why call it e-reader? - Page 2

mr ploppy · 09-28-2010, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikeridr

Actually, it does not *read* your book. It *displays* your book(s)

(Yes, I know, som newer ebook-readers do read it out loud for you)

So we should call the silent ones ebook displayers?

ManosHandsOfFate · 09-28-2010, 05:13 PM

I call my K3 "Brenda". I think everyone else should do likewise.

Shaggy · 09-28-2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temp

i've been thinking. the e-reader is actually a low budget computer with very comfortable to read screen and low weight. wouldn't it be better if we just call it an eink-computer or something like that?
companies could just release a few basic programs, a developing environment, and the required libraries, and let the open source community deal with language compatibility, calender and whatever application that the community needs? this could help reduce the price since the software developing would be cheaper and support would cost less!

Some of them do release an SDK and allow open source application development.

Lady Fitzgerald · 09-28-2010, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManosHandsOfFate

I call my K3 "Brenda". I think everyone else should do likewise.

I don't think so. My ex's name is Brenda.

SensualPoet · 09-28-2010, 06:56 PM

Well, most modern cars won't even start till the computer running it boots up. We still call it a car.

I think e-reader is a fine name for a specialized, dedicated computer that serves up books. And that's what also helps distinguish it from a tablet computer which may also happen to perform e-reader functions but is intended as a multi-purpose computer.

sabredog · 09-28-2010, 07:58 PM

I am fine with ereader. Describes what our favourite devices do. That is, to allow us to read electronic books.

I am not sure a title such as;

"Handheld tablet with monochrome text display" is really helpful to anyone...

Bikeridr · 09-29-2010, 05:44 AM

The Norwegian word "lesebrett" translates roughly to "reading tablet" or "reading plate". That is, it's kind of concatenated so it's probably more like "readplate".
Personally I think it is a good word/description as opposed to various other "Norwegianised" words that the "Norwegian Language Police" spews up..

temp · 09-29-2010, 05:53 AM

thenx for all the comments!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

The same reason things like Gameboys or mobile phones aren't called computers. If they called it a computer they wouldn't attract their target audience. Plus a lot of the manufacturers want to tie you into their own book shop, so they wouldn't want people putting their own programs on it. A rival book shop might develop a program that lets people read their books on a competitor's device.

hmm yeh i haven't thought of that.. maybe you're right and trying to go head to head with tablet PCs will be a bad idea for ebook reader companies.

@Manichean

i am a proud geek

. i'm also a grad student and having a small cheap computer near me in the lab could really make my life easier (and with less distractions!).. that's how this entire post started.

Lady Fitzgerald · 09-29-2010, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temp

...i am a proud geek

. i'm also a grad student and having a small cheap computer near me in the lab could really make my life easier (and with less distractions!).. that's how this entire post started.

Have you looked into the netbooks? Just stay away from the Acer Aspire One.

K-Thom · 09-29-2010, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManosHandsOfFate

I call my K3 "Brenda". I think everyone else should do likewise.

Brenda ist fine. But don't call it Shirley.

MR. Pockets · 09-29-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

Have you looked into the netbooks? Just stay away from the Acer Aspire One.

What's wrong with the Aspire One?

avantman42 · 09-29-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR. Pockets

What's wrong with the Aspire One?

I was going to ask the same thing

My wife's got an Aspire One and is very happy with it.

MrPLD · 09-29-2010, 10:42 AM

The AAO's are beautiful little machines - I've got a AAO-D250 and it just runs 100% with Ubuntu 10.04 (a bit sad I had to pay Microsoft-tax on it though

)

Don't forget of course, there's a LOT of AAO's, at least half a dozen variants.

Paul.

avantman42 · 09-29-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPLD

(a bit sad I had to pay Microsoft-tax on it though

)

Really? Jen's had a version of Linux installed (Linux Lite or some such, IIRC). She's running Ubuntu 10.04 on it now, though.

MrPLD · 09-29-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avantman42

Really? Jen's had a version of Linux installed (Linux Lite or some such, IIRC). She's running Ubuntu 10.04 on it now, though.

Yes, unfortunately out here in the 'rural Australia' zone I wasn't left with a lot of choices. Still, it was only $369 and given that everything world I was entirely pleased. I did however manage to buy the Linux versions of the Asus B202 eeebox PCs for my workstations here. All in all, about 1kW of power saved in this house.

Okay, sorry, better get back on topic now

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09-28-2010, 05:13 PM	#17
ManosHandsOfFate Addict Posts: 298 Karma: 1537324 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Chicago Device: Nook, K3, Fire, Nexus 7	I call my K3 "Brenda". I think everyone else should do likewise.

09-28-2010, 06:56 PM	#20
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	Well, most modern cars won't even start till the computer running it boots up. We still call it a car. I think e-reader is a fine name for a specialized, dedicated computer that serves up books. And that's what also helps distinguish it from a tablet computer which may also happen to perform e-reader functions but is intended as a multi-purpose computer.

09-28-2010, 07:58 PM	#21
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,630 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	I am fine with ereader. Describes what our favourite devices do. That is, to allow us to read electronic books. I am not sure a title such as; "Handheld tablet with monochrome text display" is really helpful to anyone...

09-29-2010, 05:44 AM	#22
Bikeridr Information Acquirer Posts: 436 Karma: 4265156 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Latvia, Rigas Rajons Device: Kindle 3 International, Pocketbook Color	The Norwegian word "lesebrett" translates roughly to "reading tablet" or "reading plate". That is, it's kind of concatenated so it's probably more like "readplate". Personally I think it is a good word/description as opposed to various other "Norwegianised" words that the "Norwegian Language Police" spews up..

09-29-2010, 10:42 AM	#28
MrPLD Author's pet-geek Posts: 933 Karma: 1040670 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: North Queensland, Australia Device: Kindle 3 Wifi, Onyx Boox M96	The AAO's are beautiful little machines - I've got a AAO-D250 and it just runs 100% with Ubuntu 10.04 (a bit sad I had to pay Microsoft-tax on it though ) Don't forget of course, there's a LOT of AAO's, at least half a dozen variants. Paul.