Comments on: When Young Adults Will E-Read http://www.ypulse.com/when-teens-will-e-read Daily news and insight into the Millennial generation for media and marketing professionals Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:05:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: meredith http://www.ypulse.com/when-teens-will-e-read/comment-page-1#comment-3795 meredith Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:16:49 +0000 http://www.ypulse.com/?p=9032#comment-3795 Hi Libby - Thanks for the insight. I agree that there are definitely more than a few hurdles (costs, DRM, study-friendliness) that developers will have to overcome before e-readers are ready for students. My point was more that the potential audience is there. I think the fact that recent grads like you and I are even asking how we'd use the technology as opposed to whether we'd use it is telling. And while I'm not sure if Kindle has the answers, I do believe they're out there. Maybe even in the hands of a current college student. Hi Libby – Thanks for the insight. I agree that there are definitely more than a few hurdles (costs, DRM, study-friendliness) that developers will have to overcome before e-readers are ready for students. My point was more that the potential audience is there. I think the fact that recent grads like you and I are even asking how we’d use the technology as opposed to whether we’d use it is telling. And while I’m not sure if Kindle has the answers, I do believe they’re out there. Maybe even in the hands of a current college student.

]]> By: Libby http://www.ypulse.com/when-teens-will-e-read/comment-page-1#comment-3789 Libby Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:02:29 +0000 http://www.ypulse.com/?p=9032#comment-3789 As I recent college grad, these are my points of excitement and hang-ups about e-textbooks: PRO: 1) SEARCHABLE! My brain functions so much like Google now that I have a hard time hunting for specific content on a printed page. 2) Lighter and easier to haul around. 3) Possibly more environmentally friendly--a tradeoff between paper and battery power, I suppose CON: 1) Inability to highlight and take notes in margins (I would always buy the used books whose previous owners were avid highlighters). However, if technology developed to export notes and excerpts into a study guide, this could be an amazing time-saver. 2) The last thing I would want is a dead battery when I'm cramming for midterms 3) Speaking specifically about Kindle, black-and-white wouldn't work for scientific photographs or charts/graphs QUESTIONS: 1) Will this really cut costs? A lot of the reason for high textbook costs is intellectual property. Does eliminating printing, binding, and distribution really slash prices that much? 2) What will the model be for "used" textbooks? Will students be able to transfer their licenses to one another (eliminating third party resellers)? Or is each new student doomed to buying a new copy? 3) To your point, Meredith--will updates be downloadable rather than students having to buy an entirely new edition? From my jaded perspective, textbook publishers will do anything to make a dollar, and I wouldn't be surprised if minor updates still cost big bucks. These are points e-textbook developers need to keep in mind when thinking about what college students value. It's not all about the coolest technology if it's going to cost them more in the long run or make reviewing and studying a hassle. As I recent college grad, these are my points of excitement and hang-ups about e-textbooks:

PRO:
1) SEARCHABLE! My brain functions so much like Google now that I have a hard time hunting for specific content on a printed page.
2) Lighter and easier to haul around.
3) Possibly more environmentally friendly–a tradeoff between paper and battery power, I suppose

CON:
1) Inability to highlight and take notes in margins (I would always buy the used books whose previous owners were avid highlighters). However, if technology developed to export notes and excerpts into a study guide, this could be an amazing time-saver.
2) The last thing I would want is a dead battery when I’m cramming for midterms
3) Speaking specifically about Kindle, black-and-white wouldn’t work for scientific photographs or charts/graphs

QUESTIONS:
1) Will this really cut costs? A lot of the reason for high textbook costs is intellectual property. Does eliminating printing, binding, and distribution really slash prices that much?
2) What will the model be for “used” textbooks? Will students be able to transfer their licenses to one another (eliminating third party resellers)? Or is each new student doomed to buying a new copy?
3) To your point, Meredith–will updates be downloadable rather than students having to buy an entirely new edition? From my jaded perspective, textbook publishers will do anything to make a dollar, and I wouldn’t be surprised if minor updates still cost big bucks.

These are points e-textbook developers need to keep in mind when thinking about what college students value. It’s not all about the coolest technology if it’s going to cost them more in the long run or make reviewing and studying a hassle.

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