[Kenny C.]

I will never, ever, ever make the jump to e-books unless it is absolutely necessary. I.e. unless books stop being published. For the same reason as why I refuse to buy music off of iTunes; I want a tangible product. I want something I can feel, smell, hold. Besides, I'd probably get a headache trying to read a screen for an extended period of time.

[Art]

Originally Posted by Kenny C.

I will never, ever, ever make the jump to e-books unless it is absolutely necessary. I.e. unless books stop being published. For the same reason as why I refuse to buy music off of iTunes; I want a tangible product. I want something I can feel, smell, hold. Besides, I'd probably get a headache trying to read a screen for an extended period of time.

You can feel and hold an e-book reader.

It has already been noted several times that reading the typical e-book reader is not the same experience as reading from a regular screen, and is, in fact, much closer to reading print on paper.

[zedman]

Originally Posted by Art

You can feel and hold an e-book reader.

It has already been noted several times that reading the typical e-book reader is not the same experience as reading from a regular screen, and is, in fact, much closer to reading print on paper.

But I like the feel of paper.
So I guess if I wrap the e-book reader in paper?

[Ted Logan]

Originally Posted by Kenny C.

I will never, ever, ever make the jump to e-books unless it is absolutely necessary. I.e. unless books stop being published. For the same reason as why I refuse to buy music off of iTunes; I want a tangible product. I want something I can feel, smell, hold. Besides, I'd probably get a headache trying to read a screen for an extended period of time.

Kenny, an e-reader isn't a "screen" like a laptop or video game screen at all. If you get a headache trying to read a Kindle for an extended period, then I guarantee you would have gotten a headache trying to read a paper book for the same period. It's that simple. No eye strain, no fuzzy anything. It's like reading a book.

[adamwagg]

I use my iPhone for e-books, and before that since probably 2002 or so I used my PDA for it. I love e-books - so convienient, can fit in your pocket, you can take them everywhere and you can have so many to choose from. Don't have any screen issues (even though this isn't one of the fancy book reader only devices). I can also buy a bunch of the books I like for much cheaper then in the real book stores, as well as being able to get a whole bunch for free (legally).

However occasionally I read a physical book and I also like that - you get the feel of the book, the smell of the paper, the feeling that you are reading an actual 'thing'. So I can understand both views.

[adamwagg]

Originally Posted by bobthecockroach

E-readers (at least a lot of them) rely on DRM-protected books which you will almost inevitably lose access to at some point in your life.

I only read, just because its how it works out, non-DRM protected books and get a whole bunch for free legally. If you are interested in sci-fi or fantasy check out Baen books (Baen Books Science Fiction & Fantasy - Home Page) for their free library of a bunch of books and also their online store as well as baencd at the Fifth Imperium for some Baen books with permission to share for free.

If you can get your hands on some sort of reader and they are your sort of books its a really good way of trying out if you like e-books or not.

I can fully understand your views re DRM - has their been threads in the past discussing this in relation to books?

[JerryLove]

I love by e-paper ebook reader (one of the sony's). It's easier to read than a paperback (the font size is selectable, there's no yellowing with age, I don't have to hold it open, and there's none of the distortion caused from ink being put into rough paper), plus I can carry thousands of books with me, all bookmarked.

I don't like reading from an LCD. I get eye strain.