Comments on: Textbook Torrents vs The Publishers http://www.p2pnet.net/story/16913 p2pnet.net - reader powered Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:23:31 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Reader's Write http://www.p2pnet.net/story/16913/comment-page-1#comment-761847 Reader's Write Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:16:40 +0000 http://www.p2pnet.net/story/16913#comment-761847 Given that 90% of the internet seems dedicated to porn, music, pirate episodes of Friends, hilarious viral videos and self-absorbed blogs, i feel that the copying and distribution of textbooks is one of the loftier, more positive, progressive, uses for the massive global communications infrastructure we've developed. And, in light of the fact that the textbook industry has become a huge scam with ridiculous fees, kickbacks, and bribes, i see a great deal of synergy in this - free knowledge for anyone that wants it, and a decreased profit margin for people that i feel are frankly, not awesome human beings. Given that 90% of the internet seems dedicated to porn, music, pirate episodes of Friends, hilarious viral videos and self-absorbed blogs, i feel that the copying and distribution of textbooks is one of the loftier, more positive, progressive, uses for the massive global communications infrastructure we’ve developed. And, in light of the fact that the textbook industry has become a huge scam with ridiculous fees, kickbacks, and bribes, i see a great deal of synergy in this – free knowledge for anyone that wants it, and a decreased profit margin for people that i feel are frankly, not awesome human beings.

]]> By: Reader's Write http://www.p2pnet.net/story/16913/comment-page-1#comment-758864 Reader's Write Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:13:41 +0000 http://www.p2pnet.net/story/16913#comment-758864 Interesting timing. I was actually looking for two books yesterday. Not so much because my plan was to pirate them by downloading, but because I incorrectly assumed they would be available in PDF form somewhere on the internet. These are the CFSC and CRFSC student handbooks. One would think, considering the topic and it's imminent importance in regards to safety, that they would be freely available to anyone planning to apply for a Possession & Acquisition License (PAL). Turns out they cost $15 each (one place listed them as $40 each) plus shipping costs. Granted that's not too expensive mind you, but why do they even bother in the first place I wonder? I'm also surprised that no one seems to have taken it upon themselves to upload a torrent of them anywhere yet as well. It's not like you really need them past the day and a half courses they're generally used with, seeing as once you've passed your CFSC & CRFSC exams you're set for life. Very odd indeed. Interesting timing. I was actually looking for two books yesterday. Not so much because my plan was to pirate them by downloading, but because I incorrectly assumed they would be available in PDF form somewhere on the internet. These are the CFSC and CRFSC student handbooks. One would think, considering the topic and it’s imminent importance in regards to safety, that they would be freely available to anyone planning to apply for a Possession & Acquisition License (PAL). Turns out they cost $15 each (one place listed them as $40 each) plus shipping costs. Granted that’s not too expensive mind you, but why do they even bother in the first place I wonder? I’m also surprised that no one seems to have taken it upon themselves to upload a torrent of them anywhere yet as well. It’s not like you really need them past the day and a half courses they’re generally used with, seeing as once you’ve passed your CFSC & CRFSC exams you’re set for life. Very odd indeed.

]]> By: D http://www.p2pnet.net/story/16913/comment-page-1#comment-758608 D Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:09:36 +0000 http://www.p2pnet.net/story/16913#comment-758608 My Algorithms teacher recounted how in his college days he would pay $85 for his books. All of his books. For the entire year. The price of a single new edition of a textbook used for only one semester now exceeds that $85, and the "new edition" would only be typo corrections and chapter rearrangement. The cost of paper and printing has not inflated that much. However, the price (and profit) have. The Oil Market has nothing on the Publishing and Printing Markets. My Algorithms teacher recounted how in his college days he would pay $85 for his books. All of his books. For the entire year. The price of a single new edition of a textbook used for only one semester now exceeds that $85, and the “new edition” would only be typo corrections and chapter rearrangement.

The cost of paper and printing has not inflated that much. However, the price (and profit) have. The Oil Market has nothing on the Publishing and Printing Markets.

]]> By: Reader's Write http://www.p2pnet.net/story/16913/comment-page-1#comment-758430 Reader's Write Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:47:39 +0000 http://www.p2pnet.net/story/16913#comment-758430 He needs to set up a host at Antigua. Since Antigua has won the right to violate copyright with impunity by the WTO such items as DMCA can not be enforced there. He needs to set up a host at Antigua. Since Antigua has won the right to violate copyright with impunity by the WTO such items as DMCA can not be enforced there.

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