It's been interesting to watch and read all the mixed e-reader opinions out there. There was something on The One Show on TV, reluctant author meets advocate of e reader at Hay Lit Fest and is persuaded to sample. Returns to programme to bemoan all aspects, Bryn Terfel happens to be sharing sofa (well mostly occupying sofa actually, he's a big lad) and is thrust into the argument, results inconclusive because Bryn loves his iPod and thinks this may be the bookish equivalent.iPods haven't stopped us going to hear Bryn sing (well only me because I'm not a Bryn fan, nice chap all the same ) and of course e-readers won't stop the publication and sale of books in its tracks, it's just another tool to add to any reader's kitbag. Bit like bloggers add something to the world of litcrit, there's room for everyone and everything and I am no luddite about progress, the e-reader is progress.The Tinker has taken to his in a nano-second, installed everything far quicker than I did because he's methodical and reads the instructions in the right order and is now enjoying some Kipling.
Now being a technomuddler I couldn't possibly predict what happens
next, but I guess the technology will improve, probably add in a bit of
wireless gizmology, the cost will come down eventually and then I read this and realise that actually it's moving at the speed of light already, the PRS 700 is on its way.
In terms of transferable skills (my buzzword of the moment) I suspect these will be enormous, our children would have loved it, would probably have encouraged reluctant reading sons no end and I can see it would have its uses for studying. Yes I agree, you can't underline or jot on it but you can't do that to library books either. Glossing quickly over all the awkward copyright issues imagine being a distance learning student and being able to download specific books from an academic library onto an e-reader? It has a bookmark facility so pages are easily retrievable.
Meanwhile expect the dovegreye-reader to feature on here occasionally because I will continue to use it and theme-clothe it appropriately and whatever you do, don't miss Bookseller Crow's budget version, a sort of 'Pony in his pocket', actually I think he's suffering the early symptoms of e-reader envy.
In fact, hopefully not any time soon but be sure to bury me with mine, fully charged of course, in case I get 'there' and I'm bored and perchance there are no books.
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