Why are not there more sources for free online books? There are cheap books, good offers on online book stores, or online books available for download, but mostly not the best selling books or at least not right at release date. The reason is that the book industry has not really figured out how to make money with books in the digital space.
Easily available and distributable, buyable anywhere where consumers have an Internet connection. In the novel 8W8 – Global Space Tribes by Ralf Hirt, the Internet-think-tank The Golden Sky each member uses a device called “Inraxx”, which allows them to do everything users desire or would expect from a device. So the world is turning digital, consumers want to have their books digital, too. No problem, but the book publishing industry has got a headache because of this. Who cares? The digital consumer may think, and actually, true, who cares? Free online books will be available more and more as the new generation is going to publish – digitally and explore other revenues streams than just book prices. Without natural resources wasted and logistics to be paid. The good news is: There will be more cheap books, there will be more free online books also. Online books will be there for everyone and the online book stores will need to do more than just boringly list their inventory, which are simply commodities in cyber space.
What is more in the world of globalization, the Internet, globalized economies and businesses everyone has to go new ways and in order to visualize this “8W8 – Global Space Tribes” offers a glimpse into the futures. From free online books to a globalized, flat world seems to be a long way, but it just all part of the change happening right now and everyone is part of it. Whether someone wants or does not. We are all part of this single tribe of human beings on this little planet we do not have quite under control. Understanding it better and making knowledge available for everyone for free should be the greatest accomplishment of the next few years.
