An electronic book that works? - Page 3

Snowflake · 02-11-2009, 09:56 AM

I'm sorry, there are great benefits to this I am sure.

But nothing beats lounging on the couch with a nice cup of something warm on a stormy day and an engrossing book to savour. I'll remain a luddite, no Farenheit 451 for me.

Moonliner · 02-11-2009, 10:03 AM

Agreed.

If (and it's a big if) I was to go for a Kindle, it would be primarily for technical books (Ubuntu, Ruby, Windows 7, Eclipse, etc...) along with perhaps a newpaper or two. I would like to be able to carry around a library of technical books.

I think what would really sell me would be if Amazon had the option to bundle the print and electronic copy of a book at a reasonable price point. That way I could fulfill my desire for instant gratification downloads with long term stability of paper.

Alex · 02-11-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonliner

I think what would really sell me would be if Amazon had the option to bundle the print and electronic copy of a book at a reasonable price point. That way I could fulfill my desire for instant gratification downloads with long term stability of paper.

What would you consider a reasonable price point for such a bundle?

Morrigoon · 12-26-2009, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonliner

I think what would really sell me would be if Amazon had the option to bundle the print and electronic copy of a book at a reasonable price point. That way I could fulfill my desire for instant gratification downloads with long term stability of paper.

That.

Ghoulish Delight · 02-11-2009, 09:59 AM

Alex has one, and as I recall he found it very useful. He has particularly mentioned how great it is to, say, hear about a book via some interview on NPR while driving, and by the time he's reached his destination, he's purchased it and is ready to read it.

Alex · 02-11-2009, 10:18 AM

Well, I haven't yet ever bought a book while driving. But yes, I've several times bought a book on BART I saw another passenger reading that looked interesting. Or a Daily Show author interview intrigues me and I am reading the first chapter before the interview ends.

Personally I would say that Kindle has been one of the few great electronics purchases I've made. I went into it with a lot of doubt but have only touched a couple paper books since I got the thing in April (they were graphics heavy or a must read not available on Kindle).

I had resisted all electronic book formats previously but E-Ink combined with 3G WiFi access to direct purchase (or free from public domain sites) downloads was the deal maker. Once you get used to it, it almost exactly replicates reading a paper book. Yes, if you find it comfortable to do extended reading on a light-emitting screen then netbooks and other portable devices may make more sense. But I simply can't just sit down and read a novel on a normal electronic display.

The big drawback is that if it is something where you want to flip back and forth within the book a lot (I read a lot of non-fiction so this comes up a lot more than for fiction) that is not convenient.

However, a huge boon is that I have full text search on every book I've read in the last year. And I am always trying to find that exact fact or quote in something I've read recently (frequently to much frustration) so that is great. And it was really nice to take about 20 unread books with me on our trip to Europe last fall.

It's definitely not a device that would be for everyone. But I do have a pretty lengthly list of downstream sales (I think the total stands at 7 people who bought one after getting a chance to spend a few minutes with mine) and they are all very happy.

I've pre-ordered the 2.0 because I want to play with the Text-to-Speech function but I'm 50/50 on whether I'll keep it or return it within the 30-day window.

Kevy Baby · 02-11-2009, 10:21 AM

How is the price point comparison of e-book vs. traditional paper book? Is there a good overview site to review available titles?

Alex · 02-11-2009, 10:28 AM

Amazon claims 230,000 titles available for the Kindle. So you aren't going to find a good overview probably. It is well covered for newer books (I don't often find a new book that isn't available) and really old books. Mid-list titles are more problematic but part of it is that Amazon does not format the books but rather has to get them from publishers. So if a publisher doesn't want to be involved, they don't have to be. Amazon has a Kindle section so you can browse there and see if the selection appeals to you.

As for pricing. Most mass market books are $9.99 or less (there are some technical books that cost more than $6,000 in Kindle format but that is still several hundred cheaper than the paper). And that price would be for books out only in hardcover (generally $24.99 list price). Books in paperback (around $7.99 list) are usually in about $4.99. Plus Amazon has about 3,000 free titles (mostly public domain but some publisher promotions) and most of the public domain electronic book sites offer the titles in Kindle readable formats (and conversion is easy if not).

Kevy Baby · 02-11-2009, 10:35 AM

Thanks for the info Alex; I appreciate it.

Susan has been wanting one and I may get one for her. I just need to make sure her genre of reading is covered.

Alex · 02-11-2009, 02:09 PM

If $4 is acceptable then while this isn't explicitly done, it is already available to some degree.

Currently there are 67,142 Kindle titles available at Amazon for $3.99 or less. About 7400 of them are completely free. Admittedly most of them are public domain stuff or super backlist. But you can get a paper copy however you want and bundle it with the digital copy yourself.

But yeah, that is a key option I'd like to see them offer (though each publisher would probably want imput making it difficult for Amazon). I'd also like to see the ability to transfer the "ownership" of the digital right to another Kindle user for a small fee with the split going to Amazon, the copyright holder, and the original "rights" holder. So essentially if I don't want my digital copy of Carrie any more (purchased for $6.99 I think) then you can buy it from me "used" for say $2 and we three get something, all coming out ahead with no net increase in teh number of copies in circulation but the copyright holder getting more money.

02-11-2009, 09:56 AM	#1
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	I'm sorry, there are great benefits to this I am sure. But nothing beats lounging on the couch with a nice cup of something warm on a stormy day and an engrossing book to savour. I'll remain a luddite, no Farenheit 451 for me. __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
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02-11-2009, 10:03 AM	#2
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	Agreed. If (and it's a big if) I was to go for a Kindle, it would be primarily for technical books (Ubuntu, Ruby, Windows 7, Eclipse, etc...) along with perhaps a newpaper or two. I would like to be able to carry around a library of technical books. I think what would really sell me would be if Amazon had the option to bundle the print and electronic copy of a book at a reasonable price point. That way I could fulfill my desire for instant gratification downloads with long term stability of paper. __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
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02-11-2009, 09:59 AM	#5
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Alex has one, and as I recall he found it very useful. He has particularly mentioned how great it is to, say, hear about a book via some interview on NPR while driving, and by the time he's reached his destination, he's purchased it and is ready to read it. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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02-11-2009, 10:18 AM	#6
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Well, I haven't yet ever bought a book while driving. But yes, I've several times bought a book on BART I saw another passenger reading that looked interesting. Or a Daily Show author interview intrigues me and I am reading the first chapter before the interview ends. Personally I would say that Kindle has been one of the few great electronics purchases I've made. I went into it with a lot of doubt but have only touched a couple paper books since I got the thing in April (they were graphics heavy or a must read not available on Kindle). I had resisted all electronic book formats previously but E-Ink combined with 3G WiFi access to direct purchase (or free from public domain sites) downloads was the deal maker. Once you get used to it, it almost exactly replicates reading a paper book. Yes, if you find it comfortable to do extended reading on a light-emitting screen then netbooks and other portable devices may make more sense. But I simply can't just sit down and read a novel on a normal electronic display. The big drawback is that if it is something where you want to flip back and forth within the book a lot (I read a lot of non-fiction so this comes up a lot more than for fiction) that is not convenient. However, a huge boon is that I have full text search on every book I've read in the last year. And I am always trying to find that exact fact or quote in something I've read recently (frequently to much frustration) so that is great. And it was really nice to take about 20 unread books with me on our trip to Europe last fall. It's definitely not a device that would be for everyone. But I do have a pretty lengthly list of downstream sales (I think the total stands at 7 people who bought one after getting a chance to spend a few minutes with mine) and they are all very happy. I've pre-ordered the 2.0 because I want to play with the Text-to-Speech function but I'm 50/50 on whether I'll keep it or return it within the 30-day window.
	Submit to Quotes

02-11-2009, 10:21 AM	#7
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	How is the price point comparison of e-book vs. traditional paper book? Is there a good overview site to review available titles? __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
	Submit to Quotes

02-11-2009, 10:28 AM	#8
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Amazon claims 230,000 titles available for the Kindle. So you aren't going to find a good overview probably. It is well covered for newer books (I don't often find a new book that isn't available) and really old books. Mid-list titles are more problematic but part of it is that Amazon does not format the books but rather has to get them from publishers. So if a publisher doesn't want to be involved, they don't have to be. Amazon has a Kindle section so you can browse there and see if the selection appeals to you. As for pricing. Most mass market books are $9.99 or less (there are some technical books that cost more than $6,000 in Kindle format but that is still several hundred cheaper than the paper). And that price would be for books out only in hardcover (generally $24.99 list price). Books in paperback (around $7.99 list) are usually in about $4.99. Plus Amazon has about 3,000 free titles (mostly public domain but some publisher promotions) and most of the public domain electronic book sites offer the titles in Kindle readable formats (and conversion is easy if not).
	Submit to Quotes

02-11-2009, 10:35 AM	#9
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	Thanks for the info Alex; I appreciate it. Susan has been wanting one and I may get one for her. I just need to make sure her genre of reading is covered. __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
	Submit to Quotes

02-11-2009, 02:09 PM	#10
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	If $4 is acceptable then while this isn't explicitly done, it is already available to some degree. Currently there are 67,142 Kindle titles available at Amazon for $3.99 or less. About 7400 of them are completely free. Admittedly most of them are public domain stuff or super backlist. But you can get a paper copy however you want and bundle it with the digital copy yourself. But yeah, that is a key option I'd like to see them offer (though each publisher would probably want imput making it difficult for Amazon). I'd also like to see the ability to transfer the "ownership" of the digital right to another Kindle user for a small fee with the split going to Amazon, the copyright holder, and the original "rights" holder. So essentially if I don't want my digital copy of Carrie any more (purchased for $6.99 I think) then you can buy it from me "used" for say $2 and we three get something, all coming out ahead with no net increase in teh number of copies in circulation but the copyright holder getting more money.
	Submit to Quotes