Ebook poll

I'm always one of the last to pick up a new technology, so I won't be jumping on the e-reader bandwagon until all the kinks are ironed out and the price comes down. Way down.

Until then, I don't enjoy reading for-pleasure novels on the computer. I just don't.

But even if I do pick up an e-reader at some point, I'm pretty sure nothing will ever be able to beat browsing in a real, physical bookstore. That's where I discover books I would never come across online. You just can't browse the same way on a web site.

Ravenlocks said:

II'm pretty sure nothing will ever be able to beat browsing in a real, physical bookstore. That's where I discover books I would never come across online. You just can't browse the same way on a web site.

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I go to book stores, browse, and pick out the books I want to read, then go to the cafe and take out my Kindle and buy them right there (wirelessly). I'll have all the books I want before I even walk out of the store.

The problem is, I don't usually find what I want anyway -- limited by what the stores stock. For example, I can't find any of the AWers' books.

I voted other because I'd try ebooks if the reader was far less expensive, and the books weren't overpriced. I have a hard time buying an ebook--no paper, no ink--for more than what I pay for a paperback.

maestrowork said:

I go to book stores, browse, and pick out the books I want to read, then go to the cafe and take out my Kindle and buy them right there (wirelessly). I'll have all the books I want before I even walk out of the store.

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That's a good way to ensure bookstores will eventually disappear.

maestrowork said:

The problem is, I don't usually find what I want anyway -- limited by what the stores stock. For example, I can't find any of the AWers' books.

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If I'm looking for something specific, I usually check the bookstore's stock before I go. The kind of browsing I meant was scanning the shelves for books I'm not looking for and have never heard of before. I can't find these books on Amazon or other online sites because I don't know I'm looking for them.

When I find them, I also don't have to worry about whether there's an excerpt available (I rarely buy books without reading a bit first). I can open up the book and take a peak.

I don't have a preference though paper has a huge edge when it comes to good cover art - eBooks can't compete.

Ravenlocks said:

That's a good way to ensure bookstores will eventually disappear.

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If they can't compete, then they will disappear. Consumers have no obligations to support a business just because. Why should anyone buy from a store if they can find a better deal, with better distribution and services elsewhere? I will buy at the stores if they give me a better deal -- I still buy deeply discounted (print) books, for example.

And if you feel bad for Barnes & Nobles, remember they've been doing that to indie bookstores, pushing them out of business, for years. Now, you can't even find niche books or small publishers unless you shop online. Like I said, I couldn't even find some of AWers' books, even from the big publishers, because shelf spaces are reserved for big names like Dan Brown and NYT best-sellers. I almost always have to buy them online anyway. The chain stores are already discriminating against smaller presses and authors, and the result is they're pushing people to buy only the big names.

I certainly don't feel particularly loyal to them. I'm a consumer. I find the best deal I can find.

Paper for me but not for a real choice. All my books that I bought when I had money to spend on books were in paper, not electronic.

maestrowork said:

For those who talked about eye strains with computer screens, just want to point out that the eInk technologies in eBook readers now (Sony, Kindle, BN) won't hurt your eyes since they are not LCD or LED screens. I just want to be rid of this persistent prejudice since it's no longer true.

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I'm old fashioned, I still use CRT monitors (because these 21" monitors are virtually free and still work), and am wondering how a CRT with a high refresh rate (100Hz for this computer, 85Hz for an older one I just set up) compares with LCD or LED computer monitors. Do these other screens flash with the refresh rate? I wonder if that's the main problem with computer screens causing eye strain.

Also, one would think there would be an "eInk" computer monitor for people who do a lot online reading. No doubt there's disadvantages, black-and-white only and blurry changing/scrolling. Is there such a thing yet?

benbradley said:

I'm old fashioned, I still use CRT monitors (because these 21" monitors are virtually free and still work), and am wondering how a CRT with a high refresh rate (100Hz for this computer, 85Hz for an older one I just set up) compares with LCD or LED computer monitors. Do these other screens flash with the refresh rate? I wonder if that's the main problem with computer screens causing eye strain.

Also, one would think there would be an "eInk" computer monitor for people who do a lot online reading. No doubt there's disadvantages, black-and-white only and blurry changing/scrolling. Is there such a thing yet?

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CRTs, especially the older ones with slower refresh rates, can cause major eye strain. LCD doesn't have refresh rate because it's different technology. Here's what wiki says:

Much of the discussion of refresh rate does not apply to the liquid crystal portion of an LCD monitor. This is because while a CRT monitor uses the same mechanism for both illumination and imaging, LCDs employ a separate backlight to illuminate the image being portrayed by the LCD's liquid crystal shutters. The shutters themselves do not have a "refresh rate" as such due to the fact that they always stay at whatever opacity they were last instructed to continuously, and do not become more or less transparent until instructed to produce a different opacity. Most of the TFT LCDs used in portable devices and computer monitors need a continuous refresh. The driving voltage determines the transmittance of the liquid crystal.

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So LCDs are better on your eyes. You can watch LCD HDTV for many hours if you want. Those who have laptops can tell you they can work on them much longer than a CRT monitor at work. But still, the problem with "reading" on LCD screens is the backlighting. After starring at a lighted screen for a while, your eyes need a break. LEDs, as I understand, emit less glare (which consume less energy) and are better for your eyes (the new MacBooks all have LED screens now), and they last much longer than LCDs.

eInk, on the other hand, reflects light the same way real ink on paper does.

But eInk does have its drawbacks. It uses less electricity (once the "ink" is set it doesn't need charge) so the battery charge lasts much longer -- so that's a good thing. The bad thing is the lack of colors (so far) and also the rate of refresh (redraw/rendering) is slow, so it's not really good for media, graphics or zooming, etc. At high zoom level, you will see pixelations. Also, contrast ratio is not going to be as good as computer screen simply because of the low-electricity property.

Basically, you want electronic ink on electronic paper and save your eyes? You will have to give up something such as vibrant colors and high resolutions (but no backlighting!)

Several thoughts...

1...Why are e-readers proclaimed to be the green wave in publishing?

In reality, they are loaded with heavy metals and the batteries take a ton of energy to produce, on most electronic devices. I have read e-readers can be produced in less factories than print books, thus they are less harmful to the enviroment. Yet, they use and produce more toxic substances than most print houses do?

Trees are renewable and paper books are recycleable.

2...Now, despite item 1, I feel e-readers are here to stay, but not for the fictional market. What do I mean? Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, and other professionals that need quick references will move to e-readers as an on the go source of reference, just another tool of their profession. Even students are switching over to e-readers in many grad courses. Plus many newpapers and magazine are now available for e-readers. But these are all non-fiction related books and professional needs.

Most reasons I hear for not getting an e-reader are because a person who has spent hours at work looking at some form of electronic screen does not want to spend their pleasure time looking at another screen, of any sort.

Just a few more thoughts about e-readers. I am mixed on my feelings about this new wave of reading. I have read books on my computer and have mixed feelings about the experiences. I hate the fact that most do not include cover art work with the experience.

Nick Anthony

I prefer only to beta a novel on my computer, but I'll read (and enjoy) an e-book on occasion.

I strongly prefer print though, particularly since it can sit on my shelf or I can (potentially) give it away. Most ebooks are single reader only (understandably).