| There's been a lot of buzz in recent months about | | | | like you arereading a real book instead of a |
| eBook | | | | computer. |
| Readers. Both Amazon and Sony have introduced | | | | Both Sony's and Amazon's version of the reader is |
| eBook readersonto the market in the last couple of | | | | the sizeof a trade paperback, so it mimics the feel of |
| months, and what wasonce almost a dead topic has | | | | a book morethan a PDA did in years past. |
| become a live one again. But isan eBook reader | | | | With a reader you can also have a large library |
| better than a book? The quick and easyanswer is | | | | without ittaking up much space at all. If you are |
| that sometimes it is...and sometimes it isn't,which | | | | cramped for space,or have run out of room on your |
| doesn't help much at all. In this article I'll examinein | | | | bookshelves, then an eBookreader could help solve |
| more detail when an eBook reader is a good thing to | | | | your storage problems. |
| haveand when it isn't. | | | | Disadvantages: |
| The first thing I need to define is what is an eBook | | | | Simply put, the eBook reader is not a book, with all |
| reader,because in one form or another they have | | | | that implies. Theyare an electronic device, and if you |
| been around foryears, but still haven't really taken off | | | | like the feel of paperin your hand as part of the |
| the way that, say,the iPod did for music. | | | | experience of reading a book,then you will find one |
| An Reader is an electronic device that takes the | | | | of these devices jarring to use. |
| placeof a physical book. Personal Digital Assistants, or | | | | You can't get out your pen and take notes, if you |
| PDAs,have had readers installed on them for years, | | | | like to dothat. The reader is not a computer, even if |
| and somepeople use them, myself included to read | | | | it has a lot ofthe characteristics of a computer, and |
| books. There arealso some other dedicated readers | | | | for that reason itmay not fill your needs. |
| on the market. | | | | When you are reading a book you don't have to |
| These devices really didn't become popular for a | | | | worry about itinterfering with the navigation |
| fewreasons: the range of books available was limited, | | | | instruments on a plane, soduring take-off and landing |
| especially in newtitles is limited; the screen is small and | | | | you can continue to read. On theother hand, with an |
| backlit, whichcan lead to eyestrain. And it doesn't feel | | | | eBook reader, you have to shut it downthe same as |
| like you arereading a book. For some people this is | | | | you would a cell phone or laptop computer. |
| the main downside ofthe old batch of readers. With | | | | Depending on how you read and why you are |
| the new ones there havebeen some changes. | | | | reading the newgeneration of eBook readers may be |
| Advantages of reading your book on an eBook | | | | exactly what you need. Ifyou are running out of |
| reader: | | | | space in your home, or if you commuteand read, |
| There are some distinct advantages to using an | | | | then one of these devices may just be very |
| eBook readerrather than a traditional book. The first | | | | wellwhat you need. On the other hand, they don't |
| and foremost isfor people on the move, whether it is | | | | replace thefeel of a book, even if they mimic it. If |
| a commute or going onvacation: they are light and | | | | you are atraditionalist, you will most probably not like |
| easy to carry. They don'tcrease like a book and you | | | | a reader. Asin the case with most new technologies, |
| don't have to lug them around. | | | | it depends on whatyou are looking to use it for and |
| The latest batch have also done away with the | | | | why. So if you areconsidering purchasing one of |
| traditionalbacklit screen and instead have gone for a | | | | these, look carefully at thepros and cons before you |
| screen that'spaper-like in its appearance, so you feel | | | | do, so that you don't make anexpensive mistake. |