People Recognize my Ereader ... Can I Pretend its a Geiger Counter?

emellaich · 04-21-2012, 12:07 AM

Confession time: I am a reading addict, and I have always taken my books everywhere. When I drive, I have my ereader read out loud to me, and when I walk I carry a book with me.

For the last 10 to 15 years, I'd read by looking at an electronic device (from PDA through to present day). For some reason, no one ever commented when I walked and looked at an electronic device, or even an ereader in recent years.

However, now everyone knows what ereaders look like. Now, I get questions and smirks all the time. 'Watcha reading. It must be good since you can't put it down.' 'Look out, reading and walking at the same time you will run into something.'

When no one knew what an ereader was, I guess I looked like a busy businessman and didn't get any comments. Increasingly, however, I am now getting lots of snippy remarks.

I guess I need to shop for some kind of case that disguises my ereader as some mysterious gadget. Maybe a flat panel geiger counter? I can say I'm looking for fall out from the earthquakes in Japan?

Phogg · 04-21-2012, 12:45 AM

If you get a small tablet ... Maybe a Samsung Note or one of their media players you could fit it into the case to a flat screen oscilliscope (maybe a nice fluke model).

It would make the reader huge, but think of the battery life you could stuff into one of those cases.

ScalyFreak · 04-21-2012, 01:34 AM

Smartphone.

Yes, that's a serious suggestion.

My Sony and the Kindle app are both on my phone, and so is my Kobo app. I also have Aldiko on there, for my Smashwords and OmniLit books. You can do nothing but read all day, and as long as you have a good poker face (and access to chargers!) you can make anyone around you believe you're reading news and sports feeds, checking Facebook, or playing lame games.

howyoudoin · 04-21-2012, 01:56 AM

Shouldn't really read while walking in a public space, IMO.

tubemonkey · 04-21-2012, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howyoudoin

Shouldn't really read while walking in a public space, IMO.

I read audiobooks while I'm driving

frostschutz · 04-21-2012, 05:56 AM

Pretend it's a bible.

People stop talking to you real quick.

ilovejedd · 04-21-2012, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Smartphone.

Yes, that's a serious suggestion.

My Sony and the Kindle app are both on my phone, and so is my Kobo app. I also have Aldiko on there, for my Smashwords and OmniLit books. You can do nothing but read all day, and as long as you have a good poker face (and access to chargers!) you can make anyone around you believe you're reading news and sports feeds, checking Facebook, or playing lame games.

Same here. I read on the smartphone while I'm out except when waiting for the doctor/dentist (e.g. when taking the bus or train, etc). Less comments that way and it's easier to pocket the phone than putting the reader back in the bag.

It's annoying having people ask me about the reader when I'm in the middle of reading something. When someone asks me "Is that a Kindle?", I've long stopped explaining that it's a Sony Reader and just say yes to avoid a lengthy conversation.

Apache · 04-21-2012, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emellaich

Confession time: I am a reading addict, and I have always taken my books everywhere. When I drive, I have my ereader read out loud to me, and when I walk I carry a book with me.

For the last 10 to 15 years, I'd read by looking at an electronic device (from PDA through to present day). For some reason, no one ever commented when I walked and looked at an electronic device, or even an ereader in recent years.

However, now everyone knows what ereaders look like. Now, I get questions and smirks all the time. 'Watcha reading. It must be good since you can't put it down.' 'Look out, reading and walking at the same time you will run into something.'

When no one knew what an ereader was, I guess I looked like a busy businessman and didn't get any comments. Increasingly, however, I am now getting lots of snippy remarks.

I guess I need to shop for some kind of case that disguises my ereader as some mysterious gadget. Maybe a flat panel geiger counter? I can say I'm looking for fall out from the earthquakes in Japan?

I even read when eating if I am dinning alone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Same here. I read on the smartphone while I'm out except when waiting for the doctor/dentist (e.g. when taking the bus or train, etc). Less comments that way and it's easier to pocket the phone than putting the reader back in the bag.

It's annoying having people ask me about the reader when I'm in the middle of reading something. When someone asks me "Is that a Kindle?", I've long stopped explaining that it's a Sony Reader and just say yes to avoid a lengthy conversation.

I usually am asked "is that a Kindle". I have also stopped telling people that is is a Nook Color. If I do then I have to stop reading and explain the difference.
Apache

fjtorres · 04-21-2012, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apache

I even read when eating if I am dinning alone.

Doesn't everyone?

It's that or watch network news and the news are too slanted and depressing anyway...

HarryT · 04-21-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apache

I even read when eating if I am dinning alone.

I'm not sure where the "alone" comes into the picture

. I just read while I'm eating, period

.

mbelec · 04-21-2012, 10:56 AM

I read in the Summer while walking in the local park; it's a large 1 mile loop/track. It's easy to read and walk along without running into anyone

. No bikers allowed on the path, just walkers.

booklover6 · 04-21-2012, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm not sure where the "alone" comes into the picture

. I just read while I'm eating, period

.

Me too, I don't care if I am in a restaurant with my husband, out comes my book or usually whatever ereader I am carrying.

Rob Lister · 04-21-2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emellaich

I guess I need to shop for some kind of case that disguises my ereader as some mysterious gadget. Maybe a flat panel geiger counter? I can say I'm looking for fall out from the earthquakes in Japan?

Ya know, the snippy "Look out" might have been a helpful suggestion!

Another disguise...

Apache · 04-21-2012, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm not sure where the "alone" comes into the picture

. I just read while I'm eating, period

.

If I can get my wife to read while eating then that works great. If she is not and wants to "talk" then it is easier and more peaceful to listen. She is Italian.

Apache

Belfaborac · 04-21-2012, 03:59 PM

To guarantee absolute privacy while reading, I would camouflage the reader in a largish black box. Stick some yellow tape on one side to create warning stripes, put a handle on the other side and a probe-like thing on the front, then put on a bio-hazard suit whenever you leave the house. Voila, privacy is now more or less assured.

04-21-2012, 12:07 AM	#1
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	People Recognize my Ereader ... Can I Pretend its a Geiger Counter? Confession time: I am a reading addict, and I have always taken my books everywhere. When I drive, I have my ereader read out loud to me, and when I walk I carry a book with me. For the last 10 to 15 years, I'd read by looking at an electronic device (from PDA through to present day). For some reason, no one ever commented when I walked and looked at an electronic device, or even an ereader in recent years. However, now everyone knows what ereaders look like. Now, I get questions and smirks all the time. 'Watcha reading. It must be good since you can't put it down.' 'Look out, reading and walking at the same time you will run into something.' When no one knew what an ereader was, I guess I looked like a busy businessman and didn't get any comments. Increasingly, however, I am now getting lots of snippy remarks. I guess I need to shop for some kind of case that disguises my ereader as some mysterious gadget. Maybe a flat panel geiger counter? I can say I'm looking for fall out from the earthquakes in Japan?

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04-21-2012, 12:45 AM	#2
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	If you get a small tablet ... Maybe a Samsung Note or one of their media players you could fit it into the case to a flat screen oscilliscope (maybe a nice fluke model). It would make the reader huge, but think of the battery life you could stuff into one of those cases.

04-21-2012, 01:34 AM	#3
ScalyFreak Sith Wannabe Posts: 2,034 Karma: 8017430 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: I'm not sure... it's kind of dark. Device: Galaxy Note 4, Kobo Aura H2O, Kindle Fire HD, Aluratek Libre	Smartphone. Yes, that's a serious suggestion. My Sony and the Kindle app are both on my phone, and so is my Kobo app. I also have Aldiko on there, for my Smashwords and OmniLit books. You can do nothing but read all day, and as long as you have a good poker face (and access to chargers!) you can make anyone around you believe you're reading news and sports feeds, checking Facebook, or playing lame games.

04-21-2012, 01:56 AM	#4
howyoudoin how YOU doin? Posts: 1,100 Karma: 7371047 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: India Device: Kindle Keyboard, iPad Pro 10.5”, Kobo Aura H2O, Kobo Libra 2	Shouldn't really read while walking in a public space, IMO.

04-21-2012, 05:56 AM	#6
frostschutz Linux User Posts: 2,282 Karma: 6123806 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Device: none	Pretend it's a bible. People stop talking to you real quick.

04-21-2012, 10:56 AM	#11
mbelec Addict Posts: 209 Karma: 1165996 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Maine Device: sony prs-350, Ipad 3	I read in the Summer while walking in the local park; it's a large 1 mile loop/track. It's easy to read and walk along without running into anyone . No bikers allowed on the path, just walkers.

04-21-2012, 03:59 PM	#15
Belfaborac Wizard Posts: 1,498 Karma: 5199835 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norway Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-950	To guarantee absolute privacy while reading, I would camouflage the reader in a largish black box. Stick some yellow tape on one side to create warning stripes, put a handle on the other side and a probe-like thing on the front, then put on a bio-hazard suit whenever you leave the house. Voila, privacy is now more or less assured.

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