E-Books: Fad or Fantastic?
I spent the weeks immediately preceding Christmas doing what I suspect a lot of readers did, comparing the Nook and the Kindle. I read a lot, and frequently have a book stuck in my desk at work, one in my Blazer, and another at home. Having three books going at once is a bit of a pain, and I would love to be able to carry one thing around with me all the time that wouldn't be as hefty as a "real" book and it would also be quite nice to simply start another once I finish one. I've purchased e-books and read them on my computer (my first experience with an e-book was the serial novel Stephen King offered). My problem is not with the e-book format, but rather with being tied to my computer. It would be oh, so nice, to be able to be portable! And imagine a week at a beach . . . without back strain from lugging a full book bag along!
I tend to be a bit anal about things, and research things before I purchase. Also, I'm a bit afraid of taking the plunge, because I know (I KNOW!) that once I take the plunge, something bigger and better and faster and cooler will come out. My fears were confirmed when I saw the first video of the iPad (am I the only one that hates that name? Yeeesh!!). If you've been living a science/tech sheltered life, click here to see what I'm talking about.
I've held a Kindle, and really liked the way it felt. The weight was good and the screen was easy on the eyes. To me, the biggest selling point is 60 seconds to a book. I'm definitely not a fan of delayed gratification, so this is a big selling point for me. I do wonder, though, if I could buy a book even in remote locations (I live on a hobby farm in the middle of nowhere - I have to hold the phone just right and stand by a window to get cell phone coverage at home), and I wonder if the grayscale screen would irritate me. Also, a leather book cover would be a must. The keyboard throws me - would I like it? Seems like it takes up valuable screen real estate.
I've also held a Nook (thanks to the local Barnes and Noble for having a couple available to play). I like the idea of ordering books from Barnes and Noble, and being able to "browse" books in the store in a great incentive to get me into the bookstore. The split screen was okay, though it seemed a bit slow and awkward in real use. The color screen is a definite selling point.
I also looked at the Sony e-reader, literally looked at it. I made a special trip to Staples purely to put my hands on one. It was okay. Reminded me a lot of the other two e-readers, but the fact that it was wired and required a computer to purchase books is a huge downside.
I'd like to get my hands on an iPad, because it seems like the perfect solution - an e-reader that allows me to do more. As a writer, I would think this would be especially useful - to be able to read and write, all in the same handy-dandy little piece of equipment! (By the way - this is yet another example of Star Trek technology coming to life. Watch Star Trek: The Next Generation sometime - they use devices that look suspiciously like iPads!) And that makes me wonder what is on the horizon for e-readers. Will they last, or will they be like my Palm Pilot m100 that is sitting in a drawer at home gathering dust, destined to be a curious antique when my grandchildren clean out my house?
I tend to be a bit anal about things, and research things before I purchase. Also, I'm a bit afraid of taking the plunge, because I know (I KNOW!) that once I take the plunge, something bigger and better and faster and cooler will come out. My fears were confirmed when I saw the first video of the iPad (am I the only one that hates that name? Yeeesh!!). If you've been living a science/tech sheltered life, click here to see what I'm talking about.
I've held a Kindle, and really liked the way it felt. The weight was good and the screen was easy on the eyes. To me, the biggest selling point is 60 seconds to a book. I'm definitely not a fan of delayed gratification, so this is a big selling point for me. I do wonder, though, if I could buy a book even in remote locations (I live on a hobby farm in the middle of nowhere - I have to hold the phone just right and stand by a window to get cell phone coverage at home), and I wonder if the grayscale screen would irritate me. Also, a leather book cover would be a must. The keyboard throws me - would I like it? Seems like it takes up valuable screen real estate.
I've also held a Nook (thanks to the local Barnes and Noble for having a couple available to play). I like the idea of ordering books from Barnes and Noble, and being able to "browse" books in the store in a great incentive to get me into the bookstore. The split screen was okay, though it seemed a bit slow and awkward in real use. The color screen is a definite selling point.
I also looked at the Sony e-reader, literally looked at it. I made a special trip to Staples purely to put my hands on one. It was okay. Reminded me a lot of the other two e-readers, but the fact that it was wired and required a computer to purchase books is a huge downside.
I'd like to get my hands on an iPad, because it seems like the perfect solution - an e-reader that allows me to do more. As a writer, I would think this would be especially useful - to be able to read and write, all in the same handy-dandy little piece of equipment! (By the way - this is yet another example of Star Trek technology coming to life. Watch Star Trek: The Next Generation sometime - they use devices that look suspiciously like iPads!) And that makes me wonder what is on the horizon for e-readers. Will they last, or will they be like my Palm Pilot m100 that is sitting in a drawer at home gathering dust, destined to be a curious antique when my grandchildren clean out my house?
Posted by Elle Robb at 2/23/2010 6:48 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Kindle writer e-book writing Nook iPad
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Kindle writer e-book writing Nook iPad
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