Comments on: Amazon (AMZN) Sales Versus The Gutenberg Bible http://247wallst.com/2009/02/08/amazon-amzn-sales-versus-the-gutenberg-bible/ Insightful Analysis and Commentary for U.S. and Global Equity Investors Sun, 15 Feb 2009 02:18:24 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Nembley http://247wallst.com/2009/02/08/amazon-amzn-sales-versus-the-gutenberg-bible/#comment-167 Nembley Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:35:08 +0000 http://247wallst.com/?p=23586#comment-167 Doug, I have two issues with your assessment. 1] Regarding "[c]hanging people's long held habits": Amazon is not suggesting the death of the paperback or hardcover. That would severely damage their core business. The Kindle is surely intended as just another content distribution method for those willing to adopt it, much like the Netflix Roku player or Apple TV. 2] The hula hoop analogy is off the mark because a) unlike the Kindle, it was a cheap item, and b) it didn't disappear; hula hoops can still be found in toy stores and kids still play with them. Instead, the Kindle might be more analogous to the pre-iPod lesser-brand MP3 players of the 1990s, none of which could touch Apple's style or simplicity, and most of which are off the market. But I accept your overall point. Once something better and/or cheaper comes along, or unless the Kindle drops in price and/or gets upgraded to multiple functionality beyond just ebooks, then the Kindle might be a short-lived product. Doug, I have two issues with your assessment. 1] Regarding "[c]hanging people's long held habits": Amazon is not suggesting the death of the paperback or hardcover. That would severely damage their core business. The Kindle is surely intended as just another content distribution method for those willing to adopt it, much like the Netflix Roku player or Apple TV. 2] The hula hoop analogy is off the mark because a) unlike the Kindle, it was a cheap item, and b) it didn't disappear; hula hoops can still be found in toy stores and kids still play with them. Instead, the Kindle might be more analogous to the pre-iPod lesser-brand MP3 players of the 1990s, none of which could touch Apple's style or simplicity, and most of which are off the market. But I accept your overall point. Once something better and/or cheaper comes along, or unless the Kindle drops in price and/or gets upgraded to multiple functionality beyond just ebooks, then the Kindle might be a short-lived product.

]]> By: Jon http://247wallst.com/2009/02/08/amazon-amzn-sales-versus-the-gutenberg-bible/#comment-154 Jon Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:44:56 +0000 http://247wallst.com/?p=23586#comment-154 Sharon is 100% right. I am also a huge reader and book lover, but I can't imagine not having my Kindle anymore. I paid for it in 8 months with the savings. Classics can be had for free as can anything else in the public domain and most other books are a third or at least less than half the price. It's been my experience that the naysayers are the people that have never used it before. Sharon is 100% right. I am also a huge reader and book lover, but I can't imagine not having my Kindle anymore. I paid for it in 8 months with the savings. Classics can be had for free as can anything else in the public domain and most other books are a third or at least less than half the price. It's been my experience that the naysayers are the people that have never used it before.

]]> By: Sharon http://247wallst.com/2009/02/08/amazon-amzn-sales-versus-the-gutenberg-bible/#comment-139 Sharon Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:37:10 +0000 http://247wallst.com/?p=23586#comment-139 I have been a book lover forever, and managed a number of books stores as well. I never thought I would give up the printed book, but I much prefer the Kindle. It is actually easier to read, carry, and, most importantly, read in bed. It is always with me, whenever I need it (which is every down minute in a day, waiting for a bus, etc.). I bought a book recently that was not available on the Kindle, and was really bothered by the form factor, now that I am used to the Kindle. I will never go back to the printed book, It jus takes time. Books can be close to a third of the price as well. Sharon I have been a book lover forever, and managed a number of books stores as well. I never thought I would give up the printed book, but I much prefer the Kindle. It is actually easier to read, carry, and, most importantly, read in bed. It is always with me, whenever I need it (which is every down minute in a day, waiting for a bus, etc.). I bought a book recently that was not available on the Kindle, and was really bothered by the form factor, now that I am used to the Kindle. I will never go back to the printed book, It jus takes time. Books can be close to a third of the price as well.

Sharon

]]> By: Craig B http://247wallst.com/2009/02/08/amazon-amzn-sales-versus-the-gutenberg-bible/#comment-86 Craig B Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:57:38 +0000 http://247wallst.com/?p=23586#comment-86 Paul Sorensen is so smart. And I thought man came out of Africa. Paul Sorensen is so smart. And I thought man came out of Africa.

]]> By: Paul Sorensen http://247wallst.com/2009/02/08/amazon-amzn-sales-versus-the-gutenberg-bible/#comment-45 Paul Sorensen Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:36:42 +0000 http://247wallst.com/?p=23586#comment-45 The advent of the printed book is usually INCORRECTLY traced back to The Gutenberg Bible in 1455. Moveable type was invented several hundred years before in China. The advent of the printed book is usually INCORRECTLY traced back to The Gutenberg Bible in 1455. Moveable type was invented several hundred years before in China.

]]> By: Chris L. http://247wallst.com/2009/02/08/amazon-amzn-sales-versus-the-gutenberg-bible/#comment-32 Chris L. Sun, 08 Feb 2009 16:06:11 +0000 http://247wallst.com/?p=23586#comment-32 As someone who reads a LOT of PDFs, including book-length ones, on my laptop for work, I've remained leery of the Kindle, partly because it make all my online reading benefit a single company. But i'm betting that your point is more to what my old agent Karen Nazor called "bed, bath and beach" — the reasons why the old technology is in some ways best. Besides, as <a href="" target="_blank">this video point out</a>, the navigation can't be beat. As someone who reads a LOT of PDFs, including book-length ones, on my laptop for work, I've remained leery of the Kindle, partly because it make all my online reading benefit a single company. But i'm betting that your point is more to what my old agent Karen Nazor called "bed, bath and beach" — the reasons why the old technology is in some ways best. Besides, as this video point out, the navigation can't be beat.

]]> By: Dan http://247wallst.com/2009/02/08/amazon-amzn-sales-versus-the-gutenberg-bible/#comment-25 Dan Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:05:10 +0000 http://247wallst.com/?p=23586#comment-25 Number one reason not to buy, I forget and leave books all the time...replacement costs are minimal. I leave a Kindle, I'm not buying another one. Number one reason not to buy, I forget and leave books all the time…replacement costs are minimal. I leave a Kindle, I'm not buying another one.

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