Something I've been trying to explain to my techie friends for years

[kellinator]

I have a lot of hacker friends, many of whom seem to be personally offended by the existence of books, or "dead trees" as they derisively call them. They take great joy in announcing that books will be obsolete in five years and we'll wonder why we ever wasted time with the damn things.

As a bookworm, this attitude has always bothered me. I know few pleasures as glorious as taking a shiny new book, running your hands over it, smelling that new-book smell, and settling into bed for an evening of reading. I just don't believe you can get the same aesthetic pleasure from your e-book reader, no matter how convenient it is.

But as a librarian and document delivery specialist, I can say one thing for damn sure: Books will never be obsolete as long as there are all these damn broken links on the web.

(I will add that generally, government websites are the worst offenders, and have the least user-friendly websites to boot.)

Comments

[deza.livejournal.com]

They're just jealous that we can get a new book fix for under $30. ;)

[vill.livejournal.com]

Book-reading is a tactile experience. Fie on those who say it can be achieved through data and a screen.

Re: Something I've been trying to explain to my techie friends for years

[wolfieboy.livejournal.com]

As techie as I am, I still love the feel of a book. I like the feel of the paper, the heft of the book, the sometimes smell. All of these thing contribute a lot. It's much harder to damage a book and the type and the cover are so much clearer. Give me a book anyday. Well, maybe not; we don't have enough room already. :)

[dslartoo.livejournal.com]

Bah. There will *always* be a market for printed books, because those of us who love to read will always demand them. There's nothing like lounging on the couch with a good book and spending the entire afternoon reading. It just isn't the same reading it on a screen.

Also: printed books are portable, dammit. Fuck your laptops, I'd rather be able to just tuck something underneath my arm or carry it in one hand.

cheers,
Phil

[technomom]

I'm a geek. I'm not giving up my books. So there.

[leezechka.livejournal.com]

I think if I bent a computer back in the way I bend a paperback, or spilled coffee on it for that matter, reading would get way too expensive. and nothing can compare too that old book smell either.

[bethynyc.livejournal.com]

You can't read a computer screen in the bathtub.

Bethy the Biblioholic

[azurelunatic]

I am personally offended by any given document not existing both paper-wise and electronically, for I love both.

[azurelunatic]

You can, if you are very careful, read one on your palmtop.

VERY careful.

I love my palmtop. And if a day ever comes when Baen stops printing on paper, that will be a day I will yowl at them LOUDLY.

[azurelunatic]

Palmtops are exellent. I can carry several books on mine.

I tend to buy the dead tree editions of the ones I love; every book I buy tends to be a friend.

And nothing will replace a library.

[azurelunatic]

And yes, I know, paper never runs out of batteries at a cliffhanger.

[tygerlilly.livejournal.com]

I agree! Personally, I don't think I would be comfortable reading a book on a computer. Besides, books have been around for AGES, they won't go away.

[bethynyc.livejournal.com]

I guess I splash too much, and use too many bubbles...I always end up with damp paperbacks that need to sit on the heater for a while...

[azurelunatic]

Mine are always dry, unless I get very butterfingered and drop them. I keep a big fluffy towel sitting on the toilet seat, and set book/palmtop down there if there's any splashing to happen.

Re:

[kellinator.livejournal.com]

Did you hear about the book of erotica with waterproof pages? Aqua Erotica, I think?

[bethynyc.livejournal.com]

Very smart!!!

[vestalvixen.livejournal.com]

Geeks vs. Nerds. A struggle as old as Cain and ABel. No I don't know what I'm talking about, but it sounded good.

Re:

[kellinator.livejournal.com]

I like it!!