Edward
Bartender
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- 25,113
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- London, UK
How is the Kindlefire? I wouldn't want to move away from the e. Ink of my Kindle for reading books, but the Fire sounds like it is more of an all round tablet?
I think you miss my point: Is there going to be any MONEY to actually pay a writer? Sure, the likes of Tom Clancy, bestseller authors will probably always have employment.
What about the paperback writers just trying to get a start, eek out a living, pay the rent?
It's hard to be a good writer when it's just a "hobby" and you have to work 80 hours a week at a McJob to actually pay the bills.
Hi
I read something a few years back that kind of startled me. The statement was made that if the Declaration of Independence had been written in the 1990's or later, the original would NOT be here anymore (or in 50 years, I've slept since then). The paper used in today's printers doesn't last that long, digital versions become obsolete quickly etc. My new Dell can't read the *.jpg's from my original computer. Don't know why, but it's just not there anymore...
later
Hi
I don't know about the Kindle fire, but the wife has the Barnes and Nobel version, colored tablet. The battery life of the color systems is substantially less than the black and white versions. Color = 8 hours (wife's experience), black and white = a month supposedly...
I read something a few years back that kind of startled me. The statement was made that if the Declaration of Independence had been written in the 1990's or later, the original would NOT be here anymore (or in 50 years, I've slept since then). The paper used in today's printers doesn't last that long, digital versions become obsolete quickly etc. My new Dell can't read the *.jpg's from my original computer. Don't know why, but it's just not there anymore...
later
Here's a question for e-reader users: do you read on screen the same way you read a book? To me, a book -- the tangible artifact of a book -- invites contemplation. You read a chapter, you go back and reread a page that's particularly significant, you sit with the book in your lap thinking about what you read, etc. Do you do this with a gadget, or do you just flick quickly thru the page images on the screen?
I agree that the sensory experiences of possessing a book cannot be replaced by an e-reader. Amazon cannot replace the euphoria I feel finding a new bookstore or browsing throughout one, but unfortunately many of my favorite authors are extremely hard to find and usually they are in poor condition. E-readers allow me to read those hard to find books that I so crave.
One unfortunate by product of cheaper, mass produced books was the introduction of wood pulp paper instead of linen/cotton rag paper. Since it wasn't recognized until the 1930s as a problem, there's a big chunk of books that deteriorate badly from those eras (mid-1800's-1950s and later). The books made today are generally produced on acid-free paper, but if your favorite author's work was published on the "bad" paper, finding a good copy is going to be difficult/pricey.
I'm in total agreement with Lizzie Maine on the matter of ebooks. When I receive a lengthy email or need to read a large article online I always print it out to read. On rare occasion I have been known to print off an ebook that I couldn't find used. As a bibliophle, ebooks (Kindles, Nooks, etc) are a nightmare come true. I'm always told that it's cheaper than buying hard copy books. I always say that it really isn't. I get most of my books from Alibris or Half Price Books (there are three here in the Indy area), and when I get a new book I always make use of bookstore coupons, plus I have a Barnes & Noble's member card. I really, really, miss Borders and their 30 and 40% off coupons. I purchased a WWII book that retailed at $50.00 for $9.99 brand new at Half Price books just recently. So regarding ebooks, thanks but no thanks, I'll pass!
I also subscribe to the local daily paper and Time Magazine. The eEditions just don't make the cut in my book.