Wednesday, April 01, 2009

[ebook readers] are they the future


Now this one is interesting to me, particularly with my book finished and ready to post. Just how effective are readers anyway?

Frstapr noted that all current ebook readers are aimed at the dextrous adult market. They have tiny buttons, tinier memory cards (the txtr will use pin sized micro-SD cards) and many of them seem to require bizarre gestures to do things like turn a page. And if you get the gesture wrong you turn two pages or exit the book or something. Furthermore they are notoriously fragile - a trawl of the mobileread forums will turn up any number of stories of expensive ebook readers with cracked screens and other defects.

L'Ombre goes into
the latest developments.

16 comments:

  1. It's like any new tech it needs refining. But I think they will catch on.

    I've played with one and i like them. They don't strain your eyes so would be good for internet access as well.

    Will take a while but I'm sure someone will build a good one soon.

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  2. Just think I should point out that you might like to check the date on the post you linked to.

    Having said that, something like the Frstapr reader might well be a good idea because the current ebook readers are indeed fidly and somewhat fragile. I expect both these issues to go away when follow up readers are launched.

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  3. Once they become more common and articles appear that are not subject to DRM then they will improve rapidly.

    I'd have one now if it was book sized, A5ish, no DRM and just had a couple of simple controls to turn pages providing it was prices at about £20. Then paying £1 or so for downloadable fiction would be fine.

    Star Trek type pads are only a step away.

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  4. I prefer reading old fashioned books, while snuggled in bed. Besides, how does one get an autographed copy on reader when they're <--thisclose--> to the author?

    Congratulations on finising your book,James. You truly do write so beautifully that you should be a published author.

    Is it dedicated to me, btw? :)

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  5. J had just asked me if I wanted a Kindle (Amazon) for my birthday (considering the fact he watched me unload box after box, after box, after box of books, after fifty or so...he got the idea :-)
    A year ago I would have been overjoyed. While in Morocco I was only waiting for the number of ebooks available to increase and include new publications to order myself one, but back in the U.S. now and settled in for a few years - I don't think so.
    I so love the tactile feel of the page, the titillation of that first page, browsing the aisles at the bookstores, and discovering a new or old author that I love. Nope, it's the paper for me. -not saying that I won't change that in the future once I'm on the road again :-)

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  6. I dareasy the will catch on eventually but to be honest I won't be rushing out to buy one any time soon

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  7. If I can't touch and hold a book, I think I would much prefer an audio book rather than a cold electronic screen....

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  8. James,

    The answer to your question is no. The idea that the e-book could ever overtake the printed book is a bit like suggesting Caxton used desktop publishing.

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  9. I agree with Cherie about audio books.It cetainly makes one aware of why the radio was so revered before tv.

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  10. I see the point of view of Francis and co here and then Martin's comment.

    Forgive me for not replying individually but I read them through.

    Obviously I'm interested in anything taking on which will encourage people to e-read, with my own three books and any short stories [which Sackers suggested I do], clearly a major motivation behind my point of view.

    What about you - do you publish in journals and the like? Would an e-format help you too?

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  11. Maybe a way to print the book off? Like Uber, I like to read them in bed and sitting in the soft seating downstairs at work during my lunch times.

    There are ways to create books online with a view to people ordering them!

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  12. I wonder if done in pod casts James? Instead of listening to music you could do a podcast per chapter, and people could listen whilst serfing.
    And you do have a lovely voice.

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  13. Print off - yes.

    Podcast - I can't do them because I don't want my voice heard.

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  14. I agree with uber on proper books!
    Good luck with yours, James.

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  15. A sentiment that I would, of courss, wish to echo. Never been able to get beyond 8,000 words myself.

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