Keeping up with TECHNOLOGY

[Brantford]

A.J.'s mother stirs things up a bit when she gives everyone an e-reader as a gift. A.J. has strong opinions about the use of e-readers and how they will affect his business. His mother says "The easiest way to get old is to get technologically behind".

Do you think there is any truth to this? Do you ever feel some level of stress trying to keep up with technology? Have you ever been in a situation where your lack of technical knowledge has made you feel uncomfortable or incapable?

In your personal opinion, can you ever imagine a time in the future where print books will be obsolete or where there will be no such thing as a book store?

[Karen]

There seems to be a never ending supply of new advances in technology, it boggles the mind.
I know someone who still has a couple of turntables and old lp's. The sound is so much better than today's CD players--so new isn't always better.
I hope we continue to have books and bookstores; personally I prefer a hardcover over ANYTHING.

[Colleen]

I was COMPLETELY against ereaders when I received one as a gift at Christmas 4 years ago. And I mean COMPLETELY against them. It took me months to start using it, however once I started using it I've loved it and I've never gone back to paper books. Most of my reasons are practical. Much easier on my eyes and light weight, so my hands (which can ache sometimes) are far better off. And I can carry 109 books with me every where I go.

I have no opinion on bookstores to be honest, since I never use them. I love the library. I'm an avid reader, however I have no books in my home. If I want to read something again, I can just get it out from the library...again. And that includes all the ebooks.

I feel like technology does have a time and place in everything. I do however struggle with the social networking. Having been a user of it originally and since removed myself completely from all social networking sites, I often feel out of the loop and it's not uncommon for me to actually miss events because there now seems to be a lack of communication through anything beyond social networking. That to me is extremely frustrating.

[Anna]

I think keeping up with technology is a new brand of stress that didn't exist before and it's not just for those of us who are "of a certain age". I think all ages struggle with this in different degrees.

I also enjoy my e-reader more than I thought I would. It is very convenient in many ways. But it will never replace a hardcover book for me. I can't predict what will happen to print books in the far future but for the immediate future, I don't think print books will be threatened. I actually see a bit of a trend where people have experimented with e-books and are drifting back to print or are at least reading both.

It is wonderful to be able to get ebooks from your library. I can't imagine paying for an e-book because when you are finished reading it, you have nothing to show for your purchase. At least with a print book, you have a tangible item sitting on your shelf. I feel that way sometimes if I buy an audio book from Audible. It's great while I'm using it but afterward it's nothing but a useless file on my computer.