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I disagree for novels etc, but for textbooks and review papers it is really unbelievably better to have a printed copy. The ability to flick back and forward an

I disagree for novels etc, but for textbooks and review papers it is really unbelievably better to have a printed copy. The ability to flick back and forward and quickly take notes is so, so useful. Nothing to do with the smell or cracked spine though. Fuck cracked spines.

mhurron 13y ago
I've found it depends on what the text book is for. If it's going to be a constant reference, I would prefer a searchable ebook as it is a lot easier to carry many of them on my Nook too and from work. If it is a book I am reading to increase my knowledge of a subject but not one I expect to be a constant reference back too, like a study guide or the like, I prefer a print book.
TillE 13y ago
Precisely. The Kindle does a fantastic job with simple linear text, but there's still no really good electronic solution for large-format, illustrated books. I'm talking both hardware and software. The rumored larger iPad, if it ever sees the light of day, would probably be aimed at this kind of use.
oacgnol 13y ago
I've found this to be a problem with reading technical books on my Kindle. I'm constantly flipping back and forth between examples and text and it's really not as good (read: not as fast) as flipping physical pages.
kcorbitt 13y ago
I agree that currently this is the case. But why should it be any harder to flip between bookmarks in an ebook than switch tabs in a browser?
- ivan_ah 13y ago
  I find keeping track of "context" is much easier with a real book. For example, I know that I saw an equation 3 or 4 pages ago on the top left, so I can quickly flip back and find it, whereas on a digital form a would have to PGUP a couple of times and be presented with a "blur" of pixels and try to catch the same equation. Then again, I'm not sure what UI modern eBook readers have for setting and going to bookmarks.
clusterfoo 13y ago
Not only is flipping back and forth much easier in a math/technical book, but, for some reason, I find I actually learn better. Something about associating a piece of information with a physical location on a real object makes everything "snap" together better in my head ("Oh, I remember this concept, it was about a third of the way through Dummit & Foote. Yep, it's all coming back now."). I can still pick up my calculus textbook from a class I took 5 years ago and open more or less in the right section of what I'm looking for. I've associated that object, it's weight, feel, and size, with the information it contains. I can't say the same about any of the dozens of pdf's I have on my tablet. I'd probably have trouble opening the right file, let alone where inside that file the information is! If it matters or is long-term knowledge, I always get the book. (Even if given the insane pricing of textbooks, I wish this didn't have to be the case...)

mhurron 13y ago

I've found it depends on what the text book is for. If it's going to be a constant reference, I would prefer a searchable ebook as it is a lot easier to carry many of them on my Nook too and from work. If it is a book I am reading to increase my knowledge of a subject but not one I expect to be a constant reference back too, like a study guide or the like, I prefer a print book.

TillE 13y ago

Precisely. The Kindle does a fantastic job with simple linear text, but there's still no really good electronic solution for large-format, illustrated books. I'm talking both hardware and software. The rumored larger iPad, if it ever sees the light of day, would probably be aimed at this kind of use.

oacgnol 13y ago

I've found this to be a problem with reading technical books on my Kindle. I'm constantly flipping back and forth between examples and text and it's really not as good (read: not as fast) as flipping physical pages.

kcorbitt 13y ago

I agree that currently this is the case. But why should it be any harder to flip between bookmarks in an ebook than switch tabs in a browser?

ivan_ah 13y ago
I find keeping track of "context" is much easier with a real book. For example, I know that I saw an equation 3 or 4 pages ago on the top left, so I can quickly flip back and find it, whereas on a digital form a would have to PGUP a couple of times and be presented with a "blur" of pixels and try to catch the same equation. Then again, I'm not sure what UI modern eBook readers have for setting and going to bookmarks.

clusterfoo 13y ago

Not only is flipping back and forth much easier in a math/technical book, but, for some reason, I find I actually learn better. Something about associating a piece of information with a physical location on a real object makes everything "snap" together better in my head ("Oh, I remember this concept, it was about a third of the way through Dummit & Foote. Yep, it's all coming back now."). I can still pick up my calculus textbook from a class I took 5 years ago and open more or less in the right section of what I'm looking for. I've associated that object, it's weight, feel, and size, with the information it contains. I can't say the same about any of the dozens of pdf's I have on my tablet. I'd probably have trouble opening the right file, let alone where inside that file the information is! If it matters or is long-term knowledge, I always get the book. (Even if given the insane pricing of textbooks, I wish this didn't have to be the case...)