Heard my first evil ebook commercial today

[WT Sharpe]

The downside of the e-book revolution is how it has added to the increase in the number of neighborhood bookstores that are closing their doors. It is sad to see folks who have loved books all their lives and who have made their living selling books lose their livelihood. Some of the chains are hurting as well, but they are in a better position generally to deal with and profit from the increasing numbers of people who prefer to do their reading on dedicated readers, smart-phones, or other electronic devices.

On the other hand, it is heartening to see people once again beginning to take an interest in the written word. A whole new generation of readers are re-discovering the joys of reading. Perhaps even more encouraging is how people are once again reading the classics. And thanks to self-publishing, worthy new authors who formerly would have fallen through the cracks because they didn’t fit the corporate mold are discovering new ways to profitably present their wares to the public.

It’s clichéd but true: life is never static; its one constant is change. As with all new technologies, there will be winners and there will be losers. We can sympathize with the innocent victims of progress, but let us make no mistake: those who willfully and steadfastly choose to ignore the rising tide will eventually be drowned.


Oh, and in case anyone is wondering—I don’t really go around libraries and bookstores feeling and smelling books. Although I have admired the beauty and craftsmanship of many an old tome, and although with some of the raised lettering and graphics there is a certain tactile pleasure involved, I just never saw the appeal of sticking one under my nose except perhaps to scratch an itch. The last time I smelled a book, it was not followed by, “Ahhhhhhh!” It was followed by, “Where’s that blasted dog?”

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Oh, and in case anyone is wondering—I don’t really go around libraries and bookstores feeling and smelling books.

I was thinking of suggesting you go work in a bookshop if you did (I've only worked in one, and at least half the staff there were addicted to smelling new books...)

[Connallmac]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

The downside of the e-book revolution is how it has added to the increase in the number of neighborhood bookstores that are closing their doors. It is sad to see folks who have loved books all their lives and who have made their living selling books lose their livelihood. Some of the chains are hurting as well, but they are in a better position generally to deal with and profit from the increasing numbers of people who prefer to do their reading on dedicated readers, smart-phones, or other electronic devices.

You have independent book shops left in Virginia? There hardly any here in Eastern Indiana, the large chains have already put paid to the vast majority of them around here. Hell, even used book shops around here have given way to chains like Half-Price Books. It was not quite so bad in Upstate NY when I last lived there, but that's been five years now and I think it was headed the same way when I moved here to the Mid-West, and I haven't seen much evidence otherwise on my trips back home.

[khalleron]

We still have several indy bookshops, used and new, in the small town where I live, but that's because we're too small to support a B&N/Borders/whatever chain store. When the chains come in, that's when the indy's tend to die out (except in college towns, where they seem to hang on quite well).

Ebooks are still only about 1% of the book market - they're an easy target to blame, but not an accurate one.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by Connallmac

You have independent book shops left in Virginia? There hardly any here in Eastern Indiana, the large chains have already put paid to the vast majority of them around here. Hell, even used book shops around here have given way to chains like Half-Price Books. It was not quite so bad in Upstate NY when I last lived there, but that's been five years now and I think it was headed the same way when I moved here to the Mid-West, and I haven't seen much evidence otherwise on my trips back home.

There are very few left. Those that survive are almost all used book stores, and they are struggling. That's why I was careful to say that the rise in e-books has "added to the increase in the number of neighborhood bookstores that are closing their doors." The rise of e-books is hardly solely responsible for the demise of the neighborhood bookstore. As I've said elsewhere, the first direct attack on mom and pop bookstores can no doubt be traced to the arrival of the big bookstore chains, but the overall decline of reading in the 20th century can most probably be traced to the advent of radio and later TV.

[Idoine]

For me, the point that could be against ebooks is the risk of alteration of content.
A printed book is printed once for all, and unless we consider the source as questionable, the content can't be altered.
It's too easy to alter the content of an ebook, and I fear the self-righteous that could modify a book to "protect" me from "dubious", "immoral", or any other "bad" content.
Just my opinion.
That's the point anti-ebook people could lean on, and that point is a good one to approve DRM... Don't throw stones, please !

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

I was thinking of suggesting you go work in a bookshop if you did (I've only worked in one, and at least half the staff there were addicted to smelling new books...)

I think that would be an excellent place to work. When I retire, perhaps I'll try to find some part-time work in one. I could assist customers while the other employees are busy smelling books!

[khalleron]

Originally Posted by Idoine

For me, the point that could be against ebooks is the risk of alteration of content.
A printed book is printed once for all, and unless we consider the source as questionable, the content can't be altered.
It's too easy to alter the content of an ebook, and I fear the self-righteous that could modify a book to "protect" me from "dubious", "immoral", or any other "bad" content.
Just my opinion.
That's the point anti-ebook people could lean on, and that point is a good one to approve DRM... Don't throw stones, please !

Not true. I know a SF writer who altered one of her earlier books to suit the evolving technology of her world. I was really confused trying to discuss the tech with other readers until I discovered this.

I rather felt it was cheating, but content can and does get altered between editions of pbooks.

And then there's always the abomination that is Readers Digest Condensed Books.

[Idoine]

Originally Posted by khalleron

Not true. I know a SF writer who altered one of her earlier books to suit the evolving technology of her world. I was really confused trying to discuss the tech with other readers until I discovered this.

I rather felt it was cheating, but content can and does get altered between editions of pbooks.

And then there's always the abomination that is Readers Digest Condensed Books.

Yes, but in that case, I suppose ISBN is not the same...
And for Readers Digest Condensed Books, as I agree with you, at least they say it !
For me it's the same that "Best parts" of an opera. I never purchased one, only the complete version. I don't talk about anthologies here, but condensed versions... Ok, I plead guilty for a CD box of russian ballets (2 Prokofiev, 3 Tchaikovsky, 1 CD for each)

[K-Thom]

For me, the point that could be against ebooks is the risk of alteration of content.
A printed book is printed once for all, and unless we consider the source as questionable, the content can't be altered.

Besides "official alterations" by the author or the editor - ever heard about scanners, OCR and word processor software? You merely assume a "once and for all" asset for printed books while there is none.

The novels of famous German author Karl May (died 1912) were officially altered so many times you hardly could compare the original script to the version sold today. For what reason? To attract a new generation of readers with an updated language.

Keep the old "panta rei" of Heraclit in mind: Everything is in a constant state of change.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by khalleron

... I rather felt it was cheating, but content can and does get altered between editions of pbooks. ...

Ahem *cough* Shout It From The Housetops * cough * Pat Robertson *cough * *cough *

[Solitaire1]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

There are very few left. Those that survive are almost all used book stores, and they are struggling. That's why I was careful to say that the rise in e-books has "added to the increase in the number of neighborhood bookstores that are closing their doors." The rise of e-books is hardly solely responsible for the demise of the neighborhood bookstore. As I've said elsewhere, the first direct attack on mom and pop bookstores can no doubt be traced to the arrival of the big bookstore chains, but the overall decline of reading in the 20th century can most probably be traced to the advent of radio and later TV.

I think the key to the survival of book stores is to: (1) add support for the current ebook technology, (2) maintain support for pbooks, (3) add an emphasis on the types of books that are not suitable for ebook readers, and (4) and to diversify into other related areas (such as portable music).

What I think is likely is that the local book store will not disappear. Rather, the number of them will reduce to a level that can be supported by the local economy. It could be that book stores will evolve into a regional type of store, with one store for a relatively large geographic area (such as one store that support three or four nearby towns/cities).

[Idoine]

Originally Posted by K-Thom

Besides "official alterations" by the author or the editor - ever heard about scanners, OCR and word processor software? You merely assume a "once and for all" asset for printed books while there is none...

As I said, unless questionable sources... I suppose that if someone were to publish an altered and non official version of a paperbook, that someone would need a full organisation to distribute it...

Originally Posted by K-Thom

... The novels of famous German author Karl May (died 1912) were officially altered so many times you hardly could compare the original script to the version sold today. For what reason? To attract a new generation of readers with an updated language.

Keep the old "panta rei" of Heraclit in mind: Everything is in a constant state of change.

I don't know if these versions are noted "altered", or "adapted", or "modified", but that ought to be the case...
I would jump if a play from Molière were published in modern French, and the book not clearly indicating it ! There're several paperbooks that propose the original text, with notes for explanations on obsolete, or old terms, even historical points.
I saw too (don't remember which) books with notes for alterations made by author between different editions...

[K-Thom]

Modification of stories from the 1950s up happens a lot in Germany today, especially in reprints of pulp literature as in SciFi or even rather modern horror stories from the 70s.

Sometimes with the consent of the original authors, sometimes without, because the editors feel a sort of "compulsive act" to alter the original script, to enhance it. Yeah, well ...
Readers don't seem to mind a lot, maybe it's the fact that they are glad the stories of their youth get reprinted at all.

But it would indeed be funny to write a modern version of Goethe's "Faust" - true to the original, of course - and wait for the response.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by Solitaire1

I think the key to the survival of book stores is to: (1) add support for the current ebook technology, (2) maintain support for pbooks, (3) add an emphasis on the types of books that are not suitable for ebook readers, and (4) and to diversify into other related areas (such as portable music).

What I think is likely is that the local book store will not disappear. Rather, the number of them will reduce to a level that can be supported by the local economy. It could be that book stores will evolve into a regional type of store, with one store for a relatively large geographic area (such as one store that support three or four nearby towns/cities).

That's about the way it is already. The nearest B&N is slightly over six miles from my house (not too shabby!), but the nearest Border's is almost 27 miles.