All I know is that without Amazon I could not get most of the books I buy. If
you live in a country with decent bookstores, than there are alternatives. I
have a good bicycle shop in the neighbourhood and buy locally more than online.
But when it comes to books, I live in a cultural desert. I am forever grateful
to Amazon for providing me with a way to buy the books I want. The fight
between Amazon and Hachette is just a business disagreement between two big
companies. I have no skin in that game.
Cheers,
Nathan
Nathan Wajsman
Alicante, Spain
http://www.frozenlight.eu
http://www.greatpix.eu
PICTURE OF THE WEEK: http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws
Blog: http://nathansmusings.wordpress.com/
YNWA
On Jun 7, 2014, at 11:06 AM, Jez Cunningham wrote:
> My point was not about e-books vs. paper but about the near monopoly Amazon
> is becoming (despite efforts from some competitors) - leading to the
> effective censorship of works from some sources when the publishers won't
> fall in line with Amazon t's and c's...
>
> e.g.
> http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/new-chapter-in-antiamazon-feelings-as-hachette-loses-the-plot-over-margins-9503906.html
>
>
> On 6 June 2014 22:51, Moose <olymoose@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> On 6/6/2014 8:07 AM, Jez Cunningham wrote:
>>
>>> Especially if you disagree with the stranglehold Amazon has on publishers
>>> and authors.
>>>
>>
>> I'm more interested in the prices of electronic editions. Although this
>> house is full of books, they are a species in rapid decline here.
>>
>> I would guess my reading ratio of electronic to physical books is about 10
>> to 1. And that only because Carol is a library hound who brings home lots
>> of physical books.
>>
>> Even some guides that we hauled around aren't necessary anymore. Peterson
>> and Audubon apps for 'phone/tablets do a good job there on flora and fauna.
>> Better, for bird sounds.
>>
>> What fries me is when electronic versions cost as much as physical books,
>> sometimes more! How the cost of printing, shipping, stocking and reshipping
>> a book can compare to the cost of a download is a mystery to me.
>>
>> About the only books I've bought lately are photo books, out of print
>> books not available in electronic editions and campground/RV park guides
>> also not available electronically. (No, the web is not good, as access is
>> generally not there in the very places they inform about.)
>>
>> I suppose this will eventually settle out. Amazon and B&N are both listing
>> more and more reasonably priced books.
>>
>> But I think publishers and distributors have shot themselves in the foot
>> here. I can't imagine there aren't a huge number of people who have availed
>> themselves of the very large number of books available free on the 'net.
>> Then a $3-4 ebook that would have seemed a fair price compared to a much
>> more expensive physical book may look expensive, and unnecessary.
>>
>> E. Reader Moose
>>
>>
>> --
>> What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
>> --
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>>
>>
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