3 ms·

This is because, outside of the object fetishization of books, they are really just a transport/storage layer. It's the content which matters, and as with other

This is because, outside of the object fetishization of books, they are really just a transport/storage layer. It's the content which matters, and as with other content, making it convenient is important. Your local library as a kid was sufficiently convenient, so you used it. Your university library wasn't, so you went elsewhere.

ajuc 10y ago
If I had internet when I was kid I probably wouldn't ever go outside ;)
stinkytaco 10y ago
On a slight tangent into object fetishization. I work with ebooks a lot in my job and I'm often asked if books are dead, if they will die, or why they are not dead. Ebook growth has leveled off significantly as devices to read them became ubiquitous and cheap, so its sits more or less flat at about 35% of the market (give or take). I often turn the question on the asker and ask them to analyze a book like its a piece of technology. It's lightweight, extremely durable (survives a five foot drop to concrete no problem) and inexpensive to replace. It's UI is really unmatched since we've been taught it since childhood, but on an objective scale it's easy to jump to exactly where you want (though difficult to search). It's resolution is fantastic and I've never tested it, but I've heard the battery life is great. It's a wonderful single use device, and single use devices certainly still have a place (after all, you can make toast under your broiler, but plenty of people still have toasters). End of tangent.
- c0nsumer 10y ago
  This is exactly why I don't have an eBook reader. I don't do a lot of reading where an eBook reader would be handy, but I tend to keep a paper book handy, especially when traveling. There's absolutely no restrictions on when I can use it (flying, jury duty), coupled with all the other reasons you give... really is the perfect solution for many use cases. What I personally don't have is the desire to have lots of books around. I keep a handful handy, but try to get rid of ones that I won't re-read, lend, gift, or didn't have HUGE meaning to me.
- pavel_lishin 10y ago
  To carry your tangent onwards... Books are great, but are really quite feature-poor. You frequently need to install add-ons to get even the most basic capability - like bookmarking, or increasing font size. You definitely don't get search, a built-in dictionary, or the ability to trivially share excerpts. All in all, I would definitely recommend this product to users with good eyesight and memory, but other potential users may want to go ahead and upgrade to ebooks.
  - stinkytaco 10y ago
    Perhaps, but the add-ons are incredibly easy to use and flexible based on user needs. Need colors for your bookmarks? What about inspirational slogans or funny pictures? Want to use your font increasing plugin on a different book or even a non-book item like your food packaging or crafts? All easily done. You don't need to get your add-ons or books from a single, central repository. Finally, though search is lacking, users have developed some clever ways to overcome that issue over time including indexing and tables of contents.

ajuc 10y ago

If I had internet when I was kid I probably wouldn't ever go outside ;)

stinkytaco 10y ago

On a slight tangent into object fetishization. I work with ebooks a lot in my job and I'm often asked if books are dead, if they will die, or why they are not dead. Ebook growth has leveled off significantly as devices to read them became ubiquitous and cheap, so its sits more or less flat at about 35% of the market (give or take). I often turn the question on the asker and ask them to analyze a book like its a piece of technology. It's lightweight, extremely durable (survives a five foot drop to concrete no problem) and inexpensive to replace. It's UI is really unmatched since we've been taught it since childhood, but on an objective scale it's easy to jump to exactly where you want (though difficult to search). It's resolution is fantastic and I've never tested it, but I've heard the battery life is great. It's a wonderful single use device, and single use devices certainly still have a place (after all, you can make toast under your broiler, but plenty of people still have toasters). End of tangent.

c0nsumer 10y ago
This is exactly why I don't have an eBook reader. I don't do a lot of reading where an eBook reader would be handy, but I tend to keep a paper book handy, especially when traveling. There's absolutely no restrictions on when I can use it (flying, jury duty), coupled with all the other reasons you give... really is the perfect solution for many use cases. What I personally don't have is the desire to have lots of books around. I keep a handful handy, but try to get rid of ones that I won't re-read, lend, gift, or didn't have HUGE meaning to me.
pavel_lishin 10y ago
To carry your tangent onwards... Books are great, but are really quite feature-poor. You frequently need to install add-ons to get even the most basic capability - like bookmarking, or increasing font size. You definitely don't get search, a built-in dictionary, or the ability to trivially share excerpts. All in all, I would definitely recommend this product to users with good eyesight and memory, but other potential users may want to go ahead and upgrade to ebooks.
- stinkytaco 10y ago
  Perhaps, but the add-ons are incredibly easy to use and flexible based on user needs. Need colors for your bookmarks? What about inspirational slogans or funny pictures? Want to use your font increasing plugin on a different book or even a non-book item like your food packaging or crafts? All easily done. You don't need to get your add-ons or books from a single, central repository. Finally, though search is lacking, users have developed some clever ways to overcome that issue over time including indexing and tables of contents.