Re: Re: Possible conference for on-line book publishing?
- From: "richard seltzer" <seltzer@[redacted]>
- Subject: Re: Re: Possible conference for on-line book publishing?
- Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 09:59:43 -0500
"Joseph Esposito" <espositoj@[redacted]> wrote:
>>Other topics to consider --
>> *alternatives to ISBN for e-book publishers;
>Why would anyone want to do away with ISBNs? What is the perceived problem
> with this system?
1) They don't were designed for print books and make no sense for ebooks.
ISBN assigns random (meaningless) numbers -- one for each and every
variation. A different format, a change in text -- any difference at all
means that you need a new ISBN. A single ebook might easily require dozens
of separate ISBNs -- which have no relationship to one another -- all are
random numbers.
2) Bowker charges a fortune for this rather trivial service. For "regular"
(10 days to delivery) service they charge $225 for 10 numbers. For
"priority" processing, they charge $300. (That's probably due to the complex
manufacturing processes involved in assigning a random number :-)
Combine those factors and the costs for a small ebook publisher could be
enormous -- and it's all unnecessary. A simple program could assign numbers
automatically, instantly, for practically nothing.
Best wishes.
Richard
Richard Seltzer, seltzer@[redacted] www.samizdat.com
Internet marketing consultant www.samizdat.com/consult.html
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