What would make Kobo surpass Kindle?

[compurandom]

Originally Posted by Tony1988

I understand that. But I still think it's incredibly silly to be worried about ones ebooks 20-30 years down the road. Most of us probably won't be here in 20 or 30 years. If one is really worried about it.......buy the ones you wouldn't want to lose in print. It's that simple.

Again....functionally illiterate thinking.

I'm reading my dad's books, and I got them from him more than 20 years ago, and that was certainly more than 20 years after he read them. And some of those I'm sure I'll reread 20 years from now.

I'm not sure why you think a book is only good for a few years or why a book is only good to keep for a few years.

I am sure, however, that my current e-reader will not be working in 20 years.
Funny, I think I bought my first e-reader 20 years ago.

[Tony1988]

Originally Posted by compurandom

Again....functionally illiterate thinking.

I'm reading my dad's books, and I got them from him more than 20 years ago, and that was certainly more than 20 years after he read them. And some of those I'm sure I'll reread 20 years from now.

I'm not sure why you think a book is only good for a few years or why a book is only good to keep for a few years.

I am sure, however, that my current e-reader will not be working in 20 years.
Funny, I think I bought my first e-reader 20 years ago.

I understand people re-read books. But we are not guaranteed access forever to these books. I don't reread most of my books so losing access would not be a big deal. For those that it would be they will be forced to re-buy. Again if one is worried about access 20 years from now ebooks probably aren't a good choice.

[darryl]

Originally Posted by Tony1988

I understand people re-read books. But we are not guaranteed access forever to these books. I don't reread most of my books so losing access would not be a big deal. For those that it would be they will be forced to re-buy. Again if one is worried about access 20 years from now ebooks probably aren't a good choice.

To the contrary. They have never been a better choice. If you are sufficiently paranoid and keep multiple drm free backups the odds are that they will still be around in pristine condition in 20 years, and even much longer. All it takes is care and attention.

Why do you feel that ebooks are not a good choice to last 20 years or longer, as compared to paper books?

[Tony1988]

Originally Posted by darryl

To the contrary. They have never been a better choice. If you are sufficiently paranoid and keep multiple drm free backups the odds are that they will still be around in pristine condition in 20 years, and even much longer. All it takes is care and attention.

Why do you feel that ebooks are not a good choice to last 20 years or longer, as compared to paper books?

Look back in the thread. I'm just addressing people's concern if it happens to where they won't have access to them. I don't think anyone will lose access to them but it's not guaranteed. As long as these companies stay afloat and we upgrade our readers I'm sure access will be there. But if people are really worried about it paper books are probably the way to go for them.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Tony1988

Look back in the thread. I'm just addressing people's concern if it happens to where they won't have access to them. I don't think anyone will lose access to them but it's not guaranteed. As long as these companies stay afloat and we upgrade our readers I'm sure access will be there. But if people are really worried about it paper books are probably the way to go for them.

If people are really worried, they should back up their books and store them in multiple locations.

[Deskisamess]

Look back in the thread. I'm just addressing people's concern if it happens to where they won't have access to them. I don't think anyone will lose access to them but it's not guaranteed. As long as these companies stay afloat and we upgrade our readers I'm sure access will be there. But if people are really worried about it paper books are probably the way to go for them.

Access to your paper books isn’t guaranteed either, and there is no way to “back up” your paper books. If they are destroyed, lost, or stolen, they are gone. You’d need to buy them again if you wanted them.

Digital books don’t take up space, and can backed up pretty easily, with just a little work. I have most of my digital books in Calibre, and have been working out the best way to keep them safe by storing the backups on a couple of different thumb drives that I keep in places other than my house.

There are few guarantees in life. But being proactive with data backups is something anyone can manage.

[Tony1988]

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

Access to your paper books isn’t guaranteed either, and there is no way to “back up” your paper books. If they are destroyed, lost, or stolen, they are gone. You’d need to buy them again if you wanted them.

Digital books don’t take up space, and can backed up pretty easily, with just a little work. I have most of my digital books in Calibre, and have been working out the best way to keep them safe by storing the backups on a couple of different thumb drives that I keep in places other than my house.

There are few guarantees in life. But being proactive with data backups is something anyone can manage.

Exactly. I personally won't go to those lengths because I'm not worried. I don't think people should choose their e-reader based on if said company is going to be in operation in 5,10, 15 years. Which is how this whole discussion started. People should buy the reader they like and not worry about what will happen In the future. Many unfortunately probably feel like they have to buy Kindle based on fear of the other companies not being around in the long term.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Tony1988

Exactly. I personally won't go to those lengths because I'm not worried. I don't think people should choose their e-reader based on if said company is going to be in operation in 5,10, 15 years. Which is how this whole discussion started. People should buy the reader they like and not worry about what will happen In the future. Many unfortunately probably feel like they have to buy Kindle based on fear of the other companies not being around in the long term.

I have never seen anyone claim they bought a kindle because Amazon will always be around.
I have seen most buy kindles because of selection and customer service. (Excluding after sales days).

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Tony1988

Exactly. I personally won't go to those lengths because I'm not worried. I don't think people should choose their e-reader based on if said company is going to be in operation in 5,10, 15 years. Which is how this whole discussion started. People should buy the reader they like and not worry about what will happen In the future. Many unfortunately probably feel like they have to buy Kindle based on fear of the other companies not being around in the long term.

I can't remember the comment that prompted this and can't be bothered to look. But I suspect most casual (US) fans buy the Kindle because of its ubiquity and those that look deeper buy one because of the number of books available. It is very difficult to find an e-book that is available, but not at Amazon.

I'm sure there are those that buy the Kindle because they seem to be a better long term investment, but I would bet the percentage that uses that as their primary decision is vanishingly small.

[tiltowait]

I think a lot of people buy Kindles because they literally don't know of any other. In their mind, "Kindle" is the type of device, much like "Kleenex" is synonymous with tissue. (This is probably what you meant by "ubiquity".)

[darryl]

Originally Posted by Tony1988

Look back in the thread. .............. But if people are really worried about it paper books are probably the way to go for them.

I did look back at the thread and see only a bare conclusion that paper books are the way to go. In so far as there is relevant discussion in the thread I think Cinisajoy nails the correct conclusion when she writes, in reply to you, "If people are really worried, they should back up their books and store them in multiple locations." And Deskisamess, also in reply to you, discusses some of the shortcomings of Paper Books so far as longevity is concerned, particularly "there is no way to “back up” your paper books. If they are destroyed, lost, or stolen, they are gone." I might add the dangers of damage and decay. Neither ebooks nor pbooks are guaranteed to survive. But the ability to keep multiple backups of ebooks, including local and cloud backups, to me improves the chances of doing so enormously.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by darryl

I did look back at the thread and see only a bare conclusion that paper books are the way to go. In so far as there is relevant discussion in the thread I think Cinisajoy nails the correct conclusion when she writes, in reply to you, "If people are really worried, they should back up their books and store them in multiple locations." And Deskisamess, also in reply to you, discusses some of the shortcomings of Paper Books so far as longevity is concerned, particularly "there is no way to “back up” your paper books. If they are destroyed, lost, or stolen, they are gone." I might add the dangers of damage and decay. Neither ebooks nor pbooks are guaranteed to survive. But the ability to keep multiple backups of ebooks, including local and cloud backups, to me improves the chances of doing so enormously.

Example my copy of Pride and Prejudice went in the trash as I was reading it.
It was a cheap bound paperback bought in 1968.

[jackie_w]

A lot of people seem to prefer Kindle because of the Amazon Customer Services perceived "comfort blanket". I've been an Amazon customer for over 15 years and never called them but, reading these forums, it sounds like others must have CS on speed dial. I did email them twice (6 months apart and about the same problem) and they were utterly useless. I'm still receiving all emails meant for a different customer who owns horses and lives 300 miles away. I've been a Kobo customer for 5 years and never needed to call them either.

[tiltowait]

Originally Posted by jackie_w

reading these forums, it sounds like others must have CS on speed dial.

I see the same thing. Kobo allegedly has terrible support, but I wouldn't know, because I've never tried to contact them.

That said, if you have had to contact customer support, you're pretty likely to remember it and have pretty strong feelings on the matter—strong enough that you'll bring it up at every possible opportunity!

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The topic here is incorrect. Kobo is better than Kindle.

Only for you, please don't speak for everyone.