Digital readers are evil

[The Enigmatic Dr X]

Whether for books or comics, newspapers or magazines, they lack the tactile longevity of paper. You can't take an eReader in the bath. You can't flick its pages and smell times gone past. You can't toss it in a bag and be sure it will be readable. You can't share it with someone you know will like it.

They are the work of the devil.

[Link Prime]

Evil and smug

[The Adventurer]

Whether for books or comics, newspapers or magazines, they lack the tactile longevity of paper.

They'll last a heck of a lot longer then paper, which can fade, rot, and burn. And if my device ever gets replaced my purchases are tied to my log-in name and can be downloaded again instantly. Not something that can be said if my house burns down or is in a flood.

You can't take an eReader in the bath.

What kind of madman takes any kind of paper book anywhere near a water source?

You can't flick its pages and smell times gone past.

Fallacy. You only find these things nostalgic because you have done them for a long time. Once you do something else for a period of time, that thing becomes nostalgic. I've had my iPad for about two months and swiping pages has become second nature and familiar. I actually get annoyed with page turning when I read print now.

You can't toss it in a bag and be sure it will be readable.

Uh... I'm generally pretty terrified of my print books/comics/magazines getting wrecked in a bag. My iPad is of sturdy construction and is unlikely to be damaged due to typical motions.

You can't share it with someone you know will like it.

This is a legit problem. Although there has been a bit of movement when it comes to loaning and sharing eContent amongst friends. But it has a way to go to become convient. But its not a really a deal breaker, because I don't loan books very often.

They are the work of the devil.

I'm pretty sure they are manufactured by man for use by man. The devil's got more important things going on.

Frankly all of your reasonings are a joke because none of them have anything to do with what really matters. The contents. Of which are presented impeccably on eReaders. The object content is presented on is the least important part of reading.

[Professor Bear]

Thanks to readers, I managed to read some comics I otherwise couldn't, though admittedly via grey-area means (I'm sure I needn't elaborate) and thanks to them I can safely say I have ended up spending more money on certain books than otherwise would have been the case.

So on one hand I read more comics thanks to my tablet, but on the other I probably spend more money in the long run because I come away thinking I'd like a physical copy of something I enjoyed, or that someone I know would enjoy, and in some cases just to support the creators - if they'd start making collections of arcs available as .pdf or .cbr files so they could be read in chunks rather than through limited browsers, I could really see web creators cleaning up on the new format.

The short version is GET WITH THE TIMES, GRANDPA.

[The Adventurer]

Evil and smug

Not as smug as those who clutch their print books because they see them as 'better'. Because of some ridiculous notion that turning pages is an important part of the reading experience.

I wonder if people had this much of a problem when the printing press took all the ornate woodcarving personalization away. Or when scrolls became obsolete.

[radiator]

Another bonus is you no longer need a bedside light or one of those awkward clip on reading lights.

The only downsides I can see are that you don't get that glorious new book smell, it can be a pain to scroll through multiple pages or find a particular page, and books don't occasionally crash.

Digital comics are wonderful for sampling things you wouldn't otherwise take a chance on, and for being able to buy the next issue as soon as you finish reading one.

As with DVDs/Blu Rays, I think I'll still continue to buy physical copies of things, but only stuff I really want to savour and revisit again and again.

[The Adventurer]

As with DVDs/Blu Rays, I think I'll still continue to buy physical copies of things, but only stuff I really want to savour and revisit again and again.

I'm only buying physical film media until streaming or downloading film media is as high quality as the best physical format. At the moment Blu-ray just can not be beat on the digital front. Because file sizes are just too high.

Prose and Comics and Music don't have that physical media limitation any more.

[Richmond Clements]

My ereader has changed my life - I bloody love it.
I recently read a paper book after a few months on the ereader, and I did not enjoy it at all - stupid big heavy thing that you have to hold up, taking up too much room in your bag... nah, I'm almost totally digital now (aart from some GNs), and I love it.

[Link Prime]

As with DVDs/Blu Rays, I think I'll still continue to buy physical copies of things, but only stuff I really want to savour and revisit again and again.

A healthy attitude to the topic, and one I personally adhere to.
I'd say I'm on average 50/50 digital & print now- no reason why anyone couldn't have the best of both worlds.

[radiator]

For me, digital still feels slightly intransient - it's good for stuff you only want to read/watch once.

I may downsize, but think I'm always going to want a copy of The Terminator sitting on my shelf.

[The Enigmatic Dr X]

They'll last a heck of a lot longer then paper, which can fade, rot, and burn. And if my device ever gets replaced my purchases are tied to my log-in name and can be downloaded again instantly. Not something that can be said if my house burns down or is in a flood.

They'll last as long as the whim of faceless demonically controlled corporations allow. And when you die, they will take the content back. ALONG WITH YOUR SOUL.

What kind of madman takes any kind of paper book anywhere near a water source?

What kind of fool DOESN'T? What about reading beside the pool while on holiday? Or just having a soak?
What kind of maniac doesn't wash? You are clearly a filthy devil worshipper.

Fallacy. You only find these things nostalgic because you have done them for a long time. Once you do something else for a period of time, that thing becomes nostalgic. I've had my iPad for about two months and swiping pages has become second nature and familiar. I actually get annoyed with page turning when I read print now.

Fallacy how? And do you get irritated by "real life"? Do you refuse walks in the country because you can look at photos? Do you see no point in going to see the Mona Lisa because you can Google Image it? Well, you're in luck. You're sleep-walking into a cubic cell with photo walls, where you will be hidden from the sun. BY THE DEVIL.

Uh... I'm generally pretty terrified of my print books/comics/magazines getting wrecked in a bag. My iPad is of sturdy construction and is unlikely to be damaged due to typical motions.

How many books have you ever broken? You are deranged, sir. And I have no interest in your motions, regular or not.

I'm pretty sure they are manufactured by man for use by man. The devil's got more important things going on.

Well, you would know. Being an obvious devil worshipper! What else does he have to do, apart from inventing machines that cause envy and greed, despoil good things and use up precious rare elements that will inevitably lead to war and the end of mankind? Mmmm?

This is a legit problem. Although there has been a bit of movement when it comes to loaning and sharing eContent amongst friends. But it has a way to go to become convient. But its not a really a deal breaker, because I don't loan books very often.

You would if you had friends. Which you don't, what with the whole Satanism thing going on. And the being unwashed bit - pooh!

Frankly all of your reasonings are a joke because none of them have anything to do with what really matters. The contents. Of which are presented impeccably on eReaders. The object content is presented on is the least important part of reading.

In other words, it was all just as good before the shiny toy came along?

[Link Prime]

Evil and smug

Not as smug as those who clutch their print books because they see them as 'better'. Because of some ridiculous notion that turning pages is an important part of the reading experience.

I wonder if people had this much of a problem when the printing press took all the ornate woodcarving personalization away. Or when scrolls became obsolete.

Ah, I was only messin.

Sent from my iPad

[Daveycandlish]

I've just been reading a whodunnit on my kindle and the killer was a minor character who I could not recall.
If it was a paper book I could have just flicked back to find when they were last mentioned - not so easy on an e-reader.

I still like both

[von Boom]

I very badly want an e-reader, but I won't buy one until I can get my hands on a colour e-reader. I find the glare of ipads and their ilk tire my eyes out too quickly.

[Definitely Not Mister Pops]

Over Christmas, Amazon did a Twelve Days of Kindle offer. Loads of books for under a pound for twelve days.

I got 16 good books for under a tenner.

Evil and smug