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The new economy of book publishing
- Thread starter SFG75
- Start date
To be fair, the book sells for $27 but the e-book $10.
beer good
Well-Known Member
Of course, and I'm sure that's part of the reason - along with the fact that this is one eagerly awaited bestseller, not the business as a whole. But that price difference has always been there (well, for the last 3 years, and it may not stay that way). The point is that for whatever reason, people have gone from not buying any e-books at all to buying what scientists commonly refer to as "a shitload of'em." It's no longer a question of if there's going to be a media shift, or even when (it's already happened), but who's going to come out on top and to what extent it's going to take over.
Peder
Well-Known Member
I'll drink to that beer good!
Appalling G
New Member
I don't like the e-book. For 1), it is expensive, and will go on being expensive. You must charge its batteries, which will add to your energy bill, and it will breakdown (all hi-tech does - its the in-built obsolescence). A book? You can throw it about and it doesn't (always) break, it don't need electricity (the sun, the sun!!!), and it don't give you the monitor-headaches that too much computer time does.
Peder
Well-Known Member
I think it is a little like a car. It is expensive and will go on being so. You have to put gas (or ethanol) into it, and it breaks down. Walking? You can go wherever you want, avoiding the trees of course, and enjoy the sun on the way. And never see a computer if you wish, although that is getting harder.
Us? We have five computers here now (and a car), so I have the feeling an e-reader is not far behind.
Us? We have five computers here now (and a car), so I have the feeling an e-reader is not far behind.
While a car and your feet will get you to the same place at different times, a book and e-book will both get you to the same place just as fast.
Also, 5 computers? Damn. I don't even have that many.
Peder
Well-Known Member
Just slowly keeping up with the fast pace of technology over the past 10 years or so.
One's a 386 machine (inactive), and we just accidentally found irresistible prices on the two recent new ones. So, maybe it's quite a bit like how e-readers will proliferate.
SFG75
Well-Known Member
The price for the Barnes & Noble Nook has now been decreased. What is more interesting about it is this article that I read. Evidently, amazon and B&N are not making money on their readers, but rather, they hope to cash in on the e-books that people buy to use on the readers. There is some historical precedence here, the safety razor was a similar item that was a money loser but that saw profits from shaving cream. $139 isn't too bad. Then again, why not just buy an iPad and get everything?
The Kindle is at $189. That is almost my price point. Of course the $189 is the 6" screen global wireless one. The 9.7" is still too high at $489.
Peder
Well-Known Member
It sounds like market turmoil will be with us for a while. So I'm hanging onto my plain old ancient go-phone for dear life. Can't beat the rate for the low use I make of it. No books, no video, no Internet, no e-mail, no messaging, no chat, no twitter, no hassle, no bills. Stone age! 
pontalba
Well-Known Member
I see Amazon is advertising the verra "cheap" prices of 9.99 for e-books.
Hah, still can't beat second hand prices, or library sale prices.
I do think any of the readers would be great for traveling, but still prefer books, real paper books.
Plus I still don't cotton to the idea that Amazon can reach into the kindle and yank a book out, with no warning, if they so desire.
Hah, still can't beat second hand prices, or library sale prices.
I do think any of the readers would be great for traveling, but still prefer books, real paper books.
Plus I still don't cotton to the idea that Amazon can reach into the kindle and yank a book out, with no warning, if they so desire.
The iPad isn't even remotely close to $189.
It sounds like market turmoil will be with us for a while. So I'm hanging onto my plain old ancient go-phone for dear life. Can't beat the rate for the low use I make of it. No books, no video, no Internet, no e-mail, no messaging, no chat, no twitter, no hassle, no bills. Stone age!
Word. I don't want to read on my phone either -- the screen is too small for that. But I will happily use my smart phone to find bus time, check my location on Google Map, use the Google Translate application, Google voice, Gmail, etc. Damn I love my Android phone -- and that's coming from someone who was a mobile phone Luddite until 3 months ago.
Peder
Well-Known Member
When they fall, they fall hard. :lol:
Mine is a part of me, even though I don't use it.
SFG75
Well-Known Member
I found this great article that is very relevant to this topic. Please post or PM me if it doesn't appear. I'm not certain if it is a free item or if it is just for subscribers.
The real threat from digital books.
The real threat from digital books.
One niche I had not considered for eBooks was the Travel Guide. In fact, it seems like a match made in heaven.
Last week while researching an upcoming trip, I noticed that you can buy pdf files of individual chapters of various Lonely Planet guides. I think 3.50€ per chapter is a bit excessive though since if you buy 4 or 5 chapters, you might as well buy the dead tree edition instead. I think 1.50-2€ per chapter is a better price.
I know what you're going to say: "yes but you are paying for convenience and portability!" and I don't really have a response to that except I understand but I don't have to like their pricing structure.
OK, I am done rambling. For now.
Last week while researching an upcoming trip, I noticed that you can buy pdf files of individual chapters of various Lonely Planet guides. I think 3.50€ per chapter is a bit excessive though since if you buy 4 or 5 chapters, you might as well buy the dead tree edition instead. I think 1.50-2€ per chapter is a better price.
I know what you're going to say: "yes but you are paying for convenience and portability!" and I don't really have a response to that except I understand but I don't have to like their pricing structure.
OK, I am done rambling. For now.
A kindle-sized device with built in GPS (linked to Google maps), WiFi, color screen, and 8GB or more of storage would be perfect for doing the tourist thing.
Wait. Except for the size, I just described my mobile phone.
Wait. Except for the size, I just described my mobile phone.