Would you subscribe to a rental service? - Page 2

Sydney's Mom · 04-27-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

I could not have said it better, right down to the calibre database.

I do this with music and movies (Napster and Netflix, as already mentioned) but it's different with books. I don't know why, can't explain it, it's just the way I am.

I think because we have more books than we do movies, and our (my) music is already similarly cataloged in itunes. I couldn't tell you if I have a particular movie, but I could probably tell you if I have a particular book, because of the physical space a book takes up versus a movie on DVD. Of course, with ebooks and streamingvideo, it is all about to change.

CWatkinsNash · 04-27-2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

I think because we have more books than we do movies, and our (my) music is already similarly cataloged in itunes. I couldn't tell you if I have a particular movie, but I could probably tell you if I have a particular book, because of the physical space a book takes up versus a movie on DVD. Of course, with ebooks and streamingvideo, it is all about to change.

Excellent points. After I posted, I realized that I already have thousands of mp3s that are "mine" in the sense that they are bought and paid for and on my hard drive & iPod, as well as hundreds of LPs that haven't been digitized yet, so I don't feel the need to amass any more music in a permanent way. With Napster, I can listen to current stuff until I'm sick of it, and buy only the ones I want to keep.

I have pbooks all over the house, but my DVDs only take up one shelf.

charmian · 04-27-2011, 03:41 PM

I put maybe, but personally I don't really feel a need to read the "latest releases." I'm ok with waiting. I would be more likely to not want to pay a premium and join a rental service to read the "older stuff." Currently a lot of ebooks have long library wait times and a lot of titles are not available. I would consider joining a rental service that would have instant availability and a huge selection of titles.

The Terminator · 04-27-2011, 06:41 PM

I think it's a great idea, and would definitely subscribe if the price was like 10 bucks a month.

GA Russell · 04-27-2011, 07:21 PM

I like the concept, but I would not likely subscribe. I have already downloaded many years' worth of free eBooks. My money is going toward paper books, not eBooks.

IllReadThat · 04-27-2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemenoP

I don't think the publishers are ever going to allow it. Enjoy the Philly and Singapore Libraries now because eventually they will crack down on those.

Anyway, I personally would not have a need for such a service, no matter how cheap, because my library has a great selection and decent wait times (and I don't mind a long wait, I have plenty to read).

eP

Well it was actually because of lack of titles at my local library that I figured I wouldn't mind joining a service like that. I mean I do it for movies (NetFlix) so why not this? Especially if it was on the same terms.

Freeshadow · 04-27-2011, 08:56 PM

I could name you about a twoscore of older books I d love to see epubbed w/o really haveing to think long about it. so I honestly give a ... about the new browns, paolinis and meyers (or what else might by in atm) in a subscription.

Joykins · 04-28-2011, 11:57 AM

Yes, by the time I hit the 3rd book it would pay for itself, besides I don't reread everything I want to read once.

I would like a large selection, though. None of this 3-5 books/month thing, and I would like older titles as well.

Hellmark · 04-29-2011, 01:59 AM

I use Netflix and Hulu, but you know what, I still have a large DVD collection that takes up several shelf units. In the time I've had Netflix and Hulu subscriptions, I've watched a large amount of shows on them, but I've also ended up buying DVD and Bluray copies of the ones I really liked. I like having a copy of things I enjoy, that I can use at any time, regardless of if the publisher's whims or if my net connection isn't functioning. Recently I was going through and watching the Xfiles, and I was in the middle of Season 3 when it was pulled from Netflix and was gone for a few days until they could renegotiate and get it back. Usually when something gets pulled, it stays off for months at a time. Movies on Netflix and Hulu are largely seasonal, with horror movies getting pulled by the content owners before Halloween, Christmas movies getting pulled before hand, etc. Times when I want to see a certain type of movie the most, it gets pulled, forcing me to buy it.

odiakkoh · 04-29-2011, 06:28 AM

I voted no 2 days ago but I think I'm going to have to change my answer since I'm entertaining the idea of paying for a non-resident library card at one of the libraries with a big ebook collection.

tubemonkey · 04-29-2011, 07:12 AM

I already subscribe to a rental service - public libraries. The fees are called taxes.

Between public domain classics and library books, I have all I need.

jersysman · 04-29-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odiakkoh

I voted no 2 days ago but I think I'm going to have to change my answer since I'm entertaining the idea of paying for a non-resident library card at one of the libraries with a big ebook collection.

I think that the library is different than what the OP had in mind when asking this question. In my opinion, I think that your answer would still be no if the only difference is that you are joining a library.

odiakkoh · 04-29-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jersysman

I think that the library is different than what the OP had in mind when asking this question. In my opinion, I think that your answer would still be no if the only difference is that you are joining a library.

Well since the libraries I'm thinking of have an annual fee of $100-125 how much of a difference is there between paying a Netflix like company and paying a library that's no where near me?

CWatkinsNash · 04-29-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellmark

Movies on Netflix and Hulu are largely seasonal, with horror movies getting pulled by the content owners before Halloween, Christmas movies getting pulled before hand, etc. Times when I want to see a certain type of movie the most, it gets pulled, forcing me to buy it.

Have you looked at feedfliks.com? They import your Netflix queue and tell you all the expiration dates, instead of finding out just a couple weeks prior to expiration on Netflix. They will even email you a reminder of things that are about to expire. Naturally, they want people to sign up for the paid version but the free version works just fine for me.

Won't stop things from getting pulled, but it does make it easier to plan.

jersysman · 04-29-2011, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odiakkoh

Well since the libraries I'm thinking of have an annual fee of $100-125 how much of a difference is there between paying a Netflix like company and paying a library that's no where near me?

If you pay that much, I would look into joining the Free Library of Philadelphia. Thier fee for out of city residents is $35.00.

View Poll Results: Would you subscribe to a rental service where you could read the latest releases?
Yes	26	27.66%
No	45	47.87%
Maybe	23	24.47%
Voters: 94. You may not vote on this poll

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04-27-2011, 03:41 PM	#18
charmian Addict Posts: 386 Karma: 1814548 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle PW2	I put maybe, but personally I don't really feel a need to read the "latest releases." I'm ok with waiting. I would be more likely to not want to pay a premium and join a rental service to read the "older stuff." Currently a lot of ebooks have long library wait times and a lot of titles are not available. I would consider joining a rental service that would have instant availability and a huge selection of titles.

04-27-2011, 06:41 PM	#19
The Terminator Retired Posts: 2,552 Karma: 37638420 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver Island Canada Device: Kobo Touch, Optimus One (2.3), Nexus 7 (4.2)	I think it's a great idea, and would definitely subscribe if the price was like 10 bucks a month.

04-27-2011, 07:21 PM	#20
GA Russell Elks out Posts: 7,713 Karma: 31487351 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	I like the concept, but I would not likely subscribe. I have already downloaded many years' worth of free eBooks. My money is going toward paper books, not eBooks.

04-27-2011, 08:56 PM	#22
Freeshadow temp. out of service Posts: 2,817 Karma: 24285242 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Duisburg (DE) Device: PB 623	I could name you about a twoscore of older books I d love to see epubbed w/o really haveing to think long about it. so I honestly give a ... about the new browns, paolinis and meyers (or what else might by in atm) in a subscription.

04-28-2011, 11:57 AM	#23
Joykins Wizard Posts: 1,612 Karma: 9211856 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: kindle Oasis 2018, kindle 4 NT, kindle PW2, iPhone, iPad mini	Yes, by the time I hit the 3rd book it would pay for itself, besides I don't reread everything I want to read once. I would like a large selection, though. None of this 3-5 books/month thing, and I would like older titles as well.

04-29-2011, 01:59 AM	#24
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,592 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	I use Netflix and Hulu, but you know what, I still have a large DVD collection that takes up several shelf units. In the time I've had Netflix and Hulu subscriptions, I've watched a large amount of shows on them, but I've also ended up buying DVD and Bluray copies of the ones I really liked. I like having a copy of things I enjoy, that I can use at any time, regardless of if the publisher's whims or if my net connection isn't functioning. Recently I was going through and watching the Xfiles, and I was in the middle of Season 3 when it was pulled from Netflix and was gone for a few days until they could renegotiate and get it back. Usually when something gets pulled, it stays off for months at a time. Movies on Netflix and Hulu are largely seasonal, with horror movies getting pulled by the content owners before Halloween, Christmas movies getting pulled before hand, etc. Times when I want to see a certain type of movie the most, it gets pulled, forcing me to buy it.

04-29-2011, 06:28 AM	#25
odiakkoh Guru Posts: 823 Karma: 1818344 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: iPhone 5s	I voted no 2 days ago but I think I'm going to have to change my answer since I'm entertaining the idea of paying for a non-resident library card at one of the libraries with a big ebook collection.

04-29-2011, 07:12 AM	#26
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,845 Karma: 158733736 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	I already subscribe to a rental service - public libraries. The fees are called taxes. Between public domain classics and library books, I have all I need.