Quote:
Originally Posted by wallcraft
In most, but not all, cases Google ebooks can also be downloaded as ePubs. These can be DRM-free or DRM-ridden, depending on the ebook. This provides a backdoor in case Google books ever closes down.
Is there a music store that is entirely cloud based (no single file per song download)? Has such a store ever gone out of business?
I have not used it, but I have the impression that Pandora is a subscription based music service similar to what stonetools suggested for cloud-based ebooks. If Pandora ever closed down, the subscription is gone but it was always clear you did not "own" songs. This model seems better suited to music than books though.
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There are many books that I want to own , because I will want to read them over and over. Indeed, there are books that I want to own in physical form. That's why there will always be a purchase option for both P and E books.
However, I've borrowed many books from the library that I have read only once. Indeed, I have OWNED many books that I have read just once,(and don't intend to read again).
I think there are a lot of folks out there who, if there is a book that they will want to reread, will simply buy a pbook. Indeed, for permanence, security and long term assurance of access, you can't beat a pbook. For just casual fiction reading, those folks will go with a subscription service , in which they' ll read their ebooks the way people listen to a music subscription service.