Heard my first evil ebook commercial today

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Originally Posted by omk3

It seems there are two "books". One is the object: its shape, its smell, its quality of paper, its binding, its typeface, etc etc etc. The other is the content. The words in it. The ideas in it. When people say "real book" and refer to the first, it makes me wonder. Yes, old expertly bound volumes are beautiful objects. As are many antiques in general. Like entering an old magnificent building, touching such books is a special feeling. But it has nothing to do with reading. When you are immersed in an interesting book, are you even aware of what format you are reading it on?

Some people read for the full sensory experience, so to them the physical book is as much a part of it as the story and their location etc.

As much as I do enjoy all that, the only thing that really matters to me about the container of the story is that it doesn't get in the way of my enjoyment. And ebooks, bad formatting and all, get in the way far less than, say, a physical book that won't stay open or is already falling apart because the contents are really too big for the chosen binding.

And I love your current sig

[omk3]

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

As much as I do enjoy all that, the only thing that really matters to me about the container of the story is that it doesn't get in the way of my enjoyment. And ebooks, bad formatting and all, get in the way far less than, say, a physical book that won't stay open or is already falling apart because the contents are really too big for the chosen binding.

Completely agree!

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

And I love your current sig

Thanks, I think it needed to be said

[Dulin's Books]

I was selling some used books at Powell's here in Portland and they had a table full of "The Gathering Storm" in hard cover at 30% off. I picked one up and was overwhelmed by the feel , heft , smell of it. Couldn't put it down so I bought it. I had my store credit for the used books I sold so with the 30% off it was $12. Ill probably by the last 2 in hard cover as well to complete the series.

[kovidgoyal]

They forgot to add "Pretty please, with a cherry on top"

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

A chain bookstore (not Borders or B&N) was advertising, and denigrating ebooks. "We all have technology, we know how to use it, we don't need to use it to read. Come buy a real book."

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

They forgot to add "Pretty please, with a cherry on top"

Probably would have been more effective. This was more like "You want to buy WHAT? Why would you want an ebook?"

[pking36330]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

They forgot to add "Pretty please, with a cherry on top"

It sounds/looks better in Latin: Te precor dulcissime supplex!

[dickon25]

I haven't bought a pbook for yonks but I still love to browse in bookshops - I love the '3 for the price of 2' offers that Waterstones have. If the bookstore was to have a terminal in the corner where I could download my selections there and then, they would definitely get my business again!

[cvkemp]

I love to read but most paper backs and hard cover books make me sneeze.

Chuck

[dsvick]

With an eReader and all the places from which to download content I can't see myself going into a bookstore without some other sort of incentive. It isn't like some other items you can also get online where you want to see and touch them, with books you can do all the research online.

The only time I can see myself going back to a bookstore would be if it was a book I really wanted to keep and it was not available as an eBook, even then I would be more likely to borrow it from the library and then wait to see if an eBook version came out.

B&N with the nook has an advantage in that they can tie the nook into the stores and give people a reason to go to the stores for extra content, freebies, and such. The independent stores however cant do that.

It will be interesting to see what sort of promotions they come up with to get our business.

Originally Posted by pking36330

It sounds/looks better in Latin: Te precor dulcissime supplex!

I don't know about "better" but it sure sounds painful

[emoorman]

OMK3: You hit the nail on the head. Obviously, the content is what's important. The medium of delivery is what is preferred at the time. It can be chiseled in stone, written on a scroll, printed on a page or electronically shown on a screen, it doesn't matter.

Buyers want content and they will vote with their money for what medium they prefer or is most convenient. I'm 72 years old and have seen a lot of changes and 'chips falling where they may,' so to speak, and I'm not voting against electronics. (Maybe it's because I'm an engineer.)

[Connallmac]

Originally Posted by dsvick

They will need to come up with some sort of additional marketing approach to get their business to continue as eBook sales increase. Give a free eBook to customers for certain pBook purchases, or something of that nature.

This is a feature that I try to look for when buying DVDs. I have paid a bit extra for copies that include free downloads of the digital files. All they would have to do is put a code on the inside of the flyleaf of a hardcover and allow you to download it from their website or from a retailer like Amazon or B&N.

[DawnFalcon]

Originally Posted by sianon

All our work was hand sewn and bound. Gold embossed lettering. True quality workmanship and the e-book experience will never equal what we produced, however this was production for a specialist market and not for the mass produced novel whcih is ideally suited to an E-ink screen.

Yea, but I bet that company could make a really nice e-reader cover.

[pking36330]

Originally Posted by Connallmac

This is a feature that I try to look for when buying DVDs. I have paid a bit extra for copies that include free downloads of the digital files. All they would have to do is put a code on the inside of the flyleaf of a hardcover and allow you to download it from their website or from a retailer like Amazon or B&N.

Exactly. I just bought a DVD that included a Digital Download of the movie that HELPS me rip it to my media server rather than frustrating me by forcing me to remove any DRM. (BTW, I thought The Hangover was funniest movie in ages if you can stand the crudeness and so was glad to see the extra in the DVD packaging since it has become an immediate classic at our house).

[sianon]

Originally Posted by DawnFalcon

Yea, but I bet that company could make a really nice e-reader cover.

Nope, closed 18 years ago.... It was small operation run by father and son. dad was 93 when I started to work for them . But yes, if they were still in operation, they would make a very fine e-reader cover.

[fugazied]

What's the word they use for them... Luddites!

Book stores that go this direction will die out, that's for certain.. A better approach would be:

"We have the technology, from printing press to bits and bytes!, Get reading today in your favorite format".