A new ebook reader is coming on the market, the Sony Reader, price $350, joining the ranks of other ebook readers like the pocket-sized Franklin eBookman and the RCA ebook device. It's true you can read ebooks on Palms and handheld pcs but the screens on the ebook readers is supposed to be better.
The Sony device is packed with 64 MB of memory, enough for it to hold 80 books (assuming they're all un-illustrated ebooks about 800 KB in size.) This beats the RCA reader which had 8 MB (just enough for 10 books) and both models of the eBookman (8 MB and 16 MB). Plus both the Sony Reader and the Franklin eBookman have a memory slot to hold more books (and mp3s).
So why do I care? Because I like the idea of a small library that can fit in my pocket.
I like to write. And sometimes I wish I had some writer's books with me. Books on names, how to write fantasy and science fiction, HTW mysteries, stuff I'm researching, writer's bibles for some of my projects, things like that.
I also like playing roleplaying games and would love to have those rulebooks with me - but I'd have to keep them on a memory stick because the few gaming companies making rpg ebooks make them as pdf files and filled with pictures that make it a huge file. They'd have to go on a memory stick. A large memory stick.
And maybe a couple of books just for reading.
What kind of books would you like to bring with you?
Expendable posted on Nov 07, 2006
| views: 397
Comments
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secretlife said on Nov 07, 2006....
Hmmm....I might bring along a few new novels-Maybe a cookbook....Isn't technology amazing? -
dazed_and_confused said on Nov 08, 2006....
I usually have novels on my mobile phone/which doubles as a reader too. :D -
silverwhisper said on Nov 08, 2006....
honestly, i don't like ebooks or ebook readers. the simple truth is that most books have a good form-factor and are lighter than most electronic devices. it may work well to replace hardcovers, but it will never replace the mass market paperback, IMHO.
ed
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Alyss said on Nov 08, 2006....
Am I old fashioned for saying I'd rather have a real book to hold and read?
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Expendable said on Nov 08, 2006....
SL - yes ^_^Dazed - do you load them by the phone or can you have them on an sd card?SW - I hope you're right about paperbacks. But the Sony Reader weighs 9 ounces.Alyss - no. Most prefer books, it's what we're comfortable with.The problem is when you want to have a lot of books. They get heavy - just look at what kids in school wind up having to carry. A slim ebook reader with all their school books and assigned reading already in is less to carry. -
Apollo said on Nov 08, 2006....
I love real books, and the real life walk in the door type library is one of my favorite places. Isn’t the smell of books wonderful! But if I had the money, I would buy on of those machines. The idea of having 80+ books in you back pack sounds so cool! I agree with SW the paper back is necessary to our way of life.
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missb said on Nov 08, 2006....
Oh, Expendable... you're back!!Anyway, for me, I really really prefer the real thing. I mean, i prefer old fashioned books rather than ebooks.But if i have to choose what book i should bring; i'd bring The Alchemist :)Cheers! -
dazed_and_confused said on Nov 08, 2006....
You can load them to your phone if the phone has a big memory. Or if you really want to have lots of books, you can have it on an SD card. :D I also prefer paperbacks, I actually like rummaging through book sales and libraries. Reading a paperback on a soft couch and drinking coffee with matching soft music in the background is quite relaxing for me. But I also have electronic copies of books to my phone so I could carry and read at least 20+ books while I'm traveling and still look pretty carrying all of it! :D just kidding. :D Cheers Y'all -
fireflychaser said on Nov 08, 2006....
Wow that thing's cool. id like to bring my 8hundred page ebooks with some are even a thousand page ebook. its just cool having them anywhere i go with that ebook reader!
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Alyss said on Nov 09, 2006....
I take your point about being easier to carry when you are required to have text books to hand and avoiding back injury is a good idea but for the simple pleasure of reading I'll have a book.
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silverwhisper said on Nov 09, 2006....
while books can be damaged by spilling a beverage on 'em, an ebook is somewhat less likely to be useful after such an event.
ed
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Apollo said on Nov 09, 2006....
Yes a reader can be a major investment, and they are relatively delicate. But having an electronic reader means having access to vast online libraries for free. God save the paper back, but I don’t know how you can beat that. Check this out: http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page.
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Expendable said on Nov 09, 2006....
I love Project Gutenburg! And Baen has their Free Library of fantasy and science fiction, some of their older titles but fun to read.But sometimes I don't like reading ebooks on the monitor, it's just too bright even with contrast and brightness turned down - and I don't want to print it off because the cartridge costs more than buying the book.The ebook readers I've seen though don't push light at you, so they're easier on the eyes. So if you like ebooks an ebook reader's a good thing to get. But you're right you have to protect them.But I can't help thinking how many paperbacks I could buy for what this thing costs.... ;-) -
Apollo said on Nov 09, 2006....
60, given 5 dollars a book and a 300 dollar reader. :)
But once you have that devise then you have access to innumerable free books, it could pay for its self. At my university our president is talking about doing away with all the physical libraries and making everything electronic. That scares me; I wish I knew how to show him what we would lose. I wonder if a man has any right to lead an institution of education if he dose not even understand the sprit that resided in a library.
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