The paper is not a very big deal, but unsold inventory is a huge deal. The way publishing works is that the bookstores put their stuff physically on the shelves only when there's an agreement to buy back everything that doesn't sell at a whopping fifty percent discount. That's most of the waste in the system. Book paper is pretty cheap (I can run my 300 page novel in 5,000 volume batches at about a buck, U.S. )

Have you ever seen the dependencies list for that thing? Holy C___! I don't think I've ever seen a longer one, anywhere, anytime.

A solution might be to "stream" books over the web, rather than distribute them as files. I guess you'd still have the authorization hassles. The files are a problem. Publishers figure the files are way too easy to redistribute, and so they just add some cushion to the price to cover lost sales. But, it seems like I see more 99 cent offerings than $9.99 ones. I'm not sure where you're shopping. DRM is declining, because it severely restricts device compatibility.

They're pre-factoring the piracy. Software publishers have done this for years ...

"Formatting in physical books tends to be far better..." Yes, I can attest to that statement! It's entirely a nightmare to do the formatting, when producing ebooks. I've written one particular ebook that I would put in the nightmare category, as it was overflowing with diagrams, and almost impossible to do in kindle. The epub variant didn't do too badly, but still was not optimal...

Techies tend to buy the kinds of books that don't attach to the heart. I can't imagine developing feelings of sentimentality for my "Secrets of Writing Good Python Code" book.

The scary thing is, there's a movement afoot to bring the software licensing model into the durable goods market. In other words - take away your right to resell your bicycle!!!!

"So, give me the paper book that I can buy without telling what I had for breakfast and how my mother's milk tasted." -- Don't forget to add "your favorite underwear color" to the authorization requirements! Yes - I prefer the paperback, like you. It's very anonymous, especially if paying with cash. In terms of lending books, Amazon now offers some titles with "lending" authorization.

Yes - font adjustment capability is a really big and good use for e-readers. The publishers don't always provide a "large print" version of the book (14 point or higher font size). My parents (both over 80) each have eyesight better than mine. They should buy the e-reader for me!

The crappy thing is that I knew about e-ink two years before it was commercialized into the ebooks, but didn't have the liquid doe-rah-mee to invest at the time. Now, kick self in butt, kick self in butt ....

You are not just whistling dixie, and I'm in the south. One big pipe that they can turn off anytime they like, slow down anytime they like, or adulterate anytime they like. Seems much like being plugged into the ministry of information, and paying a premium. Hey, is that like G4?

Walls lined with books make the best wallpaper. There's something about the scent they impart to the room ... it's a pleasant sort of ambiance that always makes me feel comfortable. But ... to each his own.

Yes, the DRM thing sucks. But, as an author who has published several books, I can tell you that the publishers don't have a clue about how to make this new market work to every persons benefit. Too many people are dishonest. I originally put my volumes out on the market in two tiers :

• 1 ) A creative commons, non-commercial use, no derivatives tier.
• 2 ) A commercial tier (usually the paperback).

My idea was that the ebook version could be bought, and the freebie would drive sales to the commercial version. I know that most people still prefer paper. Well, guess what happened? In spite of the creative commons non-com/no-derivative license, all kinds of shysters came out of the woodwork, took the free ebook version, and sold it in PAPERBACK form for more than my LIST PRICE!!!! They plastered their ads all over the internet! I can't really say I'd do that again, except for a book from which I expect no revenue.

"... aren't running with escalated privileges ..." [ Or so you think. ]

Um, yeah - but will Apple sue me?