Recently I wrote about the fact that many people will never move to eBooks and it turned into a conversation about whether eBooks are the future or not. Here are some of the most interesting comments which highlight the views of people in regards to eBooks-
Clark- “I find it more difficult to read a regular book. Having to hold your place while reading? If I set it down it closes and I have to search for my spot. Plus the smell. I’ll give you the new books smell ok but old ones? Please! I borrow books a lot and I can only imagine where these books have been. (where do most people read?) And the fact that they are probably full of bacteria and other germs. ewwwww Give me my germ free, anti-bacterial eBooks.”
Joel- “I went back to paper as I look at lit screens all day and a book is easier on my eyes. Resolution doesn’t matter much at all, not being backlit does.
The other problem is on new release or pre-order I can often get hard covers cheaper and easier than eBooks.”
Philippa- “You are forgetting e-ink devices like the kindle, Sony Reader or iliad. It’s perfectly possible to read those for hours in the same way as it is for books. As Joel says, it’s not so much resolution that’s the problem, as the extra strain from a backlit screen. Of course I’m expecting e-ink technology to just quietly die in favour of devices like the iPad which is a real shame.
The other thing about a book is that there’s no extra distractions – you can’t just flick a page to check the latest news whilst reading it.
The cost of eBooks and the limiting DRM is probably an article in itself!”
Andrew- “I saw my first Kindle the other day and what struck me is that the print appears to be on the top surface of the device. It looks far more natural. If I look at any of phone / pads / laptops, it’s always through glass, as it were.”
Tony- “Can’t see myself moving to eBooks any time soon, for most of the reasons mentioned already. I can read it on the beach without worrying about sand getting in the book, I can read in the bath and on an underground train without feeling like it might be stolen. I do not need to buy an expensive phone or eReader, nor do I need to worry about charging it or storing it safely. I can buy a book new or second hand for a fraction of the price on a eBook from outlets all over the world. I can leave the book on my shelf at home when I’m done and it can become a talking point when friends visit. I can also lend the book out or give it to charity to make a little money for a good cause.
And last but not least I like the touch and smell of a paper book, especially a good one!”
vboelema- “I’ve been using my netbook in bed to read ebooks in pdf format. In the evening I turn the backlight right down and I lie back and tap the space bar when I turn the page. I have surprised myself with how great it has been. I could see myself using an iPad in the same way… but more comfortable and with a better screen.”
It seems to me that there is a presumption that people who do not read eBooks have never tried them, but it would appear that many have tried and still don’t like the technology. I am firmly with Clark regarding the smell of old books (phew!) and am an avid eBook reader, but also feel that the pricing of eBooks is often way over the top for no good reason.
So it goes back to my original article and this quote which now seems truer than ever- “The fact is that people who do not want to read digital media care little for the quality of the text or the photographs reproduced within. They do not care that it is an advance of technology that deserves praise from every quarter. They just will not read for leisure on a screen.”
