Is being able to read on a desktop machine important to you? - Page 3

astra · 11-23-2007, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirmaru

I am convinced that NOTHING beats Microsoft Reader and a 24" HD Monitor for reading books.

eInk.

TallMomof2 · 11-23-2007, 06:38 PM

eInk is amazing. I've read for more years than I care to claim off of monitors and about 5 years off PDAs. My current monitor is HD but I don't read much on it. My eyes don't track well enough. The PDA is okay but the screen is too small and requires more back and forth eye motion.

The eInk screen is the closest to print that I've experienced. It's a nice size, easy to hold and carry, and it creates far less eye fatigue.

nekokami · 11-23-2007, 10:01 PM

LCD screens don't bother my eyes, but I'm able to get a lot more comfortable with my iLiad than with my laptop. Even so, there are times when I do need to read something on my laptop or desktop, either because I need the larger screen or because I need a more functional interface (e.g. keyboard, grep, etc.) I need them both.

HarryT · 11-24-2007, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirmaru

At the most I would use an Eprint reader if it was POCKETABLE as a SUPPLEMENTARY reader. None fulfull this requirement yet. It would require touch screens with all controls available within the screen as the Garmin Nuvi 750 GPS does NOW with a full QWERTY keyboard. The reader would have to match the measurements (My Garmin Nuvi 750 is 4 3/4" x 2 7/8" x 5/8") of that GPS. None do at the moment.

You appear to be describing a PDA. Have you looked at MobiPocket running on a Pocket PC or Palm PDA? Pretty much exactly what you describe.

bob_ninja · 11-26-2007, 12:04 PM

Harry,

The trouble is that there are too many different aspects mixed into this topic. First there are younger people (for the most part) that don't realize the damage they are doing to their eyes by using LCDs 24/7. Sure, some exceptional individuals may be able to handle LCDs their entire life, but they are exceptions.

Then there are many technical/text books that include sophisticated diagrams, illustrations, etc. that the current eInk readers cannot display very well. For those we still have to use larger LCD screens, like it or not.

Then there is reading position. Again younger people may have the stamina to sit at a desk 24/7 while older readers would prefer a more comfortable position.

Depending on the mix of criteria you select, there are different answers. For instance, "casual mostly test (literature) reading for low eye strain and flexible reading positions" would clearly favor eReaders. However, "technical/complex books, don't care about eye strain or reading position" favors full desktop computers with large monitors. Then there are a bunch of combinations in between.

So readers having different preferences/needs are interpreting you question though their own combination of ciretira and produce different answers. Hence the confusion.

Alisa · 11-26-2007, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob_ninja

Then there are many technical/text books that include sophisticated diagrams, illustrations, etc. that the current eInk readers cannot display very well. For those we still have to use larger LCD screens, like it or not.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen coworkers print out sections of PDFs even though they're sitting in front of their computers just because reading on the screen is so painful. I resist doing it because I hate killing trees but with an ebook device (Kindle or otherwise), I could still look at any graphics I can't interpret on my big screen and read the text on e-ink. I'm less concerned about that with .azw books so far because those will likely be recreational books for me. Hopefully if they make a serious move into the tech and textbook market, they'll put out a software reader.

bob_ninja · 11-26-2007, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alisa

I can't tell you how many times I've seen coworkers print out sections of PDFs even though they're sitting in front of their computers just because reading on the screen is so painful. I resist doing it because I hate killing trees but with an ebook device (Kindle or otherwise), I could still look at any graphics I can't interpret on my big screen and read the text on e-ink. I'm less concerned about that with .azw books so far because those will likely be recreational books for me. Hopefully if they make a serious move into the tech and textbook market, they'll put out a software reader.

Of course. Guilty as charged

If I need to read more than 20-30 pages and really concetrate then I cannot do it in the office. I need to take it home and find some quiet corner to read it. Plus after staring at LCD monitor at work for 8+ hours I really do prefer paper. So I used to do it all the time. That is why I got Cybook: save some trees, save my eyes and have easy access to all the info I need.

Jorgen · 11-27-2007, 10:56 AM

I use desktop readers to

1) check the books I have formatted myself.
2) browse books before choosing which to load onto my PDAs / memory cards

dunster · 11-30-2007, 08:15 PM

Reading books on the desktop machine is important for me.
I'm only interested in being able to read on a hand-held device.

I think your second choice undercuts those who would love to have a portable, easy-on-the-eyes method of reading and carrying multiple books, primarily because the word "only" suggests that they are not interested in other electronic methods of reading or getting info. Both of these are obviously important. The post that prompted your poll, if I am right, implied that the whole concept of a portable reader that was not a desktop PC was stupid.

michaelejahn · 11-30-2007, 09:09 PM

I read on my PC. I read on my laptop. I read on my phone, my treo, my TV. And no, i don't buy CDs or physical books anymore - can bring them with me easily and they make to big a carbon foot print to produce, distribute, sell and then recycle.

This eBook - it is freakin' data, and I paid for it. Why on earth does anyone think it would be sustainable that i can't choose what device i want to read my content on. This is like talking to someone in the 70's, where they just don't see why computers are important. sheesh.

It is not an issue of if it is important to me. Analogy time - Can i call you on the phone ? I mean, really, do i care what phone or what service or if it is a land line or a cell phone - the service follows a standard, and that is why it is widely accepted and wildy popular.

Yes, I am a PDF Evangelist, but now, this is not about PDF, this is about open standards, portability and this insane notion that somehow an ATM card idea would be popular when it only worked with YOUR BANK.

I have no idea why I am even wasting my time posting here. To dumb a question, next one, please oh please.

View Poll Results: How important is being able to read on the desktop?
Reading books on the desktop machine is important for me.	37	27.82%
I'm only interested in being able to read on a hand-held device.	96	72.18%
Voters: 133. You may not vote on this poll

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11-23-2007, 06:38 PM	#32
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	eInk is amazing. I've read for more years than I care to claim off of monitors and about 5 years off PDAs. My current monitor is HD but I don't read much on it. My eyes don't track well enough. The PDA is okay but the screen is too small and requires more back and forth eye motion. The eInk screen is the closest to print that I've experienced. It's a nice size, easy to hold and carry, and it creates far less eye fatigue.

11-23-2007, 10:01 PM	#33
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	LCD screens don't bother my eyes, but I'm able to get a lot more comfortable with my iLiad than with my laptop. Even so, there are times when I do need to read something on my laptop or desktop, either because I need the larger screen or because I need a more functional interface (e.g. keyboard, grep, etc.) I need them both.

11-26-2007, 12:04 PM	#35
bob_ninja Addict Posts: 208 Karma: 582 Join Date: Aug 2006 Device: Zire71	Harry, The trouble is that there are too many different aspects mixed into this topic. First there are younger people (for the most part) that don't realize the damage they are doing to their eyes by using LCDs 24/7. Sure, some exceptional individuals may be able to handle LCDs their entire life, but they are exceptions. Then there are many technical/text books that include sophisticated diagrams, illustrations, etc. that the current eInk readers cannot display very well. For those we still have to use larger LCD screens, like it or not. Then there is reading position. Again younger people may have the stamina to sit at a desk 24/7 while older readers would prefer a more comfortable position. Depending on the mix of criteria you select, there are different answers. For instance, "casual mostly test (literature) reading for low eye strain and flexible reading positions" would clearly favor eReaders. However, "technical/complex books, don't care about eye strain or reading position" favors full desktop computers with large monitors. Then there are a bunch of combinations in between. So readers having different preferences/needs are interpreting you question though their own combination of ciretira and produce different answers. Hence the confusion.

11-27-2007, 10:56 AM	#38
Jorgen Connoisseur Posts: 74 Karma: 84 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Spain Device: Sony prs-650, iPod, BEBOOK Mini, Nokia n810, iPaq	I use desktop readers to 1) check the books I have formatted myself. 2) browse books before choosing which to load onto my PDAs / memory cards

11-30-2007, 08:15 PM	#39
dunster Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Sony reader	Reading books on the desktop machine is important for me. I'm only interested in being able to read on a hand-held device. I think your second choice undercuts those who would love to have a portable, easy-on-the-eyes method of reading and carrying multiple books, primarily because the word "only" suggests that they are not interested in other electronic methods of reading or getting info. Both of these are obviously important. The post that prompted your poll, if I am right, implied that the whole concept of a portable reader that was not a desktop PC was stupid.

11-30-2007, 09:09 PM	#40
michaelejahn Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Device: still waiting	I read on my PC. I read on my laptop. I read on my phone, my treo, my TV. And no, i don't buy CDs or physical books anymore - can bring them with me easily and they make to big a carbon foot print to produce, distribute, sell and then recycle. This eBook - it is freakin' data, and I paid for it. Why on earth does anyone think it would be sustainable that i can't choose what device i want to read my content on. This is like talking to someone in the 70's, where they just don't see why computers are important. sheesh. It is not an issue of if it is important to me. Analogy time - Can i call you on the phone ? I mean, really, do i care what phone or what service or if it is a land line or a cell phone - the service follows a standard, and that is why it is widely accepted and wildy popular. Yes, I am a PDF Evangelist, but now, this is not about PDF, this is about open standards, portability and this insane notion that somehow an ATM card idea would be popular when it only worked with YOUR BANK. I have no idea why I am even wasting my time posting here. To dumb a question, next one, please oh please.

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