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Post by Alex on May 18, 2009 13:28:09 GMT -8
The Kindle DX I see it in my future. If only I could look into my kids shining little eyes and tell them the grocery bill had to be set aside for a couple months.
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Post by Josh on May 18, 2009 13:51:34 GMT -8
Yeah- I'd be way into getting one of these.
If only....
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Post by meghan on May 19, 2009 5:21:19 GMT -8
Really? I don't really understand them. They're just for reading books, right? I don't think I could do it.
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Post by Alex on May 19, 2009 12:25:48 GMT -8
I like four elements:
1) Portability Space and weight are a premium when I'm traveling. Rather than taking the 4 books I'm currently picking through, I can carry page with all of it. If I want to remember something from a previous book I can pop open that and reference also. I could even show up at a backpacking camp and enjoy the weekend orating tales of "The Hobbit", "Dracula", "The colour from Outerspace", and "Nicholas Nickleby" to my compatriots.
2) Navigation Finding things quickly is a nice feature, albeit a secondary one. Bible verse anyone? Which translation? In biblical debates "he with the most verses wins". ;D
3) Access to PDF content I have buckets of content and documents on my computer already. On a saturday, I'd rather read it in a more comfortable and portable format than my laptop; perhaps while sipping a latte at the coffee shop and looking smug and pretentious. On the airplane the guy next to me on the airplane would appreciate it as well.
4) Quick access to content Out and about and realized I'd like to read a book while I'm waiting at the park or in the lobby? NP for my Kindle and me, it's got my back and I'll bring the latte.
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Post by Josh on May 19, 2009 12:43:08 GMT -8
I am torn a bit over the topic, just because I love books- the smell, feel, look on the bookshelf, etc...
However, when you do a lot of research, electronic sources are much handier, in addition to the reasons Alex cited.
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Post by Alex on May 19, 2009 14:08:54 GMT -8
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Post by meghan on May 19, 2009 14:57:00 GMT -8
I agree with the idea of electronic sources, but one reason I read books is to pull myself away from the computer at this point in my life. I don't want to stare at another screen. And really? Homework? I mean.. I have to read electronic stuff AND type papers... so... I guess I've never felt like my laptop is that cumbersome. But that's just me! I'm the kind of person who finds the iphone or blackberry ridiculous, so don't listen to me
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Post by Alex on May 19, 2009 15:21:32 GMT -8
You know, as I think about it if I explain it to the kids well enough - I'll bet they'd agree that setting aside the groceries is the right decision.
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Post by Alex on May 19, 2009 15:59:17 GMT -8
But really, you've got good points around the tool. I think it's a weighting of aesthetic soul of the experience vs. utility of the tool. I consider the device at the infancy of merging digital media into the time tested format of the written word. It's not there yet but they're beginning to align.
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Post by Margot on May 19, 2009 22:20:49 GMT -8
You know, as I think about it if I explain it to the kids well enough - I'll bet they'd agree that setting aside the groceries is the right decision. You know, its been proven kids need to eat to survive...but it's never really been proven how often---at least those are the thoughts I've had when passing a nursery or plant sale, (my personal vices ;D) Still, I agree with Josh's comments about books.....the sound of those pages turning...the weight in your hands...seeing them on the shelf, waiting for you. In Journalism school they used to tell us how computers would never totally replace newspapers because you can't line a birdcage with a computer....hmmm....there's a lesson in there somewhere...
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Post by Alex on May 26, 2009 19:12:14 GMT -8
Still, I agree with Josh's comments about books.....the sound of those pages turning...the weight in your hands...seeing them on the shelf, waiting for you. For me it's the smell of the pages.
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Post by b on May 30, 2009 22:28:49 GMT -8
So, on this Das Kindle, can you access Kramer's books "Astounding tales of the Sea" and "Astounding bear attacks"?
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Post by Alex on Jun 12, 2009 12:08:13 GMT -8
So I just pulled picked up the NIV bible for my new Kindle (my wife loves me). I noticed while I was shopping that it only has 3 1/2 stars. The Jeffersonian bible by contrast has 4 1/2 stars.
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Post by Josh on Jun 12, 2009 12:26:14 GMT -8
You've got to be joking. That's ridiculous. Well, the Jefferson Bible is a lot shorter... none of those pesky miracle stories, right?
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Post by christopher on Jun 12, 2009 19:31:22 GMT -8
That high huh? ;D Alex, Any plans to bring to church for show and tell so the rest of us can drool over what we'll never have?
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Post by Alex on Jun 12, 2009 20:00:11 GMT -8
I told Aimee I wouldn't bring it to church so as not to appear smug.
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Post by Josh on Jun 12, 2009 20:19:53 GMT -8
But you already did on Tuesday
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