Insert Witty Journal Title Here

Firstly, who calls it an 'e-book reader'? They're e-readers. Thanks.

Anyway, this article appeared on PC World entitled 5 Reasons You Don't Need an E-Book Reader.

It's been interesting to watch the debate rage. E-books versus Print books. Most interesting, I find, are the people defending print books. By saying they'll always be around, they're better, etc. If you truly believe that, then why are you so worried about defending them? Sounds to me like you're running scared!

I fall somewhere in the middle, but I lean more towards the side of the e-books. Mostly because I think the ridiculous comments are coming from the print book side. I do hesitate a little to call them sides, because it's like apples and oranges, isn't it? Some people will vow never to eat an orange, others are allergic to apples, but for the most part, most people are happy to eat both, even if they have a preference for one over the other. And to carry the metaphor further, it could even depend on circumstances. Prefer apples in the fall when they're fresh. Prefer oranges when it's flu season.

I've been contemplating writing a post about the subject for awhile. I think this article finally tipped the balance because it's from a tech magazine. Advising against tech. At least this type of tech.

This article is not falling on the side of print books (except in one section), but is instead against e-readers as e-readers.

Reason #1: "There's an App For That"

Does everyone have a smartphone? No. Does everyone want to read books on their smartphone? No. The screen is smaller and harder on the eyes for reading from. I will admit that if you already have a smartphone, and if you like keeping a bunch of books in your pocket, that this is a very viable option. For expense and convenience, but not for quality of experience.

Reason #2: "It's Not Cheap Enough"

Their argument here is that you should put the money toward a tablet, which you really want anyway. Do I? Do I? No, I don't. And I can more easily justify spending <$150 than spending >$500 for a redundant computer. I already have a netbook, me. This is sort of the opposite argument from Reason #1. You should choose expense and inconvenience for.. well, not exactly for quality of reading experience, since a tablet screen has much the same problems as a phone screen. For range of features, I guess here.

Reason #3: "Less Functionality For Work or Play"

Again, this is advocating for a computer. Specifically for doctors to be able to carry around hospitals and access patient records and things. How many of you out there were considering buying an e-reader for work? And where does 'play' come into the explanation here? Honestly this reason strikes me as being in there to get to the nice round number of 5.

Reason #4: "E-books Are Not More Eco-friendly Than Paper Books"

You can debate this all you like, but my answer to this is 'So?' Are you saying the smartphones and the tablet computers are more eco-friendly than the e-readers? I didn't think so.

Reason #5: "Most Business Materials Aren't Available on an E-reader"

Okay, this one I am going to quote:

"While some mainstream textbooks will be available from e-readers, most of your business's training manuals or handbooks won't be. Those materials, however, can be delivered online far more easily to a desktop, laptop, or tablet computer. While an e-reader may be an attractive or reasonably-priced buy, for businesses this device is redundant."

Point 1 -- The beginning of this article talks about the holiday season. For that reason, I thought this article was aimed at consumers, not businesses.

Point 2 -- My business's training manuals and handbooks, such as they are, are already or could easily be converted to PDF. Not that PDFs are the ideal e-book format, but they will WORK on the e-reader.

Point 3 -- You could also convert them to EPUB without too much of a hassle, if it's really that important to you that you be able to read your training manual on your e-reader.

Point 4 -- Whether an e-reader is redundant or not is really dependent on the business isn't it? Maybe tablets are too big and too expensive to risk in the field. Maybe smartphones are too small to be laid on a surface and consulted while your hands are busy. Maybe laptops are too heavy to be lugging around along with all your equipment. Maybe, maybe..

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This just strikes me as a poorly conceived piece that didn't even quite know what it wanted to accomplish. Who's your audience, consumers or business buyers? And how many substitutes for e-readers did you just advocate they buy instead? Because an e-reader is at once too expensive and reasonably-priced?

I get the sense that a lot of people are weighing in on the subject just because it's a hot topic, and they choose the side they perceive to be the most rebellious. Well, so, I'll be weighing in more on this in the future.

Maybe I'll find myself a radical stance nobody has thought of yet. E-readers built into glasses so you can read while you're driving! E-readers as babysitters! Everyone should have 5 e-readers so they can separate their books by category! How to build a bookcase out of old e-readers!

Coming soon! Tell all your friends!