Kindle ... Or Is It Just Kindling?

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by pshrynk

Fixed it for ya!

YES, YES, I know. Have been a little distracted. BUT I promise when I get home tonight or maybe tomorrow would be better, I will go over my 'quote instructions' which are very detailed (thank you bookishdreamer) and prove to you people I CAN indeed master this oh so easy application.....sheesh!

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by Patricia

About the eReader thing: we have had new members saying that they have bought a book in eReader format and then discovering that they can't use it on their Sony. They get very disappointed when we tell them this.
Jon is trying to make sure that no one else falls for this confusion.

so especially for those who are new to the ebook reader devices, its important to use the proper terminology..........could save a lot of grief, right? Lord knows theres enough confusion out there.........

[Milarepa]

As a very recent convert of an e-book reader, I am absolutely convinced that they will be gaining in popularity very rapidly.

$300 truly seems like a cheap price when I consider it is the best gadget I have ever purchased, and when you consider that people from my generation (I am 26) are accustomed to buying expensive electronics. My laptop was cost $2,000, my iPod cost $350, my portable HDD cost $200, and on and on. I am not rich but I spend a significant percentage of my income on gadgets. I used to also spend a significant portion of my income on pbooks, but now I am able to read many of the classics for free and I am able to quickly and easily purchase the books that want at no significant cost difference. However, I am now able to carry literally hundreds of books, and won't have to carry an extra bag crammed full of books when I travel (I never know what I am going to feel like reading.)

E-book readers are going to find their way into more and more peoples hands, and if those people are anything like most of us here they will be actively converting their friends and family to the concept. I think the biggest fear most people have is that they will miss the feeling of holding a book, I was terrified after I had paid $300 that it was going to arrive and I just wouldn't enjoy reading from an electronic display, but I think we can all agree that with the new e-ink displays and the continuing advances they are making in this area this has become a moot point.

Whomever wrote the article in question is seriously out of touch with the how and the why of consumer purchases, and obviously has spent no real time with a current generation e-book reader.

E-book readers are here to stay and within a few years will control a large percentage of the overall book market.

[cush]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The reason I make the distinction is not due to forum policy. It's due to the fact that some people have been confused by the multiple uses of the term eReader. ereader, e-reader, etc and actually purchased eReader format eBook(s) for their device that does not support it. It also didn't help that Fictionwise says it's the preferred format. But still, if we stick to using that word as it was originally ment, then this sort of confusion might not happen.

As for what I would call someone who read electronic books... a reader. Same as I'd call someone who read pBooks....a reader.

Besides, if you are going to use ereader to mean someone who reads eBooks, why not use the equally awfal term of preader for someone who read pBooks? And what do you call someone like myself who reads both eBooks and pBooks and has actually started reading a pBook and then finished it with the eBook edition?

So if we use this simple bit of etiquette and not misuse the term eReader then there won't be the confusion there is/might be now.

Well said. Thank you.

[cush]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

They just have to remove the paper $1 from circulation and people will have no choice but to start using coins. But, I don't think this will happen with books!

BOb

My plan is to have everyone send me their old paper $1 notes and I will take care of their disposal.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

But the new $ coin was a new "gadget" is shiny... even "golden" in some of the many implementations... I actually like the "golden" Sacagawea coin much better than the new Presidential ones.

They just have to remove the paper $1 from circulation and people will have no choice but to start using coins. But, I don't think this will happen with books!

BOb

If it doesn't have moving parts or at least one computer chip in it, it does not qualify for gadget status.

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Now you are just being mean...........

Tell me something I don't know.

[Walk Broad]

Originally Posted by cush

Come on!!

What would you call someone who reads electronic books? Someone who, using a personal electronic device, reads digitized books? I don't think so.

Yes eReader is software. As far as I'm concerned, an ereader is 'Someone who etc, etc'. Especially on a forum like this. Dixie Gal wrote "ereader", not eReader, you know. And, but the way just why should we not "...use the term eReader in such a way that does not refer to either the software or the format." Does it personally disturb you or is this Forum policy? We're all friends here, are we not?

Hmm, sounds like eReader is going to have to go after all of the "ereaders" the same way Kleenex had to go after people calling a tissue a Kleenex or Xerox had to go after all those people using "Xerox" when they meant "copy."

They might let it go for now since they are trying to grow the market, but one day ....

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by Milarepa

$300 truly seems like a cheap price when I consider it is the best gadget I have ever purchased, and when you consider that people from my generation (I am 26) are accustomed to buying expensive electronics. My laptop was cost $2,000, my iPod cost $350, my portable HDD cost $200, and on and on. I am not rich but I spend a significant percentage of my income on gadgets.

I think this is an important comment that we missed taking note of. Yes, today's "youngsters" (sorry, Milarepa! ) are used to spending money on gadgets. So, those who also like to read .....

Originally Posted by Milarepa

I used to also spend a significant portion of my income on pbooks, but now I am able to read many of the classics for free and I am able to quickly and easily purchase the books that want at no significant cost difference. However, I am now able to carry literally hundreds of books, and won't have to carry an extra bag crammed full of books when I travel (I never know what I am going to feel like reading.)

.... will be able to carry around the classics (for free) just IN CASE the right mood strikes to read one. I admit I read more modern books but I like to carry the classics with me. Then, with the right mood hits me, I can "eddicate myself further" and read a classic.

Not a youngster, but a gadget freak --- and feeling guilty about not having read classics. So I can read modern stuff (with the next always quickly available to me) and occasionally check out a classic too. Best of both worlds!

[RickyMaveety]

I was thinking about this today ... really wishing that all of my law school textbooks had been available in PDF format or ebook format. Think about it ... three or four classes each quarter. Each class usually had a very (very) thick casebook and an equally thick hornbook. (A hornbook is what you would think of as more of a textbook in the true sense of the word.)

You had to (most of the time) bring both books to each class. No lockers at school, so ... you lugged at least four gigantic books with you around campus every day (one set of classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday ... another set on Tuesday and Thursday).

All books were text only. No pictures at all ... so really the perfect type of material to have in an ebook format. The only reason I singled out PDF is that color highlighting was a HUGE plus in preparing for class. Just having the ability to annotate didn't help half so much.

But ... oh, to have had a lightweight tablet PC back then, with PDF capability and all of my textbooks in that format. Oh, that would have been heaven on earth!!

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

No matter what the naysayers say, I think the ebook revolution is coming. I'm betting my bookshelf on it - planning to scan most of my pbooks and then trash them. I'm on the ebandwagon from now on, regardless of what some ridiculous so-called expert says about the future of ereading. So there!

Does the general public even pay attention to things like the article?

Originally Posted by JSWolf

eReader does not mean electronic reader. eReader is a program for viewing eReader format eBooks. Please do not use the term eReader in such a way that does not refer to either the software or the format.

Jon, as you already know (of course), Dixie Gal said the "future of ereading." She did not mention software or hardware, but the experience of ereading. And, I submit that this was an extremely appropriate use of that term. Why?? Because if she had said "the future of reading" the statement simply would not have made much sense.

Everyone who speaks English uses gerund forms all the time to convey additional meaning to a statement without adding additional words. This is especially true when trying to convey a distinction in the experience of the activity.

If I am going out on the lake, and I say "I am going boating" ... that is a different level of communication from "I am going rafting" or "I am going boat racing." If I am tied to the gerund "boating" ... then I'm stuck with not being able to convey what I am doing.

So, while I agree with you about the confusion using the term "ereader" can cause among those who do not have the understanding that the word does not apply to all ebook readers, all formats, or all software, I respectfully disagree with your coming down on Dixie Gal like a ton of bricks for using the word "ereading." It is (for me) a word that is necessary to convey an activity that is distinct and different from merely reading.

I never draw a crowd when I am reading. I never fail to draw a crowd when I am ereading.

[HarryT]

Ricky,

I can't tell you how happy I am to meet someone else who knows what a "gerund" is. I thought that I was the last person on Earth to care about such things. Thank you for making my day!

[JMikeD]

I had a gerund once, but I preferred my mashie niblick.

(and yes, I do know what a gerund is. I just haven't had my caffeine this morning, so I'm a bit off-center)

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Ricky,

I can't tell you how happy I am to meet someone else who knows what a "gerund" is. I thought that I was the last person on Earth to care about such things. Thank you for making my day!

Hey, Harry .... I know sometimes I can be a pain in the ass, but I just love it when I can make anyone's day.

Originally Posted by JMikeD

I had a gerund once, but I preferred my mashie niblick.

(and yes, I do know what a gerund is. I just haven't had my caffeine this morning, so I'm a bit off-center)

Please tell me that's a type of golf club or something?? Otherwise, I'm going to think it's food and it doesn't sound all that appetizing.

[jakewastaken]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Ricky,

I can't tell you how happy I am to meet someone else who knows what a "gerund" is. I thought that I was the last person on Earth to care about such things. Thank you for making my day!

I also know what a gerund is I'm about 3 months away from teaching high school English full time.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by jakewastaken

I also know what a gerund is I'm about 3 months away from teaching high school English full time.

Maybe there is someone is this forum that can win a million on "Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader". I can't believe how many people on that show don't know what nouns, verbs, adverbs and adjectives are. Don't get me started on the math stuff.

Although I suck at history and geography which are always the "hard" 5th grade questions.

BOb