1) The high (anything above $100, IMHO) upfront cost of the (empty!) reader, and the assumption that if you don't want to buy a dedicated reader you can just use your iPhone/PDA/laptop/other portable electronic device, when I do not possess/have any use for any of those (also high-priced) gadgets, either (well, I'd like a laptop someday, but that's another argument). 2) DRM and incompatible formats and their associated hassle. Proprietary readers, like the Kindle. 3) The often decades-long gap between out-of-print and out-of-copyright, where the content would be in limbo and unavailable for purchase if you can't buy used books, which is related to 4) The whole used bookstore and resale issue, which must be preserved *somehow,* and to the 5) There's always plenty of free stuff at Project Gutenberg gambit. I am grateful for Project Gutenberg, don't get me wrong, but the point is, it's beside the point from my point of view.
Oh, and someone might want to inform Siracusa. I ain't dyin' any time soon.
no subject
Here's my objections to ebook readers *as they exist now* (from http://lists.herald.co.uk/pipermail/lois-bujold/2009-February/024945.html):
1) The high (anything above $100, IMHO) upfront cost of the (empty!)
reader, and the assumption that if you don't want to buy a dedicated reader
you can just use your iPhone/PDA/laptop/other portable electronic device,
when I do not possess/have any use for any of those (also high-priced)
gadgets, either (well, I'd like a laptop someday, but that's another
argument).
2) DRM and incompatible formats and their associated hassle. Proprietary
readers, like the Kindle.
3) The often decades-long gap between out-of-print and out-of-copyright,
where the content would be in limbo and unavailable for purchase if you
can't buy used books, which is related to
4) The whole used bookstore and resale issue, which must be preserved
*somehow,* and to the
5) There's always plenty of free stuff at Project Gutenberg gambit. I am
grateful for Project Gutenberg, don't get me wrong, but the point is, it's
beside the point from my point of view.
Oh, and someone might want to inform Siracusa. I ain't dyin' any time soon.