Quote:
Originally Posted by Direct Ebooks
Currently, a publisher must have a seperate isbn numer for the eBook version of a book, NOT one for each ebook format, although for some reason, some distributors seem to want it that way.
I think one isbn for all ebook formats is adequate at present, but as we begin moving towards appreciating and providing the content of a book rather than the context in as many ways as the consumer wants, we will have to look at a different system with perhaps a parent digital isbn with multiple identifiers applicable in the last 2 digits.
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ISBN is like a UPC to a retailer. Most want to track each and every item sold.
A different version, is a different item. Just like a red shirt is different from a blue shirt of the exact same size and cut.
They want to SCAN each item with little or no additional intervention from untrained help.
If you sell paper, Audio AND Hardbound, you want to know what to order without having to eyeball the bin.
The stores that don't care which item sells (stocked by a jobber?), use the UPC which only indicates the publisher (first 6 digits and the price (next 5 digits) . Department Stores like this method because the don't need to maintain the each and every book, only for books with different prices.
The last digit is a check digit to let the equipment know that the other digits calculate "as correct". (there is a second part of a UPC called "supplemental".
This is used to cod Magazine "issue" numbers" (01-12),It could contain the Missing part (title #) of the book. (price lookup usually uses only the first part, but the system may be able to "capture" the supplemental.
UCC14 barcodes take in Packaging difference.
Ever by a 6-pak of canned Coke (can sodas, in general)? The barcode is on the
can not the plastic binder. So when the clerk scans, does it represent a loose can or a 6-pak? A barcode can only represent 1 per-unit price (a can or a Pak).
If you put the can price in, a 6-pak goes out the door under charged. If you put a 6-pak price in, the loose can purchaser gets over charged ("Price override on 6")