07-22-2013, 10:53 PM | #46 | |
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Television was supposed to make radio and books obsolete. It didn't happen. Computers were supposed to make television, radio, and books obsolete. It didn't happen. It is worth noting that that books, radio, and television have not become niche products either. They have changed with successive technologies, to be sure, but they are still fundamental parts of our society. I don't see why ebooks will fundamentally change this pattern. (I also disagree with the LP analogy. An LP is just an electronic medium(1) for storing music, much like the 8-track, audio cassette, and CD. It is more analagous to the various ebook formats than print vs. electronic books.) Footnote: (1) Yes, I'm aware that LP's don't depend upon electronics. Yet most of the means of playing back LP's depended upon electronic amplifiers. |
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07-22-2013, 11:16 PM | #47 | |
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07-22-2013, 11:21 PM | #48 | |
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What I am saying is that from my observations, those of my generation who I have been exposed to prefer paper books by a significant margin. Most of us have ereaders, but even those of us who do read paper books far more often. Again, from my observations, those of older generations to whom I've been exposed prefer ereaders by a significant margin. What I'm saying has nothing to do with technological immersion outside of books. I'm just talking about books. |
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07-23-2013, 12:38 AM | #49 | |
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For some reason though, I see that technological distinction as quite small. However, I see the difference between media that is directly interpreted by human senses (such as books) and reliant upon electronic devices (such as ebooks) as being quite large. |
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07-23-2013, 02:45 AM | #50 |
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To each his own. For me a pbook or an ebook on an ereader both are just words displayed on a page from where "they are being directly interpreted by human senses". Does it matter how they got there? Not for reading the text. I feel you distinction is arbitrary and some day in the not to distant future ebooks will virtually wipe out pbooks in most markets, with pbooks remaining as historical artifacts only.
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07-23-2013, 03:38 AM | #51 |
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eBooks for text books and printed books for picture books!!!
I still prefer going to a book shop and "examining" the book before buying! |
07-23-2013, 06:15 AM | #52 |
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Paper books are the best for children. And nice bookstores to have a broader choice for said children books (if one wants to try something outside the fairy/horse books for girls and car/pirate for boys*).
* of course, it's not that cut and dry |
07-23-2013, 07:40 AM | #53 |
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This is the one area where I would buy 100% electronic if I had the choice - and none of my textbooks are available as ebooks!
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07-23-2013, 09:55 AM | #54 |
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I never have the least difficulty holding a book open on an ereader, even if it's a thousand pages long, and even whole series of books weigh less than 10 ounces in my hand. I can copy passages for quoting and write notes that I can instantly transfer to any word processor in my arsenal. Try doing that with a paper book.
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07-23-2013, 09:56 AM | #55 |
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07-23-2013, 10:07 AM | #56 |
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Certainly not the intended purpose, but I can certainly believe a certain kind of person was saying "It's a sad day for books if radio is going to beam stories right into people's homes, for free, complete with sound effects. Why would any one get off their sofas to go buy a book....?"
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07-23-2013, 10:08 AM | #57 | |
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I like the idea of stores like Uncle Hugo's & Uncle Edgar's, but I have to find the time to go out of my way and make a special trip. I generally just don't have time. |
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07-23-2013, 10:37 AM | #58 |
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Haven't had a "local" bookstore in my area in over 25 years. And I refuse to feel all nostalgic about the fact that the big chain bookstores that put that one out of business are now struggling with their own obsolescence. Crying has never prolonged a dying business model. Only foresight and a willingness to adapt to a changing landscape does that.
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07-23-2013, 10:55 AM | #59 | |
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07-23-2013, 11:11 AM | #60 |
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If you want to support bookstores, support them. There's nothing to "fight" for, just spend your money there if you want to. If you don't want paper books, don't shop there. Bookstores have to remain viable businesses if they are to continue in business. If anyone has to "fight" it is the owners of bookstores. Berating e-books doesn't make their businesses viable. They need to figure out how best to tap into the market that wants printed books.
The days may be numbered for the big box bookstores, but smaller independent bookstores should be able to succeed, if they are run correctly. It's easy to get trapped in an e-book bubble, but while the market share of paper books will decrease, it's not likely to go away in the foreseeable future. |
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