Comments on: how to destroy the book http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/ putting the rarin back in librarian since 1999 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:14:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Baby Got Books » Adventures in e-Books http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/comment-page-1/#comment-130389 Baby Got Books » Adventures in e-Books Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:40:50 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/#comment-130389 [...] to Amazon, Amazon sold more e-books than “real” books this past Christmas.  Jessamyn West says: 1. they’re creating a distinction that isn’t necessary, between ebooks and paper books 2. at [...] [...] to Amazon, Amazon sold more e-books than “real” books this past Christmas.  Jessamyn West says: 1. they’re creating a distinction that isn’t necessary, between ebooks and paper books 2. at [...]

]]> By: laser etching http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/comment-page-1/#comment-130253 laser etching Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:27:58 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/#comment-130253 I have own a few e-books, they have their place. However an e-book is a printout or a page on a screen, it is not a real book and never will be. I have own a few e-books, they have their place. However an e-book is a printout or a page on a screen, it is not a real book and never will be.

]]> By: Neither Libraries Nor Information is Free « The Other Librarian http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/comment-page-1/#comment-130168 Neither Libraries Nor Information is Free « The Other Librarian Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:54:16 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/#comment-130168 [...] (Notice that I haven’t brought up the many other issues with things Kindle-ish, like Jessamyn West has previously.) [...] [...] (Notice that I haven’t brought up the many other issues with things Kindle-ish, like Jessamyn West has previously.) [...]

]]> By: Joan http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/comment-page-1/#comment-130118 Joan Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:32:06 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/#comment-130118 It's not about the format, as somone has already noted. Novels, plays, poetry, non-fiction texts, art, literature, knowledge, knowing, thinking, understanding, freedom. It's about money. Corporate ownership can be as exclusive as private ownership, but with money many things are more accessible. Farenheit 451 isn't about books; it's about freedom of thought and access to knowledge. It's the conflagration of the mind, real or virtual. It's like worrying literacy as the ability to read instead of as the ability to think, analyze and know. It’s not about the format, as somone has already noted. Novels, plays, poetry, non-fiction texts, art, literature, knowledge, knowing, thinking, understanding, freedom.
It’s about money. Corporate ownership can be as exclusive as private ownership, but with money many things are more accessible.
Farenheit 451 isn’t about books; it’s about freedom of thought and access to knowledge.
It’s the conflagration of the mind, real or virtual.
It’s like worrying literacy as the ability to read instead of as the ability to think, analyze and know.

]]> By: Lissa http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/comment-page-1/#comment-130096 Lissa Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:51:06 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/#comment-130096 I don't see this as an "either/or" issue. My husband and I have always been avid readers (explains us both being librarians and it taking a U-haul to move just our books)and we both own Kindles. We still own and buy physical books like addicts but we're just more selective now. Paperback novels are not something we need to keep. Hence, the purchase of the e-readers. I don’t see this as an “either/or” issue. My husband and I have always been avid readers (explains us both being librarians and it taking a U-haul to move just our books)and we both own Kindles. We still own and buy physical books like addicts but we’re just more selective now. Paperback novels are not something we need to keep. Hence, the purchase of the e-readers.

]]> By: Janice Flahiff http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/comment-page-1/#comment-130064 Janice Flahiff Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:34:54 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/#comment-130064 A thought (quote) from Erica Jong (or one of her characters) comes to mind... something along the lines of who owns words? don't we all? I like to think I'm for fair use...but where is the line between one's right to earn a livelihood by words (either as author or publisher or....) and, well, the sharing and preservation of knowledge by those outside of the "publishing world"..... this definitely needs some clarification...but you are really on to something Jessamyn...a civilization based entirely on capitalism, I believe, is ripe for implosion (not that I expect you to agree with me!!) A thought (quote) from Erica Jong (or one of her characters) comes to mind…
something along the lines of who owns words? don’t we all?

I like to think I’m for fair use…but where is the line between one’s right to earn a livelihood by words (either as author or publisher or….) and, well, the sharing and preservation of knowledge by those outside of the “publishing world”…..

this definitely needs some clarification…but you are really on to something Jessamyn…a civilization based entirely on capitalism, I believe, is ripe for implosion (not that I expect you to agree with me!!)

]]> By: Ryan http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/comment-page-1/#comment-130055 Ryan Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:05:02 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/#comment-130055 Being an ebook publisher, and an avid reader of ebooks, I do love the availability, but I agree that there is something special about having a book in your hands. I love being able to skim an ebook, but sitting back with a real book has a certain charm that can't be matched with even the kindle. Being an ebook publisher, and an avid reader of ebooks, I do love the availability, but I agree that there is something special about having a book in your hands. I love being able to skim an ebook, but sitting back with a real book has a certain charm that can’t be matched with even the kindle.

]]> By: genevieve http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/comment-page-1/#comment-130028 genevieve Fri, 01 Jan 2010 04:28:11 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/#comment-130028 Good to have the link to Doctorow's speech transcript, and to see an educated discussion on these matters. Thanks, Jessamyn, and Happy New Year:-) Good to have the link to Doctorow’s speech transcript, and to see an educated discussion on these matters. Thanks, Jessamyn, and Happy New Year:-)

]]> By: Michael Steeleworthy http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/comment-page-1/#comment-130023 Michael Steeleworthy Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:58:21 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/#comment-130023 Part of me frets because we've allowed the two issues to become so muddled in the first place. Our culture's love affair with the book is so often centered on the format as opposed to the words held on the pages. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, but I wonder if the 'next generation' would quibble at all with e-book readers when they will be the dominant medium as opposed to the printed page. Our focus needs to be on ownership v. access. Like Kevin Wadlow mentioned, there are many non-DRM'ed e-books to be found for e-readers, and hopefully we'll gain traction on the DRM debate, if not win it altogether. But in the mean time we need to make sure that we don't accidentally damn the e-book reader because of DRM. And now a digression - a real concern that isn't addressed enough with e-books is the cost of the e-book reader. The book may be only $9.99, but the reader's price is still prohibitive for many people. The price point will drop in time, I know, but I think the costs associated with the entire technology is still at a point where it discourages adoption and use by many people in our communities. (i.e. it prevents reading. Going to a second-hand bookstore, let alone the library, is still cheaper than logging in to Amazon.) Part of me frets because we’ve allowed the two issues to become so muddled in the first place.

Our culture’s love affair with the book is so often centered on the format as opposed to the words held on the pages. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but I wonder if the ‘next generation’ would quibble at all with e-book readers when they will be the dominant medium as opposed to the printed page. Our focus needs to be on ownership v. access. Like Kevin Wadlow mentioned, there are many non-DRM’ed e-books to be found for e-readers, and hopefully we’ll gain traction on the DRM debate, if not win it altogether. But in the mean time we need to make sure that we don’t accidentally damn the e-book reader because of DRM.

And now a digression – a real concern that isn’t addressed enough with e-books is the cost of the e-book reader. The book may be only $9.99, but the reader’s price is still prohibitive for many people. The price point will drop in time, I know, but I think the costs associated with the entire technology is still at a point where it discourages adoption and use by many people in our communities. (i.e. it prevents reading. Going to a second-hand bookstore, let alone the library, is still cheaper than logging in to Amazon.)

]]> By: peacay http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/comment-page-1/#comment-130006 peacay Wed, 30 Dec 2009 05:13:42 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/#comment-130006 <a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/ebooks/64_of_the_100_top_kindle_store_bestsellers_are_free_147150.asp" rel="nofollow">GalleyCat</a>: 64 of the 100 Top Kindle Store Bestsellers Are Free GalleyCat: 64 of the 100 Top Kindle Store Bestsellers Are Free

]]> By: Kevin Wadlow http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/comment-page-1/#comment-130000 Kevin Wadlow Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:40:26 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/#comment-130000 "you do not own an ebook, you license or lease it" While true with DRMed ebooks (like those sold by Amazon), that statement isn't true for all ebooks. Check out Project Gutenberg, ManyBooks.net, Feedbooks.com, or any of the other ebook sites that aren't Amazon. Ebooks aren't taking anything away: they're making many books long since fallen into disuse available again. What good is a book if no one can find it to read it? Just knowing that a book is out there somewhere in print means nothing. The DRM issue with ebooks will pass, as it did with mp3s. “you do not own an ebook, you license or lease it”

While true with DRMed ebooks (like those sold by Amazon), that statement isn’t true for all ebooks. Check out Project Gutenberg, ManyBooks.net, Feedbooks.com, or any of the other ebook sites that aren’t Amazon. Ebooks aren’t taking anything away: they’re making many books long since fallen into disuse available again. What good is a book if no one can find it to read it? Just knowing that a book is out there somewhere in print means nothing. The DRM issue with ebooks will pass, as it did with mp3s.

]]> By: Mark Tomko http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/comment-page-1/#comment-129999 Mark Tomko Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:50:20 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/#comment-129999 I think that a lot of the cynicism surrounding the Kindle is misplaced. Jeff Bezos is deeply in love with his company's invention and is genuinely excited about the prospect of using it to convert millions of casual readers into legions of voracious readers. Yes, he stands to make a lot of money if it succeeds, but in his mind that's a happy coincidence and not the device's raison d'être. I will be the first to admit that Amazon's handling of the Kindle, its restrictions and long-term implications leave much to be desired, but the dire predictions about Amazon as a nefarious, all-controlling entity are misguided and alarmist. This press release was written because Amazon's CEO is excited that his favorite product reached a symbolic (but in the short term, probably meaningless) milestone. That's all. I think that a lot of the cynicism surrounding the Kindle is misplaced. Jeff Bezos is deeply in love with his company’s invention and is genuinely excited about the prospect of using it to convert millions of casual readers into legions of voracious readers. Yes, he stands to make a lot of money if it succeeds, but in his mind that’s a happy coincidence and not the device’s raison d’être.

I will be the first to admit that Amazon’s handling of the Kindle, its restrictions and long-term implications leave much to be desired, but the dire predictions about Amazon as a nefarious, all-controlling entity are misguided and alarmist.

This press release was written because Amazon’s CEO is excited that his favorite product reached a symbolic (but in the short term, probably meaningless) milestone. That’s all.

]]> By: Melissa http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/comment-page-1/#comment-129997 Melissa Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:20:42 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/#comment-129997 Aren't most stores closed on Christmas? So people get a Kindle for Christmas, buy a book, and then try it out. But of course the numbers for anything sold on Christmas are extremly low, everything is closed! Yes, people can shop online, but they usually are with family and have had enough of shopping. Stats are just lies, you can make them say what you want. I love your point that you don't own the book, you lease it. It's not the same thing. Aren’t most stores closed on Christmas? So people get a Kindle for Christmas, buy a book, and then try it out. But of course the numbers for anything sold on Christmas are extremly low, everything is closed! Yes, people can shop online, but they usually are with family and have had enough of shopping. Stats are just lies, you can make them say what you want.
I love your point that you don’t own the book, you lease it. It’s not the same thing.

]]> By: Tasha http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/comment-page-1/#comment-129996 Tasha Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:20:26 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/#comment-129996 I think they may be calculating in the "free" ebooks. On their website they list their best selling ebooks and the majority of them are free. If I had a new Kindle on Xmas, I'd fill it with the free stuff first too! I think they may be calculating in the “free” ebooks. On their website they list their best selling ebooks and the majority of them are free. If I had a new Kindle on Xmas, I’d fill it with the free stuff first too!

]]> By: Karla http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/comment-page-1/#comment-129995 Karla Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:36:34 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/3108/how-to-destroy-the-book/#comment-129995 Last night I toyed with the idea of buying a Kindle--until my husband asked if I could bring it into the bathtub... Thanks for drawing our attention to the fact that e-books and articles get sucked back into the ether when subscriptions end. Last night I toyed with the idea of buying a Kindle–until my husband asked if I could bring it into the bathtub…

Thanks for drawing our attention to the fact that e-books and articles get sucked back into the ether when subscriptions end.

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