I think Baen has it right. I have purchased at least a hundred books through their http://www.webscription.net/ service. All the books I have ever purchased there are available to read online, or to download in HTML, Palm, or Rocketbook formats. Their prices are good, too, with a typical month of five books costing $15 USD. That sure beats $8 for a single paperback or $25 for a hardcover. And HTML is DRM-free and should be viewable for the forseable future.
As far as reading an e-book, I prefer them for fiction, but prefer paper books for tech subjects. Probably because novels are read in a linear fashion, but tech books are more random access. It's easier for me to flip back and forth in a paper book than on a PDA. That might be different on a laptop, though.
The other reason I like e-books on the PDA is that I always have one with me (well, actually I have about 20 with me:)) So I'll pull out the PDA and read while in line at the grocery store or anywhere I have to wait.
Along much the same lines, here's one a friend showed me once (and I've done myself).
Take an old 2-Liter, make sure it's dry. Create a small hole in the center of the lid, about big enough to insert the head of a Bic pen (3/16" ish). Take a capful of rubbing alcohol, dunp it in the bottle, screw the cap back on and swirl it around until it all evaporates. Then, take it OUTSIDE (preferably at night) and hold it in one hand, cap down. Take a lighter with the other hand and touch it to the hole in the cap. Instant rocket. The cool thing about this is that at night you can watch a blue flame wave travel up the bottle as it goes up.
Some important notes:
1) Make sure the hole in the cap is big enough or it blows up as the pressure can't escape fast enough 2) If it blows up, you didn't hear this from me:) 3) I'm told not to try this with 5-Gal plastic water bottles (the hole isn't big enough) 4) Rubbing alcohol with higher percentage alcohol is better (there are at least two types commonly available here) 5) Cycle fresh air into the bottle before re-launching
Have Fun
Usual disclaimer - this is for entertainment purposes only - so if you blow yourself up, it's not my fault (but make sure to do it spectacularly in front of friends because this is for entertainment:^))
Slashdot Mirror
FINALLY! *This* is bricking
As far as reading an e-book, I prefer them for fiction, but prefer paper books for tech subjects. Probably because novels are read in a linear fashion, but tech books are more random access. It's easier for me to flip back and forth in a paper book than on a PDA. That might be different on a laptop, though.
The other reason I like e-books on the PDA is that I always have one with me (well, actually I have about 20 with me :)) So I'll pull out the PDA and read while in line at the grocery store or anywhere I have to wait.
My $0.02
Don't anthropomorphize computers. They hate it when you do that.
Along much the same lines, here's one a friend showed me once (and I've done myself).
:)
:^))
Take an old 2-Liter, make sure it's dry. Create a small hole in the center of the lid, about big enough to insert the head of a Bic pen (3/16" ish). Take a capful of rubbing alcohol, dunp it in the bottle, screw the cap back on and swirl it around until it all evaporates. Then, take it OUTSIDE (preferably at night) and hold it in one hand, cap down. Take a lighter with the other hand and touch it to the hole in the cap. Instant rocket. The cool thing about this is that at night you can watch a blue flame wave travel up the bottle as it goes up.
Some important notes:
1) Make sure the hole in the cap is big enough or it blows up as the pressure can't escape fast enough
2) If it blows up, you didn't hear this from me
3) I'm told not to try this with 5-Gal plastic water bottles (the hole isn't big enough)
4) Rubbing alcohol with higher percentage alcohol is better (there are at least two types commonly available here)
5) Cycle fresh air into the bottle before re-launching
Have Fun
Usual disclaimer - this is for entertainment purposes only - so if you blow yourself up, it's not my fault (but make sure to do it spectacularly in front of friends because this is for entertainment