[misc.handicap] Observations on the "Reader Project Inc."

talmy@rand.org (Shel Talmy) (10/05/90)

Index Number: 10876

I received my demo disk from the Reader Project Inc., the
electronic book publishing project from Washington DC, and would
like to open a discussion on its merits-pro and con.

I should state from the outset that I have no problem with the
concept of electronic publishing, and certainly welcome the entry
of this company.  Any alternative to make more books and reading
materials available to the handicapped community should be
encouraged, and the company as a commercial venture, should be
compensated enough for its efforts to make "adequate" profits and
maintain the incentive to expand.  But let's examine the price
for this service a little more closely before writing the check.

We are told by the "Reader Project Inc.", that they will act like
any commercial bookstore in your local mall, meaning that they
will charge retail hardback prices for their books with
occasional "specials" at discount prices, i.e.--this is not
Crown Books.

Okay, I have no real argument with that.  If I want to read a
book badly enough, I'm willing to pay for it.  But I do strongly
object to the price we are being asked to pay for the software
provided by Reader Project Inc. which is necessary to read the
encoded book format.

Yes, I believe  that software to insure copyright integrity
and payment of royalties is necessary.  No, it shouldn't cost the
user/buyer $500 or even $300, the beta testers discount price.
This price is exhorbitant to say the least.  It appears the
company is attempting to go into profit even before they "open
their doors", metaphorically speaking of course!

As I'm assuming that the Reader Project Inc.'s main business is
selling books electronically, not program development, I would
have thought that no more than $50.00 is a fair price for the
software, which also would encourage many more people to
participate, instead of a user base limited to those who can pay
the freight by themselves, or can secure grants from
organizations and charities whose funding would be better placed
in buying equipment.

Would it be in our collective best interest to let Reader Project
Inc. know that a potentially large user base thinks that their
prices are too high, or am I out of line?  I would welcome
reading any comments directed to this newsgroup.