The Economist: Great digital expectations, or, Ikea hates books

kjk · 09-13-2011, 12:43 PM

http://www.economist.com/node/21528611

Quote:

TO SEE how profoundly the book business is changing, watch the shelves. Next month IKEA will introduce a new, deeper version of its ubiquitous “BILLY” bookcase. The flat-pack furniture giant is already promoting glass doors for its bookshelves. The firm reckons customers will increasingly use them for ornaments, tchotchkes and the odd coffee-table tome—anything, that is, except books that are actually read.

Gawker's spin:

Quote:

No biggie, just a bookshelf that won't hold books. I don't think the publishing industry should be worried, because consumers like to put books in all sorts of different places, like the trash.

Andrew H. · 09-13-2011, 01:15 PM

I have glass doors on my ikea bookshelves (they've been available for years), but that doesn't prevent me from keeping books there. It just keeps dust off the books.

Greg Anos · 09-13-2011, 01:18 PM

Not surprising, really. Think how digital devices have shrunk the spaces needs of all forms of entertainment. Some day I'll get rid of all my p-books. And the need for the space they take up...

stonetools · 09-13-2011, 01:25 PM

CD racks also face a bleak future-I might put all my music on Ipods instead of buying DC racks.

Greg Anos · 09-13-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonetools

CD racks also face a bleak future-I might put all my music on Ipods instead of buying DC racks.

Done that. . .Except on a Sansa Clip+ (and 5 32GB micro SD cards all music in FLAC - no compression loss.)

Total cost $280. 500 Cd's worth of music....

Nate the great · 09-13-2011, 07:37 PM

It's already been debunked by Ikea:
http://www.the-digital-reader.com/20...ookcase-story/

anamardoll · 09-14-2011, 04:55 PM

I don't understand Moon Logic.

I like doors on bookshelves. I'd have them on my bookshelves at home, except it's an expense I can't justify. Cats chew on book corners, you know. And children have grubby hands. And any number of other things -- it's a mark of protection.

Is the Moon Logic that if there's a door on the bookshelf, you can't get at the books? Is the article writer two-years-old or lacking thumbs?

GreenMonkey · 09-15-2011, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anamardoll

I don't understand Moon Logic.

I like doors on bookshelves. I'd have them on my bookshelves at home, except it's an expense I can't justify. Cats chew on book corners, you know. And children have grubby hands. And any number of other things -- it's a mark of protection.

Is the Moon Logic that if there's a door on the bookshelf, you can't get at the books? Is the article writer two-years-old or lacking thumbs?

They've always offered glass doors for the Billy Bookcase. We have three of them for DVDs, video games, etc.

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09-13-2011, 01:15 PM	#2
Andrew H. Grand Master of Flowers Posts: 2,201 Karma: 8389072 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Naptown Device: Kindle PW, Kindle 3 (aka Keyboard), iPhone, iPad 3 (not for reading)	I have glass doors on my ikea bookshelves (they've been available for years), but that doesn't prevent me from keeping books there. It just keeps dust off the books.

09-13-2011, 01:18 PM	#3
Greg Anos Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,546 Karma: 37057604 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Pocketbook	Not surprising, really. Think how digital devices have shrunk the spaces needs of all forms of entertainment. Some day I'll get rid of all my p-books. And the need for the space they take up...

09-13-2011, 01:25 PM	#4
stonetools Wizard Posts: 2,016 Karma: 2838487 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Washington, DC Device: Ipad, IPhone	CD racks also face a bleak future-I might put all my music on Ipods instead of buying DC racks.

09-13-2011, 07:37 PM	#6
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	It's already been debunked by Ikea: http://www.the-digital-reader.com/20...ookcase-story/

09-14-2011, 04:55 PM	#7
anamardoll Chasing Butterflies Posts: 3,132 Karma: 5074169 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: American Southwest Device: Uses batteries.	I don't understand Moon Logic. I like doors on bookshelves. I'd have them on my bookshelves at home, except it's an expense I can't justify. Cats chew on book corners, you know. And children have grubby hands. And any number of other things -- it's a mark of protection. Is the Moon Logic that if there's a door on the bookshelf, you can't get at the books? Is the article writer two-years-old or lacking thumbs?