Thread: Wireless Reading Devices

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I'm tempted by this new format called "book". Apparently it is made of something called "paper", which is lightweight but somewhat prone to wear and tear if not treated correctly.

"Books" can be purchased at numerous places called "bookstores", or you can even borrow them for a fixed period of time from places known as "libraries". You can also buy them online and have them shipped to your address.

I store my "books" in what are known as "bookcases". Books in bookcases can be sorted on numerous criteria to enable easy access, such as alphabetically by author or title, grouped into topic areas, or even size.

The reading mechanism allows for single, or even multiple, books to be open simultaneously using something called a "desk". They have even created an innovative product to keep track of your place in the book known as a "bookmark".

There are numerous pieces of software available to find and retrieve, in an instant, a "book" from a "library" with just a single command. The one I use the most is known as a "PhD student". If using this software, care must be taken to ensure its resources do not get grabbed by another process, such as "talking to other PhD student on the way to library".



James.

The sad thing is, James, my biggest customers are university libraries. The librarians love the idea of not using up valuable shelf space, of being able to manage the book collection budgets by subscriptions (not possible with print) or patron-driven-acquisition (a la journals model), and the students just love being able to remain in their PJs accessing their library loans from the stench of their own digs, never having to drag their sorry arses into the college library anymore, being able to link directly to any references in the research monographs and textbooks using the old journals DOI technology. And what's even better is that librarians can now see EXACTLY which books have been used and which have remained 'unopened' and therefore adjust their pick 'n' mix collections accordingly so they get much more bang for their buck compared to the 40% of print books they used to buy annually which were never once checked out in the ensuing 5 years.

Even academia has to accede to progress sometimes. (But never without a fight, I'll grant you! )

There are certain bugs inherent in this format, unfortunately. I've had hardware compatibility problems, namely "aging lower back" when I try to transfer files, and I frequently run into "Not enough free space" issues on downloading new ones.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I'm tempted by this new format called "book". Apparently it is made of something called "paper", which is lightweight but somewhat prone to wear and tear if not treated correctly.

"Books" can be purchased at numerous places called "bookstores", or you can even borrow them for a fixed period of time from places known as "libraries". You can also buy them online and have them shipped to your address.

I store my "books" in what are known as "bookcases". Books in bookcases can be sorted on numerous criteria to enable easy access, such as alphabetically by author or title, grouped into topic areas, or even size.

The reading mechanism allows for single, or even multiple, books to be open simultaneously using something called a "desk". They have even created an innovative product to keep track of your place in the book known as a "bookmark".

There are numerous pieces of software available to find and retrieve, in an instant, a "book" from a "library" with just a single command. The one I use the most is known as a "PhD student". If using this software, care must be taken to ensure its resources do not get grabbed by another process, such as "talking to other PhD student on the way to library".



James.

Have just found this thread that seems to have been resurrected.
Was introduced to the concept of e-books aboubt 2 years ago. Now do ALL my reading on my HTC Touch Smartphone - old and obsolete I know, but haven't got the $$ to upgrade at present.
Besides the cost of buying paper books, I got fed up with the varying sizes. Newer paperbacks are very large and too awkward for me to hold comfortably when reading in bed, as well as being heavy to cart around at work. I read lots of books and love the ease of being able to finish one and start the next straight away without having to carry 2 heavy books around.
I too have been using Calibre for changing book formats. Not sure about the concerns with "sharing" books as I have never brought an e-book. All my books come from torrent downloads and can be loaded onto as many devices as you like.
Have just purchased the latest Kindle3 for my wife (wi-fi only). Had a play this morning and was very impressed. Paid the extra and got the new case with built in light which is powered by the kindle itself. It seems very good, not sure how much it will effect battery life. Would probably buy another except then I would be carrying a smartphone and an e-book when my phone will happily handle both functions.

Oh yeah - our library loves the electronic collections, particularly the journals. And I admit it is more convenient than browsing the shelves for hours on end only to find the volume you are after is the only one they *don't* seem to have...

However, even when I download an electronic version of an article, I print it out to read and make notes on, and then it gets filed in a folder for future reference. I'm just old-fashioned that way and doubt I will ever change.

There's just something about a library filled with books and journals etc. A tangible representation of the sheer mass of human endeavour and inquiry. I find them a haven from the relentless bombardment of everyday life, a space where you can be left alone with your thoughts for several meditative hours. I don't want to "read on the go" unless it is absolutely essential. I'm sure the shelves of the Bodleian could be replaced by terrabyte hard drives, but something of the grandeur and majesty would be lost, I think.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

There's just something about a library filled with books and journals etc. A tangible representation of the sheer mass of human endeavour and inquiry. I find them a haven from the relentless bombardment of everyday life, a space where you can be left alone with your thoughts for several meditative hours.
James.

I can't argue with you there. It's the one thing the electronic world cannot replace, that feeling of awe and sanctuary when you're in a library surrounded by books.

I look at my own shelves of books at home and feel slightly wistful that I won't be adding much to the physical collection in the same way anymore.

I miss album covers in the same way. Big 12" printed reproductions of artworks, rather than a low-res electronic thumbnail. In both eBooks and MP3s I get the feeling that convenience comes at the cost of aesthetic.

On balance though, I wouldn't give up my Kindle and go back to print.

Originally Posted by nzFuzzy

Not sure about the concerns with "sharing" books as I have never brought an e-book. All my books come from torrent downloads and can be loaded onto as many devices as you like.