As this thread documents I struggled with the concept of an eBook reader for quite some time.
eBooks are an emerging technology. I went in knowing it's going to be a bumpy ride for at least a year or two until authors, publishers, and retailers figure out how to deal with this issue. Right now it does not look like the needs to the consumer is a primary concern for any of them and that will only lead to more problems. In the long run I think authors, publishers and retailers will all have their roll to play and the only one to really suffer will be printing companies who will see their market shrink significantly.
Still, I really like the idea of being able to carry a mini-library with me in an easy to carry reader friendly format (as opposed to say a laptop or Smartphone). In making my choice of an eReader I focused less on the hardware and more on the content. After all if I can't get the books I want to read what's the point? While no device is perfect at this point, the Kindle has more of the books I want to read than either the Nook or Sony products. So I went the Kindle path.
Having had the device for 3-days now, I know a couple of things. I'm reading more and watching/surfing less which I see as a plus, and I'm spending way too much money on books including the 'ludicrous' practice of buying books I already own just for the convenience of having them with me. I'll have to reign in the spending soon or see if there is a Kindle Anonymous group out there....
Also, I've noticed that I'm using it more like an Internet connection and less like a book. I'm reading about five books at the same time. A few pages at a time as the mood strikes me and time allows. I can't say yet if that's the way I will use the device in the long run or if it's just the newness.
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- Taking it one step at a time.
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