Is it possible to have too many ebooks. - Page 4

eschwartz · 05-31-2013, 06:35 PM

If you can get them on Project Gutenberg, maybe you should just rely on them to store your books for you.

Classics are just as easy to get now as they were when you first got them...

BookCat · 05-31-2013, 06:49 PM

Also, if you download classics from MobileRead, the formatting often improves over time and new versions are uploaded.

eschwartz · 05-31-2013, 06:56 PM

I've heard that, yes...

Project Gutenberg also gets updated versions, but only when someone bothers to submit it -- I believe the MR downloads are constantly fixed by the pedantic creators, who have perhaps a little more time on their hands than the Project Gutenberg crowd??

Still, Gutenberg has a much bigger selection.

Apache · 05-31-2013, 08:56 PM

Quality or quantity? That is the question.

Apache

JSWolf · 05-31-2013, 09:00 PM

Yes, it is possible to have too many eBooks. You can only read so many books. So take the number of books you'll be able to read before you die and any over that number is too many.

Apache · 06-01-2013, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Yes, it is possible to have too many eBooks. You can only read so many books. So take the number of books you'll be able to read before you die and any over that number is too many.

Some of us never know from book to book what they want to read. And our reading tastes can change over the years. Having more than I can read in my lifetime leaves room for backups for those changes. Also I have not figured out how long my lifespan is going to be. That tends to make it difficult to figure out how many books I will be able to read in said lifetime.

Apache

BookCat · 06-01-2013, 11:31 PM

Quote:

I believe the MR downloads are constantly fixed by the pedantic creators, who have perhaps a little more time on their hands than the Project Gutenberg crowd??

No, not more time, but more dedication. The MR formatters are true artists, not bored pedants.

piperclassique · 06-02-2013, 12:19 AM

BookCat, what makes you think Gutenberg volunteers are bored pedants?

BookCat · 06-02-2013, 07:44 PM

piperclassique, I wasn't referring to PG in any way, just the formatters of the MR ebooks. I felt that eschwartz had, maybe inadvertently, insulted them.

eschwartz · 06-02-2013, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apache

Quality or quantity? That is the question.

Apache

You may not have a choice.

eschwartz · 06-02-2013, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookCat

piperclassique, I wasn't referring to PG in any way, just the formatters of the MR ebooks. I felt that eschwartz had, maybe inadvertently, insulted them.

Sorry -- I meant it with the greatest respect. They are true heroes.

Jen_Smith · 06-03-2013, 05:05 AM

After the initial phase of 'download everything' when I got my first proper ereader a few years ago, I use the following criteria:

1. Is it something that is useful or something I am likely, in any circumstances, no matter how bizarre, to read? [If not, delete or do not download.]
2. Having downloaded it, have circumstances changed and I now am less likely to read it? If so, delete. [Some free books I download thinking I might like them, then read something else by the author and decide they're not for me. Hence delete.]

Everything in ePub format goes on my ereader - I use one with SD card expansion for that reason. I like knowing that all my books are available all the time.

A huge number of books is not necessarily a bad thing; it's like having a library at your fingertips. A to-be-read list is not a to-do list, it's a garden in which to wander at will. I will probably never get my list down to zero, but why should I want to? If the books were free in the first place, I'm not wasting money.

Regarding indexing, I use BookCollector (www.collectorz.com). Yes, you have to pay for it, but it was worth it for me. I have one index for paper and ebooks, and it also tracks my to-be-read list. Since there is an associated iPhone app, it also means I get to scroll through my catalogue with the speed of an LCD screen rather than waiting for even the fastest eInk.

Geralt · 06-03-2013, 05:17 AM

It's not possible. I mean it's not like they'll spill over. HDD isn't a cup of water :3 Whats more, portable HDDs are getting to be cheaper and cheaper, so it's not such a big problem where to put all that data. The problem might be book prices however

But that's why we have Gutenberg and MobileRead

Anyway, having a lot isn't about reading them all, but having a varied choice.

alanHd · 06-03-2013, 05:26 AM

Rather than go to the expense of buying a 64g flash drive I have decided to split my library. Everything I think I might read in the next year is staying on my Main flash drive and everything else is going to be backed up on my external hard drives..

I'm just wondering what the easiest way to split it would be.

I could use Calibre's save to disc function, then remove all available formats from Calibre so I would still have a record of everything in Calibre, then make a custom column to indicate they are on my external hard drive.

Does anyone have an easier way or any tips?

piperclassique · 06-03-2013, 06:15 AM

Sorry guys, I misread you.

05-31-2013, 09:00 PM	#50
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,763 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Yes, it is possible to have too many eBooks. You can only read so many books. So take the number of books you'll be able to read before you die and any over that number is too many. Last edited by JSWolf; 05-31-2013 at 09:03 PM.

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05-31-2013, 06:35 PM	#46
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	If you can get them on Project Gutenberg, maybe you should just rely on them to store your books for you. Classics are just as easy to get now as they were when you first got them...

05-31-2013, 06:49 PM	#47
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Also, if you download classics from MobileRead, the formatting often improves over time and new versions are uploaded.

05-31-2013, 06:56 PM	#48
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	I've heard that, yes... Project Gutenberg also gets updated versions, but only when someone bothers to submit it -- I believe the MR downloads are constantly fixed by the pedantic creators, who have perhaps a little more time on their hands than the Project Gutenberg crowd?? Still, Gutenberg has a much bigger selection.

05-31-2013, 08:56 PM	#49
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,277 Karma: 90000484 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	Quality or quantity? That is the question. Apache

06-02-2013, 12:19 AM	#53
piperclassique A garbling groftpot Posts: 995 Karma: 9234667 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: France Device: Oasis, Voyage, Kobo mini, Samsung tablet, phones, whatever.	BookCat, what makes you think Gutenberg volunteers are bored pedants?

06-02-2013, 07:44 PM	#54
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	piperclassique, I wasn't referring to PG in any way, just the formatters of the MR ebooks. I felt that eschwartz had, maybe inadvertently, insulted them.

06-03-2013, 05:05 AM	#57
Jen_Smith Nameless Being	After the initial phase of 'download everything' when I got my first proper ereader a few years ago, I use the following criteria: 1. Is it something that is useful or something I am likely, in any circumstances, no matter how bizarre, to read? [If not, delete or do not download.] 2. Having downloaded it, have circumstances changed and I now am less likely to read it? If so, delete. [Some free books I download thinking I might like them, then read something else by the author and decide they're not for me. Hence delete.] Everything in ePub format goes on my ereader - I use one with SD card expansion for that reason. I like knowing that all my books are available all the time. A huge number of books is not necessarily a bad thing; it's like having a library at your fingertips. A to-be-read list is not a to-do list, it's a garden in which to wander at will. I will probably never get my list down to zero, but why should I want to? If the books were free in the first place, I'm not wasting money. Regarding indexing, I use BookCollector (www.collectorz.com). Yes, you have to pay for it, but it was worth it for me. I have one index for paper and ebooks, and it also tracks my to-be-read list. Since there is an associated iPhone app, it also means I get to scroll through my catalogue with the speed of an LCD screen rather than waiting for even the fastest eInk.

06-03-2013, 05:17 AM	#58
Geralt Witcher Posts: 933 Karma: 7321117 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Swamp. Slaying Drowners. Device: Kindle PW2	It's not possible. I mean it's not like they'll spill over. HDD isn't a cup of water :3 Whats more, portable HDDs are getting to be cheaper and cheaper, so it's not such a big problem where to put all that data. The problem might be book prices however But that's why we have Gutenberg and MobileRead Anyway, having a lot isn't about reading them all, but having a varied choice.

06-03-2013, 05:26 AM	#59
alanHd Addict Posts: 374 Karma: 1408579 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle Touch, Ipod Touch, Ipad Air	Rather than go to the expense of buying a 64g flash drive I have decided to split my library. Everything I think I might read in the next year is staying on my Main flash drive and everything else is going to be backed up on my external hard drives.. I'm just wondering what the easiest way to split it would be. I could use Calibre's save to disc function, then remove all available formats from Calibre so I would still have a record of everything in Calibre, then make a custom column to indicate they are on my external hard drive. Does anyone have an easier way or any tips?

06-03-2013, 06:15 AM	#60
piperclassique A garbling groftpot Posts: 995 Karma: 9234667 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: France Device: Oasis, Voyage, Kobo mini, Samsung tablet, phones, whatever.	Sorry guys, I misread you.