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Books have transitioned from a way to convey information into a room aesthetic. "Coffee table books" I think are used more to initiate topical conversation than actually be read at this point. Although we will see--as my 7/10 year olds have asked "Why do you have a bookcase?" and really, I have to admit, there is no reason.

So--books will continue on, provided they are packaged correctly and viewed as more art than informational transfer. I think a relevant case in point to which many of us can relate is the new Betrayal Book by Forgeworld. For those whom have purchased it, it really is a work of art. It's fairly large, very well made and has a unique style to its paper/binding. It just looks/feels nice and is probably (IMHO) the best thing Forgeworld has put out in terms of literature.

That said--I hope the E-Format kills the informational publishing business--yes I'm looking at you college text industrial complex. There is zero reason why their publishing rights need to be so high--and there is a fair amount of literature spelling out how badly they take advantage of students forced to purchase the texts. Not to sound like I'm wearing tin foil but I would wager a guess that college text salespersons wine/dine college administrators not unlike Pharm agents do physicians. Just nauseates me.

 LordofHats wrote:

I actually like to think colleges will very soon start making the transition as sales of text books (and their horribly out of wack pricing that makes GW seem tame) continue to drop. It's just more useful for the school and the student.

They might, but tablets won't be the impetus. However, I don't believe electronic media can meaningfully duplicate the functionality of a textbook, unless the hardware is purpose built; which increases the cost of transition substantially.

 AgeOfEgos wrote:
Books have transitioned from a way to convey information into a room aesthetic. "Coffee table books" I think are used more to initiate topical conversation than actually be read at this point. Although we will see--as my 7/10 year olds have asked "Why do you have a bookcase?" and really, I have to admit, there is no reason.

I thought we have them so that we can show off to people that visit and make ourselves seem intellectual and cultured while visitors are snooping around?

"They read that? They must be smart!"

I have a friend who does that - has 2 bookcases filled with books of which he's only read 3 or 4, and has a few magazines he subscribes to left artfully laying about to which he never reads. He'a absolutely not shy about telling you that it's to impress the chicks he brings home.

It's quite clear to see when a book has been read, especially paperbacks. I take pride in having a bookcase half full of books which have clearly been handled from beginning to end.

I've had a kindle since it came out... I now have that Fire HD one and serving me really well.

This is the wave of the future... now, if we can only get Black Library to go Kindle, I'd be one happy camper!

 whembly wrote:
I've had a kindle since it came out... I now have that Fire HD one and serving me really well.

This is the wave of the future... now, if we can only get Black Library to go Kindle, I'd be one happy camper!

BL ebooks work on the kindle.

 Glorioski wrote:

 whembly wrote:
I've had a kindle since it came out... I now have that Fire HD one and serving me really well.

This is the wave of the future... now, if we can only get Black Library to go Kindle, I'd be one happy camper!

BL ebooks work on the kindle.

ORLY!
o.O

Damn... missed that part for some reason on their FAQ:

All of our eBooks and Hammer and Bolter are available from the Black Library website in a format that is compatible with the Kindle. Black Library eBooks will not be available from the Amazon website though.

Aw boo!

Anyhoo... THANKS.

They wont let Amazon take a cut of their profits when they don't have to. But yeh you'll have to transfer them to your Kindle from a computer rather than get them direct on the device itself.

 Glorioski wrote:
They wont let Amazon take a cut of their profits when they don't have to. But yeh you'll have to transfer them to your Kindle from a computer rather than get them direct on the device itself.

This, It's easy enough to do... I bought the HH ebundle last christmas, transferred them to the Kindle... Took me about 2 minutes....

I still haven't read them all yet though

I think the big players will eventually destroy themselves by trying to "monitize" their proprietary software/devices so they become virtually useless to share or use.

Right now, the big sell is convenience and price. However, it won't take much to remove the convenience factor of digital/software vs. picking up a physical book. Some encryption software, DRM, etc. type os technologies could make it VERY difficult to switch mediums. Then, their is the whoel idea of certain systems buying "exclusive" right sfor certain authors/content.

Prices are artificailly low to help remove competition from physical books. If the physical book goes away for all practical purposes, what would hold back the price of E-books? Nothing.

Therefore, E-books will eventually be a curse and we will pine for the days of physical books. Or perhaps I am overly cynical in my old age.