[TFeldt]

What exactly are you referring to? The maintaining of their databases' content or the maintaining of their physical systems? For content it will be automated, this is easily verified by simply checking the content of an amazon page versus the book's isbn number in other databases. The descriptions will almost always be identical. Sometimes additional information is added, and this will be done by the publishers. I doubt any publisher would allow a retailer to randomly add their own synopsis.

If you're referring to maintenance of the amazon network then sure, there's probably massive amounts of maintenance. But the kindle network isn't even a drop in the ocean compared to the rest of amazon, and that's not even factoring in that amazon runs one of the largest (if not the largest) virtualization service in the world with their e2c and s3.

All of their services run on e2c and s3, which they designed specifically to scale to their own requirements, they just sell the surplus resources. Is there maintenance of e2c and s3? Of course, mindboggling amounts of it. But does that directly relate to the kindle network? No. Does the maintenance required by kindle even scratch the surface of the total amount of maintenance for their network? No.