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pilotbob · 04-02-2008, 02:44 PM

With all the time I am saving by not adding to the "threads that never end" I have decided to start this new thread in the hopes that it will too never end.

BTW: A "thread that never ends" includes a single thread that goes on for pages and pages sometimes over months or years. Or, a thread that just keeps getting restarted over and over again.

So, here is, from my perspective, a top list of "threads that never end" which should STOP NOW.

1. The DRM/Piracy threads
This is a general discussion about whether DRM is good, bad, needed, can be made good/bad etc. It also generally includes arguments about whether piracy increases or decreases book sales. To me there are generally several sides to this argument:
DRM sucks and isn't needed.
DRM sucks but it is needed if publishers are to embrace eBooks.
DRM sucks but is 100% needed to prove I am a good person
DRM is great but not needed
DRM is great
Please don't start a thread about there being more than the above 5 generalizations, because it will never end. NO ONE IS GOING TO CHANGE THEIR MIND.

2. The PDF threads
This is generally started by new users who bought a eBook Reader to read the PDF "ebooks" that they have because the marketing page listed PDF as a supported file format. There is generally alot of great info that has probably been repeated 2000 times in each of these threads. Can't we refer these people to a FAQ or the Wiki or do we just like to hear ourselves type?

3. The Sony/CyBook/Kindle is evil threads
This is a general free for all of trash talk. Stuff comes up like Amazon is locking everyone into their system, I wouldn't buy from Sony cause they are greedy (hmm... would hate for a company to make a profit), Bookeen is greedy because they price the Cybook the same in dollars, pounds, and euros, CyBook software is "beta", Amazon is going to suck people in then start charging for Wispernet (hello they do charge you for it every time you buy a book) blah blah blah.

4. The Backlight vs non-Backlight threads
Ok, some people want a device with a backlit screen, others don't. Why do we have to call each other names and such because they are a do'er or don't'er here?

5. The "I need page numbers" threads
This one baffles me. Once again, two opinions here. Can't we all just agree to disagree and go read a book or something?

6. The "my book reader's better than yours" threads
Ok, there is a whole subforum dedicated to this. Once again, you would think listing the pros and cons of each device on the Wiki would be the first place to send people. Subjective opinons are great and can NOT be argued about. Can they?

7. The "I ordered mine this date with this order number" threads
Ok, I can people want to know how long orders are taking from order to shipping. But really, these threads just seem noise to me. Order the thing and be patient.

EDIT: Add later:

8. eBook Prices
Should they be more or less than pbooks? Should they be less if the book has DRM, etc.

9. Do digital books (ebooks) need margins?
Yes, this "discussion" seems to go on and on in many threads and forums.

10. Is copyright violation theft?
This is a common question/discussion here... is copyright theft.

11. Does piracy affect sales?
This is actually very prevalent and I'm surprised I didn't put it on my original list. There are of course two general opinions. 1) Sales are affected. 2)Sales aren't affected. However, some people in camp 1 think piracy increases sales because it increases exposure and also provides a try before you buy mentality. Others think a pirated copy is a sale lost. Certainly this is how ebook, music and software publisher talk about it in "millions lost" to piracy.

Don't get me wrong, I love this web site, and have learned alot. But, sometimes I just shake my head at the length and repetitiveness of some of the threads. Even worse, sometimes I join in!

Please feel free to add to this thread!

BOb

04-02-2008, 02:44 PM	#1
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	MobileRead threads that never end With all the time I am saving by not adding to the "threads that never end" I have decided to start this new thread in the hopes that it will too never end. BTW: A "thread that never ends" includes a single thread that goes on for pages and pages sometimes over months or years. Or, a thread that just keeps getting restarted over and over again. So, here is, from my perspective, a top list of "threads that never end" which should STOP NOW. 1. The DRM/Piracy threads This is a general discussion about whether DRM is good, bad, needed, can be made good/bad etc. It also generally includes arguments about whether piracy increases or decreases book sales. To me there are generally several sides to this argument: DRM sucks and isn't needed. DRM sucks but it is needed if publishers are to embrace eBooks. DRM sucks but is 100% needed to prove I am a good person DRM is great but not needed DRM is great Please don't start a thread about there being more than the above 5 generalizations, because it will never end. NO ONE IS GOING TO CHANGE THEIR MIND. 2. The PDF threads This is generally started by new users who bought a eBook Reader to read the PDF "ebooks" that they have because the marketing page listed PDF as a supported file format. There is generally alot of great info that has probably been repeated 2000 times in each of these threads. Can't we refer these people to a FAQ or the Wiki or do we just like to hear ourselves type? 3. The Sony/CyBook/Kindle is evil threads This is a general free for all of trash talk. Stuff comes up like Amazon is locking everyone into their system, I wouldn't buy from Sony cause they are greedy (hmm... would hate for a company to make a profit), Bookeen is greedy because they price the Cybook the same in dollars, pounds, and euros, CyBook software is "beta", Amazon is going to suck people in then start charging for Wispernet (hello they do charge you for it every time you buy a book) blah blah blah. 4. The Backlight vs non-Backlight threads Ok, some people want a device with a backlit screen, others don't. Why do we have to call each other names and such because they are a do'er or don't'er here? 5. The "I need page numbers" threads This one baffles me. Once again, two opinions here. Can't we all just agree to disagree and go read a book or something? 6. The "my book reader's better than yours" threads Ok, there is a whole subforum dedicated to this. Once again, you would think listing the pros and cons of each device on the Wiki would be the first place to send people. Subjective opinons are great and can NOT be argued about. Can they? 7. The "I ordered mine this date with this order number" threads Ok, I can people want to know how long orders are taking from order to shipping. But really, these threads just seem noise to me. Order the thing and be patient. EDIT: Add later: 8. eBook Prices Should they be more or less than pbooks? Should they be less if the book has DRM, etc. 9. Do digital books (ebooks) need margins? Yes, this "discussion" seems to go on and on in many threads and forums. 10. Is copyright violation theft? This is a common question/discussion here... is copyright theft. 11. Does piracy affect sales? This is actually very prevalent and I'm surprised I didn't put it on my original list. There are of course two general opinions. 1) Sales are affected. 2)Sales aren't affected. However, some people in camp 1 think piracy increases sales because it increases exposure and also provides a try before you buy mentality. Others think a pirated copy is a sale lost. Certainly this is how ebook, music and software publisher talk about it in "millions lost" to piracy. Don't get me wrong, I love this web site, and have learned alot. But, sometimes I just shake my head at the length and repetitiveness of some of the threads. Even worse, sometimes I join in! Please feel free to add to this thread! BOb Last edited by pilotbob; 10-18-2008 at 10:09 AM.