Paul, actually, the cost is not really to cover distribution.
Although the ITSO isn't in business to make money (the redbook
revenue does not come to us, but instead to the IBM marketing
office where the customer is supported, or the IBM development
group that makes the product we are writing about), there is a value
to the information and IBM did not want to, in general, give it away
for free.  I understand that the information in some of the redbooks
is useful for just getting various products to work together.
It isn't clear why customers should have to pay for this information.
Other books provide information which might be something a services
contract or consultant would provide; in those cases, it makes sense to
charge for the books.

We have put some of the redbooks on the new free multimedia ADSM CD-ROM
because we wanted to help make that package complete.  But any
redbook only CD-ROMS do have a cost (for example there is an AIX
redbook CD-ROM with some of the ADSM books on it, and there
are the rainbow collection CD-ROMS which have ADSM redbooks on it).

We are working to change the way the redbooks get to you.  We are
working on putting the books on the internet (with a way to charge
the books) so you don't have to order the books and wait for delivery.
We are also looking into volume discounts, and special offers
such as if you buy 5 you get one free....we don't want you not to
get the information because of the cost, but I don't think the
books will become free.

Try not to shoot the messenger.  I'm really just here to write
the books....there are many others that handle the distribution and
costs of the books.  I assure you that they have heard input from
us that some folks were upset that the books which were previously
free are now charged for...gosh I do believe my append sounds too
defensive.  I didn't mean for it to sound that way....just trying to
be honest with what's happening....
Thanks,
Cyndie Behrens
ITSO - San Jose
cbehrens AT vnet.ibm DOT com