05-19-2010, 01:31 AM | #1 |
Elven Warrior
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Kindles/Nooks
This is a very controversial topic in my classroom, so I thought I might bring it up here.
Are electronic books bad? Should they even be considered books? If so, explain. If not, explain, and are they missing part of the essence of a true book? Should we use them, or should we buy actual, material books? Any opinions?
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Elleth Valatari "We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbour, while materialistic 'progress' leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of the power of evil." — J.R.R. Tolkien |
05-19-2010, 01:55 AM | #2 |
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The electronic book is often looked down upon, it seems. To avoid letting the electronic book get off to a defensive start this early in this thread, I'll fling the question back to you if I may.
Why shouldn't we use them, when it's obvious they have quite a few advantages? Why should one even think electronic books are inherently bad? Why shouldn't they be considered books when they contain the same words and phrases as a genuine book?
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05-19-2010, 02:36 AM | #3 | |
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If you are referring to the actual machine (hardware) itself, then obviously the answer is no . The machines are not bad. If you are referring to the stories themselves, then that will depend on the story in question. If you are simply throwing this one out as a general, "what do you think of them?" then my answer would be that I am absolutely all for them .
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I am not a person who loves a book just for the feel of a book in my hands, I love books purely for the stories and information they contain. I also think electronic books, when made more commercially viable, might be incredible resource savers when it comes to papers and inks. Obviously there are incredible economic ramifications if everything goes electronic. But then I also sort of feel that this may be something like the radio. People said that TV would kill the radio, and that by now there would be no radio at all... which is obviously not true. I think a lot of people are afraid that material books will vanish entirely if electronic books become popular, but I seriously doubt that will happen. People will likely always want SOME things in physical book format. |
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05-19-2010, 05:30 AM | #4 |
Elf Lady
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Besides, for someone who preferably brings 10 to 15 books on her vacation, an e-reader is a blessing. Saves a lot of space in your backpack
But, reading from an e-reader will be difficult when it's sunny because of the reflection, just like when you're working on your laptop. They both have advantages and disadvantages.
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05-19-2010, 05:51 AM | #5 | |
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In any case, to answer it: no, they aren't bad. They're just a technological alternative to the real thing. And sure, electronic books have advantages and disadvantages that can play a part in your decision to use them. I don't see them replace paper books anytime soon, just as the MP3 player hasn't eliminated CD's yet, and CD's themselves failed to deliver a death-blow to records (who are in fact making a come-back). Although I can imagine electronic books eventually taking up a good portion of the book market. Paper books need trees and printing materials to be produced, electronic book-readers will also need materials to be produced, and a constant supply of energy to keep functioning. Whatever technology you prefer, you will leave an ecological footprint either way. I like paper books because for one they come without a battery, or can't have software problems. And I only want to stare at a screen for so long each day. But I do not see that leading to me never buying electronic books. They have their uses. They are easier to get rid off if I don't like them after reading. They would significantly reduce the weight of reading material I take along on holiday, although I won't be able to read them on the beach like a paper book. And just imagine when you're camping on some remote mountain and reading the exciting, big final of your book, only to have your reader shut down due to a low battery. Noooooo! Add to that that I can read my parents' old books, while I don't imagine my children will be able to do the same with the old electronic book reader they may inherit from me. As said before, they have uses and shortcomings.
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05-19-2010, 10:08 AM | #6 | ||
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Quote:
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05-19-2010, 04:05 PM | #7 |
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No, not exactly. This thread was started out of pure interest. I just wanted to see what people would say. Interesting topic, too.
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Elleth Valatari "We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbour, while materialistic 'progress' leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of the power of evil." — J.R.R. Tolkien |
05-19-2010, 05:40 PM | #8 | |
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Maybe in a couple of years when the technology has advanced further, e-books can be traded between users and maybe one can leave electronic bookmarkers or margin notes on e-books. Yes, it is an interesting topic, and a current one too.
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05-19-2010, 06:03 PM | #9 |
Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster
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Even so, you still wouldn't have the coolness factor of having palm-sized books that are older than your grandparents' grandparents.
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05-20-2010, 01:51 AM | #10 |
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I have a kindle app on my iPhone and it's awesome sauce. I love that I can buy books that I would consider more disposable, for cheaper (i.e. only read 'em once). I suppose for books like LOTR, it would be hard for me to imagine reading electronically, since there's definitely a tactile element involved (flicking backwards & forwards between text & maps is definitely part of the experience).
I would say that the answer depends on what you are reading.
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05-20-2010, 02:27 AM | #11 |
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Cheap Kindle-books would be AWESOME for textbooks.
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05-20-2010, 02:47 AM | #12 |
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Not to mention that the ctrl f function would make reading text books/journals so much easier! The amount of times in essay writing that I'd find a great quote, and then lose it again after reading 25 other journal articles. QUOTE! Where did you go??
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05-20-2010, 05:37 AM | #13 | |
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Amen! The future students will not know how lucky they'll be if one day they just have to carry a little pad containing all their textbooks whereas I remember the days I went to school carrying several kilos worth of books. Right there with you. There are times enough I have caught myself briefly looking for the ctrl F function before remembering that paper books don't come with it.
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05-20-2010, 08:43 AM | #14 |
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I will say this - they are EXCELLENT for books which are in the public domain. I have a Sony E-book Reader (not a Kindle or Nook, but a lot like the iPod, they seem more exclusive in software, etc.). You can go to one of several websites and browse through wonderful old books and not pay a penny for them, where if you went to Barnes and Noble, you'd have to pay at least $5.
On the note of readability, I recently read "The Count of Monte Cristo" on my e-book reader. For those of you who haven't read it, 1. I recommend reading it, and 2. It's 1,000 pages long (or something like that). I had no trouble flicking back and forth between pages, and it was easier to say, "Oh! I've heard that name before! Where was it?" You just double click on it and then search for it. I'm pretty excited because C.S. Lewis goes public domain in 3 years. Public domain comes 50 years after death. We got a while with Tolkien. (this goes for audiobooks too).
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05-21-2010, 01:21 PM | #15 |
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I'm no Luddite, but I think I'll always prefer the traditionally publishing form. Mostly because I like developing a collection of books, strewn all over the house in proper eccentric philosopher style.
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05-21-2010, 08:58 PM | #16 |
Elven Warrior
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That is my goal exactly! I am and always will be adding to my collection, and I plan to have them laying on many single shelves throughout my house when I have one of my own. No library shelving for me!
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Elleth Valatari "We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbour, while materialistic 'progress' leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of the power of evil." — J.R.R. Tolkien |
05-21-2010, 09:19 PM | #17 | |
Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster
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I used to be like that, but now I've gotten SICK of having to move all my books (currently, I have six boxes), so I'm constantly trimming my library. One day, I'll finally be settled down, and able to let it grow organically.
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Besides, I think it's highly unlikely that there will be functioning e-readers that are 100+ years old.
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05-21-2010, 09:30 PM | #18 | |
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Quote:
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Elleth Valatari "We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbour, while materialistic 'progress' leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of the power of evil." — J.R.R. Tolkien |
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05-21-2010, 10:02 PM | #19 |
Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster
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Yes, you get a lot of significant, or downright interesting, things from the marginal notes.
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05-22-2010, 12:48 PM | #20 |
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For all the rampant political correctness by certain 'Mooters, there is a blatant disregard for future generations on this thread that even I find DISTURBING!
Which means that BJ, among others, really ought to be here raising relativity issues. Where is he? Or IR, for that matter! Or Nurvingiel? What is the Moot come to?
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