Community weekly poll: Would you buy an e-book reader?
- 11/28/07 3:30 PM
Maybe I would buy an e-book reader
by suz3311 - 11/29/07 6:52 AM In reply to: Would you buy an e-book reader? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The new Kindle is getting there. When they can combine the reader and a good mp3 player then I will give it some seriour consideration for purchase. I don't want to carry more electronic items than is necessary but to have available a large number of books while traveling is a definite plus. I would still use the free library when at home though.
Would you buy an e-book reader?
by pchts - 11/29/07 6:54 AM In reply to: Would you buy an e-book reader? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I find it hard enough to read hardcopy books, listen to books that I purchase from Audible.com. You buy the book, download it to your mp3 player and listen to it while you workout, drive to work or on long trips, this sure beats making you eyes more tired than they should be.
If not a 'real' book then I prefer an audio book
by Rowena80233 - 11/29/07 6:55 AM In reply to: Would you buy an e-book reader? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Allows multi-tasking where an ebook reader still requires actually reading.
No
by ErikHockman - 11/29/07 7:05 AM In reply to: Would you buy an e-book reader? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Something about having to burn up electricity and wear down the life of an electronic device in order to read a book goes against my grain.
Then there's the issue of planned obsolescence from the marketing monkeys that be (ala 78's, LPs, 8 tracks, more LPs, CDs, DAT?, MP3s...next?) and back compatibility when the battery dies and they don't make that type of battery anymore.
I own a Treo. ebook reader is one of many reasons....
by wiz2525 - 11/29/07 7:13 AM In reply to: Would you buy an e-book reader? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have almost 300 ebooks. Well, 274. So I'm into them. Mainly because I can lay in bed and put the reader on scroll and read myself to sleep. It offers a sublink to my ebook copy of the OED (Oxford English Dictionary), which I can flip to and then flip back to the page where I was. I can bookmark with the touch of a button.
If you can imagine how much bookshelf space 274 books would take up, then realize how many trees that represents, you can probably see there has to be something positive about reading and storing your books in this way.
The downside for simple ebook readers is, as you say, that you end up with yet another device to carry around...
Unless you get a Palm Phone, or something like it. Then your reader is just a subset of your phone's functionality.
I ran into this problem first when using a Palm Pilot at work (I am a nurse, and there is a growing body of electronic reference packages which I use almost every day at work. ePocrates is a drug reference which I have used almost since they came up with the idea.) and found myself with a phone in one hand and the Palm in the other. The Treo was a natural progression. By buying this phone through Sprint, opening a NEW account, and even after paying for the insurance, I still got out at around 130$ after some tremendous rebates.
Would I buy an ebook reader by itself? No. But having that ability in my phone via Treo is absolutely great. Oh, you mentioned the mp3 player as yet another device. It's in the Treo as well. Oh, and the camera...well, not a great camera, but still. It's in the Treo. Oh, and a voice memo recorder? It's in the Treo.
Why else would anyone spend so much money for a phone? If it doesn't simplify while enriching your life there really is no point.
PROHIBITIVE DEVICE COST--REASON E-BOOK WILL DIE
by Urantiason - 11/29/07 7:16 AM In reply to: Would you buy an e-book reader? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The cost of the device is what I feel will be the proverbial nail in the E-Book's coffin. As with all things electronic; they fail eventually--what if this happens while reading a school-book/book critical to your work. It seems to be so much simpler to purchase "paper" and lug that around, instead.
Yes, I would
by fishwealth - 11/29/07 7:30 AM In reply to: Would you buy an e-book reader? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Though I admit, I don't know what my price point would be. I've been reading books on my PDA for several years and love that it's available when the power is out and if I'm in a remote spot and have a connection I can download another. A larger format would be appealing and I would hint hard for a special gift, maybe.... Of course, it's no way to look at art books or atlases or other graphic presentations, but for a good read and fast reference they are terrific. Because of a recent move I tossed a collection of whodunits, a favorite pasttime, and I'm currently trying to rebuild it on my pda. I heard on NPR yesterday that fewer people are reading so, it may not become a best seller, but I think there's still a body of dedicated readers who might make a worthwhile market even so.
It's all good
by tiastarchild - 11/29/07 7:42 AM In reply to: Yes, I would by fishwealthI love hard copy books- been an avid reader all my life. But I don't see this as an "either or" choice. Reading an e-book doesn't mean you can't read real books. It's just another chance to read, and that can't be a bad thing.
Well said!
by CathWren - 12/4/07 1:27 PM In reply to: It's all good by tiastarchildAnything that lets me read, is a good thing!
CathWren
NO
by b610358 - 11/29/07 7:39 AM In reply to: Would you buy an e-book reader? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I carry about two or three chargers, I have switched to the IGO but even that got me down to two. I also have about a dozen AAA or AA batteries with me when I travel I need to bring some clothing! Then there is the blink thing. You do not blink normally when viewing a computer screen so would you also not blink normally with the readers? My eyes are dry now
$400, plus cost of books...I'll pass
by pc_tech_guy_2003 - 11/29/07 7:57 AM In reply to: Would you buy an e-book reader? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
While I love the concept of an Ebook reader (seems like something pulled from star trek with their 'padds'), the initial cost is a little tough to swallow. That's not too far from what I take home every paycheck after taxes, insurance, and 401k. So to cough up almost two weeks of pay is a bit tough.
Plus, the books you have (the ones you want to re-read), you will have to repurchase them in e-book format, which is another 2 or 3 bucks per book.
So, what does that get you? Into the land of Digital Rights Management, of course! With the landminds of DRM all over the e-book industry and a $400 price tag, I'll have to pass, and stick with my $.99 paperbacks I can get from amazon.com that never expire, will never get accidently deleted, nor will they be lost in some catastrophic electronics failure.
I didn't want one either...
by refinch - 11/29/07 8:24 AM In reply to: Would you buy an e-book reader? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
..that is, until I did some research. There are a lot of people here expressing objections to the Kindle who haven't taken the time to look into the information available about the device.
My immediate reactions and objections related to the thought of having some other gadget to lug around were the same as many I've read here.
I suggest that many skeptics would be swayed if they took the time to visit Amazon.com to view the videos they provide that describe in detail the uses of the device and the testimonials.
I'm sold. I want one for Christmas. The darned thing might even get me reading newspapers again...
E-Book Reader
by Marlina66 - 11/29/07 8:44 AM In reply to: Would you buy an e-book reader? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I would buy one. The question is 'Would I like it'? I'm a book worm, I love books, I love to look at my books, and you can find LOTS of great books for the price of one of these little gadgets. So why would I buy it? Just to try out the technology. Anything to do with reading a book is worth it to me.
Go to the gym!
by Rlthur - 11/29/07 8:52 AM In reply to: Would you buy an e-book reader? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have two teens. The school they attend has no lockers. Every day they carry 20-25# of books. These books are out of date before they hit the bookstore shelves. An ebook would solve both of these problems. They should not cost $300; they will cost around $100, and soon. In 10 years people will be laughing about the silly sentimentality of paper books read under a tree. (Something we all do all the time (LOL)). Lee Koo's middle name must also be Koo. (Sorry, but I have no restraint). I have read the same junk about the Imperial system of measurement for years - the beauty of 1/8's of an inch. Ask anyone who must add 1/16 + 1/64 + 1/2 how much they love it.
A book that can have the latest news, a mystery novel, and the history of the planning of the Iraq war (OK, that would be a small book) would be pretty cool.
Windows based smart phones/PDAs already support reader
by hoopest - 11/29/07 9:02 AM In reply to: Would you buy an e-book reader? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
No I would not buy an e-book reader--not if that is all it does. Who needs to carry another device around? That is why I've set up e-book software on my laptop and my phone.
Microsoft reader is downloadable and works quite well both on my PC and my Treo. However one option that the PC version has but doesn't work on my Treo, is the voice function. I really like the idea of having the books that I download read to me while doing other things--like relaxing. After looking at a computer monitor 9-10 hours a day, who wants to read some more?
As for buying e-books, there are a lot of classics on the internet that are free to download. If a title were to catch my eye, I would be willing to pay to download it though.
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