But You Can't Read an Ebook in the Bath - Page 4

calvin-c · 10-14-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

I didn't mean "to show off." I meant, when I've asked someone to come over & watch the kids while husband & I go out to a movie, it's nice to offer her something to read. And "browse this pbook shelf" is much easier than "here's my computer, and here's the folder where most of the ebooks are kept, sorted by author and series, and here's the Sony Reader, and you can scroll through its listings ten at a time and see if one of those catches your interest. No, there's no back cover blurb to read, and no front cover artwork unless you open the book, and then you'll have to navigate back to that space in the listings to look at the next one."

It's harder to share ebooks. There's software that helps (like Calibre's cover view), but it doesn't mesh well with the ebook reader hardware.

Whether it's 'show off' or to allow a visitor to browse your ebook collection, there are solutions. None perfect, but there are some. Have you tried Mobipocket's Bookshelf view? I find it quite attractive (for those ebooks that have cover images-but the lack of covers on many ebooks is part of the 'maturity' thing, as is the lack of a solution that will similarly display all ebooks no matter what the format-and the Mobipocket library even allows the 'back-cover blurb' that somebody mentioned, just click on the book & a 'synopsis' appears in a sidebar).

And, although again few people probably have the resources I do to accomplish this (I work in the computer field so I always have a number of obsolete PC's around), but I've set up a PC on my 'bookshelf' and dedicated it to displaying the Mobipocket Bookshelf. If a visitor wants to browse my library, there it is. No network connection & nothing private on it (unless you consider my ebooks private, and any that I do consider private I simply leave off that PC).

And by restricting it to DRM-free ebooks I'm even able to lend them to visitors to take home. (Note: I absolutely adhere to the 'lending' concept. If I lend a visitor an ebook then I remove it from my Bookshelf, unless it's a 'freebook'. Technically I still have it, as a backup, but I do my best to adhere to the idea of treating an ebook like I would a pbook, within the limits of the current technology.)

Elfwreck · 10-14-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calvin-c

Whether it's 'show off' or to allow a visitor to browse your ebook collection, there are solutions. None perfect, but there are some. Have you tried Mobipocket's Bookshelf view?

I suspect it's incompatible with my Sony Reader. I don't have Mobi software installed on my computer at all. Unless it works with several filetypes (html, txt, pdf, two kinds of pdb, and epub) in addition to mobi files, it won't be useful for me as a way to display my ebook collection.

Quote:

I find it quite attractive (for those ebooks that have cover images-but the lack of covers on many ebooks is part of the 'maturity' thing, as is the lack of a solution that will similarly display all ebooks no matter what the format-and the Mobipocket library even allows the 'back-cover blurb' that somebody mentioned, just click on the book & a 'synopsis' appears in a sidebar).

The majority of my ebooks are not purchased from ebook stores. I have a lot of gutenberg books, a collection from here, a large number of publisher's freebies (which tend to atrocious metadata), and a whole bunch of self-made ebooks.

I *could* find a way around the limitations of ebook browsing. I could set up a dedicated PC for it, install a cluster of ebook reading programs & possibly arrange for a custom program or database to view covers & metadata--but the point is, it's not simple. It's not easy. Ebooks that are "download & read" are not also "download & display," unlike print books, for which "purchase & read" and "purchase & display" are equally easy.

I expect we'll eventually develop tech for this, as storage space on computers continues to grow, and people need ways to view & sort their files.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-14-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

I expect we'll eventually develop tech for this, as storage space on computers continues to grow, and people need ways to view & sort their files.

Or maybe we'll just get over the need to display our books, a fairly artificial way to "present" ourselves to others anyway, and find some other way to decorate our homes and spaces...

kindlekitten · 10-14-2009, 05:35 PM

really? do you think so? I have to disagree. the p-books I have on display run the gamit from Greek and Roman classics, to beekeeping, to re-loading, to training horse to harnes.... and so on. as I mentioned before, I think they are great conversation starters and a good way to get to know someone.

Idoine · 10-14-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Or maybe we'll just get over the need to display our books, a fairly artificial way to "present" ourselves to others anyway, and find some other way to decorate our homes and spaces...

... Or we could do like some bookcase sellers, that present fake book bindings (like these...)

Elfwreck · 10-14-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Or maybe we'll just get over the need to display our books, a fairly artificial way to "present" ourselves to others anyway, and find some other way to decorate our homes and spaces...

I don't need a way to display my books as a method of self-promotion, but it'd be nice to let my friends browse through my collection to find one they'd like to read.

For that matter, it'd be nice to let my kids browse through my collection. (Erm. Most of it, anyway.) Right now, it's a mess, spread across several folders, organized by categories that only make sense to me. I could throw them all in one big folder, but that'd be nightmarish, and still wouldn't help anyone find ones they're interested in.

Because of filetype differences, people can't even use filesize as an estimate of book length. There's no font and book-shape difference to indicate genre; I'd have to find a way to tag those details.

There's no simple way to attach a "cover image" to each ebook; each filetype needs a different program to do that with. (And I don't think anything will make txt files accept a cover.) Windows' "thumbnail" view will show the front page--which for Feedbooks PDFs is pretty boring, and it won't show anything for filetypes it doesn't read because they're only accessible through the portable reader. (I'm not sure it'd show a cover image for ePubs or LRFs anyway, or if it'd just show the filetype icon.)

Book display, even just for family, would be useful.

kindlekitten · 10-14-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idoine

... Or we could do like some bookcase sellers, that present fake book bindings (like these...)

see, that is what I was talking about in one of my earlier posts... being given the oppourtunity to buy a binding/cover along with the ebook that has the artwork and the jacket info. that way the books we love and want to share can still be visibly displayed, possibly loaned on an e-book, or the other party might even be encouraged to buy one of theri own.

WT Sharpe · 10-14-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fugazied

Dropping a paper books means ruining a book but it is still readable but crinkly. Drop that kindle into the bath and it is alllll over ...

I have a signed copy of Cornel West's Restoring Hope that I accidentally dropped in a puddle one day. It's still readable, but why did this have to happen to a signed copy?

Which brings up another point in favor of paper: authors can't autograph e-books!

kindlekitten · 10-14-2009, 08:29 PM

I guess you'll have to resort to an old fashioned autograph book

BuddyBoy · 10-14-2009, 08:33 PM

Well, for those who want to show off their library, or make access easier, we should ask our calibre guy to add a feature where you can print out a dust jacket that would fit on a dvd case.

Personally, one of the benefits of ebooks to me is less cubic feet of book storage and display. Despite best efforts to regularly purge the library, I have stacks of pbooks all over the house and no room for more bookcases.

Oh, and the tub thing? Aqua-pac's PDA cover does a great job. Also useful in the pool and hottub. Not so great in a Sauna - too hot!

BuddyBoy · 10-14-2009, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Which brings up another point in favor of paper: authors can't autograph e-books!

Cover the reader screen with a screen protector, bring up the image of the cover page, get signature, remove screen protector, paste in autograph book.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-14-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

really? do you think so? I have to disagree. the p-books I have on display run the gamit from Greek and Roman classics, to beekeeping, to re-loading, to training horse to harnes.... and so on. as I mentioned before, I think they are great conversation starters and a good way to get to know someone.

Sure... but for every person who has a display like that, there are those who buy and display books they don't even read, to give the impression that those books represent them.

At any rate, there are other ways to show your true self to people...

montsnmags · 10-14-2009, 10:44 PM

Deleted

kacir · 10-15-2009, 06:56 AM

HA!
Next time somebody starts with "but you can't read in a bath"
just tell them. "HA! Now you CAN. Just buy txtr device."

See this http://reader.txtr.com/press/101409%...20Bookfair.pdf

Quote:

-Protected against dirt and splash water

Daithi · 10-15-2009, 11:05 AM

I read in the bath with my Kindle all the time.

10-14-2009, 10:44 PM	#58
montsnmags Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,155 Karma: 4632658 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: none	Deleted Last edited by montsnmags; 10-15-2009 at 02:02 AM. Reason: Decided I don't "want" or "need" a horse in this race

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What did you download and read during Read an Ebook Week, and how did you like it?	omk3	Reading Recommendations	29	03-25-2010 05:08 PM
Reading in the Bath Tub	SneakySnake	Lounge	23	03-23-2010 01:27 AM
Hi from Bath, UK	JollyOllie	Introduce Yourself	6	10-26-2009 01:34 PM
My Sony took a bath...	Stitchawl	Sony Reader	13	03-30-2009 04:17 PM
Reading while taking a bath?	davers	Sony Reader	12	12-23-2008 01:22 PM

10-14-2009, 05:35 PM	#49
kindlekitten Professional Adventuress Posts: 13,368 Karma: 50260224 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Olympic Peninsula on the OTHER Washington! (the big green clean one on the west coast!) Device: Kindle, the original! Times Two! and gifting an International Kindle	really? do you think so? I have to disagree. the p-books I have on display run the gamit from Greek and Roman classics, to beekeeping, to re-loading, to training horse to harnes.... and so on. as I mentioned before, I think they are great conversation starters and a good way to get to know someone.

10-14-2009, 08:29 PM	#54
kindlekitten Professional Adventuress Posts: 13,368 Karma: 50260224 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Olympic Peninsula on the OTHER Washington! (the big green clean one on the west coast!) Device: Kindle, the original! Times Two! and gifting an International Kindle	I guess you'll have to resort to an old fashioned autograph book

10-14-2009, 08:33 PM	#55
BuddyBoy eBookin' Fool Posts: 310 Karma: 1008360 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, KK, iPad (Ex Prs 505, 500, Reb1100-2150, Rocket)	Well, for those who want to show off their library, or make access easier, we should ask our calibre guy to add a feature where you can print out a dust jacket that would fit on a dvd case. Personally, one of the benefits of ebooks to me is less cubic feet of book storage and display. Despite best efforts to regularly purge the library, I have stacks of pbooks all over the house and no room for more bookcases. Oh, and the tub thing? Aqua-pac's PDA cover does a great job. Also useful in the pool and hottub. Not so great in a Sauna - too hot!

10-15-2009, 11:05 AM	#60
Daithi Publishers are evil! Posts: 2,418 Karma: 36205264 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: Various Kindles	I read in the bath with my Kindle all the time.