Also, ebooks very well may fail to thrive, or even die from the blood loss after publishers shot them in the foot with artificially high prices and proprietary formatting.
Enjoyed the video, makes many complex points very easy to understand. Not sure what the future is but the concept of community platform is interesting...
@ebateman, I don't know if I do agree with that. The fact is that libraries DO exist, and our society has an expectation that access to information (whatever the format) will be provided. Maybe it's overly optimistic or naive of me, but somehow I think we'll shift to accommodate the new formats, and the publishers will shift with us.If not, we end up with too great a divide in our country between those with access to information and those without.
@TheRLPL We will shift to accommodate new formats -- but I don't think the publishers will come with us willingly. DRM gives publishers more control over what the end user does with their content. I buy a book in print -- I can give it to anyone. I buy an ebook -- it's mine (until somebody cracks the DRM and starts sharing it illegally). Be sure to see Part 2 of this discussion, in which Eli contends that the possible future of libraries is not primarily based on sharing content from publishers.
I agree with the statement that "we are unlikely [with ebooks] to ever have...the flexibility with our purchases that we currently have" -- this is something dictated by publishers who know I will never be able to sell (or give away) an eBook loaded on my eReader. I hope the future lies with a centrally funded lending model -- but even THAT only works if ALL of my patrons have the devices, or I am able to loan them one ($). Do we just give up and say, hey, if you want this, you've gotta buy it?
Also, ebooks very well may fail to thrive, or even die from the blood loss after publishers shot them in the foot with artificially high prices and proprietary formatting.
zelgoodman 1 month ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
wow fucking nerds their just fucking books get over it
pofuno 6 months ago
Enjoyed the video, makes many complex points very easy to understand. Not sure what the future is but the concept of community platform is interesting...
babsjaneb 1 year ago
@ebateman, I don't know if I do agree with that. The fact is that libraries DO exist, and our society has an expectation that access to information (whatever the format) will be provided. Maybe it's overly optimistic or naive of me, but somehow I think we'll shift to accommodate the new formats, and the publishers will shift with us.If not, we end up with too great a divide in our country between those with access to information and those without.
TheRLPL 1 year ago
@TheRLPL We will shift to accommodate new formats -- but I don't think the publishers will come with us willingly. DRM gives publishers more control over what the end user does with their content. I buy a book in print -- I can give it to anyone. I buy an ebook -- it's mine (until somebody cracks the DRM and starts sharing it illegally). Be sure to see Part 2 of this discussion, in which Eli contends that the possible future of libraries is not primarily based on sharing content from publishers.
ebateman21 1 year ago
I agree with the statement that "we are unlikely [with ebooks] to ever have...the flexibility with our purchases that we currently have" -- this is something dictated by publishers who know I will never be able to sell (or give away) an eBook loaded on my eReader. I hope the future lies with a centrally funded lending model -- but even THAT only works if ALL of my patrons have the devices, or I am able to loan them one ($). Do we just give up and say, hey, if you want this, you've gotta buy it?
ebateman21 1 year ago