[Turtle91]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

Actually Turtle, I have a 4-year degree in statistics and use it quite often in my job. That is besides the point.

Then you understand why making generic statements about statistics without the data for verification is definitely not a good practice.
"Did you know that 69% of all statistics are made up on the spot?" lol

Originally Posted by VydorScope

The point is, book sales do not bear out that there is any real problem with the books. Smashwords continues to gain in sales, and continues to grow. The market has decided whatever the problems maybe, they do not matter. That is my point.

Unfortunately the two topics do NOT relate - as you so obviously wish they do.

Book sales and/or a business model and it's attendant level of success does NOT mean that there is not a problem with it's books...it doesn't mean there IS a problem either. All it means is that REGARDLESS of the condition of the book the business is selling them.

If all you care about is selling your book - and you don't care about the quality of the item you are producing - then you don't need to waste your time reading any further. However, I think that most people here DO care that the produce of their hard work is presented in the best possible way. Thus, I commented on some areas where I noticed some improvement is very much needed.

Originally Posted by VydorScope

I am not defensive, just trying to keep this discussion based in the facts of the market. Currently the free market has decided that Smashwords is good. Whether or not you agree is akin to the MS vs Apple, or Android vs IOS or Betamax vs VHS debate. One may or may not be technically better, but one is chosen by the market.

I agree, you are trying to keep the argument about whether smashwords is a good business model. But that is not the point of MY argument. You seem to think I am putting down smashwords as a business...I am not...I actually think it is a GOOD idea. Although I think the need to have books converted into all of those formats is a market niche that is fading fast. With the advent of ePub...the STANDARD open format that all devices/readers CAN use (with the notable exception of Amazon kindle who refuses to use them for purposes of market control)...there really is no need for separate conversions. I admire the company...I have simply reported on TECHNICAL DETAILS of their conversion process which need to be improved.

The argument is not even close to that of "MS vs Apple, or Android vs IOS or Betamax vs VHS". I am only talking about the quality of work produced by a particular process at a particular company. There is no debate whatsoever about the ePub standard (at least not in this thread)....

I have not seen a single individual disagree with the TECHNICAL details of my review.

Originally Posted by VydorScope

In summary, my point as is, the readers do not care. If they are having problems it is not enough to effect their choices.

Your assumption that they do not care is just that - an assumption. Just because Smashwords' sales are growing (I will give you the benefit of the doubt on that since I honestly have no idea - nor do I care) does not mean there aren't MANY more customers out there who do not purchase books from a company that has substandard formatting in their books.

If I were a customer (which I am) that went to smashwords.com to check out their books (which I did) and found that I couldn't read the book in the night mode (which I did) and then decided to check the other qualities of the other books on the site (which I did) and found them also lacking in myriad ways (which I did) I would probably decide not to spend my hard earned dollars on those books (which I have). It's not worth the time or risk of getting a flawed book - or a book that I would at least have to go in and edit (where it is legal to do so) so that I could actually read it.

How many other customers do NOT have my technical abilities and can NOT fix their own books and just decide NOT to buy those books any more? Your "smashwords is doing well" argument does not (nor can it) address how much was LOST for sales that didn't happen.

Originally Posted by VydorScope

As an Indy author, I appreciate the service Smashwords offers and the price the offer it at. I plan to stick with them for the foreseeable future. That may make me biased in this discussion, but I still feel the facts back my choice as wise and correct for the current market.

That is wonderful! More power to you!

Originally Posted by VydorScope

You of course are clearly entitled to your own opinion, and i respect that, I just do not agree on all counts. Can their service be better? Sure! Will they listen to advice from you and others that is submitted to them directly in a respectful manner? I do not know, I do know that they are moving to EPUB due to customer feed back, so maybe. Try it and see?

And now, we finally get to the whole point. "Can their service be better? Sure!" That's ALL I am saying. You SHOULD desire a clean well-crafted book from their service. But I guess it would not be fair to complain too loudly...from what you said smashwords does all this "work" for free. No fees, no percentage of your profits taken out....you do "get what you pay for" as the saying goes. (Just a little snarkiness intended there...but not much...it is a valid point after all )

Again, I wish you the best of luck in your, and smashwords', endeavors!

Cheers!