Thanks to everyone who responded to my request for information on the
take up (or rather the lack of it) of DVD in an information context.
It's quite clear that it hasn't taken off for a number of reasons, and
interestingly the same reasons given by information professionals were
similar to those given by publishers and distributors.
The general consensus is:
DVD adds little that CD-ROM doesn't, except larger storage capacity.
Few databases require the storage that DVD provides.
Hardware upgrades mean people are less likely to invest in the
technology.
The Internet is a better medium for storage/searching databases.
DVD is squeezed out by both CD-ROM and the Internet.
DVD drives are less reliable than CD-ROM counterparts.
However, the main reason is that publishers don't provide titles because
there isn't the demand, and users don't buy DVD drives because er...
well... there are no titles that they really have to have on DVD! So
it's a chicken and egg situation.
Consequently, unless there is a killer application around the corner DVD
in the information market has a very limited use, which is to say it's
easier to distribute larger amounts of data.
The entire article that I've written will be out sometime in July; I'll
let people know the citation when I have it myself.
Once again, many thanks for the thoughtful and insightful replies from
everyone - much appreciated!
Rgds,
Phil.
--
Phil Bradley: Internet Consultant, Trainer, Web designer and Author.
Visit http://www.philb.com for free information on Internet introductions,
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