5 ms·

If the publishers continue down this road, we're closing in on ebooks becoming time-based licenses to view content instead of things you "own."

by chrisro 14y ago

chrisro 14y ago
I bought an ebook today from Amazon and it had the option to "rent" it. Wow. I can't even believe how quickly I was right. The paperback copy of this book was $28, the ebook was $15, and the cost to rent started at $8. I assume rental cost increases based on the length of time (shortest period of rent being 30 days), but I was in a hurry and didn't have a chance to mess with the options.
wanderr 14y ago
Frankly, I'd be perfectly fine with that if the costs were scaled down to reflect the limited use. As it is I feel ebooks are largely overpriced given how much less you can do with them than a dead tree book.
- pasbesoin 14y ago
  And when you are no longer allowed to keep the version that reflects poorly on some now powerful person? Ownership isn't just a matter of objects and revenue. It is control of information.
  - asciilifeform 14y ago
    Exactly. The content racketeers like to tar their opponents as "spoiled children who want free w4r3z." But the fight is really about control over the means of distribution; which translates into control over culture in general.
- asciilifeform 14y ago
  Micropayments (one obvious implication) seem like a great idea until every click starts to cost you money. The problem with buying information in general is that evaluating a purchase has a mental cost. Do you want to think "should I?" before you click on a link? I don't.
- chrisro 14y ago
  Judging by their move to ebooks, the cost will only be marginally scaled down. I do really look forward to a distribution system that will benefit content creators and be convenient and fair to consumers. I just don't know what it looks like. It's an excellent opportunity for someone with an idea, though.

If the publishers continue down this road, we're closing in on ebooks becoming time-based licenses to view content instead of things you "own."

by chrisro 14y ago

If the publishers continue down this road, we're closing in on ebooks becoming time-based licenses to view content instead of things you "own."

chrisro 14y ago

I bought an ebook today from Amazon and it had the option to "rent" it. Wow. I can't even believe how quickly I was right. The paperback copy of this book was $28, the ebook was $15, and the cost to rent started at $8. I assume rental cost increases based on the length of time (shortest period of rent being 30 days), but I was in a hurry and didn't have a chance to mess with the options.

wanderr 14y ago

Frankly, I'd be perfectly fine with that if the costs were scaled down to reflect the limited use. As it is I feel ebooks are largely overpriced given how much less you can do with them than a dead tree book.

pasbesoin 14y ago
And when you are no longer allowed to keep the version that reflects poorly on some now powerful person? Ownership isn't just a matter of objects and revenue. It is control of information.
- asciilifeform 14y ago
  Exactly. The content racketeers like to tar their opponents as "spoiled children who want free w4r3z." But the fight is really about control over the means of distribution; which translates into control over culture in general.
asciilifeform 14y ago
Micropayments (one obvious implication) seem like a great idea until every click starts to cost you money. The problem with buying information in general is that evaluating a purchase has a mental cost. Do you want to think "should I?" before you click on a link? I don't.
chrisro 14y ago
Judging by their move to ebooks, the cost will only be marginally scaled down. I do really look forward to a distribution system that will benefit content creators and be convenient and fair to consumers. I just don't know what it looks like. It's an excellent opportunity for someone with an idea, though.