E-book readers save money... and maybe your marriage!

Bob Russell · 09-18-2006, 11:32 AM

The DearAuthor site presents an interesting top 10 list of reasons why an e-book reader can save you money, and it even finishes off the list with a reason it can save your marriage also!

While financial gain is certainly not the primary motivation for buying an e-book reader, it might surprise you how many ways an electronic reader can save you money. In fact, maybe this list will be just what you need to justify buying that new E Ink reader that you've had your eye on!

Via TeleRead Blog.

Frogsmasha · 09-18-2006, 11:42 AM

What happens when a blizzard comes around and turns your town into an iceberg? You can use the books to keep you warm

Bob Russell · 09-18-2006, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogsmasha

What happens when a blizzard comes around and turns your town into an iceberg? You can use the books to keep you warm

Ah... but that marriage you saved can do that also! ;-)

Frogsmasha · 09-18-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Russell

Ah... but that marriage you saved can do that also! ;-)

My wife is 6'3", and weighs 89 lbs

yvanleterrible · 09-18-2006, 08:03 PM

Want a new one?

yokos · 09-19-2006, 09:18 AM

Well, I have one [expensive] iLiad, & my girlfriend want's to read on it, too. So I have to share it, but I don't want. This is not a great help for our relationship.

Perhaps we will never get married, thanks to iLiad.

So you should never buy only one e-reader, if you are in relationship.

@ linked page:

Quote:

You no longer have disagreements about the light in the bedroom. Because ebook readers are backlit (one reason NOT to buy the Sony Reader),

Did the author understand how e-paper works?

da_jane · 09-19-2006, 09:40 AM

Thanks for the link. I do understand the technology behind e ink but I think the fact that you have to have a booklight to read with an ebook reader defeats part of the ease of a digital reading experience. Many of the women who own an ebook reader comment on how nice it is not to have the lamp on at night.

yvanleterrible · 09-19-2006, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yokos

Did the author understand how e-paper works?

There are'nt many people who've seen e-ink in action yet, me included.

NatCh · 09-19-2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yokos

Did the author understand how e-paper works?

Quote:

Originally Posted by da_jane

I do understand the technology behind e ink but I think the fact that you have to have a booklight to read with an ebook reader defeats part of the ease of a digital reading experience.

Yes, she knows (if she didn't already, I specifically commented on the point on her site some time ago -- hi, Jane!).

It appears to be a deal-breaker for her, though, outweighing all the benefits of e-ink.

Different strokes. There are going to be folks for whom even e-ink electronic readers just don't do the job at all, let alone in this regard. That's just the way it is.

When I'm reading in the dark with my Palm T3, I find the back-light from it to be at least as bright as a clip-on light would be (I sometimes use the backlight as a flashlight in a pinch). Granted, built-in is much handier than clip on, but I'm still hoping for a clip-on type LightWedge (even if I have to build my own), which I think would negate a lot of that.

Frogsmasha · 09-19-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

Want a new one?

Only if she's a fox

da_jane · 09-19-2006, 01:28 PM

Hey there NatCh. I guess the way I see it is this: there is a decent (not great, but decent) ereader already out there for a low price point: The Ebookwise Reader.

What is going to make the average consumer pay $350 for a ebook reader? One that allows people to read in bed. I would guess that the majority of romance reaaders read at night and in bed. I don't see the eink technology enough to push me over into spending $350.00 on something where I would have to have the lamp on. I know this sounds crazy but I bet you that if you were to take a poll at my site, the majority of people would say that lack of a back light is a deal breaker when there is an existing ereader that "does the job".

Hmm. Maybe I should run a poll.

Oh and it has to look a hell of a lot better than that fugly thing Amazon is thinking about selling. Gah.

NatCh · 09-19-2006, 02:10 PM

Jane, I expect you're right about the backlighting being very important to your readers. It was a topic of great discussion 'round here for a long time too. Oddly enough, it quieted sharply when folks got their eyes on the e-ink.

I think that MobileRead probably has more people for whom reading portability is more the aim, so weight, and battery life would the bigger issues to those folks (like me

)

I don't mean to disparage Ebookwise in the least, but it is big and a bit heavy and can't compare to an e-ink reader (with proper power management, anyway) on battery life.

Add to that the truly beautiful display, and it becomes a lot easier to imagine shelling out $350.

But what that comes down to is a difference in focus and need. If I mostly wanted to read in bed, near a power outlet, without a lamp, then I'd probably make the same choice you have, and keep the extra, what? $150? I fully understand your logic, it just doesn't move me much because my own circumstances are different, that's all.

I am glad that the Ebookwise works so well for you, regardless -- everyone should have a reader they're happy with, even if it's paper!

We are completely agreed that the Amazon thing is pretty hard on the eyes -- and I don't mean the screen.

One thing that should benefit all us e-readers, is that with several devices hitting the market, the pressure rises for publishers to get an extra-colonic perspective on e-books, and maybe even agree on one industry standard format (I can dream, can't I?), so that all readers can read all books, and we don't have to pay 2X hardback price for 15 year old books.

I like the idea of a poll. It would be interesting to do the same poll here and see how they differ. Maybe we could agree on a question and go for it? I'll gladly put one up on this end if we can agree on language.

Something like: How important is backlighting to you in in an electronic reader?
1) I won't buy one without it.
2) I want it, but it's not absolutely vital.
3) If the display, battery life and weght are good enough, I won't miss a backlight much.
4) Backlights? We don't need no stinkin' Backlights!

What do you think?

da_jane · 09-19-2006, 02:29 PM

I like it. Now, I just need to get the stupid polling thing to work on my wordpress site and I'll put it up on Sunday with my DRM article.

NatCh · 09-19-2006, 02:32 PM

Cool I'll go ahead and post it here while I'm thinking about it.

johnnaryry · 09-22-2006, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogsmasha

My wife is 6'3", and weighs 89 lbs

I do hope that was a typo and that your wife is either: 6'3" and weighs 189 lbs or 5'3" and weighs 89 lbs.

--ryan

09-18-2006, 11:32 AM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	E-book readers save money... and maybe your marriage! The DearAuthor site presents an interesting top 10 list of reasons why an e-book reader can save you money, and it even finishes off the list with a reason it can save your marriage also! While financial gain is certainly not the primary motivation for buying an e-book reader, it might surprise you how many ways an electronic reader can save you money. In fact, maybe this list will be just what you need to justify buying that new E Ink reader that you've had your eye on! Via TeleRead Blog.

09-19-2006, 02:10 PM	#12
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Jane, I expect you're right about the backlighting being very important to your readers. It was a topic of great discussion 'round here for a long time too. Oddly enough, it quieted sharply when folks got their eyes on the e-ink. I think that MobileRead probably has more people for whom reading portability is more the aim, so weight, and battery life would the bigger issues to those folks (like me ) I don't mean to disparage Ebookwise in the least, but it is big and a bit heavy and can't compare to an e-ink reader (with proper power management, anyway) on battery life. Add to that the truly beautiful display, and it becomes a lot easier to imagine shelling out $350. But what that comes down to is a difference in focus and need. If I mostly wanted to read in bed, near a power outlet, without a lamp, then I'd probably make the same choice you have, and keep the extra, what? $150? I fully understand your logic, it just doesn't move me much because my own circumstances are different, that's all. I am glad that the Ebookwise works so well for you, regardless -- everyone should have a reader they're happy with, even if it's paper! We are completely agreed that the Amazon thing is pretty hard on the eyes -- and I don't mean the screen. One thing that should benefit all us e-readers, is that with several devices hitting the market, the pressure rises for publishers to get an extra-colonic perspective on e-books, and maybe even agree on one industry standard format (I can dream, can't I?), so that all readers can read all books, and we don't have to pay 2X hardback price for 15 year old books. I like the idea of a poll. It would be interesting to do the same poll here and see how they differ. Maybe we could agree on a question and go for it? I'll gladly put one up on this end if we can agree on language. Something like: How important is backlighting to you in in an electronic reader? 1) I won't buy one without it. 2) I want it, but it's not absolutely vital. 3) If the display, battery life and weght are good enough, I won't miss a backlight much. 4) Backlights? We don't need no stinkin' Backlights! What do you think? Last edited by NatCh; 09-19-2006 at 02:12 PM.

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09-18-2006, 11:42 AM	#2
Frogsmasha Connoisseur Posts: 88 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2006	What happens when a blizzard comes around and turns your town into an iceberg? You can use the books to keep you warm

09-18-2006, 08:03 PM	#5
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Want a new one?

09-19-2006, 09:40 AM	#7
da_jane Evangelist Posts: 405 Karma: 692 Join Date: Sep 2006 Device: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 \| Kindle Paperwhite \| iPad Mini	Thanks for the link. I do understand the technology behind e ink but I think the fact that you have to have a booklight to read with an ebook reader defeats part of the ease of a digital reading experience. Many of the women who own an ebook reader comment on how nice it is not to have the lamp on at night.

09-19-2006, 01:28 PM	#11
da_jane Evangelist Posts: 405 Karma: 692 Join Date: Sep 2006 Device: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 \| Kindle Paperwhite \| iPad Mini	Hey there NatCh. I guess the way I see it is this: there is a decent (not great, but decent) ereader already out there for a low price point: The Ebookwise Reader. What is going to make the average consumer pay $350 for a ebook reader? One that allows people to read in bed. I would guess that the majority of romance reaaders read at night and in bed. I don't see the eink technology enough to push me over into spending $350.00 on something where I would have to have the lamp on. I know this sounds crazy but I bet you that if you were to take a poll at my site, the majority of people would say that lack of a back light is a deal breaker when there is an existing ereader that "does the job". Hmm. Maybe I should run a poll. Oh and it has to look a hell of a lot better than that fugly thing Amazon is thinking about selling. Gah.

09-19-2006, 02:29 PM	#13
da_jane Evangelist Posts: 405 Karma: 692 Join Date: Sep 2006 Device: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 \| Kindle Paperwhite \| iPad Mini	I like it. Now, I just need to get the stupid polling thing to work on my wordpress site and I'll put it up on Sunday with my DRM article.

09-19-2006, 02:32 PM	#14
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Cool I'll go ahead and post it here while I'm thinking about it.

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