Scott Rosenberg is absolutely right - the failure of the CD ROM was that it forced the user to consume the content in the way that the publisher was prepared to

Scott Rosenberg is absolutely right - the failure of the CD ROM was that it forced the user to consume the content in the way that the publisher was prepared to present it - most CD ROMS failed to allow the user to freely search and re-purpose the content. They ended up being more restricted than the print media they were supposed to replace wile (generally) failing to add enough value in enhanced media (video etc) to make up for this. Existing attempts by magazine publishers to persuade consumers to accept electronic substitutes for print media have also failed - I for one don't want to turn pages on my computer - and I am not happy to accept the segmentation of content - the dreaded "turn to page n to continue reading" makes no sense to the user in this context. I suppose the traditional (failing?) media will make exactly those mistakes with any new platform that offers them the illusion of control. Are we really going to put up with paying for content at rates close to print media when we know that distribution costs are near zero? OK - if we are prepared to pay, are we also prepared to put up with advertising? I think it is one or the other but perhaps others have different views.