Ebook poll

I prefer the paper.

callalily61 said:

I stare at a computer screen at work all day. I write and sometimes edit on my computer. Ofen, by the end of the day, my eyes hurt. Paper is much easier for me to read. I like the feel of paper in my hand. I like pulling out a book late at night and reading in bed.

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Exactly. I work on the computer much of the day and sometimes into the evening. When I finally get time to relax I read a book in the tub or in bed. I don't want to look at another computer screen. That's not relaxing.

I don't care which format - as long as the story is good.

I read both equally. However if an e-book really grabs me, I'll buy the print too( if available), to keep on my shelf

If I don't like it, it's a damn sight less money wasted than a paperback I don't like...

I don't mind e-readers, as long as they're functional. If you ever see me trying to read a book on my phone, please, shoot me...

Vastly prefer to read on my kindle. More comfortable, more enjoyable, more convenient...but if I already have the paperback on hand, I'm not going to rebuy the ebook just to because I find it a more enjoyable experience. Much too cheap for that.

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.

Just want to point that out if eye strain is your only concern. Because it would be like saying "I won't take a plane ride because I am afraid of biplanes."

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After getting the Kindle, I'm a complete convert. Before that, I only read eBooks if they're not available in paper format (out of print, for example) but now I buy mostly eBooks because a) they are cheaper (from $0 to about $10), b) they're available immediately through wifi -- no more waiting, c) it's actually much easier for me to read, especially in bed, and d) I can put hundreds of books in the device and take it anywhere I go -- it tremendously improves the way I read.

I still prefer printed books for the look and feel and quality of typesetting, etc. But now I'd only buy prints I want to KEEP, such as photo books, or special editions. But when it comes to pure reading, I prefer eBooks now because of price and convenience. It's also easier on the eyes for me because I can increase the font size.

Are eBook readers perfect? No. But neither were MP3 players just six or seven years ago. It's an evolving technology and I can't wait when Apple finally comes out with a tablet or whatever device that does eInk. I think that would be the killer device much like iPod was to MP3 players.

Not to mention with the Kindle, at least, I can read my own mss. on it. It's a HUGE benefit especially when I'm editing. Also, with the text-to-speech functionality it's great for editing. Plus with T2S, I get audio-books, too, for the price of one.

callalily61 said:

I voted Other, because I only read ebooks if there's no paper edition available.

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Ditto. One of my favorite authors is an ebook author with Samhain, and I've bought a handful of other ebooks this past year because they weren't available as anything else.

But I don't have an eReader and I don't like taking my laptop to bed with me when I want to read something.

I want to invest in an eReader of some sort, so I have a more convenient way to read those e-only books I want. But I doubt I'll start buying books in e-formats exclusively. There's something lovely and tangible about seeing books lined up on my shelf. I love getting a box of books in the mail from Amazon or BN. And I can't find obscure or out-of-print ebooks for sale at my local thrift stores/flea markets.

callalily61 said:

There's another roadblock to ebooks for me, at any rate: the price of the reader.

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This.

I think the Kindle needs to, say, come down to about $150 (about the price of an iPod) for it to be viable. And eBooks should further come down in price -- maybe 40-65% of paperback prices, for them to be REALLY attractive. There's really no reason eBooks should be priced above mass paperback prices, since there's almost no "production" cost (other than turning them into electronic formats). Taking royalties and publisher's profits into consideration, eBook could be priced at $5-6 each and still make everyone happy.

DRM is also another issue. I should be able to take my eBooks with me from device to device as long as those are registered to my name. I do understand it's a tricky issue because electronic files are so easily transferred and shared.

BTW, here's a writeup on eInk/ePaper:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_paper


Because of its disadvantage (refresh rates), I think the BN reader's approach (eInk + LCD) is in the right direction, to support both eBook reading AND applications/media. And that may pave the way to a true multimedia eBook reader/handheld unit such as the much-rumored Apple tablet.

I wouldn't mind reading ebooks, as long as they could show color. Don't know why that matters to me....
And they have to come down in price.

maestrowork said:

There's really no reason eBooks should be priced above mass paperback prices, since there's almost no "production" cost (other than turning them into electronic formats).

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For my own clarity -- by this, I assume you're referring to books that are simultaneously releasing in either hardcover, trade, or mass-market print formats, and not about books produced solely in e-format?

ChaosTitan said:

For my own clarity -- by this, I assume you're referring to books that are simultaneously releasing in either hardcover, trade, or mass-market print formats, and not about books produced solely in e-format?

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Correct. Obviously there are costs for editing, typesetting, and all that stuff that goes with production and marketing. I'm talking strictly the costs associated with printing, binding, warehousing, transportation, distribution (stores, distributors...) etc.

Right now, the price differences between the hardcover and digital formats are pretty good: $21 (HC) vs. $9.50 (eBook). But if you compare the eBook prices to trade paperbacks, the difference isn't something to write home about. To me, eBook prices need to come down to at least 40% of print, or something comparable to mass market. So, a $15 trade would have a $6 eBook version.

I've read a few books on my iPod touch with an app called Eucalyptus. I really like it. It's way better than I expected. Easy controls to zoom the text size. turn a page backwards or forwards with the flick of a finger or thumb for one handed operation. The interactivity and animation for page turns is wonderful and has the 'feel' of a real page turn. Fantastic mobility and tons of books available. Have not looked but there may be other apps that are as nice to use.

But as maestrowork said, I really want to see what Apple might come up with. A rumor I've heard is that it might be the first to use color eInk.

I'm with the "other" also because of cost concerns and wanting to be able to read any book I buy on whatever platform I happen to have available to me. I really don't like proprietary formats and the limitations that puts on the consumer. IIRC, my daughter's Sony can't read Kindle books, for example.

Right now, the price differences between the hardcover and digital formats are pretty good: $21 (HC) vs. $9.50 (eBook). But if you compare the eBook prices to trade paperbacks, the difference isn't something to write home about. To me, eBook prices need to come down to at least 40% of print, or something comparable to mass market. So, a $15 trade would have a $6 eBook version.

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That's something the trad publishers need to get sorted - and why I primarily buy my ebooks from other publishers, where a standard length ebook is the about the price you state (mine for instance is $6.50 e, $16 print)

If it costs more to buy the e-book, I'll buy the print. Maybe just a sneaky way for those publishers to say 'Oh, well we tried e-publishing, but no one was buying'?

Currently, I have never bought an e-book in my life and don't see myself doing so anytime soon.

Which is weird, since my first Star Trek work was for an e-series. Course, I got .pdf copies of all the work in front of mine and since as reference material for my one published work and my one approved (but unpublished) story.

Nothing against e-books, but I still prefer wandering in a bookstore and finding stuff. I just have no interest in searching out books on line when there's a ton of paper books I have waiting for me to read and new ones every week at the bookstore.

*shrug*

I already spend enough time staring at screens. I don't need books to be another thing annoying me.

I've taken to reading e-books -- when I can get them -- because my eyesight has gotten so messed up that I can only read comfortably on a large enough computer monitor. Hard copy and I parted company several years ago. I'll read what I have to on paper, but I read what I want to on the screen.

Unfortunately, that means I can't read a lot. Used print books are cheap, even free from reading friends. E-books cost money, and they are low priority on my budget.

One reason I like beta reading, heh-heh

I will eventually spring for an e-reader. I think I'd like e-books a lot, really. I just haven't been intrigued enough yet to take the plunge.

I am also waiting for a water-proof e-reader. I like to read in the pool in the summer, and the bathtub all year long. When you drop a $15 book in the pool, it's not that big a deal.

Smish said:

I will eventually spring for an e-reader. I think I'd like e-books a lot, really. I just haven't been intrigued enough yet to take the plunge.

I am also waiting for a water-proof e-reader. I like to read in the pool in the summer, and the bathtub all year long. When you drop a $15 book in the pool, it's not that big a deal.

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There are always zip-lock bags.

maestrowork said:

There are always zip-lock bags.

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That could be a new zip-lock commercial. Not just for food...