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GizmoPlanet · 10-21-2009, 08:57 PM

eGeezer,

Several things prompted me to get an e-reader. For starters, I'm a gadget freak and like new and interesting electronic devices.

I like the idea of being able to carry around lots of books and documents in a single compact device. Yes, books are cheaper (at least initially), and you can buy used books nearly dirt cheap these days, but try carrying around more than two or three without noticing their weight and bulk.

Most works of fiction and non-fiction these days are rather ephemeral. That is, they tend to be something you read once and put on a shelf. A book had better be memorable, a real classic, or contain valuable information I can refer to later before it will take up permanent residence on what little bookshelf space I have.

The other thing that's attractive about e-readers is the ability to download a book. If I can find a title I want on the Internet, and it exists in a format that's compatible with my e-reader, why run all over town trying to find the same title in a bookstore when I can just download it?

The idea of being able to download library books, for instance, from the comfort of my own home would be very appealing on a cold winter night or at times where I don't feel like leaving the house.

One other thing that's intriguing is the possibility of being able to read a newspaper on an e-reader. I'm not talking about the articles you can find on any newspaper's website, but an actual digitized copy of the newspaper, complete with photos and graphics. On some of the larger-format e-readers like iRex's 1000, this is already feasible.

The benefit of digital newsprint, as it's called in the newspaper business, is that it eliminates waste and the bulk of the newspaper itself. Plus, newspaper subscriptions in digital format cost 50% less. Consumers win, the environment wins, and newspapers, which are on shaky ground right now, also win.

Finally, I think e-readers are going to gain rapid acceptance, because as electronic gadgets go, they do just one thing and they do it well. You don't have the problem of eyestrain when trying to read e-books on a laptop or a tablet PC. Plus, there's a whole lot less weight and bulk to contend with.

E-readers and e-books have a huge potential and we're just scratching the surface right now.

10-21-2009, 08:57 PM	#25
GizmoPlanet Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Device: Sony PRS-300	eGeezer, Several things prompted me to get an e-reader. For starters, I'm a gadget freak and like new and interesting electronic devices. I like the idea of being able to carry around lots of books and documents in a single compact device. Yes, books are cheaper (at least initially), and you can buy used books nearly dirt cheap these days, but try carrying around more than two or three without noticing their weight and bulk. Most works of fiction and non-fiction these days are rather ephemeral. That is, they tend to be something you read once and put on a shelf. A book had better be memorable, a real classic, or contain valuable information I can refer to later before it will take up permanent residence on what little bookshelf space I have. The other thing that's attractive about e-readers is the ability to download a book. If I can find a title I want on the Internet, and it exists in a format that's compatible with my e-reader, why run all over town trying to find the same title in a bookstore when I can just download it? The idea of being able to download library books, for instance, from the comfort of my own home would be very appealing on a cold winter night or at times where I don't feel like leaving the house. One other thing that's intriguing is the possibility of being able to read a newspaper on an e-reader. I'm not talking about the articles you can find on any newspaper's website, but an actual digitized copy of the newspaper, complete with photos and graphics. On some of the larger-format e-readers like iRex's 1000, this is already feasible. The benefit of digital newsprint, as it's called in the newspaper business, is that it eliminates waste and the bulk of the newspaper itself. Plus, newspaper subscriptions in digital format cost 50% less. Consumers win, the environment wins, and newspapers, which are on shaky ground right now, also win. Finally, I think e-readers are going to gain rapid acceptance, because as electronic gadgets go, they do just one thing and they do it well. You don't have the problem of eyestrain when trying to read e-books on a laptop or a tablet PC. Plus, there's a whole lot less weight and bulk to contend with. E-readers and e-books have a huge potential and we're just scratching the surface right now.