E-book or real book
- Thread starter McHanhan
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It feels unnatural not being able to flip the pages myself. I don't think I will ever be able to read novels without the touch of paper.
To all those people saying reading on a lit monitor is worse than reading on a piece of paper: eBooks don't HAVE lit monitors, you provide your own light, and that's its biggeest selling point! It's as easy on the eyes as paper.
To whomever said that a book costs 25-40 USD: You're lucky. I live in Norway, and the CHEAPEST books are about 40 USD. Most of them are around 100 USD.
I want an eBook, for one particular reason: gutenberg.org. Most of the greatest works of literature, freely avaibable online. The only problem is that reading books on a computer hurts my eyes, and printing all of them would be too expensive. EBooks are a cheap, easy-to-read alternative.
To whomever said that a book costs 25-40 USD: You're lucky. I live in Norway, and the CHEAPEST books are about 40 USD. Most of them are around 100 USD.
I want an eBook, for one particular reason: gutenberg.org. Most of the greatest works of literature, freely avaibable online. The only problem is that reading books on a computer hurts my eyes, and printing all of them would be too expensive. EBooks are a cheap, easy-to-read alternative.
Real books every day all day long.
Because I have and still read several books that are 50+ years old. I don't see that happening with ebooks.
Also no need for a reader thingy (use your eyes), no need for a power source (except for lighting, worst case you have to use the sun and it's free for use).
Because I have and still read several books that are 50+ years old. I don't see that happening with ebooks.
Also no need for a reader thingy (use your eyes), no need for a power source (except for lighting, worst case you have to use the sun and it's free for use).
Real books: When I buy a book, I want to be able to hold it, ya know? I want to truly own and have a book rather than the data it contains alone
I see, but isn't that itself its own problem. By bundling the Kindle with Amazon aren't you limiting your availability with only one service?. This means that books and payments can only be handled and processed with Amazon and what would happen if Amazon isn't operation in a given region or they don't have a book that you want.the1ultimate said:I think you may have missed the point of the comic. Amazon pays for wireless access.McHanhan said:Not really. I mean that's why we have 3G phones, iphones, ipod touch, Laptops and all sorts of gadgets that have wireless access. Does it have to be in a book as well?.grimsprice said:Yes, you're missing something about the Kindle...
Edit: Ah XKCD. A picture for every discussion.
If that was the case then someone would have to build a book, that can connect to the internet and accept and transmit calls, send and receive emails. It's just unnecessary. If you want the internet on the move, use the phone, thats what the W@P was created for or better yet a laptop.
OMT(on my topic): I'm not going to buy a kindle because you have to get all your ebooks from Amazon and pay them, even for the ones you already own, however I can see the appeal of having one.
The beauty of the kindle for me, would be being able to hold the entire contents of my library in the palm of my hand. The kindle uses very little power as the screen will hold an image until it is changed, and I hear the screen resembles real printed text, which makes it look more natural.
The kindle is way easier that lugging around a heap of books ( and eco-friendly), but not being able to transfer ebooks directly from your computer is the reason why I won't buy one.
Yep. And believe me, living in Far North Queensland Australia, I know all about poor coverage and being forgotten about by the rest of the world.McHanhan said:
There's also the issue that the price of maintaining (limited) free wireless internet is going to be passed on to the customers by Amazon, probably mostly in book prices.
As I said, the lack of flexibility for sourcing books (I'd like to be able to get the ones off of my computer) is the main reason I won't buy a Kindle.
Another one who gets it! All the dependency on electronics is really going to screw us over one day. Don't forget about Murphy's Law; you'll see that, even though it's battery life is really long, júst when you want to read a certain book or chapter, the battery dies on you.Ocelot GT said:
It always happens, always.
Besides that, I just want to be able to flip through pages. Call me old-fashioned, but books just feel better for me. I can put them on my shelf, they absorb memories, and don't forget the lovely smell of a new book, a book is more than just data you know. Ahhh I love it, so I'll keep buying those good ol' paper books.
I beg to differ, remember that the Kindle has wireless internet access, it can receive and transmit signals. They'll be able to track your Kindle, can't do that with a book.the1ultimate said:
It has an offline mode.Assassinator said:
Curses! this is why I need a purely offline ebook reader, otherwise they will track me!
Any electronic device is still a lot more easy to track than a paper book.the1ultimate said:
I also just realised: what about graphic novels? You won't see those on e-readers, or anything with pictures, whilst some books have gorgeous illustrations. Shame to miss out on those.
You know what the best thing is? You'd think that, when reading the Hitchiker's Guide, that said fictional e-book is just a wild piece of science-fiction. But we're coming closer and closer to something that has pretty much the same functionality, although it doesn't quite span the galaxy yet. Isn't scientific progress awesome?grimsprice said:
Real books, definitely.
There's something irreplacable about the weight of the stack of paper and text in your hands.
I find E-Books impersonal, and reading vast amounts of text off a monitor hurts my eyes...
There's something irreplacable about the weight of the stack of paper and text in your hands.
I find E-Books impersonal, and reading vast amounts of text off a monitor hurts my eyes...
Exactly, case in point.the1ultimate said:
The idea of a bookshelf does seem appealing but I can never seem to be comfortable with reading things off a screen for long periods. It's a reason why I gave away my Palm Pilot, that thing was shite.Mimsofthedawg said:
I have to say, if I am at home and I am sitting down I would prefer a paper copy. I then know that, no matter what (circa natural disaster ect.) I will always own a pyhsical copy of that and I can go back to it time and time again. Once done, place it on my shelf and show off collections when people come around. It gives a certain amounbt of sophistication when you have books on a shelf, it shows youe education in my belief.
If I am travelling, or, in the office. I use my E-book. Its easier to carry around and convienent.
It just depends on the situation for me.
If I am travelling, or, in the office. I use my E-book. Its easier to carry around and convienent.
It just depends on the situation for me.
I don't think I'll ever get an E-reader... Doesn't look cool in my bookcase, which is, admittedly, getting on the cramped side of full.
I'd really actually have to use a kindle to see if I'd like one. I stare at a computer screen all freaking day at work, and I don't cherish the thought of squinting at another small screen while trying to read. I do like the idea of having all my books in one easy to access place, but not the idea of staring at another electronic screen.
For now? Real books.
For now? Real books.
This is either more proof that people are sheep, or Amazon is just trying to create a buzz around the Kindle by claiming how in-demand it is. I can easily see either one being the case.
Even if I liked the idea of the Kindle, which I don't, what the hell do I do with the 400 or so novels I already own? Buy them again in digital format so that all my favorites are available to me on this overpriced trend? Screw that.
Even if I liked the idea of the Kindle, which I don't, what the hell do I do with the 400 or so novels I already own? Buy them again in digital format so that all my favorites are available to me on this overpriced trend? Screw that.
0.oFanitullen said:
How come books are so expensive in your countries? In the UK the avarage paper-back is £7.99, a big paper back book will cost you £12.99... a medium size hardback would cost you no more than £16.00
I much prefer physical paper books, it's easier on the eyes so you take in more infomation. I have read numerous e-books and online essays as part of my university course, and it is such a pain to try to read. I find i understand things better from reading things off paper.
Well if this E-book had an "audio book" feature in it I might consider buying it. I have recently become a fan of audio books but weirdly I need to have the actual book with me reading along with the narrator as he/she reads it.
I am weird, I know.
I am weird, I know.