Re: Amazon.com's "Search Inside the Book"

>
>The works aren't really available in a way that will
>diminish sales. The works are searchable and more
>likely to be seen by people looking for advice on a
>topic. The works are more likely to be bought.
>
>And most importantly, even if you disagree with all of
>the above, Amazon only makes money if a work is sold.
>Therefore, if there is not an increase in sales
>overall, the system will be taken down because Amazon
>won't let this be a loss leader for long.
>
>Now, if the author doesn't profit from increased sales
>through Amazon, I am lost.

For what it's worth, Dow Jones Business News reports that AMZN said books searchable via "Search Inside the Book" have sales some 9% greater than those that aren't. See http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/031103/1054000888_2.html for more information. That seems promising for all concerned.

-Ken

Ken Stuart
On-line Teaching Consultant
Information Technology Resources, 250 Sequoia Hall, mail drop 8280 California State University, Northridge, CA 91330-8280 (818) 677-6654; kps1[_at_]csun.edu Received on Tue Nov 04 2003 - 22:26:04 GMT