Apple-Booklamp: a third front in the war?

[pwalker8]

While I agree that Apple uses content to sell devices, as opposed to Amazon using devices to sell content, claiming that Apple is completely lacking in ebooks/iBooks isn't telling the truth, it's simply expressing an opinion that you admit is biased. I find it one of the better apps for simply reading a book. Where I find it lacking is in managing my library and the overall store experience, though someone who is mostly interested in best sellers and tends to only keep a few books on the device might find both of those more than adequate. I really prefer the iBook app to the Kindle app, at least on the iPad. Of course, I find Marvin has the best ability to manage my library (and work with Calibre) and find the reading adequate, so that's the app that I mostly use.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Gee, why don't be honest about it and just title this thread the Apple Hater's bashing thread?...

Originally Posted by eschwartz

There are plenty of reasons to approve of Apple, and ♥ their devices (even if I personally dislike both). ebooks/iBooks are not one of them.

Pointing out the way Apple is completely lacking in every way in that area (for the serious reader) is not necessarily Apple-bashing... It could be I/we are merely telling the truth. ...

Exactly (although I have several Apple devices love them all). As I stated earlier:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

In general, I love Apple's products, but like Jon, I won't buy books from them, and for the same reason: I can't break the DRM....

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

While I agree that Apple uses content to sell devices, as opposed to Amazon using devices to sell content, claiming that Apple is completely lacking in ebooks/iBooks isn't telling the truth, it's simply expressing an opinion that you admit is biased. I find it one of the better apps for simply reading a book. Where I find it lacking is in managing my library and the overall store experience, though someone who is mostly interested in best sellers and tends to only keep a few books on the device might find both of those more than adequate. I really prefer the iBook app to the Kindle app, at least on the iPad. Of course, I find Marvin has the best ability to manage my library (and work with Calibre) and find the reading adequate, so that's the app that I mostly use.

You are arguing for iBooks as a reader app for sideloaded books. When did I say iBooks is evil as a reader for sideloaded books?

I said iBooks is evil as an ebookstore.



I really am confused as to what point you are trying to make.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Exactly (although I have several Apple devices love them all). As I stated earlier:

Yes, but you are still an Apple Hater, because you don't like iBooks, which implies that Apple doesn't poop gold. Which is clearly Anti-Apple. And possibly Un-American too.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

I consider it quite unlikely that Apple is suddenly become the happening place for indies. Apple has long been focused on the needs of the majority of buyers rather than the narrow needs of a few. They have put the tools out there for those who want to use them, but as far as actively pursuing ebooks, I think that Apple will continue to focus on the mainstream publishers rather than the indies.

Hey, I'm as skeptical as anybody that Apple is going to do a 180 and suddenly appeal to buyers of indie titles, but the (no-longer-so) Big Boys could also use some help directing buyers to their books. After all, they're dropping 300k added trade books every year.

http://www.bowker.com/en-US/aboutus/...08052014.shtml

That's a tenth of Amazon's catalog every year and about 700 new titles a day.

No way does payola alone help those suckers move.

[Alfy]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

If Apple goes belly-up, the iSheep will have bigger problems...

Aaaand... Whatever you say now about Apple is completely irrelevant.

When will people get that bashing other consumers by using idiotic terms like iSheep make them lose all credibility?

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Alfy

Aaaand... Whatever you say now about Apple is completely irrelevant.

When will people get that bashing other consumers by using idiotic terms like iSheep make them lose all credibility?

I am of the opinion that there are smart people who buy iDevices because it best fits their need, and there are those who buy iDevices because they are iSheep. Perhaps you should actually read what I have said on this thread (and others).

There are sheep of all kinds. There are FanDroids as well, in addition to the people who buy Androids because it best meets their needs.

I was clearly speaking specifically about the iSheep, not the intelligent consumers.

Is there a reason you get so defensive whenever you hear "iSheep"?

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Yes, but you are still an Apple Hater, because you don't like iBooks, which implies that Apple doesn't poop gold. Which is clearly Anti-Apple. And possibly Un-American too.

Ah yes, the strawman, a classic rhetorical device.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by Alfy

Aaaand... Whatever you say now about Apple is completely irrelevant.

When will people get that bashing other consumers by using idiotic terms like iSheep make them lose all credibility?

Actually, I like it when someone does that. It tells me that it's all about emotion and "us verses them". They - bad, Us - good.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Exactly (although I have several Apple devices love them all). As I stated earlier:

Certainly I would consider having hard to break DRM a rational reason for not buying from the iBook store. That's part of the reason that I rarely buy from them. However, it doesn't really have anything to do with the original subject of the thread.

It is useful to understand why a company does what it does. Apple focuses on what the majority of their customer base. Most people who buy books tend not to care or even know about DRM. They read a book and then discard it, never to pick it up again. They want the quickest, easiest way to buy the books they want, be it the latest best seller. Apple, of course, has books in it's store that don't have DRM, the DRM is the choice of the publisher. Apple probably could care less except from the stand point that publishers care. It has nothing to do with Apple being evil, or a bad company or simply the company everyone in my clique bad mouths. It's simply that from Apple's point of view, it's not something they are particularly interested in except as a selling point to publishers who obsess over piracy.

[Shane R]

I don't buy from the iBookstore (is that what it's called?) but I do accept with pleasure any freebies or credit that is offered to me.

Who knows what the future holds? I do: Apple won't make a reader app for it if it's not their device and Amazon will. That one is an easy choice where it comes to spending my own money.

[Shane R]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

"iSheep"?

It really is a pejorative. I can't think of a corresponding term for Americans who will only buy American cars...or British citizenry who won't indulge in American entertainment.

Ours would be a better society for not name-calling anyone who have specific and exclusive tastes.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Ah yes, the strawman, a classic rhetorical device.

I cannot possibly care what you think of that statement, as it wasn't meant as anything more than a joke between two likeminded people. When I want to say something to you, I will come up with actual arguments that have a point.

[WT Sharpe]

I always avoid using derogative terms such as "iSheep," "fanbois," and the like because they only serve to inflame passions unnecessarily.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I always avoid using derogative terms such as "iSheep," "fanbois," and the like because they only serve to inflame passions unnecessarily.

Always a good idea. It's possible to have some very interesting and informative discussions when one treats people with respect. The more often that people get called out for poor behavior, the less poor behavior one sees. People either reform, or they go back to their echo chambers.