eBooks
I like real books dammit.
(ElGranto, Wed 21 Oct 2009, 6:05, 4 replies)

I agree
I love to read and enjoy the odd book online or downloaded, but wouldn't buy a Sony Reader or whatever.

You have to buy most books for it at publishers' prices. Not cheap, and they hold a lot of books.
Then, are you going to read it in the bath? I wouldn't dare.
Is it safe to use on public transport or in a cafe? I'd worry about being followed and mugged.

Give me a tatty paperback any day.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Wed 21 Oct 2009, 8:21, closed)

hello
I use my iPhone to read ebooks using an app called Stanza. They are useful to have. I can carry a large book collection in my pocket and whip it out anytime I need some entertainment on the tube on the way to work.

I would buy a Sony reader as well mind you. I can also convert comic book format CBR and CBZ to LIT format to read on ebook readers.

Thought I do still like to read a real book now and then :)
(scotsbloke, Wed 21 Oct 2009, 10:19, closed)

All I heard was:
"I can [static hiss] whip it out anytime I need some entertainment on the tube on the way to work." hnarf hnarf. Sorry, t'was shameful but I couldn't resist

Personally I like the fact you can buy real books for 20p - £1 in charity shops / markets and give them away to mates when you're done. However, to lend credit to the iPhone whipping gentlemen to whom I reply, I'm currently reading war and peace and it's a bit of a sod to carry around in the pocket. Don't think I could read a book off a screen though...
(Robot_Lover loves robots, Wed 21 Oct 2009, 12:55, closed)

Yup, you can buy any book you like cheaply eventually
and as you say, cheap can mean pennies.

A big thick book certainly can be a drag to carry around, but most keen readers have more than one book on the go at a time so there's always the other one for travelling with.

I'm no technophobe, but I looked into the ebook business and found that it just didn't compare to conventional books in terms of both cost and 'bookiness'.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Wed 21 Oct 2009, 21:29, closed)