[KenJackson]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

They are *not* going to give up Whispernet. And Whispernet is incompatible with ADEPT, in case you hadn't given it much thought.

What does Whispernet have to do with the issue at hand?

Nothing. Only Kindles can use it, and they are already supported by Amazon's proprietary format. The issue is the additional sales they could make to non-Kindle customers like me.

Originally Posted by fjtorres

They are not going to keep two sets of customer support personnel or dilute their existing staff to support somebody else's software and/or hardware. Not going to happen.

You seem quite certain on this point--even adamant. But it's a weak argument.

If the sale of eBooks, in any format, is not highly automated, then shame shame on the seller. But I'm quite sure that Amazon automates everything to the highest degree they can.

And they come across looking a little unscrupulous working toward the Microsoft-style near monopoly by pressing their advantage in a hard nosed way almost to the exclusion of tact. That could will hurt sales.

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Amazon customers are satisfied with their devices, their bookstore, their *network*, their customer service, their prices.
Amazon is satisfied with the size of their customer base and revenue streams.
Neither has any valid reason to change.

Well this Amazon customer used to be satisfied with Amazon up until now. I'm no longer satisfied because they won't sell me the product I want in a format I can use. (Like the super grocery stores that won't sell milk by the half gallon. I don't shop there either.)

Second, Amazon's mechanism from the very start was to get big. They sold books at cost (zero profit) for a long time. Why? To get as big as possible as fast as possible. So now you are saying they've changed--they are content to ignore us former customers that would eagerly still shop there if we could? They will only do that if they think they can get bigger faster with their current hard-nosed policy than a more welcoming policy.

I'm not sure what they'll do, but your confidence seems unjustified.

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Say what you will about Kindle and Amazon, they are successful. And the reason they are successful is because their *customers* like it. And they are Legion.

You're trying to turn the argument around and argue it backwards. Yes I decided I dislike the Kindle and Amazon's control over it. But ultimately I don't care much about the Kindle or Whispernet or the AZW format. I just want them to sell me the product I want in a format I can use.

Originally Posted by fjtorres

When the day arrives that ePub makes *economic* and *business* sense to support (if ever) Amazon will (probably) think about it.

No kidding.

Originally Posted by fjtorres

But until then they are *not* going to do their enemies any favors.

Enemies! Who is Amazon's enemy? How is selling books at a mutually agreeable price a favor to one's enemies?

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Money talks and Kindle sales talk louder than pundits.

No kidding. They can make even more profit selling ePub once they come down off their high horse. More sales is more profit. And we agree that money talks.