Books: Digital or physical?

[Dan]

Before anyone follows this bit of dodgy advice I suggest that you read very carefully the terms of sale and use for any e-book you are planning on sharing out to others.

Are you aware those aren't legally binding? Same as they can't slap a sticker on your physical books saying you are forbidden from reselling them.

[AElf]

Before anyone follows this bit of dodgy advice I suggest that you read very carefully the terms of sale and use for any e-book you are planning on sharing out to others.

Are you aware those aren't legally binding? Same as they can't slap a sticker on your physical books saying you are forbidden from reselling them.

I am aware that they constitute statements of intent which can be introduced into court to show that the purchaser was aware of the terms and conditions of sale and is therefore not acting in ignorance.  Then the law itself comes into play and copyright law is no longer a laughing matter.  As a Berne Convention signatory state Canada has copyright law that is quite draconian.  If you can afford the $25,000 and the jail term please feel free to present yourself as a test case.  In the meantime it is morally reprehensible to counsel others to break the law, their only defense being "Dan told me it was okay."

[King Pizza]

I prefer printed rather than digital books because digital books require a device which I don't have and don't want to get due to the fact that I have an eReader on my palm phone; if it's compatible with that, I'm more likely to get it. However, printed books are easier to borrow; I can just walk into a library and check one out, rather than having to purchase a whole bunch of eBooks, which I often have no intention of reading more than once.   

[Dan]

I prefer printed rather than digital books because digital books require a device which I don't have and don't want to get due to the fact that I have an eReader on my palm phone; if it's compatible with that, I'm more likely to get it.

Check out Calibre. It converts pretty much from any format to any other.

[brandon]

tbh, I don't read that many books in any format. I just buy them and intend to read them. I have not yet bought a dedicated ebook device. One problem is that I like to read outside, and trees always seem to drop and drip things, so the screen might soon be a sticky mess.

I imagine a Kindle would be best in bright sunlight. Does anyone have experience with that?

Digital books are searchable and linkable. Their font is the exact size you want.

Those are all very important advantages, but the biggest for me would be the ability to Search With Google. With some books, it seems there are ten words per page I need to look up in the dictionary or research in Wikipedia.

[Dan]

One problem is that I like to read outside, and trees always seem to drop and drip things, so the screen might soon be a sticky mess.

That's a weakness of expensive electronics. You also can't throw them against the wall when the text you read frustrates you. If your books turn tend to sticky messes, it wouldn't be a good idea to switch to an ebook reader. That said, you might want to look into just printing pages before going outside.

I imagine a Kindle would be best in bright sunlight. Does anyone have experience with that?[/url]

The Kindle's cover (which is optional but highly recommended if you don't wish to damage your device) comes with an integrated light which works quite well even when it's very dark. It takes it's power directly from the Kindle so no need to put a battery in it.

Those are all very important advantages, but the biggest for me would be the ability to Search With Google. With some books, it seems there are ten words per page I need to look up in the dictionary or research in Wikipedia.

That's something I love about the Kindle, it has an integrated dictionary so you just have to move the cursor to any word and you instantly get a definition. There's also a shortcut to search on Wikipedia and you get unlimited 3G for life (for an extra $50 when you buy the device).

[Stuart]

You also can't throw them against the wall when the text you read frustrates you.

Is that a problem for you?!?

[bourne13]

I  prefer a good old fashion book, you don't have to hold it a certain way in good sunlight just to be able to see the screen and when you are out camping or hiking around no power is needed.

[Dan]

You also can't throw them against the wall when the text you read frustrates you.

Is that a problem for you?!?

Not really, but I saw it reported as a downside by some authors who are apparently into reading things that greatly frustrate them.

[Jann]

Printed books when reading for enjoyment . . . e-books for technical reference.

[adls1989]

Printed books when reading for enjoyment . . . e-books for technical reference.

. The find text feature comes in handy while searching for a particular text .

Aadil

[Dan]

Printed books when reading for enjoyment . . . e-books for technical reference.

Funny, I do it the other way around.

It's easier to share physical books with coworkers.

[Jann]

Printed books when reading for enjoyment . . . e-books for technical reference.

Funny, I do it the other way around.

It's easier to share physical books with coworkers.

It is harder to carry a library whilst doing field work in coastal boreal bog and forest;  e-books are handy that way but they truly suck when reading for enjoyment.

[Dan]

It is harder to carry a library whilst doing field work in coastal boreal bog and forest;  e-books are handy that way but they truly suck when reading for enjoyment.

Well, we found the difference between our uses, I work in an office environment where a library is a convenient way to share.

Why do you think ebooks suck when reading for enjoyment?

[Jann]

It is harder to carry a library whilst doing field work in coastal boreal bog and forest;  e-books are handy that way but they truly suck when reading for enjoyment.

Well, we found the difference between our uses, I work in an office environment where a library is a convenient way to share.

Why do you think ebooks suck when reading for enjoyment?

Because they do. 

There is a certain tactile element involved in holding a real book that is entirely absent with e-book readers, just as there is a certain personal element within a manuscript that is absent from a printed book.  There is also a certain friendliness about real books that bunch of components lurking within a piece of plastic can never replicate.  These are things that if you don't "get it" already, you will never get it.  It is a matter of personal preference, pure and simple.