First It Was Song Downloads. Now It's Organic Chemistry

Journal Entry #10

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/technology/27digi.html?pagewanted=1&ref=technology

I agree with this article that college textbooks are ridiculously overpriced, and the students are basically fed up. There are only two options in acquiring a textbook, either buying it new or used. Now students are getting their "revenge" by posting the complete textbook online and allowing others to download it. I see why the students think this is okay, but truly they are breaking the law. It is similar to what the music industry had to go through with listeners illegally downloading songs. In the past textbook publishers were spared from these illegal downloads because of the time and energy it takes to copy hundreds or even thousands of pages onto a computer. But with new technology students have found faster ways to accomplish their goals. 

The publishers are just as aware of the situation, so instead of having students resort to buying used books (where the publishers and authors receive no profit) they are transitioning into a digital mode as well. They are offering the book online for a specific amount of time with a subscription. This will not only cut down on the used book sales but will also bring in money for the authors and publishers they would not originally be getting. The only drawback, is again, peer-to-peer sharing of scanned copies. One student can sign up for the book, and then make copies of certain pages for others. 

There is also another movement towards online textbooks that are free, which would only cost money if you wanted to print and bind them (http://www.usatoday.com/news/education). As another effort to try to lower the costs of student textbooks, this will help change and expand the market. Even professors are tired of the high prices and are helping their student by putting their own textbooks online and giving students free access. I think this is a great idea, and I am so glad that some professors see how the book publishers have a monopoly over the industry.