Comments on: Ebooks and Higher Ed – Platforms, an overview from inside, Part 2 by Erik Christopher http://www.teleread.com/paul-biba/ebooks-and-higher-ed-%e2%80%93-platforms-an-overview-from-inside-part-2-by-erik-christopher/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:30:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Erik http://www.teleread.com/paul-biba/ebooks-and-higher-ed-%e2%80%93-platforms-an-overview-from-inside-part-2-by-erik-christopher/comment-page-1/#comment-1155308 Erik Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:37:35 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/?p=36884#comment-1155308 Dan, You are correct in your interpretation of what I am saying and I apologize for any confusion that may have happened. In regards to the justification for the 50% increase for multiple, that's a tough one, for one really simple reason, I'm not a publisher. To be honest and not just pass the buck, but the publishers are your best source for that question, i simply don't know the justification. From what I can see it's a duplication of the print model. When you look at the 150% that ebrary is charging for example, they are doing so in agreement with the publisher, the publisher in the end set this pricing. If you look at it this way, if you went direct with some of the publishers, they are requiring 200% and up for multiple users depending on the publisher and content, so in reality, ebrary is actually negotiated a better pricing and often times more functions and features then some of the publishers platforms. The other side of this as well is that if you did go direct with publishers, you're looking at a separate license with each and platform/maintenance fee, so you have to figure in those costs as well. Many publishers may feel that they are losing a print copy when the eBook is purchased. I know this may sound like a cop out, but it's a brief look into the different ways you could go. For cost, the question is simply put to the publishers and I guarantee you it's one not easily answered. Look at the consumer market and what is going on and how some pubs are holding titles back, prices are varying depending on what eReader you are using, it's all up in the air. The reason for this is simple, nobody has all the answers, nobody knows what will or won't work, it's trial and error and honestly, that's not really a bad thing, it's just the phase were in right now. I hope this helps, if not, again, talk to those publishers, ask questions and see what you can find out as well. Erik ewchristopher@yahoo.com Dan,

You are correct in your interpretation of what I am saying and I apologize for any confusion that may have happened.

In regards to the justification for the 50% increase for multiple, that’s a tough one, for one really simple reason, I’m not a publisher. To be honest and not just pass the buck, but the publishers are your best source for that question, i simply don’t know the justification.

From what I can see it’s a duplication of the print model. When you look at the 150% that ebrary is charging for example, they are doing so in agreement with the publisher, the publisher in the end set this pricing. If you look at it this way, if you went direct with some of the publishers, they are requiring 200% and up for multiple users depending on the publisher and content, so in reality, ebrary is actually negotiated a better pricing and often times more functions and features then some of the publishers platforms.

The other side of this as well is that if you did go direct with publishers, you’re looking at a separate license with each and platform/maintenance fee, so you have to figure in those costs as well. Many publishers may feel that they are losing a print copy when the eBook is purchased.

I know this may sound like a cop out, but it’s a brief look into the different ways you could go. For cost, the question is simply put to the publishers and I guarantee you it’s one not easily answered. Look at the consumer market and what is going on and how some pubs are holding titles back, prices are varying depending on what eReader you are using, it’s all up in the air. The reason for this is simple, nobody has all the answers, nobody knows what will or won’t work, it’s trial and error and honestly, that’s not really a bad thing, it’s just the phase were in right now.

I hope this helps, if not, again, talk to those publishers, ask questions and see what you can find out as well.

Erik

ewchristopher@yahoo.com

]]> By: Dan D'Agostino http://www.teleread.com/paul-biba/ebooks-and-higher-ed-%e2%80%93-platforms-an-overview-from-inside-part-2-by-erik-christopher/comment-page-1/#comment-1154508 Dan D'Agostino Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:05:12 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/?p=36884#comment-1154508 Hi Erik, I think you're being a little confusing here: "These titles are meant for research, which prioritizes quick access to authoritative content over an immersive reading experience. Patrons are pulling chunks of content out that they need for papers, presentations or other means." I'm guessing that what you're trying to say is that the cost of academic books is higher than trade books overall for these reasons. That is, both p and e academic books are more expensive for those reasons. I would be curious to hear the justification for charging an extra 50% for unlimited use. In particular, how does extra usage cost them so much more money? Why 50% more as opposed to 10% more? Thanks Dan Hi Erik,
I think you’re being a little confusing here:

“These titles are meant for research, which prioritizes quick access to authoritative content over an immersive reading experience. Patrons are pulling chunks of content out that they need for papers, presentations or other means.”

I’m guessing that what you’re trying to say is that the cost of academic books is higher than trade books overall for these reasons. That is, both p and e academic books are more expensive for those reasons.

I would be curious to hear the justification for charging an extra 50% for unlimited use. In particular, how does extra usage cost them so much more money? Why 50% more as opposed to 10% more?

Thanks
Dan

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