Quote:
Originally Posted by DiapDealer
A page number is a reference point in the book you are reading. A location number is a reference point in the book you are reading. Is the main beef really all about terminology?
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Yes, I think that is exactly the point. Locations and pages are just different labels to express a reference to where you are reading. That's why I like the Kindle progress bar on the screen with the percentage tracker. If the Kindle were my first or only reading experience, then locations would be more intuitive to understand as a unit of measurement. Or, if locations were a universal standard across file formats and devices, then it would also be more relatable as a standard terminology. But other ereaders - like Kobo, Nook, Sony, Apple iBooks app - use page numbers.
I understand that Kindle locations are static. However, it wasn't until I looked again at the Kindle User's Guide that I realized Amazon uses the term pages to refer to what you see on the screen. Thus increase the font and the number of screen turns (and thus pages) increases. It would be nice if they provided the option to display either locations or page count (even if the page count was dynamic). Let the user decide.
The other ereaders mentioned above are primarily used to read EPUB books. EPUB uses the label "page" for a chunk of data that remains static and does not necessarily equal one screen. Therefore, at small font, 3 consecutive screens might show Page 1 * Page 2 * Page 3. At large font, those 3 screens might show Page 1 * Page 1 - 2 * Page 2. The beginning and end page breaks have remained static, but the number of screens to view a page at increased font has changed.
Some people like locations. Some people like pages. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I see the pros and cons of both methods. I just thought I would offer the perspective of a new Kindle user whose prior ereading experiences were built upon other devices and file formats.