Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad Genuis
I completely agree with that statement. There's virtually no cost to produce an ebook vs the production costs plus the cost of shipping to get an actual book into your hot little hands.
I admit that I still buy books as sometimes they're more cost effective. You can use discount cards and coupons on them and as of now, most places won't let you do that unless they sell ebooks exclusively (and sometimes those are more expensive to begin with). That probably won't change unless consumers start demanding discounts on ebooks from them. Whomever "them" is.
But aside from that, ereaders are lightweight, you can choose the size text, and you can carry an entire library on it. The weight and the ability to choose a large font is a HUGE plus for seniors. Especially if you're on a limited income and can't carry a huge heavy book (large print books tend to be thicker and more expensive). Having an entire library that's digital means less books taking up space. And if you ever channel surf nowadays you will find at least one show about people who are either hoarders or their clutter is out of control. For an avid reader who will reread books (namely lil ol moi), that's another plus in their favor.
Despite all those nails in book's coffin, there is one spark of life that ereaders can't extinguish: Author promotions. From Oprah handing out copies of your latest masterpiece to her studio audience, to doing the bookstore circuit- ebooks just stand there in the dust looking confused and lost. Yes Oprah could post the book on her site and let you download it for free, but it's not the same as getting a something in your hand to take home with you. As for signings what are they going to sign? Your precious ereader? No way jose. They're not promoting the company that makes your ereader, they're promoting their BOOK.
I know I'm straddling the fence here but the voices in my head were having an argument and it came on here. 
Actually aside from books being more cost effective sometimes, I still like the act of turning pages. Yet the idea of having a digital library appeals to the practical side of me. I can buy as many books as I want and the only space they'll take up is in my hard drive & ereader- not on my shelves.
Sometimes I feel like my head is filled with the Hatfields and the McCoys... |
First, there is a cost. These manufactures are often the ones distributing rather than the seller. Fictionwise said as much when they dropped books a year ago. They said often when purchasing from them you are actually reaching the servers of the manufacturer. The cost of maintaining servers, data lines, etc are not cheap. Otherwise all those dot coms during the internet bubble would have survived. The promotional handout will not stop this change. This thinking is based on today's costs and technology. In a few years there will be throw away digital paper that can be handed out to people.
For those that say this will not happen in our lifetime are dead wrong. Paper will be dead in five years or less. I am not saying it will be gone. Just like there is still film for cameras it may always be around. I am saying in five years you will be hard pressed to find it.