Phone survey? - Page 2

NatCh · 03-10-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gideon

All this aside... I'm curious who is backing the survey.

I was too, and specifically asked. Unsurprisingly, they declined to tell me, nor would they tell me if the backer is already in the e-reading device game or not. I expect they're under some sort of NDA.

The question about whether McKinsey want's us all to know about this survey is kind of answered by the fact that they've taken out ads about it on this forum (banner ads), I saw one Friday afternoon.

jacksonunit · 03-10-2008, 02:09 PM

I smell Apple and I don't like that smell.

Then again, maybe not. They asked a lot of questions about using the kindle in a business setting and seemed interested in exactly how I was doing that and how I would justify it to management.

I told them I couldn't.

Gideon · 03-10-2008, 02:38 PM

Personally, I think it'd be great. I'd kill for a sleek Mac tablet that had the usability of their iPhone systems. Add some ebook aspects and... voila.

I really like tablets, but... the software just sucks. Microsoft did a rather horrid job because they thought you just add a pen instead of a mouse and there you go, but that's a terribly awkward way to work. I'd love to see someone come and take a solid crack with usability in mind, and Apple does that well.

And if they actually used a computer instead of a hardware reader, your DRM options would be significantly reduced as would multiple formats.

Not sure I'd like it better than eInk, however. But once device that could do it all... I'd be all over it.

NatCh · 03-10-2008, 03:00 PM

I took the opportunity to put a bug in their ears about my oft' wished for professional grade e-ink device which would be capable of handling A4/letter sized "pages" as they are plus annotations and such, that would be of interest to folks like lawyers, doctors, professors, etc. They seemed interested.

I really do hope something comes of it, it sounds like they should be in a position to put the idea into a head that might be able to make it happen. I s'pose a year or two or three will tell.

jacksonunit · 03-10-2008, 09:51 PM

I have sent a few referenece documents (Unix command structures and such) to my Kindle and I like having it there when needed. Also, when I get detailed "white paper" type material I have started just sending it to the K. I just wish they would improve the PDF translation. I thought that's what you Apple people were good for anyway. WHY is PDF not PORTABLE to the Kindle. Can't they just scale everything down and make it look like a page?
</rant>

Mostly I don't recommend companies shell out the dough for Kindles for their IT folks mostly based on the IT folks I work with. They don't read unless they HAVE to and then they just skim. They look at my reading jones as somthing akin to my fly fishing hobby.

Alisa · 03-10-2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

I took the opportunity to put a bug in their ears about my oft' wished for professional grade e-ink device which would be capable of handling A4/letter sized "pages" as they are plus annotations and such, that would be of interest to folks like lawyers, doctors, professors, etc. They seemed interested.

I really do hope something comes of it, it sounds like they should be in a position to put the idea into a head that might be able to make it happen. I s'pose a year or two or three will tell.

If you could get textbook companies on line with that you could have a ton of students interested, too. That's a huge market and would get young people in the habit of using a reading device. I would've loved something like that when I was in school.

Gideon · 03-11-2008, 10:10 AM

The textbook thing is trickier, though.

Textbook companies are kind of notoriously out of touch and monstrously profit hungry. For it to be taken up by students a few things would need to happen.

PC(mac, whatver) - Interface for their texts they've bought (for ease of reference, etc.)
Academic discount on the hardware - the company can make this up in their cut of book sales
Much cheaper than regular editions of the book - this is important for a number of reasons. For a book you have to be really heavy into, the portability doesn't quite equal the ease of use for a regular book. Also, you don't have a lasting product to either hold on to, or sell. Many students are very reticent to touch any text they don't think they can sell back.
Aggressively campaign to campuses, professors, and students. Get some small colleges set up with every student having an eReader device and making all the texts available for those students. You get some solid data that way, and if it is successful you get a lot of positive PR.
Whatever device does this needs to include the email type system the Kindle has. Professors could just email the article they want the student to read, the syllabi, etc.

I talked to them a lot about the academic side of things... whomever they are representing, I hope they pursue this line as this is the group that reads a LOT and are young so are more receptive to technology.

I think it's Sony, myself. Personally, I'd like to see Sony making the hardware and then interfacing with Amazon's store, but I doubt we'll see that happen. I really like Sony has a hardware company, but do not trust them at all when it comes to the software, content, etc.

Hell, look at the PS3 - they've been talking about movies, tv shows, etc.. all downloadable from the device for a long time (something the 360 has had for ages now) and they still (despite being a production company of many movies, tv shows, etc) have no such content and a very bad UI on the device. I really love my PS3, and use it all the time to stream media, but it'd be great if they had a huge HD movie selection as well.

But, it's Sony... so I just assume that won't ever happen in a decent way and use my cable box, blockbuster, and my 360 to order movies instead.

NatCh · 03-11-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacksonunit

WHY is PDF not PORTABLE to the Kindle. Can't they just scale everything down and make it look like a page?

Absolutely they could. As to why they didn't ... well, they probably read some of the infinite (well almost) rantings in the Sony Reader forum about how bad an A4/Letter sized page (~13" diagonal) looks when it's scaled down to a 6" diagonal display. All you can see is the formatting -- you pretty much can't read it unless the original font was ridiculously huge, or you have microscopic vision.

If you want to get an idea for yourself, try taking a regular page and shrinking it on a copier 'til it's 6" diagonal, you'll see what I'm talking about.

DaleDe · 03-11-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacksonunit

I have sent a few referenece documents (Unix command structures and such) to my Kindle and I like having it there when needed. Also, when I get detailed "white paper" type material I have started just sending it to the K. I just wish they would improve the PDF translation. I thought that's what you Apple people were good for anyway. WHY is PDF not PORTABLE to the Kindle. Can't they just scale everything down and make it look like a page?
</rant>

I have never heard of anyone that feels that a scaled down letter/A4 sized PDF is readable on any 6" device. They can easily scale it down but having put in the money you wouldn't like it anyway. Try looking at a Sony if you really want this feature.

Why are you blaming Apple for an Amazon unit? Even Rants are better if they are thought out.

Dale

NatCh · 03-11-2008, 11:47 AM

Shucks, it's always safe to blame aPple, or even sTeve jObs directly.

jacksonunit · 03-11-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

Shucks, it's always safe to blame aPple, or even sTeve jObs directly.

A). And remember kids "It's FUN to be safe".

B). Now that you mention it, reducing the pages would not make much sense.

C). The textbook cartel is all tied up by the mafia. It's their second most lucrative endeavor. I guess if the mob bought out Amazon or Sony. Forgedaboudit.

D) . This post was moved for no particular reason.

badgoodDeb · 03-11-2008, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

Shucks, it's always safe to blame aPple, or even sTeve jObs directly.

No it's not!!! I got my sword out and ready! Any my trusty chakram too....

Signed -- Mac person.

slayda · 03-11-2008, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacksonunit

Sorry but subject/verb ordinal issues really bug me.

What you mean to say is "Canada Sucks".

Unless of course, if Canada stopped sucking, then you would say "I have always known that Canada Sucked". But, since Canada shows no signs of giving up sucking, we should probably go with "I have always known Canada sucks."

I think the only time you could put the words "Canada" and "suck" together is if it were proceeded by a interrogative type clause in order to form a question such as "What does Canada suck?"

You must remember that UK English is different from US English. Apparently (and remember I'm A US English speaker so this is supposition from observation) in UK English collective entities are not singular but are plural. Therefore since Canada is a collective entity, in UK English "Canada Suck" is the proper subject verb agreement. We must remember that English is really theirs. We speak American.

Just the opinion of one colonial.

spirits · 03-11-2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spirits

Here are some great news for an extra slot

"We are currently focusing our research on US consumers. We will circle back if we expand the scope.

Best regards,

McKinsey eBook Research Team "

So McKinsey took my survey despite my Canadian Nationality

"Please disregard the email below. We would actually be very interested in learning about your experiences with Kindle without Whispernet."

I need to encourage the timid ones who did not take the survey but received the email to go right ahead. The people at McKinsey are friendly & professional. You'd like it. Plus you're an important part of the survey too because they'd have enough extrovert as it is to respond to their calls. In terms of security, they really wouldn't put so much effort into asking you questions if they just want your contact.

As a side note, they asked for my username, so i don't know whether it has anything to do with checking to see if they previously messaged you or not.

aarathi · 03-25-2008, 01:33 AM

I am very interested in this phone survey. Today all surveys are done through phone. It is very easy for the people.

03-11-2008, 10:10 AM	#22
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	The textbook thing is trickier, though. Textbook companies are kind of notoriously out of touch and monstrously profit hungry. For it to be taken up by students a few things would need to happen. PC(mac, whatver) - Interface for their texts they've bought (for ease of reference, etc.) Academic discount on the hardware - the company can make this up in their cut of book sales Much cheaper than regular editions of the book - this is important for a number of reasons. For a book you have to be really heavy into, the portability doesn't quite equal the ease of use for a regular book. Also, you don't have a lasting product to either hold on to, or sell. Many students are very reticent to touch any text they don't think they can sell back. Aggressively campaign to campuses, professors, and students. Get some small colleges set up with every student having an eReader device and making all the texts available for those students. You get some solid data that way, and if it is successful you get a lot of positive PR. Whatever device does this needs to include the email type system the Kindle has. Professors could just email the article they want the student to read, the syllabi, etc. I talked to them a lot about the academic side of things... whomever they are representing, I hope they pursue this line as this is the group that reads a LOT and are young so are more receptive to technology. I think it's Sony, myself. Personally, I'd like to see Sony making the hardware and then interfacing with Amazon's store, but I doubt we'll see that happen. I really like Sony has a hardware company, but do not trust them at all when it comes to the software, content, etc. Hell, look at the PS3 - they've been talking about movies, tv shows, etc.. all downloadable from the device for a long time (something the 360 has had for ages now) and they still (despite being a production company of many movies, tv shows, etc) have no such content and a very bad UI on the device. I really love my PS3, and use it all the time to stream media, but it'd be great if they had a huge HD movie selection as well. But, it's Sony... so I just assume that won't ever happen in a decent way and use my cable box, blockbuster, and my 360 to order movies instead. Last edited by Gideon; 03-11-2008 at 10:14 AM.

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03-10-2008, 02:09 PM	#17
jacksonunit Sand Bender Posts: 107 Karma: 35218 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Antonio, Tx Device: Kindle1/iPhone/iPad/Droid/KindleDX/Kindle 3G/Kindle Touch/Kindle Fire	I smell Apple and I don't like that smell. Then again, maybe not. They asked a lot of questions about using the kindle in a business setting and seemed interested in exactly how I was doing that and how I would justify it to management. I told them I couldn't.

03-10-2008, 02:38 PM	#18
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	Personally, I think it'd be great. I'd kill for a sleek Mac tablet that had the usability of their iPhone systems. Add some ebook aspects and... voila. I really like tablets, but... the software just sucks. Microsoft did a rather horrid job because they thought you just add a pen instead of a mouse and there you go, but that's a terribly awkward way to work. I'd love to see someone come and take a solid crack with usability in mind, and Apple does that well. And if they actually used a computer instead of a hardware reader, your DRM options would be significantly reduced as would multiple formats. Not sure I'd like it better than eInk, however. But once device that could do it all... I'd be all over it.

03-10-2008, 03:00 PM	#19
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	I took the opportunity to put a bug in their ears about my oft' wished for professional grade e-ink device which would be capable of handling A4/letter sized "pages" as they are plus annotations and such, that would be of interest to folks like lawyers, doctors, professors, etc. They seemed interested. I really do hope something comes of it, it sounds like they should be in a position to put the idea into a head that might be able to make it happen. I s'pose a year or two or three will tell.

03-10-2008, 09:51 PM	#20
jacksonunit Sand Bender Posts: 107 Karma: 35218 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Antonio, Tx Device: Kindle1/iPhone/iPad/Droid/KindleDX/Kindle 3G/Kindle Touch/Kindle Fire	I have sent a few referenece documents (Unix command structures and such) to my Kindle and I like having it there when needed. Also, when I get detailed "white paper" type material I have started just sending it to the K. I just wish they would improve the PDF translation. I thought that's what you Apple people were good for anyway. WHY is PDF not PORTABLE to the Kindle. Can't they just scale everything down and make it look like a page? </rant> Mostly I don't recommend companies shell out the dough for Kindles for their IT folks mostly based on the IT folks I work with. They don't read unless they HAVE to and then they just skim. They look at my reading jones as somthing akin to my fly fishing hobby.

03-11-2008, 11:47 AM	#25
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Shucks, it's always safe to blame aPple, or even sTeve jObs directly.

03-25-2008, 01:33 AM	#30
aarathi Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: ODM	I am very interested in this phone survey. Today all surveys are done through phone. It is very easy for the people.

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