Ebook?

Discussion in 'Gadgets & Tech Talk' started by Louis Ruiz, Jan 25, 2015.

  1. Louis Ruiz

    Louis Ruiz Veteran Member
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    At first I did not want to adopt the electronic book format, but little by little I have been making an attempt to adapt to reading ebooks. Right now it seems almost as comfortable as reading hard copy after adjusting the brightness at very low levels. I particularly like the automated search feature.

    My traditional desktop connected to the internet has a competitor in ebook readers for this purpose. I have used some readers already and I have totally loved the concept. Especially electronic ink.

    I adopt new technology very slowly but I am not afraid to try. How about you? Are you a hard copy person? What is your favorite format for regular reading?
     
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  2. Mal Campbell

    Mal Campbell Supreme Member
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    I'm afraid I'm a hard copy book person. It's funny, because I was programmer, starting back in the early 80s and worked in technology for a long time. I'm an early adapter of most technology, but for me, reading - at least for pleasure - is so much easier with a book. My son keeps trying to talk me into getting an eReader and maybe one day I will. I don't know.

    The other thing that keeps me from switching is the cost. I seldom buy books anymore, we have a great library system and I can get just about any book I want from them. They do have eBooks, but not many. Since I read 3 or 4 novels a week, and look at least 10-12 nonfiction books a month (like quilting or gardening or some such), I just can't afford to buy them.
     
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  3. Richard Lee

    Richard Lee Veteran Member
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    Isn't that interesting - I was a programmer for 30 odd years and am exactly the same - has to be paper and ink. If I use my tablet I use an audio book instead. I'm still very technical, and use computers for everything I can - except reading. My kids have Nooks which are epaper readers, the "screen" looks just like paper and printed ink without any glow or sheen (matte) - I still find my eyes wondering off after a page or two. I am a veracious reader, and live in a country where English language print can be a challenge to get (and expensive), but just can't compromise further than audio books.
     
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  4. Harrison Greenberg

    Harrison Greenberg Veteran Member
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    I've been used to the hard-copy books since I was a child, and adapting to eBook now a days is a little tough. It's not like I can walk to the book store and purchase an eBook like a separate book. Although the options are a lot more cheaper than purchasing a regular book, and plus is saves all those trees. The only thing I don't like about it turning the pages on my tablet, it doesn't feel as natural as a normal book.
     
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  5. Pat Baker

    Pat Baker Supreme Member
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    I love to read and have not a yet made the complete switch to ebooks. I do listen to audio books while I am working because I do not have the time to just sit and read a book listening to the book being read allows me to read several books a week. Our library system allows it members to borrow audio books online, which is very convenient. I had a paperback from the library that had to be returned to the local library which I found to be a little inconvenient after only having online books for awhile.
     
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  6. Richard Lee

    Richard Lee Veteran Member
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    Yes me too wrt audio books. I use them when I wash up or clean the kitchen or other domestic chore - I was not brought up to be very domesticated (my sister had that pleasure :) ) so I find it a real chore to do - music doesn't cut it, I need escapism. In the UK I listened to Talk Radio and argued with the air, but here in Thailand it all Thai music channels which drives me insane. So I download a book or lecture and listen to that while I work.
     
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  7. Joss Brown

    Joss Brown Veteran Member
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    I have grudgingly gone to embrace ebooks. I much prefer physical books. Several bookstores have closed down in my area within the past few years. I am very concerned about the future of physical books.

    I know that ebooks are the future, but I'm not exactly happy about it.
     
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  8. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    In most cases, I prefer regular books, in part because I take pride in my library. I do use my Kindle quite a lot because it's handier to take to places like doctor's offices and restaurants, but when I am reading something on Kindle that I really like, I'll sometimes buy a print copy for the library. Also, perhaps because I don't use a Kindle Fire, illustrations and photos are not particularly useful. The Kindle is easy to read, lightweight, and convenient, but I hope they don't replace books altogether.
     
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  9. Yvonne Smith

    Yvonne Smith Senior Staff
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    I had that same problem with the Kindle e-reader, Ken. It was fine if you are just reading a book that doesn't have pictures; but practically worthless when you are wanting to see illustrations. I ended up downloading those books to the iPad and reading them on it; but it is not nearly as convenient to use for reading now that I have the external keyboard for it.
    What I ended up doing, was giving the little e-reader to my friend, Evelyn, so she could read her paperback-style novels with it. She has a bad arm and holding even a paperback is hard for her now.
    The e-reader is perfect for her becuase she only reads novels for entertainment, and not anything that has pictures or illustrations.
    Then, I watched ebay, and got myself a kindle fire, and it works much better for online reading, it has the touch-screen, so you can enlarge illustrations, and it is also in color.
     
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  10. Harrison Greenberg

    Harrison Greenberg Veteran Member
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    I too share your passion with a library in my house! I've quite a collection over the years, and I would love if you could post a photo of your library. :) I've been taking my tablet everywhere I go, and there would be times where it just suddenly crashes and I end up not being able to read it and just have to awkwardly sit there.
     
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  11. Herbert Jennings

    Herbert Jennings Veteran Member
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    Definitely a regular paperback person. I think that part of the reading experience is turning pages and that is something you don't get with a kindle. I know it must sound stupid to some of you, but I'm an old-fashioned kind of guy. Also, I love the smell of a new book. Nothing like opening a brand new book and diving in. Finally, I like to scribble all over my books, don't know if something like that would be possible with an e-reader.
     
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  12. Peter Remington

    Peter Remington Veteran Member
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    I was always been a dyed-in-the-wool paper book person, complete with comfy chair, pipe, cats in the lap and strong black coffee at the elbow. However, I have Retinitus Pigmentosa and reading conventional print has been beyond me for many years. Enter the eBook, which I can blow up REALLY BIG on my 27" iMac or my iPad. I can read in bed (the ultimate indulgence) or take a book with me when I leave the house. Technology is the only thing keeping me going here so I've become an ardent fan.
     
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  13. Kevin Matthew

    Kevin Matthew Veteran Member
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    I like ebooks for plain old fiction, but realized that if you're into cooking and have a cookbook on a Kindle it's REALLY annoying... The only way to print out a recipe to follow is to do a screen capture of just the page you want and print it. It's very inconvenient to say the least for any of us who cook...
     
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  14. Ruth Belena

    Ruth Belena Veteran Member
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    I've never tried reading an electronic book. It's not that I have anything against e-readers, I might use one if I could afford it or was given one, but I don't want all my books stored on a device that could easily be lost, stolen and damaged.

    Before the arrival of the ebook, I worked in publishing and bookselling. All my life I have been surrounded by printed books. Looking round me now I can see them on shelves and stacks. By looking at a physical book I can remember how much pleasure I had when reading it. If all I had was a handheld device to scroll through to find my books, I just don't think it would be the same.
     
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  15. Kevin Matthew

    Kevin Matthew Veteran Member
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    I've always loved having shelves filled with books - until I moved cross continent three times.. Each time I spent a fortune just packing and then moving my books in big heavy boxes. I finally decided I'd rather have my books on an e-reader... :eek:
     
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