Why Do Some People Hate The Idea of Ebooks So Much?

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Saninbham,

My library allows us to download books to our computer. It stays there until the expiration date.

[TinaNoir]

saninbham wrote: "@Tina-ok, I may go to jail for this admission, however, I have a question. My supervisor has a Sony e-reader and before I got my Kindle she sent me some books via email to read on my computer via M..."


Saninbham - you can send a library book to your computer or to another e-reader. There is a small program that gets loaded onto your PC that tracks how long you have it and it goes away after your lending period is over. You can't send the book to your Kindle b/c most library content uses Adobe Digitale Editions which the Kindle can't read. It is also full on DRM. Calibre will not convert DRM'd content.

I don't advise cracking DRM for library books as it is highly illegal and really you get to keep the book which is too much like stealing for my peace of mind. I do, however, advocate cracking DRM (still illegal per se, although I have issues with the law on that) for books you've purchased with your own money.

[TinaNoir]

Big pissing contest currently happening between Amazon and MacMillan. It seems that MacMillan's contract with Amazon has expired and they are trying to negotiate with Amazon to make sure Amazon sells ALL digital content (regardless of if it is paper or Hardcover release) for 15.00.

Amazon has said, hell's no. And has pulled the 'buy now' button on all MacMillan content. You can't buy a MacMillan book (not even a PRINT book) at Amazon right now. You get directed to their marketplace which are the used bookstores and indie sellers that contract with Amazon.

Some of MacMillan authors include Lisa Kleypas and Lora Leigh.

This is big boys playing big business. A net loss of the 10-15% content that Amazon sells for MacMillan can be the difference between a profitable quarter/year and a non-profitable one for the publisher.

Add to the fact that Steve Jobs in his MaxIpad launch mouthed off that publishers should be able to set whatever price they want has probably added fuel to MacMillan's fire. Of Course, Jobs isn't a strong advocate of e-books even though the MaxIpad can be used as an e-reader. But where is the win for that? You have to pony out at least $500.00 for it and on top of that expect to pay at least 15.00 for an e-book that you can get for 7.99 in paper?

Personally i am on Amazon's side in this and not just because I own a Kindle. Wanting to charge 15.00 for an e-book is just price gouging as far as I am concerned.

[Stacy-Deanne]

I feel sorry for the authors who have to suffer from a decision they had nothing to do with. I know they're pissed! I would be if my publisher was in a pickle like this, LOL!

Best Wishes!

http://www.stacy-deanne.net