Whats the point of printed books?

[Ameesh]

screens dont have the dpi that a printed page has so its much easier on the eyes to read books, plus new books smell so damn good!

 

[pulse8]

While the question is a bit stupid, you guys are being a bit shortsighted with how digital books could work. It doesn't just have to be something on a desktop or laptop. It could be a device that's the size of a book, but much thinner and with a digital screen.

 

[Gurck]

Can't curl up in front of the fireplace with a 19" CRT It's also easier on the ole' eyes.

 

[nageov3t]

during the big blackout last summer, I was still able to read in bed thanks to candle light :thumbsup:

there's just an intrisic difference between reading a book and reading something over a computer. it's like... why buy real pearls when artificial ones look the same?

 

[Chaotic42]

I hate reading from a computer screen. A real book is just so much better.

Plus with digital books you have to deal with different "book readers", battery life, competing formats, cost, connection type, software problems...

It would just be a headache.

 

[krunchykrome]

No one wants to read off a screen all day. Researching on the internet is comfortable. Studying on the internet is not. I'd say reading leisurely would be much more like studying. It's just better in the book. And theres something about picking up a book and reading it through that cant be replaced be an E-book.

 

[J0hnny]

Originally posted by: nater
I would hate reading an entire book on a screen...plus I underline and write in the margins frequently. I do think that magazines and newspapers should be made available electronically to conserve paper.

If the amount of junkmail that we receive were elminated, we might be able to save a few forests.

 

[CanOWorms]

smart ink/paper is being developed

 

[RegularK]

I don't know? Maybe it has to do with convenience. Not everyone is going to bring a laptop with them everywhere they go. Also, I'd rather not be electrocuted if I ever decide to read a book while bathing (like in the movies).

cheers,
KiM

 

[nageov3t]

I can't understand people who read paper newspapers.

by the time the paper hits the news stand, I've already read about 90% of the stories on the internet (rss rocks!).

 

[Wahsapa]

im in the print industry and we are NOT going to let paper go away...

have you considered the fact that not everybody has computers? basically in this world your rich if you have the ability to own your own computer.

printed books are easier to read, its a fact.

e-paper is far to under developed to make any dent in the market.

with printing on demand publishers dont need to print a million books to find out only a 1,000 are sold. its all been intergrated into a giant xerox machine that can print a book whenever a new order comes in.

you seem to think that because its 2004 we should be magically ahead in ever aspect of humanity. sorry, that was a crock of bullshit fed to you. we have advanced much in the last 100 years but its nowhere near the level to act on the technologies we have in a larger scale.

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: pulse8
While the question is a bit stupid, you guys are being a bit shortsighted with how digital books could work. It doesn't just have to be something on a desktop or laptop. It could be a device that's the size of a book, but much thinner and with a digital screen.

when display technology can reproduce the quality of print then you might have a point. i have sat in several lectures with folks from microsoft research and they all agree that the only thing stopping the rise of e-books is that reading computer screens is strenous on the eyes.

 

[DrPizza]

" Why waste money and paper when everything can be done electronically? "


Sorry to say this, but what a dumbass... we're worried about energy, having enough energy, rolling blackouts, "war for oil", etc. And you'd rather waste power to read, rather than use a renewable resource that can also be recycled.

edit: I take that back. I'm not sorry. When faced by adversity from others in this thread, you simply flamed back with "what kind of bitch..." and "fatass." Thus, you've shown your true face. You are simply incapable of entertaining a thought in your head long enough to realize the simple solutions to your question (and many here have already posted the most obvious solution: they prefer books. Thus, marketting forces are a major driving condition for the lack of electronic texts. )

 

[cucumber]

Originally posted by: kevman

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: UglyCasanova
I would MUCH rather read from print than on a screen.

why is that? poort eyesight?? farsightedness? really curious, doesnt make a difference to me whether its from screen or print....

I also would much rather read from a book than a computer.

It's not so much a matter of eyesight. It's a matter of confort, and I don't mean just being able to read on a couch vs in a chair (that is a factor though) . Monitors just seem to fatigue the eyes more than a real printed page would. Even though the refresh of a monitor is not usually noticable, it does bother a person over time. Looking at an actual solid object is much more pleasant. (at least with current technology....)

Some things are so simple yet perfect in function that there's no need to improve or replace it regardless of it's age. Trying to replace books with electronic text is just more trouble than it's worth. (at least for now...) . You open a book and read it. It's simple, easy, and perfect in function. Dealing with software, batteries, downloads, viruses, broken hardware, ...etc... is just creating more possible problems to put up with. If it aint broke don't fix it.

Why deal with all kinds of extra complications when you could pick up a book and read?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: kevman

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
umm... I'm not always in front of a screen?!?? Can you possibly imagine that?

its 2004 already right???

Seriously, you can't be this dense...

Think about all the times that you need to read something that you're not infront of a monitor.. lol

 

[dighn]

i had someone arguing with me that paper is obsolete becuase of computers and pdas...

 

[myusername]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
" Why waste money and paper when everything can be done electronically? "


Sorry to say this, but what a dumbass... we're worried about energy, having enough energy, rolling blackouts, "war for oil", etc. And you'd rather waste power to read, rather than use a renewable resource that can also be recycled.

edit: I take that back. I'm not sorry. When faced by adversity from others in this thread, you simply flamed back with "what kind of bitch..." and "fatass." Thus, you've shown your true face. You are simply incapable of entertaining a thought in your head long enough to realize the simple solutions to your question (and many here have already posted the most obvious solution: they prefer books. Thus, marketting forces are a major driving condition for the lack of electronic texts. )

While I agree that the question appears to have an obvious answer, and in fact I never want to see printed material usurped, I think you are probably mistaken about a couple things...

First, re: bitch/fatasss/etc. : OP's response "bitch" was in return for being called a retard. Notably, the "retard caller" *is* a bitch - a raging one in fact. That RB failed to recognize this, prompted the OP's ironically intended "touche". No idea what the "fatass" arose from, perhaps someone could enlighten me.

Additionally, while paper is somewhat a renewable resource, the water and energy required to make and print on it and/or recycle it are not insignificant - not to mention the problem of waste disposal. It would take some pretty thorough analysis to figure out which was more harmful to our environment

 

[habib89]

how would we know how to install a monitor if we didn't have paper? of course everyone here knows.. but what about those that don't know how to set up a computer? does the box come with a free pda with all the manuals on it??

 

[mobobuff]

Because I can't get a nice cold glass of milk, some Krispy Kremes, and then lay down in bed with a DAMN 19" CRT MONITOR! And e-Books are too expensive and rediculous.

I like reading print on paper in something that can be easily held in my hands. It's just a more personal experience.

 

[n0cmonkey]

I've tried reading stuff on a PDA, and it doesn't work for me. I read stuff online all day (17" CRT at home, 2x 17" LCDs at work), and I don't think I could enjoy it the same way I enjoy a paperback. I like being able to mark my place, have something to do when there is no power, and it definitely isn't quite as painful.

And like Ameesh said, the new book smell kicks ass.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I agree ... i hate reading printed paper. It's not even backlit! How am I supposed to read it in the dark? Also, turning the pages sucks, scrollwheels are much more convenient.

eBooks > Printed books

 

[eldorado99]

I would rather read off of a piece of paper, however I end up doing most of my reading on a screen anyway, hmm maybe thats an excuse for a new LCD

 

[kranky]

I have tried reading books on a Tablet PC with MS Reader, and it just is not suitable. There is no electronic medium that matches the convenience and portability of a printed book.

If books ever go all-electronic, it will be a great loss for history. No digital format will survive hundreds of years like printed books do. Also, printed material is "permanent" - it can't be altered without being detectible.

 

[konakona]

I would MUCH rather read from print than on a screen

strange you mentioned that, i feel the exact opposite : stuff on screen puts less strain on your neck and shoulders due to the different viewing angle, easier to scroll, you could change zoom factor, easier to highlight, go back and forth to compare stuff, and last but not least you can copy and paste (not to plagiarize, hopefully). ultimately reading a book in front of a computer is PITA. considering i dont leave my computer desk for most part, having something avaialable electronically is pretty neat. in fact i am taking an online course this semester which i like a lot so far.

If books ever go all-electronic, it will be a great loss for history. No digital format will survive hundreds of years like printed books do. Also, printed material is "permanent" - it can't be altered without being detectible.

agreed, portability and legitimacy as a proof of something is still a big issue with electronic documents as you pointed out. we could definitely use more online textbooks for colleges and such however. printouts will still be needed unless all classrooms are outfitted with computers

 

[Mnementh]

I have to say I currently do most of my reading on a Palm IIIXE, purely because it's backlit and I don't have to get up out of bed to turn the light off when I want to sleep. It's old and mono but it's perfect for ebooks as it's small and light. However even saying that I still prefer printed books I have thousands of them, they're just easier to read, easier to flick through if looking for something in particular and they work in sunlight