[Web4lib] Amazon's Kindle e-book reader

[Roy Tennant]

By the way, since Rich and I seem to be getting into a friendly debate
again, for those of you keeping score at home the record from the past when
we have disagreed is Richard: 1, Me: 0. We debated at Computers in Libraries
and elsewhere over whether a library such as the Library of Congress would
or could ever be fully digitized. I took the side that it would not. Sure,
back then we had no idea that billions of someone else¹s dollars would be
burning a hole in Google¹s pocket, but nonetheless I was wrong. So keep that
in mind as you choose up sides. I was wrong once and will be wrong again ‹
it¹s anyone¹s guess as to whether this is one of those times. ;-) In any
case, I assume you simply absorb all the information and arguments and
decide for yourself, as is right and proper.

Meanwhile, Richard is too much the gentleman to point out the above facts.
And I¹ll try to be more gentlemanly next time and not lead with a rebuttal
to a postscript. ;-)
Roy


On 11/20/07 8:11 AM, "Richard Wiggins" <richard.wiggins at gmail.com> wrote:

> I haven't seen a Kindle so I do not claim that it is the embodiment of the
> sweet spot for the e-book.  I have bought more handheld devices than you've
> bought coffee this month, and most failed to live up to the hype.  But past
> performance is not necessarily an indicator of future failure.
>  
> I don't see how I could embrace the Kindle without seeing it.  Nor do I see
> how you can dismiss it without seeing it.
>  
> The price, today, is virtually irrelevant.  It is common for products to
> launch with prices much higher than the eventual street price.  Look at, ahem,
> the iPhone, for example.  It is in Amazon's interest to practically give the
> thing away since they will follow the model of HP toner and Gilette razor
> blades ultimately.  (HP makes 1/3 of its revenue on ink.)  Avid readers will
> make up the cost of the device by buying books at less than 1/2 the cost of
> print editions.  
>  
> Setting aside the price, if the screen is readable and the battery life lives
> up to the claims, there are a lot of people that would be THRILLED to carry
> around 200 books in a 10 ounce package.
>  
> The iPhone is wonderful, marvelous, truly amazing technology.  Several friends
> and colleagues swear by theirs.  Maybe younger eyes will read books on them,
> but the presbyopics among us need more screen space.
>  
> /rich
>  
> PS --
>  
> Geez, Roy, if you want to debate the postscript, fine, but don't lead with
> that rebuttal.    :-)
>