MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Why supported formats don't matter to me (very much)

Bob Russell · 11-28-2008, 11:36 PM

Let me point you to a thoughtful and interesting response, 'Yes, e-book formats and DRM issues DO Matter—and techies should align themselves with the PUBLIC interest', by David Rothman. David is the originator of the very convenient and appropriate phrase "Tower of e-Babel". That term describes the very real problems of format incompatibilities, and suggests that it is almost single handedly stopping progress on the e-book tower to the heavens for the general public.

I should emphasize that in my comments, I am in no way trying to imply that formats don't matter in the market. They play a very important role in the adoption of e-book readers by the masses. And as dedicated e-book readers become more and more affordable and capable, the format hurdles will become more and more apparent. Even more important (maybe) than the formats themselves is the restrictiveness of DRM schemes. They limit one's ability to read e-books that have been purchased and lead to many user headaches and complications. They also usually limit use of the e-book to specific hardware or platforms, and when support fades for a particular DRM scheme, a DRM'd e-book purchase is more like a rental than a purchase. This will become painfully clear to many people only after everyone has started using e-books and they start to hear about the problems. It may, hopefully, create a backlash from consumers and politicians similar to what we have seen with protected music purchases.

But DRM is a familiar issue and well-debated in many places. What I desire to do in this thread is give a little context to the format issue in real life for technically adept individuals. It might just not be as big a deal as you thought it was. It's not really a big deal for me most of the time. But for others, it may be a big deal.

In the market and with respect to mass adoption of e-books, however, it is a BIG deal. I think that will be naturally borne out by the market, and highlighted by commentary and reviews on products that appear.

Btw, if you have somehow not visited the TeleRead Blog, please be sure to visit. Great site and well worth your time.

11-28-2008, 11:36 PM	#18
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Let me point you to a thoughtful and interesting response, 'Yes, e-book formats and DRM issues DO Matter—and techies should align themselves with the PUBLIC interest', by David Rothman. David is the originator of the very convenient and appropriate phrase "Tower of e-Babel". That term describes the very real problems of format incompatibilities, and suggests that it is almost single handedly stopping progress on the e-book tower to the heavens for the general public. I should emphasize that in my comments, I am in no way trying to imply that formats don't matter in the market. They play a very important role in the adoption of e-book readers by the masses. And as dedicated e-book readers become more and more affordable and capable, the format hurdles will become more and more apparent. Even more important (maybe) than the formats themselves is the restrictiveness of DRM schemes. They limit one's ability to read e-books that have been purchased and lead to many user headaches and complications. They also usually limit use of the e-book to specific hardware or platforms, and when support fades for a particular DRM scheme, a DRM'd e-book purchase is more like a rental than a purchase. This will become painfully clear to many people only after everyone has started using e-books and they start to hear about the problems. It may, hopefully, create a backlash from consumers and politicians similar to what we have seen with protected music purchases. But DRM is a familiar issue and well-debated in many places. What I desire to do in this thread is give a little context to the format issue in real life for technically adept individuals. It might just not be as big a deal as you thought it was. It's not really a big deal for me most of the time. But for others, it may be a big deal. In the market and with respect to mass adoption of e-books, however, it is a BIG deal. I think that will be naturally borne out by the market, and highlighted by commentary and reviews on products that appear. Btw, if you have somehow not visited the TeleRead Blog, please be sure to visit. Great site and well worth your time.