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Unless you like a lot of old books, or have fairly eclectic tastes, you should be all set. Aemon Send a noteboard - 01/02/2010 07:11:30 PM
Almost every new book coming out has an ebook version these days. I read a lot of ebooks, and I can't think of anything right off the top of my head that I haven't been able to find. I'm sure there's been something, but there's always some sort of book that I want to read available. You'll never run out of ebooks in your subject of choice, that's for sure, even if you do run across a couple that aren't quite available yet.

In my opinion, there are two main reasons that we haven't seen more widespread adoption of ebooks.

1) Cost of hardware. Ebook readers offer a vastly improved reading experience over a phone, or a laptop, or a pda, or what have you. They really do. Right now, though, they're prohibitively expensive.

2) Ebook formats. I can think of at least 6 popular ebook formats off the top of my head, and they're all supported differently by device makers and ebook stores. You still need some limited technical know-how to make sure that what you're downloading will work on your device. Or some slightly more advanced know-how to convert them to a different format that WILL work.

I really don't think we'll see an explosion in popularity until those two problems are solved. Devices have to be cheap enough for most people, and the average American technophobe must have one-click instant availability. Until that point, though, ebooks will remain a second choice for most people, and I will continue to wallow in my elitism. :|
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Amazon Accepts Macmillan’s Demand for Higher E-Book Prices mapthis - 01/02/2010 04:21:35 PM 1334 Views
Amazon lost me as a customer over all this *NM* kcf - 01/02/2010 05:52:53 PM 389 Views
Why's that? Aemon - 01/02/2010 06:55:35 PM 945 Views
I sum it up here kcf - 01/02/2010 08:42:02 PM 1211 Views
That's an interesting point. And I have an opposite reaction. The Shrike - 01/02/2010 08:56:16 PM 793 Views
I like that they are public - I dislike that they affect the public so directly kcf - 01/02/2010 08:59:41 PM 962 Views
To each his own. I come away with the opposite reaction and like Amazon even more. The Shrike - 01/02/2010 09:35:10 PM 708 Views
I agree with you. I like what Amazon did. everynametaken - 02/02/2010 12:45:10 AM 844 Views
I think his complaint is that he feels Amazon is using public opinion to pressure suppliers. Aemon - 01/02/2010 09:04:16 PM 691 Views
thats a big part of it kcf - 01/02/2010 09:09:15 PM 1057 Views
It's a good tactic. I would have done the same thing. *NM* The Shrike - 01/02/2010 09:36:31 PM 381 Views
Is it though - Amazon's stock is way down today. Seems the tactic failed *NM* kcf - 01/02/2010 09:53:06 PM 365 Views
Apple stocks have gone down on days after major announcements too. The Shrike - 01/02/2010 10:04:04 PM 667 Views
agreed - short term doesn't mean much *NM* kcf - 01/02/2010 10:08:01 PM 357 Views
Still, your overall point stands. The Shrike - 01/02/2010 11:10:25 PM 680 Views
yep - apparently they read the move as a sign of weakness *NM* kcf - 01/02/2010 11:20:04 PM 409 Views
Macmillan will lose out when people like myself choose to find the book elsewhere. The Shrike - 01/02/2010 06:46:10 PM 679 Views
How easy is it to find books now? Rebekah - 01/02/2010 06:53:43 PM 633 Views
Pretty easily, actually. The Shrike - 01/02/2010 07:07:11 PM 1059 Views
That's excellent. Rebekah - 01/02/2010 08:19:55 PM 850 Views
Screens are good. Aemon - 01/02/2010 08:50:08 PM 894 Views
Two words: Leather cover. The Shrike - 01/02/2010 08:54:37 PM 740 Views
True, I do remember liking the cover. It's much nicer than what comes with the Sony. Aemon - 01/02/2010 09:02:56 PM 911 Views
This is what I have. It sounds like what you have for your Sony. The Shrike - 01/02/2010 09:39:02 PM 939 Views
Unless you like a lot of old books, or have fairly eclectic tastes, you should be all set. Aemon - 01/02/2010 07:11:30 PM 1085 Views
If you do like a lot of old books ranagrande - 01/02/2010 07:16:20 PM 728 Views
Yep, definitely true. I wasn't thinking quite that old, though. Aemon - 01/02/2010 07:24:49 PM 826 Views
$12.99 to $14.99 for a fiction ebook is ridiculous. *NM* everynametaken - 01/02/2010 07:44:20 PM 430 Views
Agreed. *NM* Legolas - 01/02/2010 07:46:33 PM 335 Views
Then again, it's half the price of a print version, for essentially the same product / experience. Aemon - 01/02/2010 07:50:29 PM 669 Views
That's the thing, it's not. Legolas - 01/02/2010 08:24:08 PM 694 Views
Re: That's the thing, it's not. Aemon - 01/02/2010 08:55:35 PM 902 Views
Because, as Aemon says, that's how price discrimination works. Ghavrel - 01/02/2010 11:31:14 PM 649 Views
Not really. I buy new hardcover releases at Borders for around 18 to 20. everynametaken - 02/02/2010 12:34:08 AM 830 Views
I don't know about that. Rebekah - 01/02/2010 08:21:05 PM 721 Views
not really, i buy brand new paperbacks for 6.99 *NM* Apsalar Shadowdancer - 02/02/2010 12:21:16 AM 323 Views
Mass markets, yeah. nossy - 02/02/2010 12:19:25 PM 689 Views
That is bananas. Elaine - 01/02/2010 07:46:28 PM 687 Views
"Most newly released..." Aemon - 01/02/2010 07:55:19 PM 914 Views
People pay that sort of money for DVd and more for Blue Ray random thoughts - 01/02/2010 08:00:47 PM 713 Views
Physical copy is rather important in that case, you know... at least to me. jh - 01/02/2010 08:54:05 PM 856 Views
I was with you till that last sentence. Aemon - 01/02/2010 08:58:58 PM 930 Views
I really don't think it is that different random thoughts - 01/02/2010 10:01:20 PM 706 Views
If you have issues with eBook pricing, read this link kcf - 01/02/2010 08:46:47 PM 1044 Views
He makes good points... Ghavrel - 01/02/2010 11:37:22 PM 694 Views
I am unimpressed by his arguments. everynametaken - 02/02/2010 01:06:03 AM 714 Views
Good for MacMillan. I'll cheer on anyone who takes a stab against e-books. lord-of-shadow - 02/02/2010 04:00:05 AM 777 Views
Whaaa? Ghavrel - 02/02/2010 04:08:50 AM 730 Views
Yes, of course. lord-of-shadow - 02/02/2010 04:33:13 AM 827 Views
In ten years you'll have an ebook reader. Ghavrel - 02/02/2010 05:34:57 AM 848 Views
I know. That's the problem. *NM* lord-of-shadow - 02/02/2010 12:56:32 PM 362 Views
Oh, hush. Go sit in the corner and listen to your 8-track while the rest of us enjoy The Future. *NM* Aemon - 02/02/2010 02:37:33 PM 333 Views
The lower prices, the increased profit, or the ecological benefit? *NM* Ghavrel - 02/02/2010 05:17:13 PM 306 Views
The gradual loss of physical books. *NM* lord-of-shadow - 02/02/2010 05:32:39 PM 313 Views
Mmm. I detect an illogical argument. Ghavrel - 02/02/2010 05:35:14 PM 630 Views
Obviously they won't disappear completely, or even that fast. lord-of-shadow - 02/02/2010 11:04:47 PM 683 Views
Why not? It'll spur the growth of used book stores. *NM* Ghavrel - 03/02/2010 01:29:56 AM 300 Views
It will increase the number of books available random thoughts - 02/02/2010 01:55:05 PM 845 Views
One apt analogy is the widespread use of recording tools like Pro Tools. everynametaken - 02/02/2010 08:07:22 PM 822 Views
There are already comapnies offering editng services random thoughts - 02/02/2010 10:30:28 PM 654 Views
Uh, so what you want to dictate is the medium by which people read? You have no right. everynametaken - 02/02/2010 08:01:09 PM 786 Views
And again let me add that it's not necessarily one or the other. Ghavrel - 02/02/2010 10:09:20 PM 626 Views
That would be awesome. lord-of-shadow - 02/02/2010 11:02:42 PM 621 Views
Obviously I'm not dictating anything. I'm stating my view. lord-of-shadow - 02/02/2010 11:01:41 PM 907 Views
Good Lord! *NM* everynametaken - 02/02/2010 07:58:03 PM 308 Views
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