11-24-2009, 11:42 AM | #1 | |
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Top 10 Myths about Ebooks
We need more articles like this one to bring people over from the dark side. It's a comprehensive list of the most common objections people have to reading ebooks, and answers for each of them.
From http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2009...t-e-books.html Quote:
Last edited by anurag; 11-24-2009 at 12:00 PM. Reason: Copyright Violation |
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11-24-2009, 11:56 AM | #2 |
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nice break down
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11-24-2009, 01:08 PM | #3 |
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I had to pause at #1: Again, someone suggesting that eInk is great for everyone, and by extension, that LCD screens are no good.
It also concentrates on dedicated readers, as opposed to mentioning non-dedicated devices (that would largely eliminate the expense he references in #9). But he does mention an environmental study that indicates superior "green-ness" for devices vs pulp. |
11-24-2009, 01:24 PM | #4 |
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Another interesting myth is that ebooks are somehow comparable to hardcover versions.
Another is that e-ink is just like reading on paper. Plenty of myths that are left relatively untouched in that article... |
11-24-2009, 02:10 PM | #5 |
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I like that he mentions the second-hand vs paper issue. For me, I know I buy a lot more 'new' books now that I have the e-option because I don't have to worry about physical space to store them. When I did need to worry about such things, I relied on the used bookstore so I could get them very cheaply and then take them back when I am done. And as he points out the author gets no royalties on that
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11-24-2009, 02:40 PM | #6 |
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No, they are opinions, not myths. Of course you are entitled to your opinion.
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11-24-2009, 02:42 PM | #7 | |
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This has to be my favorite one
Quote:
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11-24-2009, 02:46 PM | #8 |
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They're popular enough misconceptions that could easily overtake a few on that blog post's list, if it weren't for the fact that the post's intention is to promote ebooks rather than be honest about them.
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11-24-2009, 04:51 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
Also prove why the blogger is lying and tell us why he should not be promoting e-books if he so wishes. |
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11-24-2009, 07:26 PM | #10 |
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The point about lending books isn't very convincing and not entirely accurate.
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11-24-2009, 07:41 PM | #11 |
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Can't comment on the 'not entirely accurate' part as I haven't looked into it yet but the lending books is of concern. A group of us is swapping books on a regular basis and have heaps of fun with it as it allows us to read authors / genres that we might not have considered otherwise.
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11-24-2009, 08:01 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
How do you turn the pages? Oh, come on. Just push the.... whoops. Never mind. |
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11-24-2009, 08:09 PM | #13 | |
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Quote:
You don't like ereaders, but the fact is, they are a great fit for most people. No need to turn everybody off to them. |
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11-24-2009, 08:53 PM | #14 | |
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Quote:
Whenever we see comparisons of paper books and ebooks in terms of price, the comparison is very nearly always made between ebooks and hardcover editions ("a paper book that costs $30 may only cost $15 as an ebook!"), which is frankly not a very honest comparison. I'm not making any opinionated comparisons of quality/presentation here. My second point was that e-ink is relatively low resolution and low contrast and with only the rarest (and still unavailable) exceptions fixed to a glass substrate which is glossy and full of glare compared to most printed paper (excepting photo paper and some glossy magazines). The point I was making wasn't just "it's inferior". That indeed is my opinion but the reason I posted it here was simply because while e-ink does have some more print-like qualities than most transmissive displays, it is quite a misleading exaggeration to say it's "just like paper". Both of those claims are extremely common when seeing people promote ebooks and ebook reading devices. Both of those claims are inaccurate at best, misleading at worst. I find it rather surprising that anyone would really believe that "I can't read in the bath!" is truly a popular myth and then dismiss some more common misconceptions on the other side of the fence as the opinionated ravings of an ebook hater. |
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11-24-2009, 09:45 PM | #15 |
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If you live in Taichung like me and locally you have a but tiny selections of classics in English only (all of which are free for an ereader anyway), then you would have to pay international shipping rates for English and German books. So an ereader pays for itself very quickly. And my house, even though bigger than most, is already full of pbooks, anyway. Additionally I travel 40% of the time.
Don't forget, even many Americans, Canadians, Australians, etc all live off the beaten path and the situation is similar. Ever calculated gas or transit tickets to go to the book store? In many cases ebooks are already cheaper, and they will become much cheaper as more people buy them. Can't stop this Tsunami. Is ebook just like paper? It is like paperback paper, not like high quality print. Last edited by HansTWN; 11-25-2009 at 02:12 AM. |
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