And all of this is why I am still waiting though the Astak EZ Reader Pocket Pro 5" and just anounced updated 6" Plus and/or Pocket Pro have tempted me very very much.
When I pick a gadget I have to decide what my cry factor is. Translation - how much will I cry and be upset if something stupid happens and it breaks and I have to buy a new one. My 17 pound cat likes to flop onto my books (while I am actively reading them) and his big long body hides standard paperbacks completely whether he stretches out or curls up. And I now have a 10 month old son. Both things make me very nervous about a glass screen on a $200+ item I will be counting on every single day.
After 2 years my cell phones usually still have perfect screens and look hardly used though it is my only phone. Even my sun glasses are nearly perfect after 5+ years of lots of use.
So I really try to take care of my stuff, but the glass screens still make me too nervous to buy yet. But I dropped my last cell phone and it messed up the innards. If I kept a microSD card in the slot it worked great, but otherwise it had problems. Maybe by the 2010 Christmas shopping season a plastic screen in a device with an e ink type of battery life will be available.
I hope I hope I hope...