eBooks, eBDs, and my mental health

[kindlekitten]

our pleasure! we are here to enhance your reading enjoyment!

[CWatkinsNash]

Yes, there is an edge of insanity to all of this, but I'm loving the entire project. I'm so far in, I think a part of me has forgotten that I really can just pick up my Kindle and buy a book with it. Leave it to me to completely ignore the aspect of it that Amazon thinks is the point of the thing. But then, that's really not unexpected with me.

I did notice I was getting headaches that started about the same time I got the Kindle. That concerned me, because I specifically chose eink to avoid that issue. After a few days I realized it wasn't from the Kindle - it was from the hours I was spending on MobileRead, book sites, using Calibre... They went away once I settled down some and actually starting READING on my ereader.

I do find I watch less TV these days. I guess that's something.

[Maggie Leung]

That's why I like my iPad; I prefer reading to tinkering.

iPad gives me instant access to books from a bunch of bookstores, without the need to convert, strip DRM and such. It also gives me access to freebies from a bunch of bookstores, if I like.

Cheers for a variety of reading devices -- for those who like to tinker, as well as those who don't.

[DixieGal]

My first 6 months, I kept every story in all of the formats.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

My first 6 months, I kept every story in all of the formats.

I'm so glad I'm not the only one.

[unboggling]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

I did notice I was getting headaches that started about the same time I got the Kindle. That concerned me, because I specifically chose eink to avoid that issue. After a few days I realized it wasn't from the Kindle - it was from the hours I was spending on MobileRead, book sites, using Calibre... They went away once I settled down some and actually starting READING on my ereader.

I do find I watch less TV these days. I guess that's something.

Me too, the eyestrain, and the less TV. I realized yesterday it wasn't my kindle but squinting at my laptop for most of the day. But do I spend less time on the laptop today? No.

[unboggling]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

That's why I like my iPad; I prefer reading to tinkering.

iPad gives me instant access to books from a bunch of bookstores, without the need to convert, strip DRM and such. It also gives me access to freebies from a bunch of bookstores, if I like.

Cheers for a variety of reading devices -- for those who like to tinker, as well as those who don't.

That sparked a thought. Maybe I was just bored reading pBooks, exhausting most of the good authors I could find in the genres I like, so now all this has given me a shot of adrenalin.

[unboggling]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

My first 6 months, I kept every story in all of the formats.

And I still do, at least Mobi and ePubs, both, and whatever format the incoming book had.

[screwballl]

The first few weeks are the worst... but once you get over the new-ness of the device and what it does or you learn what it does, you will get back to reading. I played with my Kindle for 2 weeks before I really got back into actual reading. Now I have finished 2 and on my 3rd very long book into it.
As for format, if it is AZW, I leave it as is, if I have others, I convert to mobi and transfer it over. I have over 1000 ebooks (folder shows almost 600MB worth) I have previously bought or acquired over the past years already on my PC so I just use calibre to convert to mobi and transfer it over as needed.

[Kali Yuga]

Originally Posted by unboggling

Since then I've been reading approximately 90% less of my preferred fiction. Why, when the ostensible purpose of such a device is to make the user's book selection, acquisition, and reading processes easier?

Because you're a gearhead who prefers to play with toys rather than read? Just a guess.

Originally Posted by unboggling

- Read device and software user guides. (Not my preferred genre.)

Took me 5 minutes. Ereaders are dead simple compared to a lot of stuff out there these days.

Originally Posted by unboggling

- Confront DRM and legalities. (I'm not a lawyer.)

Same as all digital content with DRM. May not be pleasant but it doesn't take long to figure out.

Originally Posted by unboggling

- Discover and start to use calibre and sigil.

I've never needed either of these to read.

Originally Posted by unboggling

Research other software and hacks, try many, experiment, write some code. (Just my cup of tea after a career of such.)

Did I mention my theory that you're a gearhead?

Originally Posted by unboggling

- Update myself considerably, but alas a mere pittance of the amount yet to do, on current computer languages and practices, since I retired 12 years ago and didn't keep up.

Unrelated to your device

Originally Posted by unboggling

- Download and catalog mostly free ebooks, in a frenzied, obsessive, junkie-ish manner.

That should've only taken you a day or two, unless you decided to jack the entire Gutenberg catalog.

Originally Posted by unboggling

- Incorporate a cascade of paradigm shifts into my personal worldview....

This should not have taken any time away from reading. It's not like you actively need to sit down and say "bye-bye shelves."

Originally Posted by unboggling

Am I crazy? Am I actually now NOT DOING THE THING I WANT TO DO in order to facilitate an easier future DOING THE THING I WANT TO DO?

You're not crazy, you're just letting the device distract you.

Your lack of focus has nothing to do with the device itself.

Originally Posted by unboggling

Maybe this is a manic phase in a manic-depressive cycle.

Possibly, although I for one am not qualified to diagnose bipolar disorders....


Seriously, it took me a few days to figure out how to integrate an ebook reader into my life. Granted, not everyone adapts that quickly, but unless you've been living in a cave and have not dealt with computer programs, MP3 downloads, or online video, it shouldn't require a radical reworking of your approach to life.

Turn it on, tune in, read.

[LaurieGator]

You mean we are supposed to use these things to READ BOOKS??? Really??? Seriously?

I thought they were used for surfing the web, playing on You Tube, answering your email and mixing mimosas... and did I mention playing Angry Birds?

These book thingies, what are they?

[cromag]

Just the opposite for me. I read up on basic operation while I was waiting for mine to arrive, downloaded several free (and DRM-less) books, and copied them to an SD card.

The reader was pretty easy to use without reading the (brief and totally inadequate) manual. I got started reading right away. Since it arrived I've read several short novels and stories -- probably twice as many as my pre-ereader days.

We'll see if I keep this rate up when the novelty wears off.

[unboggling]

Oh, I love my kindle. When my eyes hurt enough, I go to it and read to ease the eyestrain from the laptop. That's the 10% of preferred reading lately.

But as Kali Yuga points out, I was a gearhead, and now suddenly I'm finding out that I missed it. I didn't realize that until now, not being much in touch with my emotions. So my "preferred activities" have shifted. At least temporarily. We'll see.

At least being retired I don't have a boss bitching about deadlines and bureaucrats hampering every move, so my odious unpaid volunteer job of reading all the SF/F/Paranormal novels i can get my hands on can stay partially on hold awhile (and replenish itself with good books rising above the chaff) as I, um, gear up.

[unboggling]

Originally Posted by LaurieGator

You mean we are supposed to use these things to READ BOOKS??? Really??? Seriously?

I thought they were used for surfing the web, playing on You Tube, answering your email and mixing mimosas... and did I mention playing Angry Birds?

These book thingies, what are they?

I haven't even tried any Kindle hacks yet.

[CazMar]

Just think how good this is for that big grey muscle in your head! Part of the thrill of any new technology or gadget is the Steep Learning Curve. I've managed to learn HTML and CSS, digital music and a whole lot about computers by tinkering. Coming to grips with the Kobo and EPUB was child's play compared to learning to use Sibelius (a very complex music program). Think of it as weight training for the brain.