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slowkneenuh Regular user After 5,278+ posts, only credited with 133 Posts |
As the electronic portion of my investment in magic knowledge continues to grow and reaches a significant value (already has), so does my concern about what happens to it as time goes on (or doesn't). I imagine many others are in the same "boat".
Specifically, "Why your digital books and music may go to the grave with you".... http://www.marketwatch.com/story/who-inh......12-08-23
John
"A poor workman always blames his tools" |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
I am not a great believer in the fairness of inheritance, so I can live with this.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-08-27 06:37, TonyB2009 wrote: Assuming you understand the concept of a will, I'm not sure I follow your logic, but you are entitled to your beliefs. However, in regard to this digital dissolution, I kind of think that anyone who has opted to stand shoulder deep in a world of disposable commodities deserves to know that their acquisitions are the same. On the other hand, if you've ever seen how the unspecified distribution of magic libraries (and collections) usually goes, especially at the hands of family members with little knowledge of the books, it probably doesn't matter.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Michael, I believe upon death the vast majority of our wealth should revert to the state and be redistributed back to society, rather than be passed on by us to our children. A minority belief, I accept. But that is where I stand. Items of personal value, but no intrinsic wealth, are what we should pass on. A collection of magic books belongs in that category, but my kids won't want my collection.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
Just to understand your perspective, would "a vast majority of our wealth" be substantial in your case, and how many children do you have?
I realize this is rather personal, so understand completely if you choose not to get into this area. Thanks! Jim
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
My father's wealth is substantial. I will inherit little of it.
My wealth is not substantial at the moment (it was once, and will be again). I have two kids, and they will get enough to start them out in life. Anything left over will go to charitable causes. They know this, because I have told them. I think it was Bill Gates (but am open to correction) who said that he would leave his kids enough to do anything they wanted in life, but not enough so that they would not have to work for a living. Sounds sane to me.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I'd imagine that Bill Gates' monetary threshold is different than mine. "Enough" is more than enough in the right hands, and never enough in the wrong hands.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
This is what is wrong with the current intangible market, and I cannot believe that people are actually buying "something for nothing". This "new" consumer intangible market is, in my opinion, just a rip off or scam of peoples valued income.
It is going on everywhere, buying something for nothing. The original barter system was for 2 tangible items to be exchanged, now it is for you money for a "right" to "use" something. I just cannot believe this "new generation" is falling for this marketing for nothing. One should realize that you are only paying for "your" use of the material. It really never had a value, only to you at the time you gave your money freely to the scam artist. Remember, no one wants your old junk, they only want cash when you are gone. Everyone, has their own likes and dislikes, and most in a family do not have the same interest, likes, and dislikes as you. Now there is a plan being sold to preserve your bunch of nothing, come on, more ways to take your money. Stop, put it in the bank, that is all your family wants from you anyway to buy the nothing they want. This "new economy" is really something, isn't it. |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-08-29 14:25, Bill Hegbli wrote: I can't tell if this is a typo, or an allusion to the fact that so many people live on their credit, that they acquire material goods for nothing more than a (sometimes false) promise.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
I'm with Bill on this one. Yeah, Michael, I learned my lesson living on credit. I now owe NO man. I have one bill per month. My rent. That's it. All else is included. I stay FAR away from credit cards. If I want something that's more than I can afford, I SAVE. It works.
Doug |
slowkneenuh Regular user After 5,278+ posts, only credited with 133 Posts |
We have wandered somewhat on this topic. Let me try and refocus it. Suppose you purchase downloads (PDFs/videos/etc.) from Lybrary.com, and possibly other sites such as from the originating magicians themselves (a rapidly increasing method to purchase items, particularly with the introduction of eReaders). Depending on what, when and where, it doesn't take too long before this can become a sizeable investment. How do you "sell it" to the satisfaction of all parties such as you do with books, DVD's, etc.? Worst case, after your death, how does it become part of your estate and liquidated to whom, how? This kind of investment runs the risk of becoming a one time only personal use fee. At some point you may not even be able to print a hard copy (already happening) and even if you could it further complicates the sale and distribution
process. John
John
"A poor workman always blames his tools" |
Magicbarry Loyal user Toronto 276 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-08-31 12:20, slowkneenuh wrote: I can speak as a book publisher ... Right now it's tough to do, because nearly all ebooks (be they EPUB, PDF, MOBI, or whatever format) have DRM protection. This is generally attached to the file by the retailer. (When Kindle or Kobo adds one of our ebooks, they put the protection on so you can't transfer the files to another user.) The reason for this is not so much that they (or we) don't like the idea of you selling a book to another user; the reason is that they (and we) need to prevent one person from buying an ebook and selling it to dozens, hundreds, or thousands of others. That, obviously, hurts the retailer, publisher, and author. Does it need to be this way? Nope. The technology should allow someone to transfer their file to one other user only; once they transfer that file, it automatically deletes from the original owner's computer. In this way, it's exactly like selling a used book -- the new owner has it, the old owner doesn't, and mass distribution by an unauthorized retailer is prevented. Everybody's happy. The ebook retailers are a bit greedier than us publishers, though. They like the idea of a one-time purchase that is non-transferable. (Okay, some publishers still agree with them, but most of us have adopted the more reader-friendly attitude.) I'd like to see more people (including publishers) urge retailers to adopt this single-transfer model, but right now it's a tough battle. Now, if you really want to get around the problem, there are ways to strip DRM from an ebook, if you have the proper software. |
slowkneenuh Regular user After 5,278+ posts, only credited with 133 Posts |
Magicbarry,
Thank you for an informative post. Sounds like I do have a reason to be concerned! John
John
"A poor workman always blames his tools" |
Larry Barnowsky Inner circle Cooperstown, NY where bats are made from 4770 Posts |
Another problem with electronic media is format longevity. Even if you successfully archive a copy, will subsequent generations be able to retrieve the data and play it back in the way it was meant to be?
The books I write and publish are hardcovers and come with companion DVDs. Fifty years from now, the books will be readable but I'm uncertain about the DVDs. Larry |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Slowkneenuh, every electronic file you purchase on the web has a conditions of agreement. Most people do not take the 30 minutes to read all the legal "mumbo jumbo", they just click "I agree".
The new technology that Microsoft is coming out with in Windows 8, will address just your concern. Everything will be a use fee, you will not "own" anything. It will not be possible to purchase programs like Microsoft Office, the program will be on Microsoft's servers, and you will pay $500 to be able to get a direct link to the program. Then you will have a monthly service or use fee to continue to type letters. Addressing your concern for your files, did you read the "license agreement" it is all in there as to what you can do. If you cannot download your files to a a CD or DVD disc, then you have paid for the use of listening and reading those files, only. In other words you have nothing. You paid to see or hear and that is all. You actually have nothing. Have you tried to copy any files to disc? Can you print out any of the files? If you can't do either of these processes then you have nothing. And I am not "off topic", you may not want to admit it, but you gave your money for the right to use or view something. At the time, you thought you were getting a real deal, did you. You really think that they would let you compete with them by being able to sell the same product they are selling. Go back and read your agreements. I bet you can't even do that. Finally, the idea of the web, is that all information in the world will be available for everyone until eternity. So you don't have to save anything or pass it on, they will be able to view and listen to it as well if they pay the price. That is the reality of it!! |
slowkneenuh Regular user After 5,278+ posts, only credited with 133 Posts |
Bill,
I didn't think you were off topic. In fact, you are accepting the reality of the situation a lot better than me. Thanks Larry, now you've reawakened an older concern of mine. I forgot how mad I used to get when the software I purchased didn't carry over with all versions of Windows. I have even lost pictures taken a long time ago when digital cameras were first introduced and there were many competing file formats which no longer exists. John
John
"A poor workman always blames his tools" |
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