O’Reilly Tools of Change, Frankfurt Edition
O’Reilly brings its Tools of Change meeting to Frankfurt, with mixed results. The keynotes were the most inspiring.
The Subscription Model Lives and Thrives
The subscription model is all around us, as is the subscription mentality. Why did US publishers back away from it?
Game Over, Man — Has the Disruption of Publishing Already Occurred?
We continue to talk about “disruptive innovation” as if it’s a looming threat. But what if it’s already happened? What if it’s too late?
Will Mobile Broadband Close the Connectivity Gap?
Mobile connectivity is trending upward, and may eclipse other forms in the coming years. What will that mean for publishers?
New Pencils, New Crayons, Old Humans
Fresh thinking about communication tools (pencils, crayons, computers) often pays off since we’re such inveterate communicators.
Is 2010 the Year for the e-Book?
e-Books are becoming more competitive, with Sony striking distribution and retail deals. Authors and readers stand to benefit.
Is “Good Enough” Good Enough for You?
Over time, many markets become dominated by low quality, cheap, “good enough” products. How is this common evolutionary pathway playing out in the world of scholarly publishing?
Hell’s Kitchen: Our 5-Minute Behind the Scenes Tour
A 5-minute behind-the-scenes tour of the Scholarly Kitchen, so that you can see the basics of how a blog works.
John Maeda, RISD, and the Art of Staying Green and Growing
John Maeda, President of the Rhode Island School of Design, delivered the keynote at SSP IN on the importance of staying green and growing.
Digital Natives? Or Neo-Traditionalists?
“Digital natives” don’t necessarily know more about their technologies, they just have different habits. In fact, digital immigrants have the real advantage addressing young “neo-traditionalists.”
“Did You Know?” 4.0 — Convergence and Communications
Another “Did You Know?” video has appeared, this time talking about convergence. Maybe it also shows that with each video, we’re closer to the future that once astounded us.
Google Makes Nice with News Publishers
Google seems to be playing nice with news operations. But are they really? And are the news organizations as open to change as they should be?
Operation eBook Drop — Indie Authors Helping Soldiers
Operation eBook Drop has delivered hundreds of books to soldiers in less than a week. It says a lot about indie authors and the power of digital distribution.
New Technologies and the Need for Standards
It seems like a new e-reading device is announced every day. But each device has its own file format and its own unique interface. How can publishers be expected to develop products for such a fragmented market?
A Textbook Case of Missed Opportunities
Textbook publishers engage in a massive shoveling of content onto the iPhone. Will students dig it?