In which there are Changes

I recently gave my students an ethics assignment. What with all of the DRM concerns and lack of interoperability, e-books/e-readers seemed like an interesting topic to have them research.

Of the students who indicated an interest in e-books, none of them currently own such a device - of any brand, make, or model. A few students reported that while they are intrigued by e-books, they are waiting until the dust of the format war settles and the upfront cost of a reader declines.

Most of my students reported that e-books did not appeal to them. Some of these students cited their lack of interest in books at all as the reason. Some stated that they use a computer a lot already and that they didn't want to strain their eyes reading from a screen when they could read from the printed page. Other students claimed that they like to relax with their books, that holding a book and physically turning the pages is almost therapeutic or zen. Still another student subset was doubtful that they could recoup the high cost of investing in an e-reader.

Aside: here are links to free and legal Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook apps:

• Kindle for PC


• Kindle for MAC


• Kindle for iPhone


• Kindle for Blackberry



• Nook for PC


• Nook for MAC


• Nook for iPhone or iTouch


• Nook for Blackberry

Sorry about the linky detour, I was going to place it at the bottom of the post but then, well, you'll see...

Interestingly, only one or two students mentioned that they use the local library and any reader would increase their costs. Just one student observed that Americans are way too lazy and a person should be willing to get off their seats, drive to the bookstore, and spend some time in the stacks.

One of my current crop of college kids dreams of someday becoming a published author. Student With Writing Aspirations was vehemently against electronic books of any kind, with or without DRM applied. SWWA feels that electronic books without DRM are too easily copied and that e-books carrying DRM are too easily hacked. This student's post was very interesting to read. It was clear to me that SWWA has pondered the problem of protecting intellecutal property rights and, though I disagreed with the conclusions, the argument was carefully presented and deserving of full credit on the assignment.

I am left wondering how successful authors view this controversy. Let me use as an example Jim Butcher* (trek waves to Jim, if he's reading). Why did I pick on Jim? Well, besides the fact that he's an all-around great guy, I have thoroughly enjoyed The Dresden Files, book 12 of which (Changes) will be released into the wild on April 6th. Changes will be released in both hardcover and in Kindle editions simultaneously.

Obviously, Jim and many other authors are delivering their work in electronic format. Why not all writers? Why is it that some authors are behind e-formats and others run from the whole notion like Toot-toot fleeing the Gruff? What makes one e-book outlet more attractive to authors than another content provider? Does the author have input into this decision or is it strictly a publishing house perogative?

* If you just can't wait until April for your Dresden fix, Jim, the master of the cliff-hanger chapter endings, is releasing the first four chapters, one chapter a week, from now until the release. Chapter 1 was posted (early) this morning.