Is it just me, or are e-readers not for everyone? - Page 3

The Terminator · 11-20-2011, 11:59 PM

This is in reply to to returning books that you don't really like after reading a few pages. From Kobo you can download the first few chapters of a book for free before you buy it using the "Preview" button.

Blue Tyson · 11-21-2011, 12:46 AM

Probably a hermit guy on a mountain somewhere happily perusing his scrolls.

JD Gumby · 11-21-2011, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

I don't have a cell phone. I don't have a television. I don't have a wife. I don't think anything is for everyone.

Oxygen is. We all love our oxygen.

dbeman · 11-21-2011, 09:49 AM

I certainly can't speak to whether or not you would get much out of an e reader. I was turning pages for a mere 39 years before getting my first e-reader, although my motivation for purchasing one was to primarily cut down on clutter in my home and secondarily to reduce my carbon footprint.

One needs to be careful though since, at the rate technology improves it is possible to accumulate a different type of clutter if you upgrade your devices more often than you should!

theducks · 11-21-2011, 11:00 AM

I like my PEz (e-Ink viziplex), I love the new K4 NT(Pearl E-ink display) I got for my wife's BD.

Now I need to see if I can get her to switch from paperbacks

to the K4.
I failed with getting my sister to take one for her BD.

Both these folk have books in hand

more than once per day

Both use computers daily.
Both have college degrees.
Neither keeps their cell turned on

Joy736 · 11-21-2011, 02:18 PM

I agree with the OP, e-readers aren't for everyone. But many people conclude "this is not for me" way too fast, without trying.
I know I was convinced e-reading was not for me, but the minute I started reading on my Bebook I didn't want it any other way.

Asawi · 11-21-2011, 02:31 PM

I was sure eReaders weren't for me, but a friend more or les bullied me into getting one. Have I got great friends or what?!

I could not imagine ever going back and not have an eReader now!

soulfuldog · 11-21-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joy736

I agree with the OP, e-readers aren't for everyone. But many people conclude "this is not for me" way too fast, without trying.
I know I was convinced e-reading was not for me, but the minute I started reading on my Bebook I didn't want it any other way.

I'm an avid reader and initially wasn't keen on e-readers either. I've read a lot more since getting an e-reader though, as it's just so much easier to get books, and that's just one of the many pros. when I read a paperback recently I just didn't enjoy reading it the same as a book on my Kindle.

The only negative I can see is that I haven't been to my public library since getting my e-reader - I might still try and borrow a few books though, as there's no reason why I can't do so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Terminator

This is in reply to to returning books that you don't really like after reading a few pages. From Kobo you can download the first few chapters of a book for free before you buy it using the "Preview" button.

You can do the same on the Kindle, and I'd imagine other e-readers are the same, so another plus point for them

Filark · 11-21-2011, 05:48 PM

I absolutely love having the dictionary right there along with the text. I read on an enTourage eDGe so I also have access to Google and Wikipedia when I want to know what something I'm reading really means. This and choosing the font size are the main reasons I prefer e-reading over p-reading. I still have a houseful of books, and I get both ebooks and pbooks from the library, so I haven't given up on paper completely.

My first ereader is now being used and loved by my mother (who is 76), and my second ereader I forced upon my father. He was sure he didn't want one, but I gave it to him for his 80th birthday anyway. It took him a few weeks but once he had read an entire book on his Sony he admitted he likes it. I stacked it with 50 titles from authors he enjoys, of course!

He will probably continue buying and reading hardcover books as well as electronic versions.

Keep in mind that whoever wants to give you an ereader probably wants to share the enjoyment they have with the devices themselves!

speakingtohe · 11-21-2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

I've been asked if I'd like a Kindle or Nook for Christmas, but I don't think I'd use it.

Ereaders aren't for everyone. Many people don't read.
I love mine, and my 86 year old mother loves hers.

I think you are lucky to have a caring person offer you a choice, but maybe it would have been better if they just bought you one.

Still refusing the offer and negotiating something different is a tad tacky.
Returning it if you hate it after giving it a fair try it is IMO, not nearly as bad.

Helen

The Terminator · 11-21-2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l_macd

You can do the same on the Kindle, and I'd imagine other e-readers are the same, so another plus point for them

I wasn't sure if other readers had this option, I didn't want to say that they all in case some didn't.

ninadb · 11-23-2011, 10:26 AM

I somewhat have to agree with original posters thoughts. Reasons below

1. I bought the Kindle 6 months ago but my usage has not been that good as I had earlier imagined it would be. Still cannot let go the physical paper book.

2. The basic purpose of buying an ebook reader was to reduce the clutter of books bought. I am short on space, and barring some very good books I would not like to store other books.

3. In India e book reading is not that popular and the other ebook readers like Sony/kobo/Cybook etc are not available and that is why I had to rely on Kindle.

Maybe next year I might go in for a touchscreen reader and then the usage might improve.

Thanks
Ninad

JoeD · 11-23-2011, 11:04 AM

If you don't buy many books, perhaps it's not for you. However, been able to get books from the library and return them (or not) without late fees might be appealing. Samples of the first few chapters of a book remove the issue of buying without knowing if the purchase is going to be worth it (with the few exceptions of books that go downhil in the latter half)

For me though, the ereader removed the need to keep using up more and more storage space on books. It's not often I re-read a book, but having bought it I don't like throwing them out nor just passing them on, the ereader makes that a non-issue.

Since getting one I've found it more convenient to read with one hand and turn pages whilst holding a cuppa in the other, a minor and quite lazy plus I guess

I've only recently bought a kindle (replaced my hanlin, which in turn replaced a pda) and have to say the dictionary feature is a lot more useful than I originally thought it would be. Not sure what to make of popular highlights and notes, but I can see a future iteration of notes making for a great feature too.

Perhaps my favourite reason though is I don't like waiting for books to be delivered when I've decided to read something or having to go hunt down a copy. eBooks are instant gratification in that regard. Again, perhaps not a big plus for many, but for me, it's a huge pro.

Enough convenience features make it a great device for me and many others, but on the flip side there's going to be plenty of people for who the conveniences do not make up for the initial investment and until ebook prices sort themselves out in many cases you can be paying the same or more for an ebook as you could a paperback. So you're correct in saying they're not for everyone.

mayoi · 11-23-2011, 12:14 PM

No, they're not for everyone, but if you have the least bit of interest you might want to try reading on one in a store display and see if you like it. You might be surprised! I had no idea how much I would enjoy an e-reader until I got one. Not having to lug around heavy hardbacks alone is worth it. Being able to try new authors that I otherwise wouldn't have known about with just a mouse click is great, as is having hundreds of books available at any time.

And I second this:

Quote:

Fourth, I have explored the free e-books available from my library and found virtually nothing of interest.

Our local library's Overdrive selection is fine if you like self-help, romance or vampires. Other than that, not so much.

HistoryWes · 11-23-2011, 12:23 PM

I'm sure there were people that could make similar arguments about the betamax, the LP record, or the horse and buggy. Why would I need a car? Don't get an ereader now and you can probably go your whole life without one. Eventually though, that will be THE way that people get books. Twenty years from now, will there still be people who only use paper books? Probably. But they will be much like the Amish. Can you go on riding a horse and buggy forever? Yes, but not on my freeway.

Don't get me wrong. Not everyone is comfortable being on the edge of technological change. Most people will wait until ebooks become more familiar and comfortable. My thought though is why if you don't care about ebooks, are you posting about them?

11-23-2011, 11:04 AM	#43
JoeD Guru Posts: 895 Karma: 4383958 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: na	If you don't buy many books, perhaps it's not for you. However, been able to get books from the library and return them (or not) without late fees might be appealing. Samples of the first few chapters of a book remove the issue of buying without knowing if the purchase is going to be worth it (with the few exceptions of books that go downhil in the latter half) For me though, the ereader removed the need to keep using up more and more storage space on books. It's not often I re-read a book, but having bought it I don't like throwing them out nor just passing them on, the ereader makes that a non-issue. Since getting one I've found it more convenient to read with one hand and turn pages whilst holding a cuppa in the other, a minor and quite lazy plus I guess I've only recently bought a kindle (replaced my hanlin, which in turn replaced a pda) and have to say the dictionary feature is a lot more useful than I originally thought it would be. Not sure what to make of popular highlights and notes, but I can see a future iteration of notes making for a great feature too. Perhaps my favourite reason though is I don't like waiting for books to be delivered when I've decided to read something or having to go hunt down a copy. eBooks are instant gratification in that regard. Again, perhaps not a big plus for many, but for me, it's a huge pro. Enough convenience features make it a great device for me and many others, but on the flip side there's going to be plenty of people for who the conveniences do not make up for the initial investment and until ebook prices sort themselves out in many cases you can be paying the same or more for an ebook as you could a paperback. So you're correct in saying they're not for everyone. Last edited by JoeD; 11-23-2011 at 11:08 AM.

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11-20-2011, 11:59 PM	#31
The Terminator Retired Posts: 2,552 Karma: 37638420 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver Island Canada Device: Kobo Touch, Optimus One (2.3), Nexus 7 (4.2)	This is in reply to to returning books that you don't really like after reading a few pages. From Kobo you can download the first few chapters of a book for free before you buy it using the "Preview" button.

11-21-2011, 12:46 AM	#32
Blue Tyson Blue Captain Posts: 1,595 Karma: 5000236 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Australia Device: Kindle Keyboard 3G,Huawei Ideos X3,Kobo Mini	Probably a hermit guy on a mountain somewhere happily perusing his scrolls.

11-21-2011, 09:49 AM	#34
dbeman Enthusiast Posts: 32 Karma: 511010 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Hampshire Device: nook ST	I certainly can't speak to whether or not you would get much out of an e reader. I was turning pages for a mere 39 years before getting my first e-reader, although my motivation for purchasing one was to primarily cut down on clutter in my home and secondarily to reduce my carbon footprint. One needs to be careful though since, at the rate technology improves it is possible to accumulate a different type of clutter if you upgrade your devices more often than you should!

11-21-2011, 11:00 AM	#35
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,062 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	I like my PEz (e-Ink viziplex), I love the new K4 NT(Pearl E-ink display) I got for my wife's BD. Now I need to see if I can get her to switch from paperbacks to the K4. I failed with getting my sister to take one for her BD. Both these folk have books in hand more than once per day Both use computers daily. Both have college degrees. Neither keeps their cell turned on

11-21-2011, 02:18 PM	#36
Joy736 Addict Posts: 311 Karma: 1078442 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I agree with the OP, e-readers aren't for everyone. But many people conclude "this is not for me" way too fast, without trying. I know I was convinced e-reading was not for me, but the minute I started reading on my Bebook I didn't want it any other way.

11-21-2011, 02:31 PM	#37
Asawi Gadgetoholic Posts: 1,467 Karma: 3865860 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sweden Device: Kobo Libra2, Tolino Vision 6	I was sure eReaders weren't for me, but a friend more or les bullied me into getting one. Have I got great friends or what?! I could not imagine ever going back and not have an eReader now!

11-21-2011, 05:48 PM	#39
Filark Armed with a smile :) Posts: 1,421 Karma: 2463560 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California, USA Device: enTourage eDGe & Pocket eDGe, Samsung Galaxy Note II	I absolutely love having the dictionary right there along with the text. I read on an enTourage eDGe so I also have access to Google and Wikipedia when I want to know what something I'm reading really means. This and choosing the font size are the main reasons I prefer e-reading over p-reading. I still have a houseful of books, and I get both ebooks and pbooks from the library, so I haven't given up on paper completely. My first ereader is now being used and loved by my mother (who is 76), and my second ereader I forced upon my father. He was sure he didn't want one, but I gave it to him for his 80th birthday anyway. It took him a few weeks but once he had read an entire book on his Sony he admitted he likes it. I stacked it with 50 titles from authors he enjoys, of course! He will probably continue buying and reading hardcover books as well as electronic versions. Keep in mind that whoever wants to give you an ereader probably wants to share the enjoyment they have with the devices themselves!

11-23-2011, 10:26 AM	#42
ninadb Member Posts: 12 Karma: 498582 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Mumbai Device: Kindle 11th Gen 6.8,Kindle PW-1,Kindle KB wifi, Ipad 10.2-wifi	I somewhat have to agree with original posters thoughts. Reasons below 1. I bought the Kindle 6 months ago but my usage has not been that good as I had earlier imagined it would be. Still cannot let go the physical paper book. 2. The basic purpose of buying an ebook reader was to reduce the clutter of books bought. I am short on space, and barring some very good books I would not like to store other books. 3. In India e book reading is not that popular and the other ebook readers like Sony/kobo/Cybook etc are not available and that is why I had to rely on Kindle. Maybe next year I might go in for a touchscreen reader and then the usage might improve. Thanks Ninad

11-23-2011, 12:23 PM	#45
HistoryWes Teacher/Novelist Posts: 632 Karma: 2274466 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nevada Device: Nook STR, iPad	I'm sure there were people that could make similar arguments about the betamax, the LP record, or the horse and buggy. Why would I need a car? Don't get an ereader now and you can probably go your whole life without one. Eventually though, that will be THE way that people get books. Twenty years from now, will there still be people who only use paper books? Probably. But they will be much like the Amish. Can you go on riding a horse and buggy forever? Yes, but not on my freeway. Don't get me wrong. Not everyone is comfortable being on the edge of technological change. Most people will wait until ebooks become more familiar and comfortable. My thought though is why if you don't care about ebooks, are you posting about them?

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