copy for Paul Masson wines
A subtle difference for a subtle whine. (Cool first job. My first job in
high school was creative also... I made Dilly Bars and Brazier Burgers at
Dairy Queen. It
was full-filling but not fulfilling.)
Bill Highsmith, whose first job was...uh, Provisioning Specialist.
Larry McQueary
news:86e9ol$dms$1...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net...
>
[ snip ]
>
> A subtle difference for a subtle whine. (Cool first job. My first job in
> high school was creative also... I made Dilly Bars and Brazier Burgers at
> Dairy Queen. It
> was full-filling but not fulfilling.)
What??? No BeltBusters?????
Larry
Bill Highsmith
Larry McQueary wrote in message ...
"BeltBuster"? Those must have been before my time. How old did you say you
were, Larry? (hee hee)
Larry McQueary
region -- I'm originally from Texas, and I think the Dairy Queens in TX (or the
South in general?) have a separate lineage from the franchises in most of the
rest of the country.
Larry
"Bill Highsmith" <bhigh...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:86lt1q$k9g$1...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net...
Michael Lloyd
> I'm all happy, and so I gotta say "Thank You", Dr. Bear.
>
> Your work is having results out here in peoples' lives, and it's good to
> hear that it will continue.
>
>
I can second the remarks of Mr. Dayson. Way back in the early 90's, I was
researching MBA programs and was shocked and appalled to discover the number
of degree mills out there. I was fortunate enough to come upon two of Dr.
Bear's books in my local Crown Books. Based in large part upon his
findings, I subsequently enrolled in the MBA program at Heriot-Watt. And
early last week, I was pleased to find out that I had passed my last course.
I anticipate attending graduation in Edinburgh this July.
Kudos to Dr. Bear for his excellent work!!
Regards,
Michael Lloyd