Quote:
Originally Posted by Katsunami
Yes, but there's a big difference. If I lose access to paperbacks because they burned or flooded or stolen or something, then that's just bad luck. Shit happens.
If I'd lose access because the publisher used ink that mysteriously disappears 3 years after the book is bought (which is what DRM basically does if you can't open the book anymore), that would be another matter.
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So do you seriously think this is likely to happen? That there will be no readers or apps available in the next 50 years that will open our currently purchased ebooks. I know it could happen, just like I know anything I own could be lost, stolen, confiscated etc. I have Romanian friends who lost everything they owned when the government changed. Bad stuff happens and while I am pretty complacent, I realize it could happen to me.
I might be annoyed if I could not read an ebook I had bought, but as long as my bank still allowed me to use my money (another of those abilities that could be removed and has been for many people), and my library card still worked I would not get all crazy about it. No matter whether I lose something due to my fault or someone else's, the loss is still of the same magnitude to me.
Of course I have relatively little invested in ebooks compared to the amount I have invested elsewhere. And it is certainly not likely that I will have the time to invest in ebooks as heavily as I have invested in paper books in the last 50+ years.
I just can't understand the outrage over something that may never happen expressed by a few. My condo gets broken into (not my fault in most instances) and someone steals my books or TV and my insurance does not cover it. Nasty of course, but how much time and energy should I put into obsessing about the possibility.
I guess I am just different in that few of my possessions are as easily replaceable as ebooks. Even groceries I would have to go to the store to replace. Hopefully my freezer doesn't blow up. I'd be really annoyed about that.
Sorry for ranting like a lunatic, but I buy a book or borrow a book from the library and read it or save it for my deathbed for absolutely no logical reason whatever. If they disappear I will simply rebuy or borrow or buy something else. I am not in love with DRM but no DRM could possibly limit my choices in ebooks. Worst case currently I would have to go back to paper.
Helen