Slashdot Mirror
eBooks - What's Holding You Back?
blueZ3 asks: "It seems that the readers of Slashdot are the most likely early adopters of electronic books, but from posts I've seen here, it doesn't appear that many on Slashdot are e-book fans. In the hopes of sparking a discussion, I'd like to ask what keeps you personally from reading e-books?"
"Here are some of my guesses as to why people haven't taken up e-Books:
1. Form factor: They just prefer the feel and 'interface' of a paper book.
2. Lack of a compelling device (or perhaps lack of convergence): They don't own a reader (other than a PC or notebook) and can't take them with them.
3. Lack of content: Books they are interested in aren't available in electronic format
4. Distribution model: They don't like the DRM scheme their favorite publisher offers, or are otherwise unhappy with current offerings.
Maybe lively discussion from a prospective set of customers might spur the creator of the next generation of electronic book devices. Too bad the name 'iBook' is already taken."
What reason do you have for not taking up e-Books? Are they listed above or are there other reasons that you would like to add?
1. Form factor: They just prefer the feel and 'interface' of a paper book.
2. Lack of a compelling device (or perhaps lack of convergence): They don't own a reader (other than a PC or notebook) and can't take them with them.
3. Lack of content: Books they are interested in aren't available in electronic format
4. Distribution model: They don't like the DRM scheme their favorite publisher offers, or are otherwise unhappy with current offerings.
Maybe lively discussion from a prospective set of customers might spur the creator of the next generation of electronic book devices. Too bad the name 'iBook' is already taken."
What reason do you have for not taking up e-Books? Are they listed above or are there other reasons that you would like to add?
Let's see. First is the ridiculously high upfront cost for a device that even allows me to read an ebook (yes, I know about cheap PalmOS devices and Project Gutenberg--I'm talking about commercially available ebooks). Second is that DRM-laden ebooks typically cost the same or more than an equivalent dead-tree version. Third, I like being able to walk up to my bookshelf and grab a book to loan to a friend. Don't get me wrong, there are some things that I think ebooks are perfect for (namely, a reference library). But when points 1, 2, and 3 are taken into account, I'll continue purchasing the dead-tree variety.
This guy's the limit!
I, personally, like real books to ebooks. The portability of the paper book is a lot better than my laptop. There a few pound difference between them. Also, books require no batteries or AC power.
My favorite part about books, it that you can put them on your bookshelf. That way people think that you're deep and intuitive because you read pretty, leather-bound books. It also creates an ambience that ebooks just can't.
I look at a computer monitor all day. When I relax with a book, I want a non-screen-refreshing, non-light-emitting way to read. It really makes my eyes feel better that way.
I'm a librarian who specializes in audio/blended learning, so I guess I'm supposed to be an advocate of this sort of thing. And of course, I msut concede that there are benefits to books being available in formats other than paper, and that they are helpful to people who learn differently, etc. etc. The truth, however, is that I absolutely hate not having a physical book in front of me. Many of the reasons behind this have been listed above; there are the DRM restrictions as well as the expense of purchasing a portable reading device to contend with. Additionally, considering that I spend 8+ hours a day at work staring at a computer screen, I sometimes find it somewhat refreshing to not be tethered to technology for a little while and to just relax on the window-seat with a book, a cat, and a cup of tea. I'm certainly not technophobic, but the portability and permanence of a normal, paper book is just something I don't know that I feel can be replaced.
I'm surprised this hasn't come up more often already.
On-screen reading speeds simply aren't comparable to reading off paper, for anyone, no matter how much of a geek. (Go ahead and Google for the research: books have been found to be anywhere from 1/3 to over 2x faster.)
Moreover, prolonged VDU use, particularly when focussing at the same distance constantly and not making the effort to relax the eyes and switch subject occasionally, increases eye strain. It's less strenuous to read a well-printed book in good light, and doing so doesn't reduce your rate of blinking and therefore dry your eyes out to the same extent while you're concentrating.
All in all, any form of extended electronic reading is pretty much doomed to be niche-only until display devices are far, far better than they are today. Get back to me when you've got at least 5x the resolution of a typical display screen and contrast/brightness that auto-adjust to the surroundings for optimum reading comfort. The cost, DRM, etc. are pretty much irrelevant until that point.
If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
But the general user cant do it my way.
REader : Nokia 770 Absolutely AWESOME display, and right size for reading.
Content: I read non drm files. Legally and illegally. If I find a book I want that is not availabel in a non drm version I either torrent for a cracked copy or get it in audiobook version from audible and crack that DRM myself. (Yes it is easy to crack audible drm.)
Why do I do it this way? If I have to pay $300+ for a reader then I might as well get a reader that can do other things. my Nokia 770 does all that. Books? DRM is what I can not stand. I was burned big time with DRM on the franklin ebook reader as the content is locked to the reader and if you send your unit in for repair and they give you a refurb ALL your content has to be bought again.
So I made the decision to simply break the law. it works great.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.