Ebooks - by Kainja on 23:44 04 Feb 2003
Up until recently I had not read any ebooks. I tend to spend enough time working on the computer and had thought I wouldn't enjoy "reading" on the computer. But, I recently got a laptop and since then I've discovered the plus side of ebooks. Particularly, I used to read all the time while I watched TV. Mostly I read but I could keep up with a game. But as I've gotten older I find that I can't really watch TV without my glasses, but wearing my glasses makes it harder for me to read normal print books.
But on my laptop I've found that I can take Adobe Acrobat and make the print large again so that reading is easier and I can go back to both reading and watching TV.
What set me off on the track, in part, was finding that Black Mask Online (and other sites as well) has a lot of ebooks free for download of material that is public domain, and I found on their site a copy of ERB's "The Girl From Farris's," which I've been looking for for years in print, and haven't found. I now have it in ebook. And I also found on their site something like a hundred Doc Savage adventures, and even more Shadow adventures. As well as some Jack London and others.
Has anyone else tried ebooks? And even though I'm using my laptop it's still not terribly convenient. Has anyone tried reading an ebook on one of those mini-comps, like the Dell handhelds?
Up until recently I had not read any ebooks. I tend to spend enough time working on the computer and had thought I wouldn't enjoy "reading" on the computer. But, I recently got a laptop and since then I've discovered the plus side of ebooks. Particularly, I used to read all the time while I watched TV. Mostly I read but I could keep up with a game. But as I've gotten older I find that I can't really watch TV without my glasses, but wearing my glasses makes it harder for me to read normal print books.
But on my laptop I've found that I can take Adobe Acrobat and make the print large again so that reading is easier and I can go back to both reading and watching TV.
What set me off on the track, in part, was finding that Black Mask Online (and other sites as well) has a lot of ebooks free for download of material that is public domain, and I found on their site a copy of ERB's "The Girl From Farris's," which I've been looking for for years in print, and haven't found. I now have it in ebook. And I also found on their site something like a hundred Doc Savage adventures, and even more Shadow adventures. As well as some Jack London and others.
Has anyone else tried ebooks? And even though I'm using my laptop it's still not terribly convenient. Has anyone tried reading an ebook on one of those mini-comps, like the Dell handhelds?
Ebooks - by Brad on 21:05 05 Feb 2003
Hi Kainja,
I have only read one novel length ebook on my laptop. I cannot say that it was all that comfortable. This was in PDF format.
I can see where it is handy for otherwise out of print books. And I see where it would be handy like at Fictionwise where one can buy a short story or even a poem. You can sample an author's work and they can still get paid.
But with all that, I really prefer a printed book.
I don't have a Palm so I have never tried reading on one.
Hi Kainja,
I have only read one novel length ebook on my laptop. I cannot say that it was all that comfortable. This was in PDF format.
I can see where it is handy for otherwise out of print books. And I see where it would be handy like at Fictionwise where one can buy a short story or even a poem. You can sample an author's work and they can still get paid.
But with all that, I really prefer a printed book.
I don't have a Palm so I have never tried reading on one.
Ebooks - by Arislyn on 21:39 07 Feb 2003
I haven't read any eBooks, myself. I spend so much time in front of the PC both at work and as a hobby that I really don't want to spend any more time in front at it than I need to. I much prefer a printed book. It's easier to take to bed with you and read before going to sleep.
But, since you brought the topic up, I thought I'd give you the address to Project Gutenburg. You can find tons of eBooks here for free.
http://promo.net/pg/
I haven't read any eBooks, myself. I spend so much time in front of the PC both at work and as a hobby that I really don't want to spend any more time in front at it than I need to. I much prefer a printed book. It's easier to take to bed with you and read before going to sleep.
But, since you brought the topic up, I thought I'd give you the address to Project Gutenburg. You can find tons of eBooks here for free.
http://promo.net/pg/
Ebooks - by din on 22:26 07 Feb 2003
hmmn, Ari's post reminds me ..
http://din-timelines.com/history_bookshelf/Library_Sites/
I have this in one of my history directories, it is a page of places that host online text in various formats, one stand out that i use a great deal is the Internet Public Library .
For reasons similar to Ari, i do not read on my machine very often for leasure, but i do do most of the research for my timelines site online.
hmmn, Ari's post reminds me ..
http://din-timelines.com/history_bookshelf/Library_Sites/
I have this in one of my history directories, it is a page of places that host online text in various formats, one stand out that i use a great deal is the Internet Public Library .
For reasons similar to Ari, i do not read on my machine very often for leasure, but i do do most of the research for my timelines site online.
Ebooks - by Kainja on 23:03 07 Feb 2003
I've actually seen project Gutenberg. A great idea. Blackmask online has a lot of free ebooks as well. I've downloaded some of the old pulp books like Doc Savage and The Shadow from there.
I've actually seen project Gutenberg. A great idea. Blackmask online has a lot of free ebooks as well. I've downloaded some of the old pulp books like Doc Savage and The Shadow from there.
Ebooks - by Brad on 09:59 08 Feb 2003
I really like it if it keeps vintage stuff in print. Although there are a couple of POD publishers that are specializing in keeping older SF books in print too. I like having choices though.
From a sales point of view, new original fiction has a hard time selling as ebooks. However, specialized non-fiction ebooks can sell very well.
Free ebooks can do well however.
I really like it if it keeps vintage stuff in print. Although there are a couple of POD publishers that are specializing in keeping older SF books in print too. I like having choices though.
From a sales point of view, new original fiction has a hard time selling as ebooks. However, specialized non-fiction ebooks can sell very well.
Free ebooks can do well however.
Ebooks - by Time Lady Judy on 02:43 10 Feb 2003
Hi-
I have been enjoying the Doctor Who serials on the BBC Website. They have been fun. I just wish that I had the equipment to enjoy the other stories they have over there.
Time Lady Judy
Hi-
I have been enjoying the Doctor Who serials on the BBC Website. They have been fun. I just wish that I had the equipment to enjoy the other stories they have over there.
Time Lady Judy
Ebooks - by Emperor TAR-1 on 21:32 10 Mar 2003
Greetings all. I am new, and have an opinion (naturally) about e-books, seeing as I have more than 50 books published now.
I went to e-books because a family member was losing her sight, and can bring e-books to screen and magnify to large enough to see, plus I like the idea that all 88 books I've written can be stored on one CD. Can you imagine carrying around 88 books?
I also like the immediate feedback, because I can learn about what people want.
The more popular works can be moved to POD for those who want a hard copy.
It give me the way and right to make up my own covers, etc.
All-in-all, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. You can get an e-book for very little, comparatively, and know if you like the particular author.
Greetings all. I am new, and have an opinion (naturally) about e-books, seeing as I have more than 50 books published now.
I went to e-books because a family member was losing her sight, and can bring e-books to screen and magnify to large enough to see, plus I like the idea that all 88 books I've written can be stored on one CD. Can you imagine carrying around 88 books?
I also like the immediate feedback, because I can learn about what people want.
The more popular works can be moved to POD for those who want a hard copy.
It give me the way and right to make up my own covers, etc.
All-in-all, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. You can get an e-book for very little, comparatively, and know if you like the particular author.
Ebooks - by Kainja on 23:38 10 Mar 2003
Emperor Tar-1. That is or will be two of the advantages of ebooks for most people, the fact that the fonts can be changed for different readers, and that they will save a lot of space. I like the idea of making the fonts bigger but on the other hand I love having my office filled up with books. Really like looking up at them, picking them up, browsing through them. I don't get the same feeling from a disk.
Emperor Tar-1. That is or will be two of the advantages of ebooks for most people, the fact that the fonts can be changed for different readers, and that they will save a lot of space. I like the idea of making the fonts bigger but on the other hand I love having my office filled up with books. Really like looking up at them, picking them up, browsing through them. I don't get the same feeling from a disk.
Ebooks - by MoonHunter on 01:33 11 Mar 2003
I have never read an eBook on a computer, I have used my PDA. While there are some limits to that, the eBook makes up for it in efficiency. My PDA is a PDA, a phone, an internet viewer, and recieves my pages. In short, I have it instead of four other tools. Adding the ability to read a book on it, without having to pay the associated internet costs for the wireless connection, or carry a book around, is just gravy for me. While there are some limits to what books are available online, it is lucky for me that my tastes run towards the older fiction.
(note: only download to your desktop/ stationary system, then transfer over. The cost can be a bit icky otherwise)
I have never read an eBook on a computer, I have used my PDA. While there are some limits to that, the eBook makes up for it in efficiency. My PDA is a PDA, a phone, an internet viewer, and recieves my pages. In short, I have it instead of four other tools. Adding the ability to read a book on it, without having to pay the associated internet costs for the wireless connection, or carry a book around, is just gravy for me. While there are some limits to what books are available online, it is lucky for me that my tastes run towards the older fiction.
(note: only download to your desktop/ stationary system, then transfer over. The cost can be a bit icky otherwise)
Ebooks - by MoonHunter on 01:43 11 Mar 2003
"One more thing Jackie"
There is a large movement in the gaming industry to publish PDF and eBook roleplaying game books. There is vastly less set up and capital costs for the company. This is making the indie game movement more respectable to the hobby as a whole, rather than just a few low production value games on the fringes. The Indie-game target market (gamers) overlaps to the 90th percentile with computer users, many of them being early adopters with laptops, palmtops, and other mobile computers. You could carry your (heavy) gaming library in a single mutliuse computer (which could have other utilities that could help you game). Even mainstream game companies (WotC and WhiteWolf) are utilizing PDF and electronic publishing, though to a limited degree, for freebies and support books. I have heard of LARPers using computers to hold rule segments and character sheets as well, but that is of only limited usefulness. Gamers may be one of the population segments that will help push eBooks as a more legitimate format.
"One more thing Jackie"
There is a large movement in the gaming industry to publish PDF and eBook roleplaying game books. There is vastly less set up and capital costs for the company. This is making the indie game movement more respectable to the hobby as a whole, rather than just a few low production value games on the fringes. The Indie-game target market (gamers) overlaps to the 90th percentile with computer users, many of them being early adopters with laptops, palmtops, and other mobile computers. You could carry your (heavy) gaming library in a single mutliuse computer (which could have other utilities that could help you game). Even mainstream game companies (WotC and WhiteWolf) are utilizing PDF and electronic publishing, though to a limited degree, for freebies and support books. I have heard of LARPers using computers to hold rule segments and character sheets as well, but that is of only limited usefulness. Gamers may be one of the population segments that will help push eBooks as a more legitimate format.
Ebooks - by Arislyn on 07:24 11 Mar 2003
I definitely agree with the advantages that you list, Emperor. I can see how both of those factors would be great assetts for a lot of people. However, I'm like Kainja in this regard. I much prefer an actual book in hand. For me, reading is a relaxing escape from the everyday and I just can't get into that relaxed mode sitting in front of a PC. I like to curl up on the couch with my animals and read while they sprawl acoss my legs. I like the way books feel and smell. I like looking at them and holding them.
I definitely agree with the advantages that you list, Emperor. I can see how both of those factors would be great assetts for a lot of people. However, I'm like Kainja in this regard. I much prefer an actual book in hand. For me, reading is a relaxing escape from the everyday and I just can't get into that relaxed mode sitting in front of a PC. I like to curl up on the couch with my animals and read while they sprawl acoss my legs. I like the way books feel and smell. I like looking at them and holding them.
Ebooks - by Emperor TAR-1 on 09:04 11 Mar 2003
Regarding the accessability of work, that is improving steadily. I note that Ben Bova (who lives not far from here) has books listed on the same publisher (eNovel) that I use.
There are, of course, any number of older works on the sites, but it is coming around to where the better authors are adding their works.
The great thing about it is, as stated above, the books have a number of the first pages of any work posted, so you can read a bit, then decide whether or not you care to purchase. If you find the book is one you wish to keep in hard copy, you can order it POD for the same or less than buying it at a bookstore.
I have used fourteen feet of shelf space for the original MS's of my work -- and one CD that has room for another twenty or so books.
Regarding the accessability of work, that is improving steadily. I note that Ben Bova (who lives not far from here) has books listed on the same publisher (eNovel) that I use.
There are, of course, any number of older works on the sites, but it is coming around to where the better authors are adding their works.
The great thing about it is, as stated above, the books have a number of the first pages of any work posted, so you can read a bit, then decide whether or not you care to purchase. If you find the book is one you wish to keep in hard copy, you can order it POD for the same or less than buying it at a bookstore.
I have used fourteen feet of shelf space for the original MS's of my work -- and one CD that has room for another twenty or so books.
Ebooks - by Brad on 10:56 11 Mar 2003
Hi Emperor and welcome to the forums!
If I traveled alot I think I would use ebooks more either on a laptop or PDA.
What I really like in electronic publishing are POD books: 1. I can hold them in my hand, 2. they are opening up print publishing to many authors that would never get published by conventional publishers and is allowing micro-publishers to flourish, 3. POD is helping to keep the backlist of many authors in print. The conventional publishers have completely failed in this but POD is keeping older books available in print format.
Gaming industry: Moonhunter I think PDF format is perfect for supplements etc. Great for micro publishers. I see huge benefits for small game companies in putting out their rules in POD format. An early POD RPG was "The Rangers of Taradoin" by Sean-Robert Shaw. I saw this at Amazon a few years ago and thought then that this was a wonderful use for POD. There are so many home brew RPG rules that could be published this way.
What I really like is having the option of getting the same book in either ebook format or POD. My one note of caution, is that many of the ebooks I have seen are, IMO, vastly over priced. Some are only a couple of dollars less than a mass market paperback. Seems pricey to me.
Hi Emperor and welcome to the forums!
If I traveled alot I think I would use ebooks more either on a laptop or PDA.
What I really like in electronic publishing are POD books: 1. I can hold them in my hand, 2. they are opening up print publishing to many authors that would never get published by conventional publishers and is allowing micro-publishers to flourish, 3. POD is helping to keep the backlist of many authors in print. The conventional publishers have completely failed in this but POD is keeping older books available in print format.
Gaming industry: Moonhunter I think PDF format is perfect for supplements etc. Great for micro publishers. I see huge benefits for small game companies in putting out their rules in POD format. An early POD RPG was "The Rangers of Taradoin" by Sean-Robert Shaw. I saw this at Amazon a few years ago and thought then that this was a wonderful use for POD. There are so many home brew RPG rules that could be published this way.
What I really like is having the option of getting the same book in either ebook format or POD. My one note of caution, is that many of the ebooks I have seen are, IMO, vastly over priced. Some are only a couple of dollars less than a mass market paperback. Seems pricey to me.
Ebooks - by Emperor TAR-1 on 13:58 11 Mar 2003
Agreed, Brad, except to note that those overpriced books that are only a couple of dollars less than paperbacks in the stores are almost always by established authors who were never before available EXCEPT through those bookstores, so you are still saving that couple of dollars.
Agreed, Brad, except to note that those overpriced books that are only a couple of dollars less than paperbacks in the stores are almost always by established authors who were never before available EXCEPT through those bookstores, so you are still saving that couple of dollars.