The Sword and Laser discussion
Bits vs Atoms! -- the eternal conflict between the ebook and the printed book
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I've been a member since this time last year and since that time I think I've seen at least two forum threads talking this topic over. Since we have a influx of new blood in the club I would say it might be worth a revisit.
Ultimately I've seen A LOT of people go "I thought I'd never like eReaders more than a physical book but when I gave the eReader a try I quickly realized how convenient it is." I like physical books but I never read as voraciously as I have with eBooks. Being able to carry my books on my phone or pull them up in the amazon cloud reader on any PC has just made it terribly convenient to read any where. Being able to buy a new book instantly over the internet is also something I see many people say is a driving factor for preferring eBooks.
Book are books. The format doesn't really matter to me.I guess its a big deal to some folks.
;-)
Parchment vs. Papyrus
Around the same time that the codex replaced the roll, papyrus came to be replaced by parchment (animal hide) as the favored writing material. Although the overall effect was a transition from the papyrus roll to the parchment codex, the materials are not necessarily linked to the different formats. Papyrus codices are not uncommon, and parchment rolls have been found. Parchment may have become more popular as the necessary technology to create fine leather spread, and parchment had the added advantage that it could be made anywhere, while papyrus could only be grown in the Nile region.
http://www.lib.umich.edu/papyrus-coll...
You know I think this interwebs thing is just a fad. :-)
Mod
For several reasons:
Availability: I live in a small remote town so browsing and buying online saves me time and money.
Readability: I love that I can change the font style and size on ebooks.
I have paper books in my library that 30 years ago I could read fine but now the font is just too small for my 50 year old eyes.
Storage: I love that I can carry my library around and reference it anywhere. Plus I don't need more crap cluttering my house.
I like the look of a library and I have a decent sized one built up over 40 years but I don't feel a need to grow it indefinitely.
I'm still a paper person. I think the main reason is that I like a medium that requires no intermediary device other than my own eyes. I admit to being a book hoarder, and have some books that I got thirty five years ago. Having seen music go through vinyl, tapes, CDs, and digital; and movies go through VCR, DVDs, and streaming; I don't yet trust the permanence of ebooks.
I love my books, for me the term always means paper form. It takes me to a whole new level of enjoyment because there are so many memories locked in the feel, smell, sound of paper. I just can't stop myself from buying paper when I do my book shopping. But, I am also beginning to enjoy the ease of my iTouch because I now have reading material where ever I am, I've purchased a few ebook only and got a lot of free ones. One think ebooks having going for them is, if the data gets corrupted you can just re-download, which is easier than going out and finding a book that may not be in publication anymore.
I am a paper reader, but I seriously considered switching after lugging Pychon's Against the Day on a plane...
Last Friday I bought my first paperback book of the year. I think that answers the question.
I still get paper books out of the library, but I am transitioning to my Nook for books that I purchase.Books take up a lot of space, especially when having them laying on their sides on top of the books on the shelf or stacked two deep looks messy to me and bothers my neat freak side. Mind you, I do have two overflowing bookshelves at the present - but literally have no where else to put books.
I'm also not the kind of person who needs to keep things in my possession after I've used them - aside from a few favorites, I have no attachment to physical books and would much rather see them go to someone else who will get enjoyment out of them than sit on my shelf.
And of course there is the fact that it's just convenient to have thousands of books at my fingertips wherever I am without having to worry about carrying a ton of books!
I work at a bookstore, so I obviously have a bias toward paper. But I think there's room for both. Ebooks are very convenient in lots of circumstances, but there are plenty of people who like books. There's also the design element. Books can be beautiful objects as well as entertainment. I don't see that one has to overwhelm the other. I've got a few ebooks and several thousand paper books. I'm having fun picking up some of the ebook only stories that I never would have found otherwise. But, if I really love a story I want to have it in hard copy.
I use both. I love a physical book, but the ereader is more practical. I buy physical copies of books that I really love and buy ebooks for there cheap prices. Of course, some of them are more expensive that the hardcover copy and I find that very frustrating. Who wants to pay more money for an electronic version that doesn't really belongs to you when you can have the hardcover for a better price.
Sara wrote: "I work at a bookstore, so I obviously have a bias toward paper. But I think there's room for both. Ebooks are very convenient in lots of circumstances, but there are plenty of people who like boo..."That's a really interesting point, Sara. It's never occurred to me that ebooks don't necessarily have to replace paper books -- they simply compliment the features that paper books offer.
I wish publishers turned ebooks into extra service instead of separate product. If I could gain access to ebook with the purchase of paper book, it would add so much extra value.I love that I can access my whole library wherever I am, but when I am at home and my shelf is nearby, ebooks lose any appeal and paper books are simply better in every way.
When it comes to novels, I'll buy whichever is cheapest - I'm very price sensitive. I'll also poke around the second-hand book shops.The big difference for me though, is that I'll only buy an ebook when I'm ready to read it. Paper books I might buy on spec, particularly if it's on special offer or second hand. I've probably got something like three years supply in my unread tree pile...
Liudvikas wrote: "I wish publishers turned ebooks into extra service instead of separate product. If I could gain access to ebook with the purchase of paper book, it would add so much extra value."I agree! That way it wouldn't be a question "one or the other".
I only just recently bought an eReader and I love it. It's so convenient. I can now buy books in English by simply pressing a button, that don't need to be shipped over the ocean.
And I like it that the huge fantasy series are now just a click away.. and use less space and I can carry them around in my handbag! :)
Still a book is a book, and I love them both equally! :)
I think this might be a personal quirk but I buy manuals (home repair, auto repair, programming etc.) as paper. All of the others I buy as ebooks where possible just because of convenience. It might have something to do with being able to actually handle drawings and diagrams, haven't really been able to explain it even to myself.
Liudvikas wrote: "I wish publishers turned ebooks into extra service instead of separate product. If I could gain access to ebook with the purchase of paper book, it would add so much extra value.
This is exactly what I would love them to do! That said, I've found I like reading academic works (usually Philosophy or Theology based for my degree) in ebook format - there's more variety, and with my uni subscription I can access many for free, or because of the modules I do many are out of copyright and around on Project Guterberg), and fiction in book format. I've found being able to separate the two so neatly really helps me associated books with me-time and relaxing.
My mum thought she'd really like the Kindle (ease of reading, font size, cheapness of genre she reads on amazon...) but when it comes down to it, she really just doesn't - apparently it hurts her eyes and just feels wrong. She still uses it for holidays though.
This is exactly what I would love them to do! That said, I've found I like reading academic works (usually Philosophy or Theology based for my degree) in ebook format - there's more variety, and with my uni subscription I can access many for free, or because of the modules I do many are out of copyright and around on Project Guterberg), and fiction in book format. I've found being able to separate the two so neatly really helps me associated books with me-time and relaxing.
My mum thought she'd really like the Kindle (ease of reading, font size, cheapness of genre she reads on amazon...) but when it comes down to it, she really just doesn't - apparently it hurts her eyes and just feels wrong. She still uses it for holidays though.
I love books, the smell of paper and having a wall of my house dedicated to them. But I also like reading outside my house AND my back not hurting, so my Kindle solves all theses problems.To me the eReader is like an iPod/MP3 player for books. I still buy records, but I don't run with a discman or a weird portable turntable attached to my back (some hipsters might). I think the same idea applies to ebooks. I have a huge illustrated edition of "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson and I could never finish it because I had to read it on my desk. Now I can read it in the subway and carry it in my bag.
Both formats are absolutely compatible to me and I'd love to see publishers understand and implement this. I would buy more books if they came with the Kindle version for free.
Just getting back into reading, and I think one reason for that is because of ebooks. The convenience of having my growing library with me in the palm of my hand, on my computer, or tablet, and the ability to read whenever and wherever I want without predetermined planning is king, for me. The authors are trying to deliver their stories to us, and for me, the most convenient way I am able to acquire their stories is the is via ebook. It'd be one thing if the book was hand written or typed by the author, but they're typing these out, electronically, on their computers (I would presume). No harm in consuming them in the manner in which they were created.
I also like audiobooks too. Again, convenience. Taking in a book while sitting in traffic or cooking dinner = thumbs up.
Plus, I have bad allergies, and books collect dust once I'm done with them. =)
As Tim mentioned, I buy books based on price. For me, paper books are usually cheaper. I shop used book stores in town and online. Why spend eight dollars on a book when you can get it for two or three? I buy way too many books to not be price conscious. I only buy new if its a book I really want or its a good price (Amazon has some great deals on new hardbacks). Maybe if the mainstream price of e-books goes down, they will become an economic alternative for me.
I buy based on price as well. Recently all the books I want have been significantly cheaper on paper. I just read The Snow Childand Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void from the library and I really like the layout and design. I forgot the effect these things have on me. My Kindle is now for travel.
I am still torn between the two. While there is nothing like an evening in the armchair with a glass of wine and a page-rustling paper book, I do travel on trains and planes a lot. And the convenience of carrying a handy electronical device with thousands of pages of reading material on it compared to carrying said thousands of pages made me switch to eBooks recently. I now purchase about half of my books in digital form.
I still love reading books which I buy or take out from the library. I have been debating getting an e-reader because of convenience but as people have mentioned, the prices are sometimes more than a physical copy. Also, since I do use my local library, I know that some publishers haven't allowed libraries to loan out their ebooks which is a big deal to me. So I will stick with my books until things change.
In theory I don't care which, but in practice I've moved almost entirely to eBook thanks to convenience on all fronts.Here's a great argument in favor of story being the thing that actually matters. Format is just a medium.
http://youtu.be/RmIfqHeiHL8?hd=1
I actually prefer to read physical books. I enjoy my trips to the library, used books store, and if necessary new book store. I don't like purchasing and if I have to I try to do it used because I don't re-read books. I can't do it. When I really enjoy a series and want to be able to introduce new people to it I do tend to purchase all of the books. Now I have succumbed to adding the Kindle app to my phone and downloading some books but it isn't my preferred method and I try to avoid it.
I actually had this conversation with an elderly woman in the doctor's office. I was sitting there with my ginormous copy of "A Discovery of Witches" and she pulls out her Kindle and says, "You really should consider one of these dear, they are so much lighter." lol
They're fantastic for people with eye problems too because every book becomes a large-print book. :)
Gord wrote: "They're fantastic for people with eye problems too because every book becomes a large-print book. :)"I just cringe at the idea that I would have to purchase every book I wanted to read that way. I really enjoy the library, I have access to many more books than I could afford.
Nick wrote: "Ultimately I've seen A LOT of people go "I thought I'd never like eReaders more than a physical book but when I gave the eReader a try I quickly realized how convenient it is." I like physical books but I never read as voraciously as I have with eBooks"This right here is pretty much the story of my life. I held off for a long time because I just didn't wanna give up my paperbacks. But when I got my nook as a present, I've burned through books faster than I ever thought possible.
Liudvikas wrote: "I wish publishers turned ebooks into extra service instead of separate product. If I could gain access to ebook with the purchase of paper book, it would add so much extra value..."Some publishers, particularly of textbooks, have begun offering precisely that deal. My own publisher is e-book focused, and I'm not aware of any major presses which have that functionality for mass market genre fiction...yet.
I love my ereaders. Have a Nook and a Kindle. I still love real books but money and space have stopped me from getting more and I'll be travelling a lot soon so ebooks make more sense to me.
I've read a lot more since getting my kindle, but there are some authors and series that I '*must* have in paperback, anything from Robin Hobb (trade paperback, always) and a song of ice and fire (the coverart is all over the place though). Any new series now goes on the kindle, and my shoulders thank me for it. Ever tried lugging 4 weeks worth of food and books around? Ever tried to explain to a section leader why you need books more than a change of clothes, or ammo?....
I watched this TED talk on book design this weekend. Then I saw this thread and I thought some people might like the speaker's perspective on e-readers.http://www.ted.com/talks/chip_kidd_de...
He discusses the book covers for Jurassic Park and 1Q84.
kvon wrote: "I'm still a paper person. I think the main reason is that I like a medium that requires no intermediary device other than my own eyes..."Really ? For paper books my intermediary device is called glasses :)
I read both :)I'm from the Philippines and I don't think eBooks will overtake the print medium here anytime soon (economy, culture, retailer practices, etc.).
I work for an eBook publisher and retail store, and we don't believe that the death of print heralds the rise of eBooks. In fact, we believe that both are mutually beneficial to each other.
I enjoy reading on both, but I find myself driven to finish a physical book moreso than books I have on my e-reader. (I've read plenty of ebooks that I enjoyed, I just seem to enjoy the dead-tree versions more.) To me, having the physical book sitting out serves as a reminder that I want to read it. Sure, I can have an entire library in my pocket, but there's not much there to remind me that I have books waiting unless I put the icon on my homescreen or maybe use some of widget. Even with my NookColor sitting out in plain sight, it looks more like an appliance and not something I'd grab for a quick read.
I need to be better about grabbing my Nook when I want to read (or even my phone).
But I like the paper better.
Mostly a paper reader, but slowly shifting over to eBooks. Ultimately, I think I'll make the final move to mostly reading eBooks when the formats settle down and lose their DRM, much as I pretty much stopped buying CDs when iTunes dropped DRM. Of course, that may never happen, much as it has not happened for video.
When I do switch over it will probably be mostly for novels and narrative nonfiction. I still like having reference books that I can page through... and I'll probably stil buy nice hardcover editions of my absolute favorite books.
I never thought I'd say this, but I've been moving more and more towards ebooks. I moved to a different town in order to go to university, and I have to leave about two thirds or maybe even three quarters of my books behind, taking only my absolute favourites and books I have yet to read with me. And even now, in my new tiny little apartment I'm just running out of space. I don't even want to think of the year I'm going to spend studying and working abroad... so that's where my new Kindle comes in. Not only have I bought more books in the past two weeks than I have in the last year, I also spent very little on them. When I lug around my laptop and several textbooks for classes, I don't have to worry about leaving the thick, heavy 1k page doorstopper behind or picking a slim, light novel to read on the tram; I can just go with the kindle, because the doorstopper is on it. I like that.
This won't make me stop buying physical books, because I enjoy the feel and smell of paper in my hands, I enjoy beautiful cover art and turning page after page after page. Not to mention I love being in a book store and browsing around and hoping to find something special.
I wouldn't choose one over the other. For the consumer, both have advantages and disadvantages, and I'm not willing to part with either so far :)
I really am on the fence between physical books and eBooks. I really like both but I have issues with both of them too.On one side, I really like the smell and feel of physical books. For me, there's something magical about the sensory experience of picking up a book - the weight of it in your hand, the way the paper feels when you turn the page and of course, that book smell.
But, I read a lot when I'm travelling and I can't always afford to have a whole stack of paperbacks in my bag. So on a practicality standpoint, my Kindle is so much easier to just drop in my bag and I have like 500 books right there at hand.
And honestly, the things I like about both are the things that I find lacking in the other, my physical books seem overly large and cumbersome now, but my Kindle lacks that tactile experience that I've always associated with reading.
I love both, and I don't see that ever changing any time soon.
The Sword and Laser
Books mentioned in this topic
The Snow Child (other topics)Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void (other topics)
ANYWAYS, has everyone here switched to ebooks entirely, or are there still remnants of the past collecting dust on your shelves? I still read all of my books in paper-form and frequent my local book stores and library for new books to enjoy. I kinda like the idea of me owning my books and doing whatever I wish with them (like write or highlight in them).
How do YOU read your books??