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I'm sorry, but how on earth is a document (DRM-ed or not) the same thing as an app? An eBook is content in a certain format. An app is a program that does stuff

by larrik 14y ago

I'm sorry, but how on earth is a document (DRM-ed or not) the same thing as an app? An eBook is content in a certain format. An app is a program that does stuff with input. They are not the same. They aren't written the same, they aren't used the same (usually), and they aren't sold the same (usually). This is like saying that gun control laws should apply to lighters. I mean, they both are made of metal, they are both manufactured by humans, and they both make fire right? Same thing!

ommunist 14y ago
They are both goods. I should own what I paid for.
jmduke 14y ago
I'm not saying you're wrong, but: "An app is a program that does stuff with input." What? Says who? What input does my NYT app take, and how is it different than a table of contents?
smokeyj 14y ago
Gun control would make just as much sense as lighter control if you think about it. Lighters can burn down a forrest or a house.. software is like an ebook because it's copyrighted material written by authors trying to make a living. I write in c instead of English.
dons 14y ago
Apps are functions from 0 or more inputs to outputs. Books are functions of 0 inputs to output. They're zero-arity apps.
Splines 14y ago
It's not so simple. I have several "interactive book" applications on my iPhone. These have book-like elements (there is a story that can be read), but there are many other application-like elements to it also (you can touch things to hear noises, there are supplementary puzzles and coloring pages, the book can read to you, and I bought it on the app store). Where do these fall? Clearly my application is not just a collection of html and js. But at what point do you stop calling something an application and call it an ebook? Is a binary wrapper around the ebook enough to make it an application?
- larrik 14y ago
  I'd call that an app that is ebook-like in some ways. Maybe if they made it a platform that third parties can make content for that drops into the app without further programming, then those files may possibly be considered ebooks. Probably still not, though.

by larrik 14y ago

ommunist 14y ago

They are both goods. I should own what I paid for.

jmduke 14y ago

I'm not saying you're wrong, but: "An app is a program that does stuff with input." What? Says who? What input does my NYT app take, and how is it different than a table of contents?

smokeyj 14y ago

Gun control would make just as much sense as lighter control if you think about it. Lighters can burn down a forrest or a house.. software is like an ebook because it's copyrighted material written by authors trying to make a living. I write in c instead of English.

dons 14y ago

Apps are functions from 0 or more inputs to outputs. Books are functions of 0 inputs to output. They're zero-arity apps.

Splines 14y ago

It's not so simple. I have several "interactive book" applications on my iPhone. These have book-like elements (there is a story that can be read), but there are many other application-like elements to it also (you can touch things to hear noises, there are supplementary puzzles and coloring pages, the book can read to you, and I bought it on the app store). Where do these fall? Clearly my application is not just a collection of html and js. But at what point do you stop calling something an application and call it an ebook? Is a binary wrapper around the ebook enough to make it an application?

larrik 14y ago
I'd call that an app that is ebook-like in some ways. Maybe if they made it a platform that third parties can make content for that drops into the app without further programming, then those files may possibly be considered ebooks. Probably still not, though.