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Apple's iPad deal gives Hachette pricing leverage against Amazon - Page 3

post #81 of 117
2/5/10 at 11:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum View Post

My iTunes/iPhoto media library is on a headless Mini with 2 2TB external drives (one for storage, one for backup).

The Mini is not authorized to play (or to buy) any purchased media (it is not one of the 5 authorized computers).

I normally buy from iTunes on my main computer, an iMac 27, and drag-and-drop (screen sharing over WiFi) to the Mini iTunes Media Library.

That's very cool. So do you use the mini essentially as a media server? How is it connected to the playback devices?

Wait - I reread what was quoted - the mini is not authorized to play any media? So what do you do with it? Is it just for mass storage?
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post #82 of 117
2/5/10 at 11:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrJedi View Post

Whatever happened to the idea of the public library? I'd be a little less hard on the iPad if Apple introduced some sort of book borrowing paradigm. Of course, there's no profit in that, and if something isn't profitable, then it's not worth doing, eh? It's a sad, sad, commercial world we live in.

Libraries are not "free". They exist because of volunteers, donations and/or government funding which, btw, comes out of your pocket and mine, whether we use them or not. Get rid of the idea that something is free just because you don't have to reach into your pocket and pay. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Would you work for nothing? I think not.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DrJedi View Post

I thought Apple was a hardware company where the software pushed sales of the hardware that people bought to create stuff. Now it's a media distribution company where the hardware is designed and constrained to push sales of media for consumption.

The primary focus has always been, and always will be, imho, is to make great devices, but what good would they be if there was no way to get the content out to the people?

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post #83 of 117
2/5/10 at 11:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dorotea View Post

You forget that electronic books are less valuable. I can't resell them. And more importantly I can't give them to someone else. Which I do with many of my books.

Value is in the eye of the owner (a terrible paraphrase, but there you have it). For me, the idea of a device containing 1000s of books is worth something. I imagine everyone will work out for themselves what's valuable and what's not.

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post #84 of 117
2/5/10 at 11:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TBell View Post

Seems like Apple is forcing the prices up on the consumer to the benefit of publishers and itself. There is no reason people should pay the same or more for electronic content.

TBell, I think that this time it's not Apple who is forcing the prices up... it's the publishers that are taking the advantage and because they forced Apple, they now want to force Amazon.
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post #85 of 117
2/5/10 at 11:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TBell View Post

Seems like Apple is forcing the prices up on the consumer to the benefit of publishers and itself. There is no reason people should pay the same or more for electronic content.

Before you start blaming Apple, notice that it is the publishers making changes to their pricing models. Apple allowed them a more appealing model, and they're taking that to Amazon and asking for the same. Apple didn't "force" anybody to change prices.
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post #86 of 117
2/5/10 at 11:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by aquarius6502 View Post

TBell, I think that this time it's not Apple who is forcing the prices up... it's the publishers that are taking the advantage and because they forced Apple, they now want to force Amazon.

I'm not so sure an eyerolling conclusion can be made with the available information. Of course the publishers want more money but it wouldn't hurt Apple's position to force Amazon to act defensively. Amazon has already changed their fee from 50/50 to 30/70 to match then non-existant iPad. Making them lose favour with the publishers could be a double-edged sword for Apple.
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post #87 of 117
2/5/10 at 11:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by iGenius View Post

That's very cool. So do you use the mini essentially as a media server? How is it connected to the playback devices?

Wait - I reread what was quoted - the mini is not authorized to play any media? So what do you do with it? Is it just for mass storage?

The Media Server Mini is located anywhere there are 3 outlets (Mini and 2 external drives-- there is no KB, Mouse or display). Mine happens to be in a China cabinet in the dining room.

The Media Server shows up as a shared device in everyone's iTunes:



Everything communicates through 811n WiFi.

DR - Mac Mini (media Server) 1,000 videos (DVDS, TV shows, Music Videos, Home Moveis, 3 kids soccer); 11,000 photos; 10,000 songs.

DR - Airport Express to Bose HI-Fi (Speakers)

LR - Airport Express to B&O HiFi (Speakers)

Office - Main iMac 27, Cinema Display, 20TB of external HDD, spare iMac 20

FR- Family iMac 20
FR- Comcast Cable/ Modem Airport Extreme
FR- AppleTV, iPhone Media dock, Sony HDTV, SDTV, Wii, GameCube, Mac Mini (EyeTV

BR1- iMac 17, Tivo, TV

BR2- iMac 20

BR3- iMac (no WiFi)

Roving/Backyard- Airport Express to Apple iPod Hi-Fi (speakers), MacBook 17.

These devices are authorized to play purchased iTunes content. Any computer or the AppleTV can stream audio to selected or all Airport Express speakers and the AppleTV/HTDV speakers.


In our location, Comcast Cable cannot support any more cable devices (TVs, DVRs, VHS/DVD Players because of signal degradation. We tend to use iMacs to play movies in the bedrooms over WiFi.

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post #88 of 117
2/5/10 at 12:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dorotea View Post

You forget that electronic books are less valuable. I can't resell them. And more importantly I can't give them to someone else. Which I do with many of my books.

That's true, which is part of why I'm not eager to leap just yet. I usually keep my books, but I can off them if I decide it's not worth it. I can usually make a private sale at 70% of list price.
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post #89 of 117
2/5/10 at 12:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism View Post

I'm not so sure an eyerolling conclusion can be made with the available information. Of course the publishers want more money but it wouldn't hurt Apple's position to force Amazon to act defensively. Amazon has already changed their fee from 50/50 to 30/70 to match then non-existant iPad. Making them lose favour with the publishers could be a double-edged sword for Apple.

I agree. it is a double-edged sword to me.
However, My guess is that Apple had no choice.

IMHO, I think that to consumers and competition, a model where there is flexibility of prices is better. This way it is the consumer who decides the cost-value and gives force to competition.

But, for ebooks, I would really like the option to rent. With novels, once I finish reading it, I have never went back to re-read it again. and with school/university textbooks is even more appealing to rent the book while in class...
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post #90 of 117
2/5/10 at 12:27pm
From what I have read about the ePub format, I'm assuming that the logical path of digital book acquisition is to purchase it from iTunes and then sync it to your iPad. Has anyone heard anything about being able to obtain your ePub book from alternate sources?

I found this document on Adobe's site

http://blogs.adobe.com/digitaleditio...sign-epub.html

In this short tutorial they explain how to use inDesign CS4 to create your own ePub document. Very interesting stuff. It appears that you can create your own document, however getting it into iTunes is not clear, but if and when you do, you should be able to sync it and read it on the iPad. As a publisher, it would be nice to be able to have clients download the ePub directly to iTunes but I'm not sure if that will be possible. If not, hopefully people can import it easily.

For small publishers Apple will likely have a similar arrangement to the model used with current App developers, but at least with self publishing you won't be hindered by Apple's approval process.

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post #91 of 117
2/5/10 at 1:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mstone View Post

From what I have read about the ePub format, I'm assuming that the logical path of digital book acquisition is to purchase it from iTunes and then sync it to your iPad. Has anyone heard anything about being able to obtain your ePub book from alternate sources?

I found this document on Adobe's site

http://blogs.adobe.com/digitaleditio...sign-epub.html

In this short tutorial they explain how to use inDesign CS4 to create your own ePub document. Very interesting stuff. It appears that you can create your own document, however getting it into iTunes is not clear, but if and when you do, you should be able to sync it and read it on the iPad. As a publisher, it would be nice to be able to have clients download the ePub directly to iTunes but I'm not sure if that will be possible. If not, hopefully people can import it easily.

For small publishers Apple will likely have a similar arrangement to the model used with current App developers, but at least with self publishing you won't be hindered by Apple's approval process.


I'm going to suggest the drag and drop method of adding a non-apple epub book to the iPad. if you've been following the iPad, you have probably heard that apps will easily be able to share data with your computer. When you plug the iPad in, any apps that you have enabled sharing on will show up on your computer as mounted drives. I don't see why you wouldn't be able to drag and drop a non drm'd epub book in there.

As far as I know, Apple has made no mention of an eBook reader application for macs and pc's, or that you epub books will be part of the iTunes library. So I wouldn't jump to any conclusions on that front until we know more.
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post #92 of 117
2/5/10 at 1:03pm
There is a good explanation of book price: http://ireaderreview.com/2009/05/03/...ook-publishing. Look at the publisher's share - 45%

I'm expecting that soon we'll see a lot of small independent publishers. They will provide cheaper editing and pre-printing service, but they won't deal with phisical copies of books
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post #93 of 117
2/5/10 at 1:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aquarius6502 View Post

But, for ebooks, I would really like the option to rent. With novels, once I finish reading it, I have never went back to re-read it again. and with school/university textbooks is even more appealing to rent the book while in class...

They already have exploding media for movie rentals and I hope Apple announces it for App Store trial periods, but I don't see it coming for books anytime soon.

It would be nice if a reliable and secure transfer method could be made. Without one libraries will never be able to outgrow physical media.


Quote:
Originally Posted by cmf2 View Post

As far as I know, Apple has made no mention of an eBook reader application for macs and pc's, or that you epub books will be part of the iTunes library. So I wouldn't jump to any conclusions on that front until we know more.

iTunes will have to be updated for the iPad and eBookstore. If they don't allow DRMed ePub it would be the first media format that didn't also play on Mac OS X or Windows via iTunes or Quicktime. I have to expect they will include a reader.
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post #94 of 117
2/5/10 at 1:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gin_tonic View Post

'm expecting that soon we'll see a lot of small independent publishers. They will provide cheaper editing and pre-printing service, but they won't deal with phisical copies of books


This seems inevitable. We are hoping that we can leverage our publishing and web development skills to that effect. The epub format apparently is pretty easy to edit with existing tools since it is just a zipped xml file with a couple other config files and some CSS thrown in the mix.

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post #95 of 117
2/5/10 at 2:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism View Post

iTunes will have to be updated for the iPad and eBookstore. If they don't allow DRMed ePub it would be the first media format that didn't also play on Mac OS X or Windows via iTunes or Quicktime. I have to expect they will include a reader.

It doesn't have to be iTunes, but it could very well be. I think there just might be a parallel reader application and integrated store on the mac. It seems worthwhile to note that you wont be buying books on the itunes store on the iPad (at least the way it was presented), so I would think it is premature to think that iTunes will be in any way involved with the purchase or display of ebooks on the computer. Syncing would still happen through iTunes.

I think we are too quick to assume everything will happen through iTunes, that's all. iTunes has been a catch-all for just about everything, but I don't think that will/can continue forever.

Edit: On a rethink, the iTunes Store and App Store are separate on the iPhone and together on the mac, so they could follow in a similar manner with books. We see soon enough. I still think it is to earlier to assume anything about how the content will be delivered and viewed on a computer.
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post #96 of 117
2/5/10 at 2:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmf2 View Post

It doesn't have to be iTunes, but it could very well be. I think there just might be a parallel reader application and integrated store on the mac. It seems worthwhile to note that you wont be buying books on the itunes store on the iPad (at least the way it was presented), so I would think it is premature to think that iTunes will be in any way involved with the purchase or display of ebooks on the computer. Syncing would still happen through iTunes.

I think we are too quick to assume everything will happen through iTunes, that's all. iTunes has been a catch-all for just about everything, but I don't think that will/can continue forever.

It is just an assumption based on historical actions, not a declaration of the way things have to happen. I've never been a fan of the iTunes Store setup. Didn't buy any music from the store until I could do it from the iPhone, the iTunes version of the ITS is just too cluttered for my taste. I hope they separate the stores out but so far they've shown no interest in that.

I think Apple would be remiss if they didn't offer the iBookstore and a reader via iTunes. I doubt they'd offer a separate app for reading as iTunes would still be used for backing up and organizing your books, but it sure would be nice. if they don't offer that functionality it will be on that Kindle offers and the only media you can get from Apple that doesn't play on a Mac. That doesn't seem like good plan to me, but they don't seem to thought that much through with the iPad, including calling the operating system iPhone OS.
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post #97 of 117
2/5/10 at 3:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum View Post

Mmmm.... I Like!

As to item 4:

-- The original buyer/loaner could receive a small (but reasonable) credit to his iTunes store account when the loanee copy is purchased. The loanee would then be encouraged to become a loaner to propagate the process.

This is kind of a reverse Ponzi Scheme or even a "Pay It Forward" effort. Everybody wins, no downside risk, everybody gets a potential for more credits or lower prices!

*

Great minds.... I actually had what you wrote as an option but removed it since I felt it could muddy the waters too much... but yes I really like the 'minor credit' for loans converted into sales.
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post #98 of 117
2/5/10 at 3:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism View Post

It is just an assumption based on historical actions, not a declaration of the way things have to happen. I've never been a fan of the iTunes Store setup. Didn't buy any music from the store until I could do it from the iPhone, the iTunes version of the ITS is just too cluttered for my taste. I hope they separate the stores out but so far they've shown no interest in that.

I think Apple would be remiss if they didn't offer the iBookstore and a reader via iTunes. I doubt they'd offer a separate app for reading as iTunes would still be used for backing up and organizing your books, but it sure would be nice. if they don't offer that functionality it will be on that Kindle offers and the only media you can get from Apple that doesn't play on a Mac. That doesn't seem like good plan to me, but they don't seem to thought that much through with the iPad, including calling the operating system iPhone OS.

I really don't know if there is a major benefit that justifies splitting off app and book management into separate Mac apps, the back end is probably the same, I think you'd just be duplicating a lot of functionality on the front end.

I would like them to overhaul the app, it just doesn't seem to even try to be efficient.
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post #99 of 117
2/5/10 at 3:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffDM View Post

I really don't know if there is a major benefit that justifies splitting off app and book management into separate Mac apps, the back end is probably the same, I think you'd just be duplicating a lot of functionality on the front end.

I would like them to overhaul the app, it just doesn't seem to even try to be efficient.

This thread has been rife with miscommunication all day. I mean separating the stores, not separating them into different apps. The only thing I suggested for splitting was an option for a separate reader app, the way you can use QuickTime for FairPlay media. I'd be fine with the alternative reader being QuickTime or Safari.

I say this because I don't like having to go into iTunes for video. First, it takes too long to load and locate my files. Second, the video player is horrible compared to QuickTime. Their controls are too different.


I don't think we'll see that much change with iTunes until they introduce iTunes X, rewritten in Cocoa and 64-bit. I think that is the mostly likely place to make dynamic changes to the layout. The iPod/iTunes special event in September might be the best time for this kind of reveal, but I'd think this much overhaul of a very popular app might require a developer testing before going live. Anyway, I sure hope so because iTunes can be buggy enough as it is with incremental updates.
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post #100 of 117
2/5/10 at 3:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism View Post

This thread has been rife with miscommunication all day. I mean separating the stores, not separating them into different apps. The only thing I suggested for splitting was an option for a separate reader app, the way you can use QuickTime for FairPlay media. I'd be fine with the alternative reader being QuickTime or Safari.

I say this because I don't like having to go into iTunes for video. First, it takes too long to load and locate my files. Second, the video player is horrible compared to QuickTime. Their controls are too different.

Sorry, I understood some of what you meant, but I didn't write it clearly. But much of the same thing applies, what is really to be gained by separating the stores? What is your vision of how stores would be separated? Maybe I assumed that stores would be separated by providing a different app on the computer.

The back end is likely the same, and the front end for browsing and purchasing can't be that much different, I wouldn't be surprised if the only difference between video, music and app sales is some changes in XML code. I can't think of any other retail model where a retailer expands its product offerings by with similar kind of rigid segmentation. There are also some negatives with separation, especially if it also segments the search too rigidly, because often times there is related media, say a search for a band can show you all the videos, music, books and podcasts about them.
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post #101 of 117
2/5/10 at 4:17pm
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Originally Posted by newbee View Post

Libraries are not "free". They exist because of volunteers, donations and/or government funding which, btw, comes out of your pocket and mine, whether we use them or not. Get rid of the idea that something is free just because you don't have to reach into your pocket and pay. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Would you work for nothing? I think not.

Aren't you being just a wee bit dogmatic? The concept of the "free public library" has been around for centuries. Why, many of them say that right over the door.
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post #102 of 117
2/5/10 at 4:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum View Post

The Media Server Mini is located anywhere there are 3 outlets (Mini and 2 external drives-- there is no KB, Mouse or display). Mine happens to be in a China cabinet in the dining room.

The Media Server shows up as a shared device in everyone's iTunes:


Got it. That seems great.

But why a Mac Mini instead of a simple NAS drive or two?
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post #103 of 117
2/5/10 at 4:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffDM View Post

Sorry, I understood some of what you meant, but I didn't write it clearly. But much of the same thing applies, what is really to be gained by separating the stores? What is your vision of how stores would be separated?

I'm the one not writing clearly. I was talking about separating more the access to the store within iTunes, which seems to be the biggest complaint I hear from people (mostly on this forum). I'm not sure how that would be best served, if at all, but I do understand why some people don't like having the extra steps to access the App Store section of the iTunes Store. Perhaps just a option in Preferences that puts the App Store or iBookstore below the iTunes Store listing under Store in the side bar.


PS: I'd like some method in iTunes to see your app stats. Something akin to Windows Program Manager. For instance, when you purchased and the last time you used an app. I get updates each week for apps I either haven't used in since I first bought them 20 months ago (some never even used once).
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post #104 of 117
2/5/10 at 4:57pm
With all this talk of Apple versus Amazon over the Kindle, a lot of people are forgetting what Amazon may be capable of in the long run. Here's an interesting article on the matter:

http://www.alltabletnews.com/2010/02...-of-computing/
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post #105 of 117
2/5/10 at 5:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum View Post

The Media Server Mini is located anywhere there are 3 outlets (Mini and 2 external drives-- there is no KB, Mouse or display). Mine happens to be in a China cabinet in the dining room.

Apple really needs to release a proper Home Server. They don't seem to be missing any pieces to develop this. I'm imagining a multi-drive system with an Apple A4 processor and stripped down version of iPhone OS. The Time Capsule is okay for the average user but has no remote access and doesn't scale well without multiple drives. A Mac Mini is fine for those technically inclined to put in a little extra setup but not ideal for the average Mac user.
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post #106 of 117
2/5/10 at 5:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism View Post

I'm the one not writing clearly. I was talking about separating more the access to the store within iTunes, which seems to be the biggest complaint I hear from people (mostly on this forum). I'm not sure how that would be best served, if at all, but I do understand why some people don't like having the extra steps to access the App Store section of the iTunes Store. Perhaps just a option in Preferences that puts the App Store or iBookstore below the iTunes Store listing under Store in the side bar.


PS: I'd like some method in iTunes to see your app stats. Something akin to Windows Program Manager. For instance, when you purchased and the last time you used an app. I get updates each week for apps I either haven't used in since I first bought them 20 months ago (some never even used once).

I like the idea of app stats-- especially since we synch multiple iPhones, iPods (iPads) to a single iTunes account.

While I understand the reasons for "logically" separating the stores, there are reasons for keeping them together (someone mentioned searches). I would add to this the whole purchasing/gift card/buying experience-- I want these consolidated for music, videos, app, eBooks and eventually hard (physical) goods.

One stop shopping!

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post #107 of 117
2/5/10 at 5:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum View Post

While I understand the reasons for "logically" separating the stores, there are reasons for keeping them together (someone mentioned searches). I would add to this the whole purchasing/gift card/buying experience-- I want these consolidated for music, videos, app, eBooks and eventually hard (physical) goods.

Works for me. I find all my apps via other sites anyway that link directly to its location in the store but it seems to be a common complaint. Maybe if they allowed for a refined search only within that section it would quell some of the complaints.
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post #108 of 117
2/5/10 at 6:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Millmoss View Post

Aren't you being just a wee bit dogmatic? The concept of the "free public library" has been around for centuries. Why, many of them say that right over the door.

I'm guessing you're being sarcastic .... if I'm wrong, I apologize ... sometimes the concept of subtle sarcasm goes right over my head. It's my opinion that too many of us accept the notion of getting something for nothing without ever caring how that "something" is being paid for ... and let's face it ... every thing costs something, even if the "costs" are hidden. Just sayin'.

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post #109 of 117
2/5/10 at 7:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by newbee View Post

Libraries are not "free". They exist because of volunteers, donations and/or government funding which, btw, comes out of your pocket and mine, whether we use them or not. Get rid of the idea that something is free just because you don't have to reach into your pocket and pay. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Would you work for nothing? I think not.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Millmoss View Post

Aren't you being just a wee bit dogmatic? The concept of the "free public library" has been around for centuries. Why, many of them say that right over the door.

Quote:
Originally Posted by newbee View Post

I'm guessing you're being sarcastic .... if I'm wrong, I apologize ... sometimes the concept of subtle sarcasm goes right over my head. It's my opinion that too many of us accept the notion of getting something for nothing without ever caring how that "something" is being paid for ... and let's face it ... every thing costs something, even if the "costs" are hidden. Just sayin'.

Actually, you are both right.

Many of the "Public Libraries" in this and foreign countries were established by industrialist/philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

He donated money to build and stock free libraries and provided annual funding for their operation.

An important part of the concept required the participation of volunteers and additional local funding.

The idea was to seed self-fulfillment by members of the local communities-- it was to be their library.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie_library

IMO, the concept is timeless and something that would be valuable in the information age!

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"So at the end of the presentation, Steve came up to me and said: Is the iPhone worth criticizing? And I said: Make the screen five inches by eight inches, and you’ll rule the world."
– Alan Kay –
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post #110 of 117
2/5/10 at 7:19pm
***


I don't like the idea of ebooks on loan because I don't want a dirty used ebook sitting on my clean iPad book shelf.
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post #111 of 117
2/5/10 at 8:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism View Post

I'm imagining a multi-drive system with an Apple A4 processor and stripped down version of iPhone OS.

That would be very cool. I want one.

I've imagined a central data repository in homes, kept out of the way, next to the furnace or wherever, that would do the heavy lifting for the various access devices scattered around the house.
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post #112 of 117
2/5/10 at 10:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffDM View Post

It is cheaper, you can't compare it to the remainders or used price. The prices given so far that I've seen are for ebook versions during the hardcover phase of the release cycle. Amazon's price for a Harry Potter hard cover book is $20 (list: $30). If the ebook is listed at $15, it will be cheaper. We don't know how the ebook will be priced when the paperback is released. If they still list at $15 for when the paperback is released, only then will we know how serious they are.



In past discussions, there were multiple links that gave the cost breakdown for publishing a book. The printing & paper is only 10% of the cost. Distribution is 10%. Typical retailer portion is 40%. Apple takes 30% on most media they sell (iTunes store), and that doesn't earn them more than a sliver of net profit. There are still costs with maintaining the electronic store. The best you can hope for here with electronic distribution is a 30% reduction in cost.

So to make the same amount at on that $20 hardcover they have to sell it for $11.43 on ibook store
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post #113 of 117
2/5/10 at 10:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Macadamias View Post

Yeah, the publisher's suggested price (which is the price that is used to determine the price to wholesalers which is generally around half that) is not what most people are comparing it to. They are comparing it to the discounted price which is up the the individual retailers, and some may decide to discount it below cost as a loss leader.

They have said that they want a range of prices with a low end of maybe $5.99. Yet most all the articles are focused on the "new hardcover" price.

But I am sure they will have a "hardcover" ebook format initially, followed by a "paperback" ebook format!
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post #114 of 117
2/5/10 at 10:32pm
iTunesU

Quote:
Originally Posted by DrJedi View Post

Whatever happened to the idea of the public library? I'd be a little less hard on the iPad if Apple introduced some sort of book borrowing paradigm. Of course, there's no profit in that, and if something isn't profitable, then it's not worth doing, eh? It's a sad, sad, commercial world we live in. The promise of computer technology has turned into a salesman throwing sales pitches at us and giving corporations the ability to target us with advertising 24 x 7.

I thought Apple was a hardware company where the software pushed sales of the hardware that people bought to create stuff. Now it's a media distribution company where the hardware is designed and constrained to push sales of media for consumption.

"The cobbler's children have no shoes", is a saying that applies a lot to companies who provide products and services. -KDarling on Google Search.

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"The cobbler's children have no shoes", is a saying that applies a lot to companies who provide products and services. -KDarling on Google Search.

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post #115 of 117
2/6/10 at 3:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum View Post

Actually, you are both right.

Many of the "Public Libraries" in this and foreign countries were established by industrialist/philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

He donated money to build and stock free libraries and provided annual funding for their operation.

An important part of the concept required the participation of volunteers and additional local funding.

The idea was to seed self-fulfillment by members of the local communities-- it was to be their library.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie_library

IMO, the concept is timeless and something that would be valuable in the information age!

*

I guess until the iBook app is released, one of the more popular ePub readers is Digital Editions which does have a category of borrowed along with purchased, library, read etc.. Not sure how the borrowed part works since the only ePub books I've downloaded so far are completely free, but it is there. I've spent a number of hours learning everything I can get my hands on about creation and packaging of ePub documents and I have a pretty good handle on the xml/css involved. So I'm really anxiously anticipating the new paradigm that Apple is ushering in with the iBook app.

Life is too short to drink bad coffee.

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Life is too short to drink bad coffee.

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post #116 of 117
2/7/10 at 5:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mstone View Post

So I'm really anxiously anticipating the new paradigm that Apple is ushering in with the iBook app.

What am I missing? What is the new paradigm?

I saw nothing different from what is currently being done elsewhere.
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post #117 of 117
2/7/10 at 10:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by iGenius View Post

What am I missing? What is the new paradigm?

I saw nothing different from what is currently being done elsewhere.

The difference is that Apple is involved. From a historical perspective Apple has entered into existing markets before with a game changing formula, in the case of music players, cell phones and now e-readers. The fact that they have standardized on the already established ePub format is smart because it is open source xml based. Hopefully with their knack for getting the details right the iPad and iBook app will revolutionize the entire publishing business. That is what I find exciting.

Life is too short to drink bad coffee.

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Life is too short to drink bad coffee.

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