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DavidI · 12-07-2010, 01:20 PM

THREE POINTS

1. Amazon has announced a new web app
It looks like Google's entry into the ebook market has had one nice effect. Amazon has announced that in January they will be revealing a web app that allows viewing of their books with just a web browser. Personally I prefer the Kindle, but I could see where this would be useful for books with color images.

2. Google's bookstore sucks
I have to say I'm not impressed with the Google approach to ebooks. I won't buy a book that I can't store on my own device. I read on the plane. I also don't trust companies and feel safer with a physical copy. Additionally, I have enjoyed Google full view PD books but have noticed that sometimes the quality seems to be lacking. I much prefer the quality of Amazon ebooks compared to the PD books on Google. Plus, Amazon has worked through some issues that Google hasn't yet addressed, e.g. Collections (i.e. folders), inline dictionary support, etc. I just can't see myself buying much or any books from Google.

3. Google has one advantage
The only advantage Google has over their competitors is all those scanned books that are still in copyright but not in print. These are the only books I would be interested in buying from Google. However, I also believe that Google is violating copyright laws in trying to make these books available. I do think their solution sounds reasonable (a generous royalty is put into a fund that will pay authors). However, I don't think a corporation, publishers, or the court should impose this type of system. I believe that is the responisbility of Congress -- and not doing so is resulting in untold loss of our cultural heritage. These orphaned books should be made available.

12-07-2010, 01:20 PM	#83
DavidI Member Posts: 18 Karma: 12 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle(s)	THREE POINTS 1. Amazon has announced a new web app It looks like Google's entry into the ebook market has had one nice effect. Amazon has announced that in January they will be revealing a web app that allows viewing of their books with just a web browser. Personally I prefer the Kindle, but I could see where this would be useful for books with color images. 2. Google's bookstore sucks I have to say I'm not impressed with the Google approach to ebooks. I won't buy a book that I can't store on my own device. I read on the plane. I also don't trust companies and feel safer with a physical copy. Additionally, I have enjoyed Google full view PD books but have noticed that sometimes the quality seems to be lacking. I much prefer the quality of Amazon ebooks compared to the PD books on Google. Plus, Amazon has worked through some issues that Google hasn't yet addressed, e.g. Collections (i.e. folders), inline dictionary support, etc. I just can't see myself buying much or any books from Google. 3. Google has one advantage The only advantage Google has over their competitors is all those scanned books that are still in copyright but not in print. These are the only books I would be interested in buying from Google. However, I also believe that Google is violating copyright laws in trying to make these books available. I do think their solution sounds reasonable (a generous royalty is put into a fund that will pay authors). However, I don't think a corporation, publishers, or the court should impose this type of system. I believe that is the responisbility of Congress -- and not doing so is resulting in untold loss of our cultural heritage. These orphaned books should be made available. Last edited by DavidI; 12-07-2010 at 01:22 PM.