5 New E-books Posted on Baen.com - Page 2

ikehiker · 12-17-03, 08:03 PM

You're right, I haven't bought any ebooks - just got the free ones from M$ and a few out-of-copyright classics. I was just pointing out why they needn't cost as much as printed ones. It sounds like e-publishers are gouging people as much as the music industry is doing with legit mp3 downloads ($.99/song???)

Raynne413 · 12-17-03, 08:23 PM

Yep. I've used the argument that they don't have to print, or deal with shipping, but it appears that they REALLY don't care. It is rather irritating, and one reason why I believe the e-book industry isn't taking off the way MS would like. I am sure most people are like me, though, and if they pay that much for a book, it will be a hard copy.

12-17-03, 08:58 PM

The issue that drives me to distraction is that an Author -artiest- musician etc should be rewarded for their work and creativity. I have downloaded many books for free and I either have already owned a print copy or if I like the book I may buy a hard copy. I like the way Baen handlles it and Eric Flint has an excellent argument for the E-book format. But we all know that many people on and off the net, believe that it is ok to "pirate" or copy other peoples work with out compensating them. I don't mind paying a fair price but the free market should drive it. Post a book or other work at the price the artiest or publisher thinks is fair and I will choose if that price is right for me. But as long as the E format is the same price as a print version I am probably going with hardcopy. I just love to read and I don't think I will ever abandon the E format or the hard copy. But when is the last time you only paid $6 for a new paperback? To me I would rather pay the extra and have a nice hard baound copy for a few dollars more.
Any way E format is comming along..its jsut taking longer than I would like. Maybe the publishing industry is feeling threatend?
Anyway........................
And I still think that comic books on the Format would be cool. I will have to do some surfing to see if there is any thing in the works. I grew up on the Fantastic 4, original x men, the old superman and batman so I have watched with awe the prices that is asked for the current versions of "Comics".

Raynne413 · 12-17-03, 09:02 PM

I'm still REALLY wanting the leather bound, gold embossed, color illustrated copy of the LOTR trilogy. :D

Crazyfish · 12-17-03, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Raynne413
Hmmm. . . I am not too sure that would be legit. :crooked:

Hmm...I didn't think of that ! I assumed it was under license.

However, I just opened one of the books to look for a copyright notice and it doesn't seem to have one which is - well - fairly unusual. Its obviously been OCR'd from a printed original as well, since there are a few OCR errors here and there. Hmmm...an authorised publisher would have *had* an electronic version on hand to make the e-book.

I'm sorry to say my feeling is that this is probably not a legitimate ebook, and I will take it up with Pocketgear - who cannot shirk their responsibility so easily, I'm afraid.

12-18-03, 01:29 PM

Looks like Raynee was right. I checked the Pocket Gear site a short time ago and both the Harry Potter and Lord of the rings titles are gone. Seems like they would have verified this before putting themselves into a possible law suite situation.

Crazyfish · 12-18-03, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wmrawls
Looks like Raynee was right. I checked the Pocket Gear site a short time ago and both the Harry Potter and Lord of the rings titles are gone. Seems like they would have verified this before putting themselves into a possible law suite situation.

Yes, Pocketgear advised me that they have removed these titles 'until a resolution is reached', which I guess means until they can confirm the status of the books.

To their credit, they have acted promptly.