What exactly is this whole kindle-thing? Do 'we' need it? Do you have any further information or opinion?

“Television is constantly getting more stupid every year and books ill never be read more on screen than in the ‘old way’ (because intelligent people love paper)”
-Sebastian Waters

Hey Sebastian, I remember seeing that quote on your site and enjoying it, if for nothing more but to feel a pat on my back because I love paper therefore I must be intelligent!

This Kindle/Portable EBook Reader, is all very interesting. What exactly is it? I mean anyone can tell you that and with a little research it’s very clear:

And especially as someone with a vested interest in the publishing industry, I’ll watch this unfold with great interest as it directs where marketing dollars and ebook revenue come from in the future.

Do we need it? No one is making you buy this thing. No one is talking about phasing out books to the point where if you don’t own a Kindle, you won’t be able to read anymore. It’s something that’s going to be useful for some people and not affect others at all…just like many other devices and gadgets that are introduced every year.

It doesn’t anger me or incite me or piss me off that the Kindle exists. On the contrary - if just one more person reads one more book than they would’ve otherwise, it’s a success in my mind. The ultimate goal is to keep the written word alive and being read.

For some people in the business of words, the Kindle may be a lifesaver - a device able to transport and search through entire volumes and works. For those wanting to travel light but read heavy; for those who don’t want to leave bed to get their newspaper; and for those who were intimated by every trendy device up to this point…the Kindle may just be for you.

If people want content for the Kindle, it costs next to nothing for the publisher to get it to them (save a bit for conversion and electronic repackaging) and whatever consumers are willing to pay can be considered almost 100% profit. And the same goes for Amazon. If people want to spend $400 on the device, Amazon should have no problem passing on DRM content straight to the consumer - cutting out manufacturing, inventory, warehouse space, shipping, and return costs.

Finally, with e-books we’re placing a value on words themselves. Content, especially such that can travel electronically, does often have a cost affixed to it (ask the striking Writer’s Guild), and we’ve just reached the point where a bookseller is looking to connect their consumers with those people publishing the content. It makes sense to want to buy a book, download it, and read it immediately. I know I tire of checking my mailbox and tracking my shipment online.

And those purists out there are the same people that mourned the death of the album cover. But may I point out that you can still buy a CD (and that album art is a fixture in the “cover flow” feature of most Apple products). Yes, the Kindle may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, fail proof, and sleek device to come mass-market with an almost too-high-to-buy price tag attached, but people are buying it and will continue to do so. I’m in no position to judge them; Amazon was first to the finish line in a race that is only just beginning. Sure, the next version will have more kinks worked out, and maybe the design will soften and the price will drop, but those that were going to have it already do, and people will always want the conversation piece that everyone’s talking about if for nothing else but something new to discuss.

I’m just happy they’re talking about books, in any format. But as for me? I have an iPhone and it fits in my pocket. And I have many piles of books that I’m working my way through and often cram into my jacket pocket. And even though the Kindle looks like the Zach Morris of electronic readers, Amazon succeeded where it really truly matters because the screen looks terrific. And if you’re going to convince people to trade in their hardcovers for a screen, the screen has to look better than paper. I’ve held the Kindle in my hands and trust me, it accomplishes this.

PS - you’re allowed to be defensive and a hater if you’ve been drinking the juice Apple gives out at their stores, or you’re a book jacket designer, art critic, B&N stock owner (or any bookstore owner in general), or pretentious book person that feels Beowulf should only be read in its original translation. But take to heart that very little is actually changing in comparison to the hype out there and it will be years before we can see just what kind of impact this new device has made in how we consume, purchase, and capitalize on content alone.

———————————————————————————————————————- A Reader’s Toolbox

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156-315 is almost as easy as 350-001 and 640-802, particularly if you are already done with 642-432 and 642-552. Once you have these certifications to your credit, you can easily go for 642-812 and 70-271 at any time that suits you.
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