!. What difference has technology made to your reading habits?

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   Esther Strongposted 11 years ago

   !.  What difference has technology made to your reading habits?
   
   2.  Do you read more or less than when there were only the conventional paperback/hardback books available?
   
   3.  Do you read e-books/kindle, audio books or CD's.
   
   4.  Do you think reluctant readers are more likely to want to choose one of the new technology formats for books, or do you think it makes no difference. 
   
   5.  Do you prefer to read traditional books or the new technology formats.
   
   6.  What for you are the advantages/disadvantages of the various formats now available. 
   
   Many thanks

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2. 0

   sheilamyersposted 11 years ago

   1. Not that much of a change.
   2. I read about the same amount even if I have to buy printed books.
   3. I have a Kindle, but I don't read a lot of books that way.
   4. I'm not sure technology makes much of a difference if a person is reluctant to read. I've had a lot of people tell me they don't read even magazines or the newspaper so I doubt they'd read more books on Kindle etc.
   5. My preference is for printed books, especially when reading non-fiction. It's so much easier to flip back to previous sections if I want to reread a section.
   6. I think the main advantages of e-books is that all you have to carry is one small thing and you can have hundreds of books. For printed books, to me, the advantages include being able to pass them along to other people to read especially if they can't afford an e-reader.

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      Esther Strongposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Sheila - I appreciate your well considered response. You have the best of both worlds.  E-books on the move/printed books otherwise. It's sad many miss out on multifarious benefits of reading. Might interactive reading books encourage some kids?

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3. 61

   Pauline Davenportposted 11 years ago

   I'm an avid reader of all sorts and love my books, but my children, boyfriend and ex- husband all chipped in to buy me a kindle for my birthday last year ( my daughter's idea) and I love it. All my teenage favorites in one small slim volume, which i can take on my travels or curl up on the settee with. i don't even need my specs to read it as I can alter the size of the font at will, it saves my page - it's wonderful. Before I got it, I have to say that I rather 'phoo-phooed' the idea of an electronic reading book
   
   i still love my books though. There is nothing quite like having a new folio book. I've spent a fortune on them. I love the feel and the smell of them.and treat them with utmost reverence
   
   Since having me kindle I have read more, and surprisingly don't feel so guilty anymore when I'm lost in a book and the family have to fend for themselves or wait for me to finish 'just till the end of the chapter'- obviously lying through my teeth with that old chestnut
   
   I do think that any sort of new technology will encourage people to do something different, if only for the novelty value. For instance how many people played computer games and such 30 years ago? and the lightness of a kindle must be such a boon to arthritis sufferers
   
   Both kindle and real books have a very special place in my heart - I just love to read

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      Esther Strongposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Pauline - It's encouraging you have made the best of both worlds and  I note what you say about arthritis and not needing spectacles.  Interesting also that you feel less "guilty" LOL!  Your considered response is very much appreciated.

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4. 76

   Rob Wintersposted 11 years ago

   8 Months ago my answer probably would have been that it's made absolutely no difference to me but i received a Kindle Paperwhite as a gift last Christmas and i'll never go back. Whilst i always had a paperback on the go back then the rate at which i consume literature has doubled if not tripled since going digital.There's a couple of reasons why this is the case.
   
   As well as the convenience of touch screen page turning, being able to read with one hand in daylight or complete darkness ( the wonders of inbuilt backlighting technology) and a number of other techno based innovations that accentuate the reading experience, digital versions are infinitely cheaper to produce and therefore cheaper to purchase for the customer.
   
   It also only takes a couple of finger taps and in as many seconds you have the next book in a series etc right in your hands.Compare this to ordering books online, paying for post and packaging and awaiting delivery or travelling to a book store and rummaging in hope, there's just no comparison (convenience wise).
   
   Likewise the moment you finish a kindle book you're prompted to purchase the next installment or similar works. More often than not you do just that. When i read a paperback i really like i may intend to get a related book but may or may not get around to it.
   
   Another change i've noticed is that i no longer think of book length in terms of pages but rather hours/minutes left (for those who don't know the Kindle estimates your reading speed and displays this info at the bottom of the page, pretty nifty).
   
   I never realised i was such a total convert until i started responding to your question Esther :-) I think it's clear where i stand. The only disadvantages are that there's an upfont cost for the digital reader itself and you've got to have access to a computer or wi fi connection and the minimal techno savvy required to avail of this technology. Hard copies are also much easier to share with friends and family though and I've also never had to charge a Paperback :-)
   
   There is something to be said for the smell of a new book mind. Perhaps future kindle versions will be able to puff out the smell whenever you click on the download button. Ahh....

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      Esther Strongposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hello Rob - I had no idea Kindle estimates reading speed!  Many thanks for detailing your experience.  I am sure the person who gave you the gift has taken great pleasure in knowing how it has positively impacted your reading habits.

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      Rob Wintersposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I was genuinely sceptical myself as to whether or not i'd enjoy using an e-reader, didn't actually think i would but i'm delighted that it's come to pass. I've expressed my gratitude on a no. of occassions, 1 of the best gifts i've received in years.

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   Randy M.posted 11 years ago

   1. I definitely read more e-books now, about a 75-25% split.
   2. I read about the same amount, which is about 2-3 books per month.
   3. I rarely listen to audio books, mostly I read e-books.
   4. I think the new technology, e-readers make it more convenient to read.  Obviously, there are more choice available for people who want to read - so maybe it will appeal to more reluctant readers.
   5. I prefer traditional books.  My eyes sometimes get very tired, but I am not really using a paper-like e-reader, I am either using a cell phone or a conventional tablet to read with.
   6. There are limitations on what type of e-reader program you can use, depending on the format.  This can get confusing - pdf, mobi, epub, etc.  I find that the Android app Cool Reader works pretty good across different formats, but when I buy a book from Kindle, I obviously use their proprietary reader.  When I get a book on loan for a library, I use an Adobe app.

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      Esther Strongposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting you read the same amount - just different formats.  I have not yet taken the plunge of reading an entire book electronically and have been a little concerned re possible eye strain.  Many thanks for your thoughtful response.

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   Toytastingposted 11 years ago

   Technology has made a major impact in the reading habits. i have always been much of a reader. So with changing times i even read eBooks. But honestly, the traditional way was much interesting. the sense of buying a book and then reading made it all the more special. It was great to see a huge collection of books in your own library.
   So the reading habits haven't changed for me. But I would anytime prefer the traditional way of reading.

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