SF Signal recently posted a little meme about eBooks, and I’ve obviously decided to drag it over here for your entertainment. Obviously, I’m not much of an eBook hater anymore, since I own a Barnes & Noble Nook, but there are still things I don’t like about eBooks, thus giving me some right to actually talk about them here. Feel free to keep it going by posting it to your blog, leaving a comment on the SF Signal thread, or leaving a comment here.
Have you ever tried reading an eBook? If so, on what device?
Yes, I have. I’ve tried reading eBooks on my computer and on a Barnes & Noble Nook.
What’s your single main reason for not reading eBooks?
I like physical books more than digital ones. That’s a fairly simple reason that doesn’t need more of an explanation, I suppose.
Are there any other reasons you don’t usually read eBooks?
Plenty. They usually cost more than I’m willing to pay ($6 is my cut-off price, and that’s pushing it for me). They’re often formatted poorly, and DRM makes it hard for me to edit the file so it is correct (I only read full justified text, because ragged margins make me feel like I’m reading a paper I need to grade). That pretty much sums up my apprehension.
What would it take to get you to read eBooks?
I’m going to read this question to say “read more eBooks,” since I already read some eBooks. To get me to read more, they would have to be priced better, formatted better, and generally more appealing than regular books. I would also need software that makes highlighting and making notes easier, which is not something I can do in a Nook. Right now, I use the Nook for fun reading only. Lastly, I would need a better search engine for finding books that are released by actual publishers, since I am not willing to spend even $0.99 on a book by a self-publisher (sorry, folks, but I can’t do it).
What do you think is a fair price for an eBook?
I’m going to answer this by saying what I think is fair in general, rather than to me personally. I don’t think any eBook should be over $7.99 when the hardcover is the only copy out, and it should get progressively cheaper as newer formats are released (sort of like the agency model, I suppose). So, the prices would drop to $5.99 alongside trade paperback, and $3.99 alongside mass market. Again, I’m not willing to pay over $6, but I’m even less likely to pay $6 for an eBook that has a mass market edition. Why? Because I’d rather run to the store and get the real book for a little extra. Real books smell nice and fell good on your fingers.
There you go. To be fair, I really like my Nook, and I do like reading books on there. I’m less against eBooks than I am against the crappy eBook practices by publishers. I understand them, but it’s a big leap to go from “understanding” to “I’m on your side.”
Reading Time
The eBook-haters Meme (SF Signal)
SF Signal recently posted a little meme about eBooks, and I’ve obviously decided to drag it over here for your entertainment. Obviously, I’m not much of an eBook hater anymore, since I own a Barnes & Noble Nook, but there are still things I don’t like about eBooks, thus giving me some right to actually talk about them here. Feel free to keep it going by posting it to your blog, leaving a comment on the SF Signal thread, or leaving a comment here.
Yes, I have. I’ve tried reading eBooks on my computer and on a Barnes & Noble Nook.
I like physical books more than digital ones. That’s a fairly simple reason that doesn’t need more of an explanation, I suppose.
Plenty. They usually cost more than I’m willing to pay ($6 is my cut-off price, and that’s pushing it for me). They’re often formatted poorly, and DRM makes it hard for me to edit the file so it is correct (I only read full justified text, because ragged margins make me feel like I’m reading a paper I need to grade). That pretty much sums up my apprehension.
I’m going to read this question to say “read more eBooks,” since I already read some eBooks. To get me to read more, they would have to be priced better, formatted better, and generally more appealing than regular books. I would also need software that makes highlighting and making notes easier, which is not something I can do in a Nook. Right now, I use the Nook for fun reading only. Lastly, I would need a better search engine for finding books that are released by actual publishers, since I am not willing to spend even $0.99 on a book by a self-publisher (sorry, folks, but I can’t do it).
I’m going to answer this by saying what I think is fair in general, rather than to me personally. I don’t think any eBook should be over $7.99 when the hardcover is the only copy out, and it should get progressively cheaper as newer formats are released (sort of like the agency model, I suppose). So, the prices would drop to $5.99 alongside trade paperback, and $3.99 alongside mass market. Again, I’m not willing to pay over $6, but I’m even less likely to pay $6 for an eBook that has a mass market edition. Why? Because I’d rather run to the store and get the real book for a little extra. Real books smell nice and fell good on your fingers.
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