|
[description], Story, any other text you want to use.
sion of the Amazons
by: Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.
The last few months have witnessed a bloodbath in tech stocks coupled with a frantic re-definition of the web and of every player in it (as far as content is concerned).
This effort is three pronged:
Some companies are gambling on content distribution and the possession of the attendant digital infrastructure. MightyWords, for example, stealthily transformed itself from a "free-for-all-everyone-welcome" e-publisher to a distribution channel of choice works (mainly by midlist authors). It now aims to feed its content to content-starved web sites. In the process, it shed thousands of unfortunate authors who did not meet its (never stated) sales criteria.
Others bet the farm on content creation and packaging. Bn.com invaded the digital publishing and POD (Print on Demand) businesses in a series of lightning purchases. It is now the largest e-book store by a wide margin.
But Amazon seemed to have got it right once more. The web's own virtual mall and the former darling of Wall Street has diversified into micropayments.
The Internet started as a free medium for free spirits. E-commerce was once considered a dirty word. Web surfers became used to free content. Hence the (very low) glass ceiling on the price of content made available through the web - and the need to charge customers less than 1 US dollars to a few dollars per transaction ("micro-payments"). Various service providers (such as Pay-Pal) emerged, none became sufficiently dominant and all-pervasive to constitute a standard. Web merchants' ability to accept micropayments is crucial. E-commerce (let alone m-commerce) will never take off without it.
Enter Amazon. Its "Honour System" is licensed to third party web sites (such as Bartleby.com and SatireWire). It allows people to donate money or effect micro-payments, apparently through its patented one-click system. As far as the web sites are concerned, there are two major drawbacks: all donations and payments are refundable within 30 days and Amazon charges them 15 cents per transaction plus 15(!) percent. By far the worst deal in town.
So, why the fuss?
Because of Amazon's customer list. This development emphasizes the growing realization that one's list of customers - properly data mined - is the greatest asset, greater even than original content and more important than distribution channels and digital right management or asset management applications. Merchants are willing to pay for access to this ever expanding virtual neighbourhood (even if they are not made privy to the customer information collected by Amazon).
The Honour System looks suspiciously similar to the payment system designed by Amazon for Stephen King's serialized e-novel, "The Plant". Interesting to note how the needs of authors and publishers are now in the driver's seat, helping to spur along innovations in business methods.
About The Author
Sam Vaknin is the author of "Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited" and "After the Rain - How the West Lost the East". He is a columnist in "Central Europe Review", United Press International (UPI) and ebookweb.org and the editor of mental health and Central East Europe categories in The Open Directory, Suite101 and searcheurope.com. Until recently, he served as the Economic Advisor to the Government of Macedonia.
His web site: http://samvak.tripod.com
|
as seen on tv
Real Time Media On The Net
This is one of the best resources for information on Real Time Media On The Net you can possibly find.
Follow our links to find more information on Real Time Media On The Net.
We hope that we have all of the Real Time Media On The Net details that you could need.
Real Time Media On The Net
|
Here’s all you need to know about as seen on tv
There is a great deal of information both in print and on the Internet about as seen on tv and some is good while some is not very good. It’s difficult to tell just what information is valid and of real value. We have spent a great deal to time and research in locating the very best as seen on tv web sites available.
As you spend a few minutes with us you will see that we have a very comprehensive index of as seen on tv information and any question you have can be answered here. We know that your time is valuable and have made this as seen on tv resource site easy to navigate.
If you have not already clicked the links in the middle of this page for more as seen on tv information we invite you to do so now. You will find them most valuable and the as seen on tv sources guarantee your satisfaction.
Just in the event that the sites in the middle of this page are not exactly what you want, then please scroll down the as seen on tv links on the left side of the page and we are absolutely certain you will have every as seen on tv question answered.
Real Time Media On The Net Index
|
Main Menu
Real Time Media On The Net
Site Map
Affiliate Ads, Links, news, etc.
News for 01-Jul-25 Source: BBC News - Home David Moyes: Manchester United's great traditions have gone says Sunderland boss Source: BBC News - Home Your pictures: Best of 2016 Source: BBC News - Home Arctic heatwave could break records Source: BBC News - Home 500 years later Source: BBC News - Home Syria: 'Moment of relief' for Aleppo children Source: BBC News - Home All heart Source: BBC News - Home Donald Trump gets 'very nice letter from Vladimir Putin' Source: BBC News - Home Crash survivor: 'I put my seatbelt on' Source: BBC News - Home Drip dry Source: BBC News - Home Bethlehem icons created by artists
Links
Links
Links
|