Poll: Do you use a book stand?

[RWood]

I used one back in school for the textbooks, reference books, and other assorted things. I also had one years (and years) ago when I produced computer code. (But that was replaced by a language reference card.)

Today? Not one in the house or office.

[nekokami]

I might consider one for use on the exercise bike, but not for normal use.

[Deputy-Dawg]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The only purpose I can see for a book stand is to hold a book open so you can see the pages like for a recipe book.

As I said in the previous thread at 4 days short of 75, having Parkinsons disease and being on Hemodialysis I find a good bookstand a
Godsend. I offer this as a challange. Try reading a book, any book, electronic, hard copy what have you using only your dominant hand to hold it and to turn the pages while sitting semi reclined. And while you are about it try imaging two 15 gauge needles in your non dominant arm and your blood being removed from and returned to your body at the rate of 450 cc/min. Don't jerk too hard or the mess you make one the floor will be of minor consequence compared to mess you might make of your life.

Beyond that a good book stand is very useful if one is writing researched papers and you have to copy the material on to a computer or some such. A very good book stand that anweres the above and many other uses can be found at:

http://www.bookholder.net/agent.cgi?agent=10469

[montsnmags]

Originally Posted by Deputy-Dawg

... And while you are about it try imaging two 15 gauge needles in your non dominant arm and your blood being removed from and returned to your body at the rate of 450 cc/min. Don't jerk too hard or the mess you make one the floor will be of minor consequence compared to mess you might make of your life.

If it's okay by you Mr. Dawg, I'll just go on trying not to imagine that, okay? [insert a here a wry smile, meant in good humour and covering squeamishness]

Beyond that a good book stand is very useful if one is writing researched papers and you have to copy the material on to a computer or some such. A very good book stand that anweres the above and many other uses can be found at:

http://www.bookholder.net/agent.cgi?agent=10469

I saw this (from the other thread) and my first thought was "How could that work?". It almost seems like trying to balance a camera on a monopod, so it's interesting for me to see from your endorsement how poor my first impressions were (come to look at it more, it almost looks adapted from a camera monopod). I've also wondered if, in circumstances such as yours or where significant paralysis is involved, something similar to a harmonica neck holder would be practical in some circumstances (or better, for support, something similar but with "backpack" straps)?

Goodonya for sharing this though - I appreciate information and experience that makes me question, or modify, my assumptions.

Cheers,
Marc

[Deputy-Dawg]

I saw this (from the other thread) and my first thought was "How could that work?". It almost seems like trying to balance a camera on a monopod, so it's interesting for me to see from your endorsement how poor my first impressions were (come to look at it more, it almost looks adapted from a camera monopod). I've also wondered if, in circumstances such as yours or where significant paralysis is involved, something similar to a harmonica neck holder would be practical in some circumstances (or better, for support, something similar but with "backpack" straps)?

My initial reaction was much the same as yours when I saw it on the web for the first time. But since nothing else had worked, because of the offer of a truly free trial (Ed, the inventor would pay shipping both ways), perhaps because I was getting a bit desperate, or the seeming innocence of its presentation I decided to get one. I was shocked at just how stable it is. I shouldn't have been because it uses one of those elementary bit of engineering that we often forget. It does not have one leg but in fact three. The ends of the shelf, the edge that rests on your legs, table bed or what have you has two small "leg" projections, one at each corner. So if you project a line of support from the point at which the telescoping leg is attached through each of these "legs" you have not a monopod but rather a tripod or perhaps more appropriately a three legged stool. And as you most likely know there is no support system which is more stable than one with only three points of contact. Ask any milkmaid and she will tell you that her three legged stool never rocks or tips or what have you. It is a constant, steady, if simple support. What is even more remarkable the projection does not end at the tip of the "legs" but continues in a virtual sense to the floor on which the telescopic leg is sitting. Neat!

To further improve the stability of the device Ed has incorporated a cord with an ingenious method of adjustment which limits the angle at which the the telescopic leg can project from the shelf. This with just a bit of weight on the shelf locks the device so that it can not collapse. Sort of like a diagonal tension wire on old fashion screen door.

In all a very clever bit of minimal engineering.

[astra]

Would not work for me. I saw a picture and there is one big drawback. The book is too close to reader's body. As a consequence the reader has to bend his head down a lot more than if you hold the book father and bending head like that for a long time causes pain in my neck.

[WDecraene]

Thanks to the lightness and dimensions of the cybook I can read using only one hand, no need at all for a book stand ...

[Deputy-Dawg]

Originally Posted by astra

Would not work for me. I saw a picture and there is one big drawback. The book is too close to reader's body. As a consequence the reader has to bend his head down a lot more than if you hold the book fathker and bending head like that for a long time causes pain in my neck.

I understand. Clealy not every solution works for everyone.But if you have a need try it, it just might work for you.

Right now I have an Archos 705 sitting on my lap replying to your message, and I am not being annoyed by the distance to the device. Also I went back and revisited the site and looking at the photo it shows the device much closer to the body than I use it. I, at least, tend to place the boards feet more out on my legs, actually nearly to my knees.I suspect that the photo should be taken more as an artistic rendition than an "in use" or "as used" one.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

I think for me to want to use a book stand, I'd also want to turn pages either by remote, or by voice. If I'm constantly reaching for the reader to change the pages, that would defeat the purpose for me. (Of course, I also read from a PDA, so a stand is a lot less necessary for me.)

I can't help it, but this strange tune keeps running through my head:

I've seen a book stand...
and I've seen a rubber band...
I saw a front porch swing,
heard a diamond ring...
But I been done seen most ev'rything
when I see a' elephant fly!

[GeoffC]

Of course if you're reading whilst eating and you can't turn the page without having to wash your fingers , then this imho is a fault with the device .

Solution ; ask that the next firmware upgrade includes an option to change the earpiece socket to accept a microphone .

" please turn the page " in your best voice should suffoice - no spluttering of bread crumbs pleassee ..

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

Of course if you're reading whilst eating and you can't turn the page without having to wash your fingers , then this imho is a fault with the device .

I wouldn't say so... if it's not designed to accept grease and breadcrumbs, I don't consider that a design flaw... that just means meal tables are an environment it was not specifically designed for... like being 10 feet underwater, say. If a reader that is intended to be used underwater shorts out the moment it gets wet... that's a design flaw.

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

I wouldn't say so... if it's not designed to accept grease and breadcrumbs, I don't consider that a design flaw... that just means meal tables are an environment it was not specifically designed for... like being 10 feet underwater, say. If a reader that is intended to be used underwater shorts out the moment it gets wet... that's a design flaw.

But all normal people read whilst eating ( don't they ) - that's why pbooks come with covers to protect the paper pages . Therefore a reader should be designed with this in mind - i.e. easily cleaned with the dishes ; though perhaps not in the dishwasher ......

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Not all "normal" people read whilst eating... some of them stare at television, listen to music, talk to other people, or fend off the dog. Some of them just eat. Normal people also know how to use napkins!

Other than high-value leather covers, most book covers are only there for decoration, and don't provide much protection. A book is 6-sided, and covers only cover 3 sides, after all...

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Not all "normal" people read whilst eating... some of them stare at television, listen to music, talk to other people, or fend off the dog. Some of them just eat. Normal people also know how to use napkins!

Other than high-value leather covers, most book covers are only there for decoration, and don't provide much protection. A book is 6-sided, and covers only cover 3 sides, after all...

Oh Gosh !

[alia]

Makes sense with a dead tree book... doesn't seem to be a point with my Cybook though. Maybe at the gym?