Comments on: Future of Reading http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/ just another useless feed Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:49:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Penelope http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-51831 Penelope Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:02:17 +0000 http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-51831 I doubt the Kindle will be the iPod of ebooks. Take a look at their scheme for actually downloading material onto it, as well as the fact that you have to PAY to have files (your own files) put into a Kindle readable format. One of the reasons the iPod was so successful (and the whole mp3 player idea in general) is that although you can buy things off the iTunes store, you can also put any music you already have (CD, mp3, whatever) onto the iPod. If the Kindle allowed me to port any file easily and gave me significantly lower prices on books, I'd be more interested. There are good alternatives, by the way -- Sony's reader and the Cybook Bookeen both also use the same eInk technology. Although the current versions of those aren't wireless, they're very free in terms of formats you can use, making it easier to get your Project Gutenberg books on there in the first place. Of course, if you REALLY want to be able to write, there's the iLiad. You need deep pockets for that, though. Sorry if I sound extra negative on this, but I have been keeping up with ebook readers for a while now, waiting for the technology to mature enough that I want to use it, and then the whole blogosphere goes crazy over the Kindle like they've never heard of ebooks before. I'm not impressed with it. I doubt the Kindle will be the iPod of ebooks. Take a look at their scheme for actually downloading material onto it, as well as the fact that you have to PAY to have files (your own files) put into a Kindle readable format. One of the reasons the iPod was so successful (and the whole mp3 player idea in general) is that although you can buy things off the iTunes store, you can also put any music you already have (CD, mp3, whatever) onto the iPod. If the Kindle allowed me to port any file easily and gave me significantly lower prices on books, I’d be more interested.

There are good alternatives, by the way — Sony’s reader and the Cybook Bookeen both also use the same eInk technology. Although the current versions of those aren’t wireless, they’re very free in terms of formats you can use, making it easier to get your Project Gutenberg books on there in the first place.

Of course, if you REALLY want to be able to write, there’s the iLiad. You need deep pockets for that, though.

Sorry if I sound extra negative on this, but I have been keeping up with ebook readers for a while now, waiting for the technology to mature enough that I want to use it, and then the whole blogosphere goes crazy over the Kindle like they’ve never heard of ebooks before. I’m not impressed with it.

]]> By: Richard http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49754 Richard Wed, 21 Nov 2007 07:03:45 +0000 http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49754 Yeah, Project Gutenberg is great--DRM-free text in a variety of formats, but it's mostly classics that the populace at large has little interest in reading. I certainly sympathize with the publishing industry's fears--like the RIAA and the MPAA, they're faced with three choices: 1. convert current media (text) to DRMed e-versions, which drives otherwise-legitimate customers to piracy 2. convert current media to non-DRMed e-versions, and figure out some other way of making money 3. do nothing, and see what happens. Up to this point, Option 3 has worked very well for this particular industry: even hardcore geeks tend to favor the printed word to the pixellated one, at least for legibility, readability, and scribbling margin notes in. Regardless of what happens, it will be very interesting to see what the future brings. Oh, and yes, I contacted Amazon about the Adobe problem, but they just referred me back to Adobe. Live and learn...! Yeah, Project Gutenberg is great–DRM-free text in a variety of formats, but it’s mostly classics that the populace at large has little interest in reading.

I certainly sympathize with the publishing industry’s fears–like the RIAA and the MPAA, they’re faced with three choices:
1. convert current media (text) to DRMed e-versions, which drives otherwise-legitimate customers to piracy
2. convert current media to non-DRMed e-versions, and figure out some other way of making money
3. do nothing, and see what happens.

Up to this point, Option 3 has worked very well for this particular industry: even hardcore geeks tend to favor the printed word to the pixellated one, at least for legibility, readability, and scribbling margin notes in. Regardless of what happens, it will be very interesting to see what the future brings.

Oh, and yes, I contacted Amazon about the Adobe problem, but they just referred me back to Adobe. Live and learn…!

]]> By: arthus http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49746 arthus Wed, 21 Nov 2007 04:29:21 +0000 http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49746 I think the industry is ready to be dead, but not there yet. Still, when Radiohead offered their latest album for the price you are willing to pay, you could hear the music industry beginning to crumble. Still, the music industry is definitely more flexible than the publishing industry. After all, music format have changed and new distribution methods have had to be modified. However, the publishing industry has been the same for hundreds of years - you reject their game, you're a book burner. Far more authoritative and less subject to the whim of the crowd. Let's keep on turning. :) I think the industry is ready to be dead, but not there yet. Still, when Radiohead offered their latest album for the price you are willing to pay, you could hear the music industry beginning to crumble.

Still, the music industry is definitely more flexible than the publishing industry. After all, music format have changed and new distribution methods have had to be modified. However, the publishing industry has been the same for hundreds of years - you reject their game, you’re a book burner. Far more authoritative and less subject to the whim of the crowd.

Let’s keep on turning. :)

]]> By: minh http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49744 minh Wed, 21 Nov 2007 03:48:30 +0000 http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49744 i heard/read someone recently declare the music industry to be dead - not merely obsolete but daid, superseded by alternative arrangements. i think the trigger for this declaration was Madonna's signing with a non music industry group to distribute her stuff - & a cupla other big money spinner groups had also left home. i don't think we peasants even need to revolt just turn quietly from the conglomerates & check out the amazing alternatives. But that is what a revolution is a turning - revolve! :) minh i heard/read someone recently declare the music industry to be dead - not merely obsolete but daid, superseded by alternative arrangements.

i think the trigger for this declaration was Madonna’s signing with a non music industry group to distribute her stuff - & a cupla other big money spinner groups had also left home.

i don’t think we peasants even need to revolt just turn quietly from the conglomerates & check out the amazing alternatives. But that is what a revolution is a turning - revolve!

:)
minh

]]> By: arthus http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49730 arthus Wed, 21 Nov 2007 01:42:24 +0000 http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49730 I'm sorry to hear your tale of woe, Richard. I too hate DRM and wish it wasn't part of this world. Unfortunately, the publishing industry is currently too short-sighted to see it go free. Indeed, the "feature" of easy sharing is one of the most important in real books. I see no reason we should not receive the same level of service from ebooks. After all, we have bought the book, we should be able to share it as we wish. I think an interesting interim step would be to include the ebook version of every book you buy. Like, you can go on the publisher website and enter the serial code of your hard copy, then get a download. That way, adoption can begin but nobody would have to take risks. I also recommend those hesitant about ebooks check out <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org" rel="nofollow">Project Gutenburg</a>-some of the greatest classics available for free. It's time for the publishing industry to open up to a new, social world where you can no longer be the sole tyrant over your product. The peasants are revolting and we're demanding some control as well. Either the publishing industry gets with the DRM-free picture or become absolute. P.S. @Richard Did you contact Amazon about Adobe not working? They provided you with a product and are responsible that you can at least access it. I’m sorry to hear your tale of woe, Richard. I too hate DRM and wish it wasn’t part of this world. Unfortunately, the publishing industry is currently too short-sighted to see it go free.

Indeed, the “feature” of easy sharing is one of the most important in real books. I see no reason we should not receive the same level of service from ebooks. After all, we have bought the book, we should be able to share it as we wish.
I think an interesting interim step would be to include the ebook version of every book you buy. Like, you can go on the publisher website and enter the serial code of your hard copy, then get a download. That way, adoption can begin but nobody would have to take risks.
I also recommend those hesitant about ebooks check out Project Gutenburg-some of the greatest classics available for free.

It’s time for the publishing industry to open up to a new, social world where you can no longer be the sole tyrant over your product. The peasants are revolting and we’re demanding some control as well.
Either the publishing industry gets with the DRM-free picture or become absolute.

P.S. @Richard Did you contact Amazon about Adobe not working? They provided you with a product and are responsible that you can at least access it.

]]> By: Richard http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49539 Richard Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:02:04 +0000 http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49539 Much as I love the idea of e-books, there are serious issues with the Kindle that make it a non-starter for me. These issues include the price point and the inability to share books (even on a limited basis) with other users, something that is always an option with a real-life book. The biggest reason, though, is that I've been burned before, by Amazon and Adobe's DRM. When I purchased an e-book PDF version of "The DaVinci Code" back in the day, I didn't get around to reading it right way. Last year, when I finally tried to read it, I discovered that my Adobe registration key no longer worked. Numerous calls to Adobe failed to solve the problem, and I currently have, sitting on my hard drive, a 465-page PDF that only shows me blank pages. I'm not drinking the DRM Kool-Aid this time. Much as I love the idea of e-books, there are serious issues with the Kindle that make it a non-starter for me. These issues include the price point and the inability to share books (even on a limited basis) with other users, something that is always an option with a real-life book.

The biggest reason, though, is that I’ve been burned before, by Amazon and Adobe’s DRM. When I purchased an e-book PDF version of “The DaVinci Code” back in the day, I didn’t get around to reading it right way. Last year, when I finally tried to read it, I discovered that my Adobe registration key no longer worked. Numerous calls to Adobe failed to solve the problem, and I currently have, sitting on my hard drive, a 465-page PDF that only shows me blank pages.

I’m not drinking the DRM Kool-Aid this time.

]]> By: arthus http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49471 arthus Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:31:30 +0000 http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49471 @minh I too want to be able to write, scrawl and doodle - then have the data stored in the cloud. Amazon is aiming as similar functionality but has a ways to go. (I love the Media Lab too :P They do some amazing work) @minh I too want to be able to write, scrawl and doodle - then have the data stored in the cloud. Amazon is aiming as similar functionality but has a ways to go.

(I love the Media Lab too :P They do some amazing work)

]]> By: minh http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49470 minh Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:19:42 +0000 http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49470 I want to be able to write on it & that annotation, scrawl, doodle to be preserved somewhere via an uplink or in the paper's memory so I can deal with it the next morning or after the plane lands or I get home from school ..... I am very fond of those Media Lab folk, the Learning & Epistemology crew are also adorable. :) minh I want to be able to write on it & that annotation, scrawl, doodle to be preserved somewhere via an uplink or in the paper’s memory so I can deal with it the next morning or after the plane lands or I get home from school …..

I am very fond of those Media Lab folk, the Learning & Epistemology crew are also adorable.
:)
minh

]]> By: arthus http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49467 arthus Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:05:27 +0000 http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49467 Aren't we all, aren't we all. I can't wait for MIT to release viable electronic paper. Actually, E Ink (which is used in the Kindle) was developed by Joseph Jacobson, a professor in the MIT Media Lab. We've got ink, we've got a slim device. At what point does it become paper? You do make a valid point, though. Hopefully, further generations will perfect the design and make the Kindle feel less like a computer and more like your good old worn paperback. (Though they do include a "book" cover :P) Aren’t we all, aren’t we all. I can’t wait for MIT to release viable electronic paper. Actually, E Ink (which is used in the Kindle) was developed by Joseph Jacobson, a professor in the MIT Media Lab. We’ve got ink, we’ve got a slim device. At what point does it become paper?

You do make a valid point, though. Hopefully, further generations will perfect the design and make the Kindle feel less like a computer and more like your good old worn paperback. (Though they do include a “book” cover :P)

]]> By: minh http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49465 minh Mon, 19 Nov 2007 21:56:47 +0000 http://myfla.ws/blog/2007/11/19/future-of-reading/#comment-49465 I am waiting for electronic paper (MIT where are we up to?) Lightweight, flexible, stashable, robust e-paper. Then the e-reading for info & pleasure might go ballistic. Yet another hard-edged piece of electronica (a YAHPE) leaves me underwhelmed. :) minh I am waiting for electronic paper (MIT where are we up to?) Lightweight, flexible, stashable, robust e-paper. Then the e-reading for info & pleasure might go ballistic. Yet another hard-edged piece of electronica
(a YAHPE) leaves me underwhelmed.

:)
minh

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