I have a friend in publishing and so I have been very close many of the changes in publishing over the past decade or so. I also happen to be a lover of books, though I've had less and less time to engage in that particular job over the last few years. Finally, I'm quite tech savvy so I've watched the Internet impact both of these things.
E-book readers have been really exploding over the past few years and are putting all kinds of pressure on book publishers to change and adapt to the changes in distribution options. Why change? Well, I have to tell you that the idea that the cost for a book when distributed electronically should be the same as when distributed electronically is myopic and foolish. This was the same argument that music companies tried to take when music services came on-line. Remember $17.99 CDs anyone? How's that working out now?!?
Specifically, I'm starting to become very interested in the Kindle DX. This is purported to tackle an issue which is very near and dear to my heart. Textbook prices. I'm (slowly) working my way through an MBA program at a local university. I've recently converted to the online program, in fact, and while that's very helpful to my schedule, I find that it compresses the amount of time I have available to acquire the text book. The welcome email for the course came out on Friday. The first class is Wednesday, the first assignment is due Tuesday. As a result, I have to usually run to the local University bookstore to pick up the book.
Cost is an issue when you are pursuing a graduate degree. A $200+ Fundamental Financial and Managerial Accounting Concepts with Harley Davidson Annual Report
does not give you a big old warm and fuzzy. Granted, the online price is cheaper. But even at that "discounted" rate, that kind of cost for a book that I'm going to use for only 8 weeks borders on felonious. Can purchasing a Kindle DX or the upcoming iPad save me money over time and transform the cost structure of academic books?
I'm rapidly getting to the point where I'm willing to try. This just doesn't seem sustainable at this point.
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