Stephen Downes

If you were a book publisher, would you want someone else to sell your e-books online? Simon & Schuster spokesman Adam Rothberg said, "Now that retailers are becoming publishers, publishers are going to look at ways to become retailers and to forge their own direct relationship with readers." This is one of those ideas that looks really good on paper but isn't. People value bookstores not merely because they can buy books there but because they can view a selection of books before they buy. That's also why stores congregate in Malls or downtown. Sure, your competition is just a few feet away, but people like to have the selection. The dynamics are a bit different on the internet but the principle is the same. People want choice. That's exactly what Simon & Schuster is taking away. CRLF