I love all the ideas and have been challenged and moved by all the arguments and tangents. It's nice to see everyone copying large chunks of other people's 'work' and not be encumbered having to draft a license to exchange these arguments and ideas. I had to stop around page 18 though.
Surprisingly, I learned more about Ben Franklin than I would have imagined that want to check out his autobiography at manybooks.net.
I too wish there was a middle ground. I find polarization discouraging.
I want to reward authors for the quality work they provide and do so by purchasing their books. It feels good.
I appreciate publishers like O'Reilly who offer their books in convenient digital formats unhindered by DRM so that my devices can view them.
I love our library and the fact I can sideload some stuff that would cost $10 on my Kindle but 'free' for my better half's Sony.
Hard to resist the free-Borg.
On the other hand, my recent experience with DRM with my spouses new Sony was frustrating and cost me much time and resources. Luckily, I was able to benefit and share these experiences with the MobileRead community.
Nevertheless, if I enjoyed a book I bought, I may tend to buy more or different goods from that same author because I've become a fan.
Maybe authors and/or their agents can find a way to generate incentive with value added features (signed copy, site membership, special video edition, magic decoder ring) or as some say learn to accept infringement as a loss leader/reseller in this new digital economy.
Unfortunately, I echo a concern of a previous poster about cultural decline or stagnation. I can't prove it, but the reign of mediocrity from a saturation of universal collectivism would sadden me. Heck, such monoculture appears to be motivating the current crop of e-readers at CES. I mean even the pundits are getting tired of reviewing these 'same' things. No wonder people flock to a Apple iSlate (tm)
Luckily, maybe these things will go down in price and they'll starting giving out these samplers away for FREE
I see enough MickeyDs and Starbucks. I hope it doesn't happen to creative works. The noise to signal would be mind numbing for generations.
There's always going to be pirates. Let's hope they are nice and friendly like Johnny Depp.
Best,
tony
If you enjoyed this post, feel free to remit payment to tony
All content Copyright (C) tony