cRPG

Off Topic => General Off Topic => Topic started by: Osiris on May 26, 2013, 10:37:10 pm

Title: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Osiris on May 26, 2013, 10:37:10 pm
Personally i dislike ebooks and love real books, I've just given away/donated around 60 books (mostly childhood books about football, arsenal, goosebumps (brits will know) old enid blyton etc  and i still have 180-200 left that i wont get rid of.

I can see the appeal of space saving and portability but i just don't get on with them, i take books to work and holiday and space didn't really hinder me. I don't see me getting e books anytime soon what about you guys?
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: [ptx] on May 26, 2013, 10:42:48 pm
E-books. Been reading on my smartphone, as i take the bus to work or wherever i got a free moment.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Casimir on May 26, 2013, 10:44:26 pm
Books make far better weapons
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Zlisch_The_Butcher on May 26, 2013, 10:50:52 pm
This is pretty hypocritical seeing as my main complaint about Apple is that they shit on actual usability in order to give people a retarded UI, but books just look and feel better.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Torben on May 26, 2013, 10:51:43 pm
the smell,  the feel.  going through old books you find in a shelf or room or chest you havent looked into for a few years.  love it : )

ebooks have their places tho i guess,  although i rather have magazines on my phone than a book.  for a quick read in the bus or whatnot
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Panos on May 26, 2013, 10:53:51 pm
I can`t afford food, let alone books.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: B3RS3RK on May 26, 2013, 10:56:53 pm
I like both; You see, nothing is superior to the book in terms of, you know, feeling.It´s just really special to have this big story made of paper and ink in your hands.It has this homelike feel to it, the smell, the looks.It´s something I would not want to miss.

eBooks, on the other hand are very practical; I can go on a journey with my kindle and have 1000 books on it while using less space than actually having one printed copy with me.They are also mostly cheaper - but that is, for me at least, not an important argument since it is mostly only by a margin.Also, I have very easy access to my books and also to new books on it; Just go online and buy a new one if I want, no need to go outside or anything.

So, both have their pros and cons.Imo, eBooks will never replace "real" books, but they can be handy in some situations.

Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Taser on May 26, 2013, 11:05:38 pm
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Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Miwiw on May 26, 2013, 11:05:55 pm
Books. Always got a book with me when I'm leaving. Reading in the bus, train. ;)

Buying some books each week, need moreeeeeeeeeeee!!
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Grumbs on May 26, 2013, 11:06:44 pm
Same opinion as Berserk, just would add:

Your experience can depend a lot on which device you have, how its set up and which format its in. You can mimic actually completing full pages and have a sense of how far into the book you are

With them being digital there are ways to acquire stuff without paying if thats something you would consider

I would suggest getting used to them sooner rather than later though, they are the future :D
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Leshma on May 26, 2013, 11:41:43 pm
Never read a book in my life. But if I have to choose, books.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Grumbs on May 26, 2013, 11:50:30 pm
Never read a book in my life. But if I have to choose, books.

Never? You are missing out if you never experienced stories in book form. Kind of a shame to close off a whole avenue of entertainment
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: sF_Guardian on May 27, 2013, 12:03:47 am
Books.
I love reading books end never got used to that e-shit, it hurts my eyes.
The feeling of a book is also something I'd never want to miss.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Moncho on May 27, 2013, 12:06:56 am
B3RS3RK pretty much nailed it, however, I have come to love eBooks after having a kindle for a year. The difference in reading quality is minimal, and for someone like me living half the year in a different country, they come in very handy, like last summer when I wanted to reread aSoIaF and could not because I had left the first book in the UK despite having the rest with me...

Another thing I miss is waking up to feel the weight of a thick book on your chest because I fell asleep while reading due to not being able to stop turning the pages. I loved that feeling.

What I do now is I buy a lot of books on the eBook and then buy in paper the ones I really like, since one of the things I like the most is having a wall full of shelves of books I like.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Ninja_Khorin on May 27, 2013, 12:10:53 am
I use my old kindle:
(click to show/hide)

Those saying it hurts eyes, clearly haven't used a proper e-reader and have tried reading from iPad's or other such nonsense.

Kindle, Nooks and similar are really easy on the eyes and actually look way more like paper than a computer screen. Reading from an iPad is a pain in sunlight, but that doesn't affect the kindle at all.

I never leave my house without my kindle. Had it for 2 years now and still working like a charm. I'd never be able to carry around some of the books I read with me in my pocket otherwise. (For example, "A Wise Man's Fear" is 1000 pages, won't fit in a pocket). And I recharge the thing maybe once every 1-2 months depending on how much I use it. Love the damn thing. Best purchase I ever made. The amount that I read doubled when I bought it.

Plus, I no longer have to hold the book with one hand when eating breakfast or contrive some way of keeping it open. I can now just have my kindle on the table and read whenever I please.

Only reason I buy books these days is to put them on the shelf to look nice.


/end e-reader marketing pitch
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Cyber on May 27, 2013, 12:57:11 am
ebooks, they just seem more practical and for me personally there aren't any advantages to reading "real" books.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Panos on May 27, 2013, 01:33:39 am
ebooks, they just seem more practical and for me personally there aren't any advantages to reading "real" books.

Cyber, you are a guy who knows everything, so, IMO the books should read you and not the opposite.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Overdriven on May 27, 2013, 01:34:15 am
Personally i dislike ebooks and love real books, I've just given away/donated around 60 books (mostly childhood books about football, arsenal, goosebumps (brits will know) old enid blyton etc  and i still have 180-200 left that i wont get rid of.

I can see the appeal of space saving and portability but i just don't get on with them, i take books to work and holiday and space didn't really hinder me. I don't see me getting e books anytime soon what about you guys?

I have around 100 real books on my shelves and around 90 on my kindle. I personally love the kindle because lugging around books isn't always great and the ink screen they use is 100x better than a normal screen on a tablet.

They are reasonably priced as well. If you've used an Ipad or something to try and read an e-book then I suggest trying again with a proper e-reader.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Lt_Anders on May 27, 2013, 05:12:58 am
What Thomek and Overdrive said.

Kindle is boss. :D
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Christo on May 27, 2013, 05:19:35 am
Can I vote for both?

Each have their "advantages".

E-reading has the obvious "on the move" advantage so you can read on your phone, or whatever, don't have to bring a library with you.

But reading long stuff like books on a computer screen, I don't know, the real deal feels better for that if you can do it also.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: korppis on May 27, 2013, 06:57:50 am
I'd vote both as well. I prefer ebooks for books that you read once or twice from start to end, and paper version of books that I need to use for reference once in a while (it's just so much faster to browse through and find the right place in real book).
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Rumblood on May 27, 2013, 07:15:49 am
I have a Kindle and the Kindle app on my Galaxy Note II. While I still visit Half-Price books and Barnes and Nobles, the only thing I buy from them are coffee table style books. Big honking status books with pictures that are cool for people to look. I tried to buy paperback books as that is the medium I used for decades. But I found that I simply don't read them in that format any longer. It isn't a conscious decision. I just don't. My Note II is always with me, it doesn't hurt my eyes as I am smart enough to control the brightness with a simple flick of the finger. I don't have to remember to bring my book, or what page I was on. It is always there and in the right place. When I finish my book, I'm not stuck without a book until I hit the bookstore and find the next one. Same thing when I finish book 2 in a series, I don't have to go pickup book 3 in the series. A quick search and one-click buying and I'm reading the next one.
When my wife is sleeping and I want to read a book in bed? Paperbacks I would invariably need to go to the living room or just turn out the light and go to sleep because eventually the light would bother her. Now, my screen is facing me and I don't need a light. I can read all night without waking her up.
I don't have to hold an e-book open with one hand while eating with the other. I just lay out down and flick it occasionally with a finger to change the page.
It is almost always cheaper to buy the e-book.
I get reviews while browsing the books right before I buy them. You don't get that from browsing a book shelf.
I can adjust the text size and presentation style in an e-book. You can't do that with a printed one.
I can zoom pictures.
You can do a search for words and phrases automatically.

Sorry paperback, we had great times didn't we?
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Sniger on May 27, 2013, 08:03:07 am
i dont care. both is a collection of letters that when put together, form knowledge. i dont care about feeling since i only need to read them letters and also understand what i read. actually books tend to annoy me now that i think about it
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Everkistus on May 27, 2013, 08:34:20 am
Books. I buy them and fill my bookself with them.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Prpavi on May 27, 2013, 09:37:55 am
never read an ebook in my life,  i read regular books, screens hurt my eyes.

if i had the cash i'd probably grab a kindle yes but i think i still prefer paper.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Panos on May 27, 2013, 09:42:22 am
A serious post know.

I like books aswell, sadly I don`t have enough money to spare 10 or 15 euros to buy a new book, so I only can buy books when a bazaar happens or something similar.

I have 90 books, give or take, and 90% say about Ancient Greece/Byzantine Empire/Alexander the Great .

Greece Master race  8-)



Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Ginosaji on May 27, 2013, 10:35:48 am
I prefer real books, but if I had a proper eBook-reader (Kindle or something like that) I'd propably use that too.
Can't read long texts on a normal pc screen/tablet/smartphone without getting headache.



I like books aswell, sadly I don`t have enough money to spare 10 or 15 euros to buy a new book, so I only can buy books when a bazaar happens or something similar.

Everytime you write something like that I want to donate a little money to you so you can buy books/food/shoes/internets. :(

Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Oberyn on May 27, 2013, 10:57:33 am
Never read a book in my life.

This explains so much.
Also my books seem to have a very small life expectancy. I treat them somewhat roughly, bending them in half, throwing them around when I'm done with them, etc. Librarians used to hate me. And any personal book that has been reread at least 3 times looks like it went through some kind of elaborate papery torture.
 Ebooks are shit unless you have a device like a tablet from my perspective, even an iphone has way too small of a screen. Something like a kindle or associated tablet though, and you can have hundreds of books in one page. I'm not particularly bothered by reading stuff on a screen. But having an actual library (or in my case tons of books pile haphazerdly in random furniture) does give a feeling that a tablet can't.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Panos on May 27, 2013, 11:12:45 am
Everytime you write something like that I want to donate a little money to you so you can buy books/food/shoes/internets. :(

Everytime someone writes something like that I feel like this visitors can't see pics , please register or login



Relax, I said that my economics are tight , not that I can`t eat  :?
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Ginosaji on May 27, 2013, 11:19:33 am
Relax, I said that my economics are tight , not that I can`t eat  :?

Hey, that's not fair! You can't just turn from "QQ no money, send money, German money is best money" to "it's not THAT bad" and make me look bad :(
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Zlisch_The_Butcher on May 27, 2013, 11:20:00 am
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...

I didn't know it was that hard on you buddy, let me know if you ever need a few Euros.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Panos on May 27, 2013, 11:22:06 am
Hey, that's not fair! You can't just turn from "QQ no money, send money, German money is best money" to "it's not THAT bad" and make me look bad :(

you`re right.


I haven`t eaten in days, I walk around with tattered shoes and ragged clothes, please gibe drachmas

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Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Oberyn on May 27, 2013, 11:51:07 am
you`re right.


I haven`t eaten in days, I walk around with tattered shoes and ragged clothes, please gibe drachmas

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So the euro crisis is more onerous to Greece than the Ottoman and chocolate chip cookie occupations? Interesting perspective.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Armpit_Sweat on May 27, 2013, 12:56:54 pm

I love reading books end never got used to that e-shit, it hurts my eyes.

 
this.
 
Saving eyes. I also write on pages sometimes. Marking interesting parts for later reviewing, etc.
Besides, i take pride in having them on my shelf :) Every book i own - is a rare gem!
Out of few hundred carefully selected books i have read - my all time personal favorite is this:
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_Quiet_Flows_the_Don (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_Quiet_Flows_the_Don)
 
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Would not bother with English translation though, you would need to be pure Russian, like myself, in order to appreciate the beauty :) Reading it in a e-book format would damage your eyes, and be insulting to The Genius of Mr. Sholohov!
 
But, if it's Harry Potter you are reading, e-book might be good enough :) That kind of stuff shouldn't be on paper anyways.
 
I am very snobbish with literature. Very. :)
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Leshma on May 27, 2013, 01:19:31 pm
This explains so much.

I prefer reading encyclopedias (before internet I used to rent expensive ones from local book store) or researching a subject that interests me. I've read some novels but don't prefer them. I avoid poetry at any cost.

When I want to have some fun, I try to gain limited knowledge (basic idea) of a certain subject. I very much enjoy doing that. Reading something a semi educated person (known in our society as a writer or novelist) wrote on paper which don't consists of actual facts is waste of time imho.

But if I have to choose, novels I did like are anything from Jorge Luis Borges (I read everything that has been published), The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov and The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway. However, I do feel shame because I haven't read anything written by Arthur C. Clarke.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Lars on May 27, 2013, 03:19:46 pm
In my opinion the printed edition of a book is the better one, because it's more "natural", less stressful for the eyes, there is no "light" in the background of the page, and (imo) it's easier to keep your mind focused on what you are reading.  I find the digital format   tiring to the vision (actually much much  more tiring than playing videogames), and i want to keep my "perfect" vision for the rest of my life( if it's possible).
Moreover,  whenever you need to go to the next page, you either have to press a button or scroll the page (with your mouse wheel/directional arrows/finger whatever), which is not hard at all, but it's easy to misclick or scroll too much and lose the thread.

Iphones&co screens are  too small, you have to change  page too often and that's quite annoying imo

I have never tried to read from a Kindle or other E-book readers, i would like to try them and see if they are really better than pc/iphones screens.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Osiris on May 27, 2013, 04:21:33 pm
I prefer reading encyclopedias (before internet I used to rent expensive ones from local book store) or researching a subject that interests me. I've read some novels but don't prefer them. I avoid poetry at any cost.

When I want to have some fun, I try to gain limited knowledge (basic idea) of a certain subject. I very much enjoy doing that. Reading something a semi educated person (known in our society as a writer or novelist) wrote on paper which don't consists of actual facts is waste of time imho.

But if I have to choose, novels I did like are anything from Jorge Luis Borges (I read everything that has been published), The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov and The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway. However, I do feel shame because I haven't read anything written by Arthur C. Clarke.

Authors are semi-educated? How did you figure that out?
If reading something that doesn't consist of facts is a waste of time then what about tv, films games etc? By that logic why ever play crpg O.o
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Leshma on May 27, 2013, 04:33:47 pm
I play games because of gameplay. watch TV only to hear news (prefer it over internet news portals). Listen to radio because it offers random choice of good music. Read books to learn something new and useful.

Watching movies, TV shows, reading novels, playing games with a good story and bad everything else, is something I rarely do.

Books about facts mean much more to me than popular literature.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Prpavi on May 27, 2013, 04:34:20 pm
I prefer reading encyclopedias (before internet I used to rent expensive ones from local book store) or researching a subject that interests me. I've read some novels but don't prefer them. I avoid poetry at any cost.

When I want to have some fun, I try to gain limited knowledge (basic idea) of a certain subject. I very much enjoy doing that. Reading something a semi educated person (known in our society as a writer or novelist) wrote on paper which don't consists of actual facts is waste of time imho.

But if I have to choose, novels I did like are anything from Jorge Luis Borges (I read everything that has been published), The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov and The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway. However, I do feel shame because I haven't read anything written by Arthur C. Clarke.


what are facts, isn't it all subjective anyways?

your "knowledge" comes from a brain of someone else, he decided to put that on paper, doesn't make it right though. just because majority of people find it to the the "truth" doesn't make it so. only you decide what resonates within you and accept the subjective truth the others serve you. as much as we would like to think we are free willed thinkers we are all severely influenced atleast on a subconcious level and much less original that we would like to believe. one mans truth is another mans consiracy bullcrap.

edit: this is not a knock or anything i also don't read novels and fiction i get that from games and movies.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Leshma on May 27, 2013, 04:43:56 pm
what are facts, isn't it all subjective anyways?

Not really. Let's say there's a person without any knowledge and he's thirsty and standing by the sea. Subjective fact (how you call it) would be if we say that salt water isn't dangerous for humans to drink. True fact is that salt water isn't healthy to drink. Fact has been proven in the past and that's why is called a fact.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: zagibu on May 27, 2013, 04:46:38 pm
Leshma, the whole life is a waste of time. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Molly on May 27, 2013, 04:50:08 pm
I like my books. Although I have to admit that I never even tried those e-ink readers. I can only imagine that it would lack something, even if it's just the feel and the movement to turn a page. There are certain things that are good as they are.

I love criminal novels, the British and Scandinavian ones especially. I don't like the majority of the American ones cuz they are a bit like the Hollywood movies... just too much most of the time. Not all of them, there are some really nice American ones too. I really like the rather slow pace and clear logic behind the European (British and Scandinavian) novels better than the blood, gore and pewpew of the American books.

And I am only talking about the reading I do for entertainment in my spare time. Reading something for work or uni, I don't mind working with pdf on a TFT-screen. I read daily before I go to bed for 30min up to 90min. I need that daily dose... :D
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Leshma on May 27, 2013, 04:54:58 pm
Leshma, the whole life is a waste of time. Enjoy it while it lasts.

In a way, yes. I just said my personal opinion. You may like it or not.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Prpavi on May 27, 2013, 05:12:06 pm
Not really. Let's say there's a person without any knowledge and he's thirsty and standing by the sea. Subjective fact (how you call it) would be if we say that salt water isn't dangerous for humans to drink. True fact is that salt water isn't healthy to drink. Fact has been proven in the past and that's why is called a fact.

there is a lot less true knowledge in the world like you described in your example i mean the first hand one. the first people that got sick or died from salty water got that knowledge, then it got passed by generations,  controlled, manipulated, people added myths, the whole truth got watered down ( don't take my words literally this is an example but thats how it usually goes ). then the great modern man came with his science and explained it all ah aren't we grand! the academics are divided between themselves on every possible subject you can think of, what im saying there is never one truth one fact but several ones and it's on us to chose which one we will believe. ofc you won't drink salty water or jump from a roof trying to fly but people did that too and found their own truth, that is what we do in the end by reading books and seeking knowledge. you can read all the books in the world on a certain subject but not experiencing it you still have no real knowledge, only some one elses truth, knowledge, experience how ever you wanna call it.

Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: zagibu on May 27, 2013, 05:17:03 pm
In a way, yes. I just said my personal opinion. You may like it or not.

Yes, I understand. A lot of people share your opinion. I don't. In fact, I like to keep my entertainment almost completely fictional, because I have enough of reality in my daily business.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: [ptx] on May 27, 2013, 06:08:18 pm
Reading something a semi educated person (known in our society as a writer or novelist) wrote on paper which don't consists of actual facts is waste of time imho.
I wonder how you could call someone like this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umberto_Eco) semi-educated.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: isatis on May 27, 2013, 06:31:45 pm
Ebooks have their utility (I have a REAL ebook reader containing almost all the gutemberb project library and a big part of google books free books) but, for me, it's mostly for getting the classic in their original language (I hate reading traduction, even if it's from old French to French or old English to English) for free.

But, I read since I can read and as I want to be published and make some money...

READ REAL BOOKS BROS!!



Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Oberyn on May 27, 2013, 07:11:27 pm
How did you go from "I never read a book in my life" to "I only like certain types of books". Obviously you do read then. No one said anything about it having to be some fiction novel. That's not what the problem is with your initial, seemingly proudly illeterate statement.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: darmaster on May 27, 2013, 07:30:27 pm
ebooks are a good thing; you might prefer reading a real book, that's ok, but ebooks are just great, and actually i find it way easier to read (try to read IT on a real book and then on an ereader, there's a difference, trust me). and please don't say "I don't read ebooks because i prefer to smell paper and ink XDXDXD" cause that's retarded, mental illness.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Malaclypse on May 27, 2013, 07:36:44 pm
and please don't say "I don't read ebooks because i prefer to smell paper and ink XDXDXD" cause that's retarded, mental illness.

The fulfillment of sensation is not mental illness. I prefer the tactile sensation of a book, the smell of the page, how it feels in my hands, the weight it holds. Added to that, if I drop my book, will it break, shatter, etc? No, usually not, and I am proficient in book-binding, but I do not think I could reassemble a kindle in the same way that I could a paperback.

There is also the allure of the history of the thing. If it is used, how old is it? Who might have owned it before I? Where was it published? How far has it perhaps traveled since then? Have any left their own marks and underlines behind within it? What trees fell to become the paper? How long did they live, how tall did they rise? More questions and wonderment come to mind, only some of which are translatable to the e-book format.

My preference is in the physical copy, though I of course understand the advantages of an e-book, not least of all the saving of trees from the saw-blade.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Henry_Broodsonson on May 27, 2013, 08:29:46 pm
How did you go from "I never read a book in my life" to "I only like certain types of books". Obviously you do read then. No one said anything about it having to be some fiction novel. That's not what the problem is with your initial, seemingly proudly illeterate statement.

Empathy with writers of fiction.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Rumblood on May 27, 2013, 08:33:06 pm
There is also the allure of the history of the thing. If it is used, how old is it? Who might have owned it before I? Where was it published? How far has it perhaps traveled since then? Have any left their own marks and underlines behind within it? What trees fell to become the paper? How long did they live, how tall did they rise? More questions and wonderment come to mind, only some of which are translatable to the e-book format.

I have a copy of Stephen King's "The Stand" that was given to me by a friend who no longer wanted it. It was given with a warning. "Every person who has read this particular copy of The Stand has gotten sick with symptoms similar to the ones in the book." It was true. I got sick right when the plague hit, and got better once it had run its course in the book. Everyone who I have allowed to read it since I acquired it also got sick. Would you like to borrow it?

Dun dun dun!!  :P
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Henry_Broodsonson on May 27, 2013, 09:08:32 pm
We're all going to die!  8-)


Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Malaclypse on May 27, 2013, 09:11:37 pm
Would you like to borrow it?

I totally would, but I'm really, really bad about unborrowing books, especially ones that I have to go to the post office to send back.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: B3RS3RK on May 27, 2013, 09:11:58 pm
I play games because of gameplay. watch TV only to hear news (prefer it over internet news portals). Listen to radio because it offers random choice of good music. Read books to learn something new and useful.

Watching movies, TV shows, reading novels, playing games with a good story and bad everything else, is something I rarely do.

Books about facts mean much more to me than popular literature.

Wow you must be so much fun to hang out with :lol:
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Rumblood on May 27, 2013, 11:19:46 pm
I totally would, but I'm really, really bad about unborrowing books, especially ones that I have to go to the post office to send back.

Haha, I hear you. I'm rather attached to it as well. I think it really added to the atmosphere and makes you really feel the plague while being sick with very similar symptoms at the same time you are reading it. It seems to be a one shot deal though, I've read it again a couple times and the "curse"/"magic" only works the first time.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Leshma on May 28, 2013, 12:35:23 am
Wow you must be so much fun to hang out with :lol:

Now that's an interesting topic. I'm trying my best to be boring as I can because that means ordinary people will avoid me. And that's exactly I want, because I don't like ordinary people.

In any case, talking about hot topics is something that hipsters do, real people do stuff together and when they are "hanging out", they usually talk about their past experiences. For some reason, neither I or my friends were very keen to chat about books we read or movies/shows we have seen.

Also, this thread should be Google (or Internet) vs Books. It's pretty obvious who wins and why.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Overdriven on May 28, 2013, 01:06:44 am
To those that say it hurts their eyes:

Read on a proper e-reader. A phone, Ipad, Kindle Fire HD and other such backlit screens like that are not designed for it, especially ones where you have to download an app in order to read the book  :| That's why the original kindle is so popular. It's exactly like reading a book except a fraction of the size and weight and can store 100's of them as well as change text size ect. They are also surprisingly durable (I've dropped mine a whole load of times) and you can get a fancy leather case for them  :) O they are also probably a lot more environmentally friendly than a book. I charge my kindle once a month and I use it probably over an hour a day. Compare that with the amount of trees cut down for paperbacks...

That said I understand the people who say they love the feel/smell/whatever of a book. I do miss that sometimes but the practicality far outweighs that.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Canuck on May 28, 2013, 03:50:24 am
I love all books! Nothing at all can be a proper substitute for the feeling and satisfaction of a paper copy. However, if not for having ebooks on my phone, I'd actually have to pay attention in class, and at work. Damn near everytime I walk out of the house I do a little reading. The best thing is that both are readily available to those who possess the will to look for them, and we can still choose which we prefer, or just make use of both. Lucky us!
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Rumblood on May 28, 2013, 05:53:26 am
Now that's an interesting topic. I'm trying my best to be boring as I can because that means ordinary people will avoid me. And that's exactly I want, because I don't like ordinary people.

In any case, talking about hot topics is something that hipsters do, real people do stuff together and when they are "hanging out", they usually talk about their past experiences. For some reason, neither I or my friends were very keen to chat about books we read or movies/shows we have seen.

Also, this thread should be Google (or Internet) vs Books. It's pretty obvious who wins and why.

Booo.....go clean the dirt from your nails or re-arrange your knicknack cabinet you "real" person you  :lol:
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Jarold on May 28, 2013, 07:03:32 am
Never read a book in my life. But if I have to choose, books.

Ever hear the saying "A person who reads lives a thousand lives a person who doesn't lives only one" so true.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: B3RS3RK on May 28, 2013, 07:19:59 am

Also, this thread should be Google (or Internet) vs Books. It's pretty obvious who wins and why.

Yeah, books.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Vodner on May 28, 2013, 07:38:32 am
I prefer reading real hardcover books, but the convenience factor of my Kobo means I do most of my reading on it. Having a backlight is also far more convenient for nighttime reading than fiddling around with a lamp.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: [ptx] on May 28, 2013, 07:40:16 am
Somehow my eyes are just fine, even if i'm reading on my Galaxy S2 for hours at a time. Guess they're just too used to various screens :)
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Leshma on May 28, 2013, 12:39:04 pm
Ever hear the saying "A person who reads lives a thousand lives a person who doesn't lives only one" so true.

Of course. But same can be said for movies or video games.

Quote
Yeah, books.

Internet can emulate books (eBooks). eBook vs paper Book is the same concept but presented in different form. Although eBooks have certain advantages like faster browsing (thanks to implemented search function). But internet or using search engine to find data, process it and analyze it, is superior to reading books. Reading books is healthier for your eyes (if you use backlit screen) and feels more natural. But books take a lot of space.

I agree that books are still better choice for reading novels but that's mainly because eBook readers are still imperfect.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Henry_Broodsonson on May 28, 2013, 03:19:17 pm
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: B3RS3RK on May 28, 2013, 03:35:04 pm

Internet can emulate books (eBooks). eBook vs paper Book is the same concept but presented in different form. Although eBooks have certain advantages like faster browsing (thanks to implemented search function). But internet or using search engine to find data, process it and analyze it, is superior to reading books. Reading books is healthier for your eyes (if you use backlit screen) and feels more natural. But books take a lot of space.


Well, the difference is: On the internet, there is so much shit you would not believe it.In the depths of this moloch there are things that are not meant for human eyes, srsly, this shit psycho.

Also, much of the information on the internet is simply wrong.

Iam not saying there are no books with false information - indeed, there are a lot.But compared to shit on the internet, it´s nothing.If you buy a popular book regarding a specific topic, it will most likely be scientifically profound.

If you have a book that treats a certain topic, it does just that; It is bundled information on paper.
On the internet, you have to search through lots of shit to find what you want; And if you find it, it is, very often, not complete; Indeed, today many websites are only extracts from books.

The Internet is a very quick way to gather some rather superficial information about topics; You can become semi-knowing in a subject within a few hours if you want - which is a very good thing, really.The problem is, to become EXPERT, you will need more.There is a reason books are still used in schools and universitys, you know.

Also, it is still not entirely clear how the shift from autodidactical book-learning to the massive, compressed information feeding from the internet will affect future generations; It might be bad, but it might also be good.

In it´s current state, only a symbiosis of books and the internet brings real knowledge.The Internet, with it´s all-time contemporarity and the books with very specific and bundled knowledge.

We can speak again in a 100 years or maybe earlier - when every book on earth is freely and easily accessible in any language round the clock on the internet, and EVERY technological device is synched - including eBook readers and the like.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Torost on May 28, 2013, 05:51:18 pm
My favorite type of book is audiobooks.

You can close your eyes and imagine the scenes. Let you mind wander.

You may not get 100% of the content if you use them while multitasking, but you get 90% if you are a good listener.
And it feels very rewarding.
You get to experience books you usually would not read otherwise.

Lots of the classics are available.

The best single pack was the "Top100" scifi audiobooks ever made, tons of good stuff.
Arthur C. Clark , Asimov, Stephenson,Niven,HG Wells,Orwell etc...

All of the Game of Thrones books.(Roy Doltrice is a great narrator)
Currently exploring Stephen Kings "Dark Tower" series.

Tons of biographies on interesting people , non-fictionbooks on all topics.

Avoid all the "self-improvment" and "make-$$$-fast" books that are all over the place.
Low-content drivel most of it.

Try turning off the music and sound effects while playing crpg.
Listen to audiobooks and podcasts while playing.
Or the next time you are out flaneuring.

Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Christo on May 28, 2013, 05:59:28 pm
Well, the difference is: On the internet, there is so much shit you would not believe it.In the depths of this moloch there are things that are not meant for human eyes, srsly, this shit psycho.

Also, much of the information on the internet is simply wrong.

Iam not saying there are no books with false information - indeed, there are a lot.But compared to shit on the internet, it´s nothing.If you buy a popular book regarding a specific topic, it will most likely be scientifically profound.

If you have a book that treats a certain topic, it does just that; It is bundled information on paper.
On the internet, you have to search through lots of shit to find what you want; And if you find it, it is, very often, not complete; Indeed, today many websites are only extracts from books.

The Internet is a very quick way to gather some rather superficial information about topics; You can become semi-knowing in a subject within a few hours if you want - which is a very good thing, really.The problem is, to become EXPERT, you will need more.There is a reason books are still used in schools and universitys, you know.

Also, it is still not entirely clear how the shift from autodidactical book-learning to the massive, compressed information feeding from the internet will affect future generations; It might be bad, but it might also be good.

In it´s current state, only a symbiosis of books and the internet brings real knowledge.The Internet, with it´s all-time contemporarity and the books with very specific and bundled knowledge.

We can speak again in a 100 years or maybe earlier - when every book on earth is freely and easily accessible in any language round the clock on the internet, and EVERY technological device is synched - including eBook readers and the like.

Thanks for elaborating what I just couldn't be arsed to.

After some time you'll develop a bullshit-filter though, and it works pretty well.  :)

Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Leshma on May 28, 2013, 06:51:39 pm
Well, internet is not just one book. It's the whole library. It's up to you to find the exact thing you need. Modern libraries are better organised but internet is still young, look at it like early form of library in some monastery with thousands of books all over the place.

Also, you can rent real books but stealing them is a lot harder than pirating content on internet. If you know where to look, you'll get much more out of internet for the same amount of money you would spend on real books or library membership.

Technological advances don't happen because some people are bored, they are result of evolution and evergrowing needs of humankind. I bet people looked strange at Gutenberg when he explained them advantages of using a printing press instead of writing books by hand. He probably went through lots of "we don't need it, old way is the best way". More recent case is Wikipedia. People still don't believe in Wikipedia like they should, they mostly point flaws and take good things for granted.
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: CrazyCracka420 on May 28, 2013, 06:59:59 pm
Never read a book in my life. But if I have to choose, books.

A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: Rumblood on May 28, 2013, 08:11:10 pm
Well, internet is not just one book. It's the whole library. It's up to you to find the exact thing you need. Modern libraries are better organised but internet is still young, look at it like early form of library in some monastery with thousands of books all over the place.

Also, you can rent real books but stealing them is a lot harder than pirating content on internet. If you know where to look, you'll get much more out of internet for the same amount of money you would spend on real books or library membership.

Technological advances don't happen because some people are bored, they are result of evolution and evergrowing needs of humankind. I bet people looked strange at Gutenberg when he explained them advantages of using a printing press instead of writing books by hand. He probably went through lots of "we don't need it, old way is the best way". More recent case is Wikipedia. People still don't believe in Wikipedia like they should, they mostly point flaws and take good things for granted.

If you hadn't noticed, every person on this forum uses the internet. This is a book vs e-book format discussion. Pick up a book/e-book and join in or find a different thread to argue in instead of trying to change the premise of this one!  :P
Title: Re: Book vs ebooks
Post by: The_Bloody_Nine on May 30, 2013, 08:44:45 pm
I bet people looked strange at Gutenberg when he explained them advantages of using a printing press instead of writing books by hand. He probably went through lots of "we don't need it, old way is the best way".

Before Gutenberg and Luther there weren't many people reading any books. They couldn't even understand the language they were written in.