Electronic book detractors

[jbcohen]

Do you see any common characteristics among people that don't like electronic books, are they generally of a certain age group, which gender (do men not like electronic books more then women), economic status, do they live in a certain part of the country, do they have internet access or not? Are there any characteristics that are common to any?

I would think that most would be from an older generation, simply becuase the older we get the more likely we are to like things the way they were not the new way. Some of us tend to get set in our ways.

[Nancy Fulda]

I'm not sure electronic books are ubiquitous enough yet for their detractors to fit a set profile. It's kind of like asking for common characteristics among people who don't like sushi.

[DiapDealer]

Do you see any common characteristics among people that don't like electronic books, are they generally of a certain age group, which gender (do men not like electronic books more then women), economic status, do they live in a certain part of the country, do they have internet access or not? Are there any characteristics that are common to any?

Yes. The most common characteristic of most detractors is that they have absolutely no experience with eBooks/eReaders.

I'm not saying that everyone who reads an ebook becomes an instant devotee, but usually, reading an ebook (on an appropriately sized, portable device) is enough to end their vocal detraction.

[AlbertaCowboy]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Yes. The most common characteristic of most detractors is that they have absolutely no experience with eBooks/eReaders.

I'm not saying that everyone who reads an ebook becomes an instant devotee, but usually, reading an ebook (on an appropriately sized, portable device) is enough to end their vocal detraction.

+1 To this. Every opponent that I have spoken to has yet to try reading on a dedicated Reader.

[elcreative]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Do you see any common characteristics among people that don't like electronic books, are they generally of a certain age group, which gender (do men not like electronic books more then women), economic status, do they live in a certain part of the country, do they have internet access or not? Are there any characteristics that are common to any?

I would think that most would be from an older generation, simply becuase the older we get the more likely we are to like things the way they were not the new way. Some of us tend to get set in our ways.

Actually that is counter to the experience of many... older readers are more likely to appreciate eReaders once they have been demonstrated to them... try changing the font size on a paperback or reading with a magnifying glass, if you need to do this then eReaders sell themselves on demo...

Also it might be an idea to define your term "older generation" so that it doesn't so patronisingly ageist...

[DuskyRose]

Originally Posted by AlbertaCowboy

+1 To this. Every opponent that I have spoken to has yet to try reading on a dedicated Reader.

I belong to a book swapping site, and have to say I've found this to be true. Those most opposed to ebooks, (scared that their supplies of used physical books will dry up with ebooks becoming more popular) tend to be people who've never used one and swear they never will.

Until they do, then come back to admit they've fallen in love with them.

Some don't, but then admit that they may have chosen the wrong machine to try out. Some think they may enjoy a tablet rather than an e-ink screen, and vice versa. They may not have cared for the experience, but then tend to admit they can see the draw.

And, of course, they'd have to be interested in reading anyway. My older relatives brush off the idea of ebooks. But then, they don't read anyway, so it's not something they think about at all.

[Skip Wyona]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Do you see any common characteristics among people that don't like electronic books, are they generally of a certain age group, which gender (do men not like electronic books more then women), economic status, do they live in a certain part of the country, do they have internet access or not? Are there any characteristics that are common to any?

I would think that most would be from an older generation, simply becuase the older we get the more likely we are to like things the way they were not the new way. Some of us tend to get set in our ways.

Read: http://www.teleread.com/paul-biba/di...avior-studies/

and

http://floridaresearchgroup.wordpres...ereader-users/

[GMcG]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Yes. The most common characteristic of most detractors is that they have absolutely no experience with eBooks/eReaders.

No. I can say that I have some experiences with eBooks, because I have created eBooks (epub/mobi) of the html stories on my webpage. They are free and I thought that there might be some readers who would appreciate it, but I never got any responses. So I'm afraid, none of my readers has an eReader.
But I prefer printed books for myself. Maybe it's the mentality. I've tried eReaders in computer shops and in bookstores and for me it's always an electronic device and not a book. I also download free samples (MR/Smashwords/Projekt Gutenberg) sometimes and start to read them with Calibre Viewer, but the *feeling* is always: poor, and I skip them. It's not the same as a paper book.
So, for the statistics: male, aged, experienced (eBooks, not eReaders), dedicated paperback reader. And I don't like sushi.
Nonetheless: I like to follow the threads in the MR forums. They are very interesting and - sometimes - very amusing.

George

[RainingLemur]

I've never seen any common points held by people I've talked to that don't care for ebooks and ereaders. One will say they like the feel/smell of a physical book. Another will say they don't do enough reading anyways, and it'd be a waste of money to get an ereader. There's too many variables, I think, to really give any kind of definitive answer.

[Hellmark]

The only real common one I've seen is no right of first sale. There are others, like "oh, I like the feel of a real book", but they stop talking about that when they start using ebooks. The only one that sticks, is how you cannot resell an ebook.

[twowheels]

Originally Posted by GMcG

I also download free samples (MR/Smashwords/Projekt Gutenberg) sometimes and start to read them with Calibre Viewer, but the *feeling* is always: poor, and I skip them.

Long time, dedicated ereader here... and I'd hate to have to read my books in the Calibre viewer too! That's not really a good test... even Amazon's cloud reader is far better than that.

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

The only real common one I've seen is no right of first sale. There are others, like "oh, I like the feel of a real book", but they stop talking about that when they start using ebooks. The only one that sticks, is how you cannot resell an ebook.

reply to that with, 'there's no need to resell an ebook because it takes up no space' (doesn't overflow your bookshelf space)

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by GMcG

But I prefer printed books for myself. Maybe it's the mentality. I've tried eReaders in computer shops and in bookstores and for me it's always an electronic device and not a book. I also download free samples (MR/Smashwords/Projekt Gutenberg) sometimes and start to read them with Calibre Viewer, but the *feeling* is always: poor, and I skip them. It's not the same as a paper book.

George

Correct me if I'm wrong George, but I believe I covered your particular demographic with:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'm not saying that everyone who reads an ebook becomes an instant devotee, but usually, reading an ebook (on an appropriately sized, portable device) is enough to end their vocal detraction.

A. It doesn't sound like you've actually sat down in a comfy chair and read a book on an eReader type device (calibre on a laptop doesn't count).
B. It doesn't seem like you're a very vocal detractor of the ebook format.

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by alansplace

reply to that with, 'there's no need to resell an ebook because it takes up no space' (doesn't overflow your bookshelf space)

But if I am never going to read it again, why shouldn't I be able to sell it to recoup some of my costs?

[GreenMonkey]

Technically I'm a detractor of ebooks. I hate the attitude that you are "leasing" it and don't own it. I hate the DRM on most commercial books. I hate how you cannot resell them (even Smashwords non-DRM'd books have language saying you can't).

That said, I love e-ink screens, and I love the technology. I just hate what most corporations do with it.

I normally tell people that I love my e-reader, and as long as you strip the DRM or buy non-DRM books, it's awesome.