In case you didn't see this. Brian Berg *From:* Brian Dear <brian@platohistory.org> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 11, 2024 6:58 PM *To:* Dan Donahoe <dan@1000kilometers.com> *Subject:* Donald L. Bitzer, RIP (1934-2024) View this email in your browser <https://mailchi.mp/ea26bdcfbd65/donald-l-bitzer-rip-1934-2024?e=2174299134> Friends, It's been seven long years since THE FRIENDLY ORANGE GLOW book came out, and seven long years since an email's been sent to this mailing list. I just learned an hour ago that yesterday, Don Bitzer, creator of the PLATO system, and friend to us all, passed away at age 90 in North Carolina. I'm at a loss for words at the moment and can't think of much to say that I didn't say in my book, which, in hindsight, may kinda sorta be the closest attempt at a biography of Don, but I will say that I never ever met a more generous, supportive, enthusiastic person in the world. He and his wife Maryann, who passed away in 2022, were incredibly generous with their time and patience as I asked a million questions over the years, starting with my first book interview with Don, all the way back in May 1985. We spoke regularly after then for more than 30 years, in all sorts of settings around the country. Bottom line, I would never have been able to start, let alone complete, the book without Don's input and patient support. He was an inspiration to us all, and to the world, which he made a better place. Thanks for everything, Don. Rest in peace. - Brian [ While I have your attention -- if anyone is interested in copies of the hardcover edition of the book, I still have a bunch of new mint copies straight from the publisher. They're very rare. I tried to sell them all on Amazon Marketplace but--believe it or not, that wretched hive of villainy suspended my account because they didn't believe I was the author of the book, or that I was selling legitimate books. They had copies of my passport, drivers license, you name it --it's nigh impossible to sign up to Amazon Marketplace--and they claimed that I was selling "counterfeit Pantheon products." I told the publisher Pantheon about this and they just roared laughing and shrugged--you can't fight Amazon and they were clearly used to hearing these stories of dealing with that company. I've learned since that if you try to undercut the pricing of other sellers, they will lie to Amazon and make up all kinds of claims, and Amazon will simply suspend without investigation, communication, or any form of due process. Amazon has never responded to my pleas for restoring my account. So anyway, I physically have the books, in case anyone wants a personally signed copy of the hardcover original. Email me at brian@platohistory.org for details, pricing, etc. I probably can only ship to locations in the US because international shipping is insanely expensive and difficult for books, I've found. Cheers, Brian ] *Copyright © 2024 PLATO History Project, All rights reserved.* This mailing list was launched back around 2010, and gained a lot of notice around the time of the PLATO History Conference in June 2010. Hundreds of people, including you, signed up then or in the years since. *Our mailing address is:* PLATO History Project PO Box 6387 Santa Fe, NM 87502 Add us to your address book <https://friendlyorangeglow.us1.list-manage.com/vcard?u=def798e7e0f681ce3b9864324&id=9f01c4abcb> Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences <https://friendlyorangeglow.us1.list-manage.com/profile?u=def798e7e0f681ce3b9864324&id=9f01c4abcb&e=2174299134&c=3dee83a7f9> or unsubscribe from this list <https://friendlyorangeglow.us1.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=def798e7e0f681ce3b9864324&id=9f01c4abcb&t=b&e=2174299134&c=3dee83a7f9>. [image: Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp] <https://login.mailchimp.com/signup/email-referral/?aid=def798e7e0f681ce3b9864324>