Re: [CGUYS] ebook readers - end of story for now
Thanks for all the replies and the interesting reading - sorry to take so long to sum up. In brief: I gave a bunch of good books. I wanted to try a Kindle but they're not in stores, they're back-ordered, and the same amount of money buys a lot of books. Also, the giftee prefers books to electronics, but I had to physically partition the new translation of War and Peace (very painful, since I like books too) to make it physically manageable. -Andy * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] ebook readers
Although I agree with your general point, the analogy to UFOs is absurd. There is no generally accepted verifiable factual evidence that UFOs exist. There is plenty of evidence that at least some people will steal what they can afford to buy if they can do so with an acceptable (to them) level of vulnerability. That said, I agree with the objections about the Kindle. I don't buy DRM music, and I won't buy DRM books. If I get an ebook, I want to be able to send it to my wife and kids to read with no extra charge. I want the ebooks to be considerably cheaper than paper versions. I want the reader to be reasonably priced so I can get one for any in my family who want one (at least an extra one for sharing interesting books). I'd also like to be able to annotate my books, as I do with paper versions. Add a slot for a high-capacity card for mp3s and a PIM program for appointments and tasks. Then, you've got something. Until all of the above happens, I won't be getting a Kindle or any other ebook reader. And as an English professor, I think I would be a prime target for the marketers of these devices. Jeff Myers -Original Message- From: Tom Piwowar [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 6:39 PM Subject: Re: ebook readers Perhaps because with e-books, you can distribute, share, etc. with thousands of people very easily? Can is not the same as will. The logic proceeding from the easy distribution assertion is no better than claims about UFOs. It focuses on fictitious sales that might happen if people had the extra money and really cared about the content and got around to it. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] ebook readers
Although I agree with your general point, the analogy to UFOs is absurd. There is no generally accepted verifiable factual evidence that UFOs exist. There is plenty of evidence that at least some people will steal what they can afford to buy if they can do so with an acceptable (to them) level of vulnerability. You missed the point. The fact that there are some people who would steal is in no way related to an assertion that all (or most or even many) of the people who steal would instead buy. In fact there are several studies that conclude that the stealers would never be buyers because of their current economic condition. Their alternative to stealing is some entirely different activity. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] ebook readers
I use a refurb Palm Zire 31. It was about $90 and has a color backlit screen. It's not perfect, but is perfectly usable, at least for me. Each page is about the chunk of text I'd scan in a book, so each push of the button is right in rhythm with my reading style. I use it waiting in line at the bank or grocery and especially love it for long night time car trips. It is also a useful anti-boredom measure for those long waits outside the dressing room when accompanying a loved one clothes shopping. It's cheap enough that I won't be heartbroken if I lose or destroy it. It fits in a pant's pocket. It can be used under many lighting conditions. An hour or a month later it is still at the paragraph where you left off and you will never run out of reading material. David Newhall Falls Church, VA On Mar 6, 2008, at 12:00 AM, COMPUTERGUYS-L automatic digest system wrote: Re: ebook readers I'm thinking of giving an ebook reader to someone who loves reading books and takes Metro to work. I'm trying to choose between the Sony Reader, Amazon's Kindle, or waiting. Any experiences, concerns, or suggestions to share? TIA. I hate ebooks. I travel a lot. I carry paperback books. They drop. They get wet. They fall in mud, dirt, get lost under the seat in cars, buses, planes, trains. When I finish reading my book, I give it to someone else, and pick up another. Many small hotels, inns, apartments outside the US have a library where you leave your finished books and pick up one you like. Our local public library [Cecil County, MD] has a free magazine exchange and used paperback books for 10-25 cents. Wet paperbacks can dry out. Wet ebooks die. I trade paperback books with other readers. I'd have to refill an ebook and couldn't share it and have something to read at the same time. I've never had an ebook on the beach, but I suspect they're hard to read in the sun, and don't do well in sand [?]. Be sure that the person who will potentially receive the ebook really wants one and realizes its features and limitations. Otherwise the ebook will end up spending more time on a shelf or in a drawer, or broken. For electronic books, I prefer unabridged audiobooks on my iPod. My 2 cents. Betty * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] ebook readers
An hour or a month later it is still at the paragraph where you left off and you will never run out of reading material. Where do you get content? Is it free or pay? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] ebook readers
Perhaps because with e-books, you can distribute, share, etc. with thousands of people very easily? Jeff Myers -Original Message- From: Tom Piwowar [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 8:57 AM Subject: Re: ebook readers When I finish reading my book, I give it to someone else, and pick up another. Many small hotels, inns, apartments outside the US have a library where you leave your finished books and pick up one you like. Our local public library [Cecil County, MD] has a free magazine exchange and used paperback books for 10-25 cents. I trade paperback books with other readers. I couldn't miss the contrast of books vs. software. Doing any of the above with software would be criminal. Should doing these things with an book, just because it has been converted to software, suddenly be criminal too? The fundamental nature of the book has not really changed by making it an eBook, so why should different rules apply? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] ebook readers
Perhaps because with e-books, you can distribute, share, etc. with thousands of people very easily? Can is not the same as will. The logic proceeding from the easy distribution assertion is no better than claims about UFOs. It focuses on fictitious sales that might happen if people had the extra money and really cared about the content and got around to it. It is the logic of looking at what is on your neighbor's plate instead of what is on your own plate. It does not account for all the music that Apple is actually selling. It their assertion were true Apple's sales would be near zero. Clearly false. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] ebook readers
The definition of you is the pertinent issue. Amazon can share with Kindle... if they choose to ... and with regard to publishing rights and if you have paid up on your subscription. The user owns nothing but the device I believe. This kind of rent a book makes sharing with others a matter of lending them your Kindle etc... ... Not exactly the user friendly pass the old paperback around definition of sharing... db Myers, Jeffrey wrote: Perhaps because with e-books, you can distribute, share, etc. with thousands of people very easily? Jeff Myers -Original Message- From: Tom Piwowar [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 8:57 AM Subject: Re: ebook readers When I finish reading my book, I give it to someone else, and pick up another. Many small hotels, inns, apartments outside the US have a library where you leave your finished books and pick up one you like. Our local public library [Cecil County, MD] has a free magazine exchange and used paperback books for 10-25 cents. I trade paperback books with other readers. I couldn't miss the contrast of books vs. software. Doing any of the above with software would be criminal. Should doing these things with an book, just because it has been converted to software, suddenly be criminal too? The fundamental nature of the book has not really changed by making it an eBook, so why should different rules apply? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] ebook readers
David Weber provides a cd with his hardcover SF containing free e- copies of most of his works. I have most of the Honor Harrington series on my Palm. His publisher, Baen, has a site with lots of free SF ebooks called the Baen Free Library. SF author Eric Flint has an interesting take on piracy on its homepage. Baen believes that the publicity benefits out weight the dangers of piracy. Right now I'm re- reading Jane Eyre that I got, I believe, from the Gutenberg site. I've occasionally purchased ebooks from Fictionwise.com, but very rarely. David Newhall Falls Church, Va On Mar 6, 2008, at 3:30 PM, COMPUTERGUYS-L automatic digest system wrote: Re: ebook readers An hour or a month later it is still at the paragraph where you left off and you will never run out of reading material. Where do you get content? Is it free or pay? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] ebook readers
Be sure that the person who will potentially receive the ebook really wants one and realizes its features and limitations. Otherwise the ebook will end up spending more time on a shelf or in a drawer, or broken. For electronic books, I prefer unabridged audiobooks on my iPod. My 2 cents. If anyone gives you an ebook reader, Betty, I'll be happy to take it off your hands!!! I'd love to have one but can't really rationalize it. I am one of Audible.s original subscribers so I have hundreds of books there that I listen to on my mp3 player but sometimes it's more convenient to read one and I just like electronic gadgets, I guessand the ability to carry a bunch of books with me in a small space. I have a Palm LIfeDrive and do put a few ebooks on that and read even on a small screen without a lot of problem. I always have it with me so always have a book available. I also find that I get very irritated with people (read:husband) when they interrupt me when I'm reading an audible book because it's very much like interrupting a movie. I don't feel that way if I'm reading on the Palm and can immediately look down and see where I was and go back a couple of sentences to refresh my memory. SoI say both are good and paper is ,well, old technology. LOL Paula IN/USA Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO what a ride! Have a wonderful day! * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] ebook readers
I'm thinking of giving an ebook reader to someone who loves reading books and takes Metro to work. I'm trying to choose between the Sony Reader, Amazon's Kindle, or waiting. Any experiences, concerns, or suggestions to share? TIA. I hate ebooks. I travel a lot. I carry paperback books. They drop. They get wet. They fall in mud, dirt, get lost under the seat in cars, buses, planes, trains. When I finish reading my book, I give it to someone else, and pick up another. Many small hotels, inns, apartments outside the US have a library where you leave your finished books and pick up one you like. Our local public library [Cecil County, MD] has a free magazine exchange and used paperback books for 10-25 cents. Wet paperbacks can dry out. Wet ebooks die. I trade paperback books with other readers. I'd have to refill an ebook and couldn't share it and have something to read at the same time. I've never had an ebook on the beach, but I suspect they're hard to read in the sun, and don't do well in sand [?]. Be sure that the person who will potentially receive the ebook really wants one and realizes its features and limitations. Otherwise the ebook will end up spending more time on a shelf or in a drawer, or broken. For electronic books, I prefer unabridged audiobooks on my iPod. My 2 cents. Betty * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] ebook readers
I played for a few minutes with the Sony at Borders. I think it was not as good as reading long articles on my Palm. Turning pages on the Sony was annoying because it was too slow. The Palm was faster and scrolling was more convenient than turning pages. My bet is that the iPhone and similar products will make both Sony and Kindle obsolete. I'm thinking of giving an ebook reader to someone who loves reading books and takes Metro to work. I'm trying to choose between the Sony Reader, Amazon's Kindle, or waiting. Any experiences, concerns, or suggestions to share? TIA. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] ebook readers
Tom Piwowar I played for a few minutes with the Sony at Borders. I think it was not as good as reading long articles on my Palm. Turning pages on the Sony was annoying because it was too slow. The Palm was faster and scrolling was more convenient than turning pages. My bet is that the iPhone and similar products will make both Sony and Kindle obsolete. Note: I've seen one once (this past Saturday for a couple of minutes, the woman pretty raved about it, I don't own one myself) From everything I've heard/read, the Kindle has the Sony beat hands down. There's a better selection of books, it connect wirelessly, etc. The bad parts are that not all books are available (I went looking for some on amazon.com and could only find a few tech books), Phyllis said that she tried the Washington Post and it was missing most of the Metro section. I was interested in using this to replace the physical paper (I don't get it now), the part I was most interested in was getting the regional sections. Both the Sony and Kindle use similiar ePaper, the Kindle is supposed to be a little faster but that could be a desire on the owners part. There are gazillions of reviews on amazon.com. Amazon.com doesn't seem to exert any editorial control over it (surprises me, I'm glad, but it's still a bit surprising). -- Take care | This clown speaks for himself, his job doesn't Wayne D. | supply this, at least not directly Recursive, adj. - see Recursive. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
