Comments on: Should Newspapers Create Consortium for E-Readers? http://www.teleread.org/2009/05/24/should-newspapers-create-consortium-for-e-readers/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:01:59 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: B. Scott Andersen http://www.teleread.org/2009/05/24/should-newspapers-create-consortium-for-e-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-1066212 B. Scott Andersen Thu, 28 May 2009 00:58:04 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/?p=22450#comment-1066212 Something here doesn't add up (or multiply correctly). Average file size = 1.2MB Month's worth (30) = 36MB Bandwidth = .12 cents / MB (???) Cost = $0.0432 If bandwidth is $0.12 (and not .12 cents) then, yes, the monthly cost would be $4.32 for a 30 day month. So, is the $4.32 correct, or is the .12 cents correct? -- Scott Something here doesn’t add up (or multiply correctly).
Average file size = 1.2MB
Month’s worth (30) = 36MB
Bandwidth = .12 cents / MB (???)
Cost = $0.0432

If bandwidth is $0.12 (and not .12 cents)
then, yes, the monthly cost would be $4.32
for a 30 day month.

So, is the $4.32 correct, or is the .12 cents correct?

– Scott

]]> By: Steve Jordan http://www.teleread.org/2009/05/24/should-newspapers-create-consortium-for-e-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-1064845 Steve Jordan Mon, 25 May 2009 17:25:18 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/?p=22450#comment-1064845 If the consortium simply concentrated on a standardized HTML format and layout for their content, leaving device makers to optimize their devices to satisfy those standards, that would allow dedicated and non-dedicated devices to access their content... which is more than the market they're going to get if they concentrate on dedicated devices alone. I still don't understand how anyone in the biz can not see this. If the consortium simply concentrated on a standardized HTML format and layout for their content, leaving device makers to optimize their devices to satisfy those standards, that would allow dedicated and non-dedicated devices to access their content… which is more than the market they’re going to get if they concentrate on dedicated devices alone.

I still don’t understand how anyone in the biz can not see this.

]]> By: Rich Adin http://www.teleread.org/2009/05/24/should-newspapers-create-consortium-for-e-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-1064731 Rich Adin Mon, 25 May 2009 13:25:43 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/?p=22450#comment-1064731 It's a very interesting article. I think the idea of a newspaper consortium has merit. I am concerned about Plastic Logic's statement that they want newspapers redesigned for their device. If they want a uniform presentation, it will take away part of the character of the newspaper, something I would not like to see. If they simply mean a rethinking of how a nespaer is laid out so that it will work better on an e-device, that might be OK. Personally, if the consortium idea does grab hold and a device like the Plastic Logic becomes available for newspaper subscriptions, I would gladly trade in my print subscription for the e-subscription, even at close to the current print price. What would be a good idea would be for newspapers and magazines to join in this consortium and then offer multiple-product subscriptions. For example, get the NY Times, Economist, and The New York Review of Books for $60/month. Sign up for a 2-year commitment and get the Plastic Logic Reader for $50. I'm not sure how current magazine subscribers who are paid up for the next few years would work into the equation, but it can certainly be done. Where do I sign up? It’s a very interesting article. I think the idea of a newspaper consortium has merit. I am concerned about Plastic Logic’s statement that they want newspapers redesigned for their device. If they want a uniform presentation, it will take away part of the character of the newspaper, something I would not like to see. If they simply mean a rethinking of how a nespaer is laid out so that it will work better on an e-device, that might be OK.

Personally, if the consortium idea does grab hold and a device like the Plastic Logic becomes available for newspaper subscriptions, I would gladly trade in my print subscription for the e-subscription, even at close to the current print price. What would be a good idea would be for newspapers and magazines to join in this consortium and then offer multiple-product subscriptions. For example, get the NY Times, Economist, and The New York Review of Books for $60/month. Sign up for a 2-year commitment and get the Plastic Logic Reader for $50. I’m not sure how current magazine subscribers who are paid up for the next few years would work into the equation, but it can certainly be done.

Where do I sign up?

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