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Originally Posted by nekokami
Obviously, the ads are the most important part of reading....
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I've noticed over the years that whenever Bill Gates discusses the future, he always seems to be shaping the discussion in terms that favor the Microsoft market and business and technology positions that he is aiming for. Even more so with regard to various types of content, including e-books. And, of course, his focus is on generating revenue streams. So I guess that it makes sense he cares about the ads.
My problem with that only comes in when the technology players are so focused on maximizing revenue, that they distort and de-humanize the whole space and leave the consumer with a second rate experience. There needs to be a balance, as well as some choice for the consumer between commercial and aesthetic approaches. Unfortunately, DRM, strict copyright law, strict copyright law interpretations, and format wars all contribute to reducing the opportunities for aestheticly pleasing solutions by putting unprecidented control of content in the hands of the content owner. I see it as a battle between content owners who want revenue only, and content consumers who want a pleasing and reasonably priced consumption experience.
Neither side can have all the power or we all lose. But the goal of balance is important - one side wants us to "respect the full control of the content owner". The other side says that copyright only exists in the first place to ensure content can exists, and that the whole point is to maximize the welfare for the general population. Helping to support revenues for content owners was only a secondary concern to allow for the community's benefit, not the primary concern as it seems to have become in today's politics.
Okay... I'm off my soapbox now for another 6 mos or so on this topic!