Welcome to The Hairy Bear: The Witcher Off-Topic [Archived]

[sidspyker]

I had to practice with my low PS skills.

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[Sephira]

Welcome to the wonderful world of having all of the books under your fingertips whenever you like *__* Happy birthday!

Anyway, bears: I found this article and thought it'd be relevant to your interests... :B

Yup, I can say I'll become a mid reader: between paper and digital pages. :stuart:

Oh, that's... interesting hehe...

Nice! I use a tablet to read e-books, some might say it's not as good as holding a book in your hands, and for some people it strains the eyes more, but in a tablet's case I guess that's their LED screen's fault. Some books are actually a lot cheaper in e-book version than proper books, so it's a lot easier. I wanted to get one because Lee Child's Jack Reacher series has 19 books so far and omg are they expensive here.

Imho it's not, but it is confortable, especially if you adjust brightness level at 30%, it's not tiring at all.

How much? But yeah books price depends on publisher, but sometimes they are too expensive, so I stick with sales everytime they are available.

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Romana gloria at its finest.

 

[Aaden]

So yesterday it was my birthday and my bf decided to gift me an e book reader, and so it begins: my entry into the world of digital reading. Using it mostly to read out-of-print books.

I was rather happy.

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Enjoy! I was rather sceptical of eBooks before I tried my dad's Kindle a few months ago. Now I love it! Nothing better than being able to handle your book with just one hand - lightweight, easy to flip pages - and an eReaders display is really pleasing to the eye, which surprised me a lot!

Also, @Eddard20 : You really can't even compare that. I tend to read a lot on regular displays for university or just news on my smartphone. It really is straining, which eReaders are not. If you get the chance at a friend's or something, just try it.

 

[Eddard20]

Imho it's not, but it is confortable, especially if you adjust brightness level at 30%, it's not tiring at all.
How much? But yeah books price depends on publisher, but sometimes they are too expensive, so I stick with sales everytime they are available.

Around 15 EUR it would be. Yes, it depends on publishers, the Song of Ice and Fire published by Bantam Books is a bit cheaper than the Harper Voyager ones. On Amazon there are really great discounts usually.

Also, @Eddard20 : You really can't even compare that. I tend to read a lot on regular displays for university or just news on my smartphone. It really is straining, which eReaders are not. If you get the chance at a friend's or something, just try it.

I was talking about the tablet's screens. Sorry, for the confusion. Though I haven't tryed an e-reader, I might look for one, I read they have different screens from tablets to be more suitable for the eyes. I will definitely try, thx

Edit - How's the battery of an e-reader? Do they last long? I was just wondering, because if it can last for days then I really might consider getting one.

 

[Sana_mia]

I was talking about the tablet's screens. Sorry, for the confusion. Though I haven't tryed an e-reader, I might look for one, I read they have different screens from tablets to be more suitable for the eyes. I will definitely try, thx

It's E-ink looks more like paper without all the drawbacks dead trees have.
If you buy one make sure it has good buttons to flip pages. REALLY useful in wet environments like bath-tubs and pools. Stuff an e-book reader in zip-lock bag equals water proof reading. Sure there are waterproof e-book devices out there but why spend extra cash if a cheap bag does the trick.

 

[Eddard20]

It's E-ink looks more like paper without all the drawbacks dead trees have.
If you buy one make sure it has good buttons to flip pages. REALLY useful in wet environments like bath-tubs and pools. Stuff an e-book reader in zip-lock bag equals water proof reading. Sure there are waterproof e-book devices out there but why spend extra cash if a cheap bag does the trick.

Thanks for the tips! Yeah I guess first I'll have to look around for reviews on some mid-end readers and choose from those. Hah, didn't even think about that, using it around wet environments I mean.

I guess with an e-reader I wouldn't have to worry about keeping free space on my shelf and would be a bit cheaper altogether
View attachment 9940

 

[Ljesnjanin]

E-books? No thanks...
I'm conservative, old fashioned...I like the feel of paper under my fingertips. Real book.

 

[wichat]

That special paper smell when you open a book....

 

[Sana_mia]

I guess with an e-reader I wouldn't have to worry about keeping free space on my shelf and would be a bit cheaper altogether

The space saving is huge. When I banished all paper books from the livingroom I suddenly had dozens of boxes full of dead weight and meters of empty shelves. Never counted them but it where more than 7000 books where thrown into the basement.

A lot less dusting needs to be done now...

 

[shinobi2u]

I would like to apologise to everyone. I did not realise this would follow when I posted that gif.

As for books, I haven't been able to switch over to an e-reader so far. Too many physical books that I just couldn't part with and I like having the feel of a book in my hand. To be able to easily flip to where I want to. I may eventually get one to supplement my reading when there are times I want the convenience, like traveling, but otherwise I'll always lean towards the real deal.

 

[Sephira]

Enjoy! I was rather sceptical of eBooks before I tried my dad's Kindle a few months ago. Now I love it! Nothing better than being able to handle your book with just one hand - lightweight, easy to flip pages - and an eReaders display is really pleasing to the eye, which surprised me a lot!

Also, @Eddard20 : You really can't even compare that. I tend to read a lot on regular displays for university or just news on my smartphone. It really is straining, which eReaders are not. If you get the chance at a friend's or something, just try it.

I was skeptical too but I have to say it's not bad, really, even if I prefer "traditional" books. I agree about the display, I started reading e-books on PC and then on smartphone, and... no way, it's truly tiring for me, can't stay up reading for long, I have to pause.

Around 15 EUR it would be. Yes, it depends on publishers, the Song of Ice and Fire published by Bantam Books is a bit cheaper than the Harper Voyager ones. On Amazon there are really great discounts usually.

I was talking about the tablet's screens. Sorry, for the confusion. Though I haven't tryed an e-reader, I might look for one, I read they have different screens from tablets to be more suitable for the eyes. I will definitely try, thx

Edit - How's the battery of an e-reader? Do they last long? I was just wondering, because if it can last for days then I really might consider getting one.

15 EUR is a rather standard price here, especially if you talk about hardcover editions... And I agree about Amazon, Wheel of the Time books are about 6,50 EUR there and 16 EUR in bookstores... yeah, Amazon ftw.

They say battery lasts long, but I can't confirm it since my device charged for the first time yesterday.

E-books? No thanks...
I'm conservative, old fashioned...I like the feel of paper under my fingertips. Real book.

Who says that when you start reading (also) e books you're not an old fashioned type anymore?

 

[dragonbird]

Back in 2001, I had a slipped disk, and was stuck in the house for about 3 weeks with nothing much to do except read. I switched to eBooks then on a Palm Pilot, and have been really gone back to paper books. The only dedicated eReader I've ever had though was a Sony one about five or six years ago. It was crap, the battery life was terrible and the software was really clunky.

My understanding is that all the ones using eInk or similar technology are pretty good for battery life, and easy on the eyes. The problem was just with the earlier backlit ones. I hate reading books on PC or smartphone.

 

[Eddard20]

Who says that when you start reading (also) e books you're not an old fashioned type anymore?

This There are some books I wouldn't like to read in eBook version, like the Song of Ice and Fire series, I really want to actually have those , and I just found the Witcher books a week ago in a store here, which I think I'll also get like that.

 

[Aaden]

Edit - How's the battery of an e-reader? Do they last long? I was just wondering, because if it can last for days then I really might consider getting one.

There certainly are differences between manufacturers and models, but generally, e-readers use a different display technology that only really consumes power when the displayed content changes (aka flipping the page). Therefore it generally lasts far, far longer than a tablet or smartphone. I think I recharged my Kindle less than once per book, so far - and I charged early at about a quarter or a third or so charge left. Plus, it's the basic model, so probably not really state-of-the-art.


Edit: Same here. Those books that are special to me or which I really want to own, I still buy them printed. But all these good, but not exceptional or in any way meaningful books you read in between? The e-book will easily suffice - lower price, less space, handy format.

 

[Eddard20]

My understanding is that all the ones using eInk or similar technology are pretty good for battery life, and easy on the eyes. The problem was just with the earlier backlit ones. I hate reading books on PC or smartphone.

Aye, all the current phones and tablets are still backlit, that's why I've been told before to get an e-reader too, but I choose more functions over just reading. On a small screened smartphone it's especially bad.

---------- Updated at 05:11 PM ----------

There certainly are differences between manufacturers and models, but generally, e-readers use a different display technology that only really consumes power when the displayed content changes (aka flipping the page). Therefore it generally lasts far, far longer than a tablet or smartphone. I think I recharged my Kindle less than once per book, so far - and I charged early at about a quarter or a third or so charge left. Plus, it's the basic model, so probably not really state-of-the-art.

One charge per book sounds very, very good. Hmm.. I think I'll look around for a Kindle too

 

[dragonbird]

I get about 20 hours of reading time from my 1st-gen iPad, which is used only for reading. It's good enough for everything except a long trip. But I would expect to get a lot more than that from a Kindle.

I always wanted a Kindle, but if you lived in an unsupported country, the hoops you had to jump through to get books for them in the early days were ridiculous. I don't know if it got better.

 

[Aaden]

Aye, all the current phones and tablets are still backlit, that's why I've been told before to get an e-reader too, but I choose more functions over just reading. On a small screened smartphone it's especially bad.

My earlier thoughts, exactly. But now, I really gotta say: reading device and multi-purpose device are mutually exclusive. At least, where technology is currently at. E-ink displays are too slow and not suitable for content that is moving or in any way changing rapidly. Common oLED, LED and whatnot displays are not really suitable for reading - it's uncomfortable and the static pages still drain power all the time which will empty your battery in no time; the display is any smart device's biggest power consumer. Go for that e-reader, if you are willing to embrace the general idea of digital reading.

 

[dragonbird]

My earlier thoughts, exactly. But now, I really gotta say: reading device and multi-purpose device are mutually exclusive. At least, where technology is currently at. E-ink displays are too slow and not suitable for content that is moving or in any way changing rapidly. Common oLED, LED and whatnot displays are not really suitable for reading - it's uncomfortable and the static pages still drain power all the time which will empty your battery in no time; the display is any smart device's biggest power consumer. Go for that e-reader, if you are willing to embrace the general idea of digital reading.

I think it depends on your reading habits. If you read while (for example) travelling to work, then using a multi-purpose device may be a lot more practical. If you read mainly at home, then go for the dedicated eReader.

 

[Ljesnjanin]

Who says that when you start reading (also) e books you're not an old fashioned type anymore?

I said that
Don't know, too much electronic and digital things nowadays and I don't like it...I want my books to be the books, not some pdf, epub or whatnot...I like to look at them on shelf, to clean dust from time to time....Every book I own have a small history, a little story...Inheritance from grandfather, some special gift, nice memories...For example, few years ago I traveled almost 500km to buy Tower of Swallow and Lady of the Lake...

And what e-books have? Downloading? Meh...

 

[Eddard20]

My earlier thoughts, exactly. But now, I really gotta say: reading device and multi-purpose device are mutually exclusive. At least, where technology is currently at. E-ink displays are too slow and not suitable for content that is moving or in any way changing rapidly. Common oLED, LED and whatnot displays are not really suitable for reading - it's uncomfortable and the static pages still drain power all the time which will empty your battery in no time; the display is any smart device's biggest power consumer. Go for that e-reader, if you are willing to embrace the general idea of digital reading.

Yes, I got convinced, thanks As an example for the battery; I have an Asus MeMo Pad tablet, decent enough battery and all, but with continous usage it drains in 10 hours. With lower brightness maybe 14.
I'll see how much a Kindle costs around here.