Who ARE you people?

TedPark · 06-08-2008, 10:53 AM

Hi all. I'm an avid reader and wannabe polymath and "renaissance man". I already have an extensive collection of paper books. I'm also a heavy duty computer scientist - and am very excited that technology has matured to the point of having useful and workable "electric books"! I got a Sony Reader about a week ago and am generally ecstatic with it. I found your site - and it seems to be one of the best.

But who are you people? There seems to be a lot of work by "volunteers". Yet the quality is high. Is there money in this or are you all just a bunch of zealots? Just asking.

zelda_pinwheel · 06-08-2008, 10:57 AM

zealots.

some of us are also probably insane.

welcome.

Patricia · 06-08-2008, 11:05 AM

Nobody pays me for my books. And ours are much better than the Sony free classics. We just love books and want to see them converted properly.

Nate the great · 06-08-2008, 11:06 AM

Have you seen the Wiki? If you think the site looks good,then you will be surprised by how great the Wiki is.

zelda_pinwheel · 06-08-2008, 11:09 AM

Patricia would of course be one of the ones who is probably at least near-certifiable. she's also the member single-handedly responsible for the majority of our over 5.000, beautifully presented, multi-format, completely free and available for the sheer pleasure of sharing the love of a good book with anyone who cares to download it, ebooks. i, with my paltry handlful of contributions, am in constant awe of her. you will be too, as soon as you get to know her, it's ineluctable. just don't mention squirrels.

Elsi · 06-08-2008, 11:12 AM

As a new convert to the zealot ranks (yesterday, I posted my first e-Book converted from Project Gutenberg text), I can only speak for myself. I decided to make e-Books because of:

the challenge -- I'm a computer geek, too, and the conversion software wasn't very easy to use. I was determined it wasn't going to get the best of me.
the end product -- Having read messages on factors that make a high-quality e-Book, I wanted to try my hand against that standard. (Note that I still don't know how to make curly quotes, but I will find out.)
the vacuum -- of the thousands and thousands of public domain books, there's a large number not yet available for e-Book readers. And, since it is a bit labor-intensive to produce a well-made book, I'm willing to give a little bit of time to improve the quality of what's available.

and most importantly, because of:

the fun.

Taylor514ce · 06-08-2008, 11:16 AM

I'm just a lovable wanna-be.

Actually, I too work in the software field, and play guitar, write poetry, and am currently trying to learn to draw. Love of books is a given.

You sound like the kind of guy I'd like to have a beer with. With whom I'd like to have a beer. Whatever.

pilotbob · 06-08-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TedPark

But who are you people? There seems to be a lot of work by "volunteers". Yet the quality is high. Is there money in this or are you all just a bunch of zealots? Just asking.

Hmm... welcome.

So, you are not saying that quality can't be produced by volunteers are you? See Linux if you think that is the case.

BOb

zelda_pinwheel · 06-08-2008, 11:26 AM

insane, hyper-friendly zealots (with a few lovable wanna-bes thrown in for variety).

be not afraid, though. very few of us bite.

vivaldirules · 06-08-2008, 11:35 AM

Welcome, Ted. Arf! I come here for the doughnuts and chocolate. Arf! Arf!

MickeyC · 06-08-2008, 01:35 PM

Hi TedPark. Good answers from the always informative and accurate Zelda_Pinwheel and our eBook goddess, Particia.

We're like bookworms on crack! Lot of Karma whores too.

DixieGal · 06-08-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidym

We're like bookworms on crack!

PERFECT DESCRIPTION!!

In a perfect world, I would be able to finish one book and go directly into the next with missing a beat. Oh wait, that's what has happened since I got my EB-1150!

Welcome - and it's too late to save yourself now. If you aren't yet addicted to your Sony, you will be soon.

PS - We also proselytize by constantly demonstrating our devices for the unenlightened masses who are still using antiquated paper books.

DixieGal · 06-08-2008, 02:19 PM

We are also a bunch of smart cookies. This is such an impressive thread: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...evel+education

Not everyone is a computer expert. (Not me, for example.) There is a wide variety of backgrounds and educational levels amongst the usual MR cast of characters.

zelda_pinwheel · 06-08-2008, 02:25 PM

"bookworms on crack" is in fact frighteningly apt.

Oh, Why Not? · 06-08-2008, 02:28 PM

Though some are on Crinkles

06-08-2008, 10:53 AM	#1
TedPark Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 17148 Join Date: May 2008 Location: California Device: Sony 505	Who ARE you people? Hi all. I'm an avid reader and wannabe polymath and "renaissance man". I already have an extensive collection of paper books. I'm also a heavy duty computer scientist - and am very excited that technology has matured to the point of having useful and workable "electric books"! I got a Sony Reader about a week ago and am generally ecstatic with it. I found your site - and it seems to be one of the best. But who are you people? There seems to be a lot of work by "volunteers". Yet the quality is high. Is there money in this or are you all just a bunch of zealots? Just asking.

06-08-2008, 11:12 AM	#6
Elsi Wizard Posts: 2,366 Karma: 12000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: Kindle; Sony PRS 505; Blackberry 8700C	As a new convert to the zealot ranks (yesterday, I posted my first e-Book converted from Project Gutenberg text), I can only speak for myself. I decided to make e-Books because of: the challenge -- I'm a computer geek, too, and the conversion software wasn't very easy to use. I was determined it wasn't going to get the best of me. the end product -- Having read messages on factors that make a high-quality e-Book, I wanted to try my hand against that standard. (Note that I still don't know how to make curly quotes, but I will find out.) the vacuum -- of the thousands and thousands of public domain books, there's a large number not yet available for e-Book readers. And, since it is a bit labor-intensive to produce a well-made book, I'm willing to give a little bit of time to improve the quality of what's available. and most importantly, because of: the fun.

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06-08-2008, 10:57 AM	#2
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	zealots. some of us are also probably insane. welcome.

06-08-2008, 11:05 AM	#3
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	Nobody pays me for my books. And ours are much better than the Sony free classics. We just love books and want to see them converted properly.

06-08-2008, 11:06 AM	#4
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	Have you seen the Wiki? If you think the site looks good,then you will be surprised by how great the Wiki is.

06-08-2008, 11:09 AM	#5
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	Patricia would of course be one of the ones who is probably at least near-certifiable. she's also the member single-handedly responsible for the majority of our over 5.000, beautifully presented, multi-format, completely free and available for the sheer pleasure of sharing the love of a good book with anyone who cares to download it, ebooks. i, with my paltry handlful of contributions, am in constant awe of her. you will be too, as soon as you get to know her, it's ineluctable. just don't mention squirrels.

06-08-2008, 11:16 AM	#7
Taylor514ce Actively passive. Posts: 2,042 Karma: 478376 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-505/LC	I'm just a lovable wanna-be. Actually, I too work in the software field, and play guitar, write poetry, and am currently trying to learn to draw. Love of books is a given. You sound like the kind of guy I'd like to have a beer with. With whom I'd like to have a beer. Whatever.

06-08-2008, 11:26 AM	#9
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	insane, hyper-friendly zealots (with a few lovable wanna-bes thrown in for variety). be not afraid, though. very few of us bite.

06-08-2008, 11:35 AM	#10
vivaldirules When's Doughnut Day? Posts: 10,059 Karma: 13675475 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Houston, TX, US Device: Sony PRS-505, iPad	Welcome, Ted. Arf! I come here for the doughnuts and chocolate. Arf! Arf!

06-08-2008, 01:35 PM	#11
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Hi TedPark. Good answers from the always informative and accurate Zelda_Pinwheel and our eBook goddess, Particia. We're like bookworms on crack! Lot of Karma whores too.

06-08-2008, 02:19 PM	#13
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	We are also a bunch of smart cookies. This is such an impressive thread: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...evel+education Not everyone is a computer expert. (Not me, for example.) There is a wide variety of backgrounds and educational levels amongst the usual MR cast of characters.

06-08-2008, 02:25 PM	#14
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	"bookworms on crack" is in fact frighteningly apt.

06-08-2008, 02:28 PM	#15
Oh, Why Not? Groupie Posts: 176 Karma: 13065 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Galaxy Note 2; KindleFireHDX	Though some are on Crinkles