| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Gellion |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 02:05:50
If it was perfectly legal, would you buy something like an FR Ebook? I would because for me finding a comfortable place to read an actual bok is hard. I always have to get up and stretch my neck because it gets all cramped. Not to mention you could do things like surf the web while you are reading the book. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Valdar Oakensong |
Posted - 21 Jul 2004 : 11:27:45
I hear ya, I just pais $25 for a second hand copy of The Diamond.
I feel that way about some of the downloads on the Wizards page. A lot of that stuff, I paid full price for it when it was new.
[/quote] |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 21 Jul 2004 : 00:39:30
quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
This might have some interesting applications in this field.
That's pretty nifty... I'm sure it's rather pricy, though. |
| Arivia |
Posted - 21 Jul 2004 : 00:34:03
This might have some interesting applications in this field. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 20 Jul 2004 : 22:46:35
quote:
Originally posted by Valdar Oakensong
After spending the last 7 months of my life tracking down all of the FR novels, it would drive me insane is someone made them all available for download.
I feel that way about some of the downloads on the Wizards page. A lot of that stuff, I paid full price for it when it was new. |
| Valdar Oakensong |
Posted - 20 Jul 2004 : 22:17:37
After spending the last 7 months of my life tracking down all of the FR novels, it would drive me insane is someone made them all available for download. Also books are wonderful things(apart from being made from trees!). It could help to spread the word of FR though so it's not a totally lost cause just not for me |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 20 Jul 2004 : 19:18:44
quote:
Originally posted by Gellion
Another nice thing about an Ebook would be the ability to eat while you are reading. Okay, maybe I am the only one who finds that an advantage. I would also be able to put music on on my computer while I am reading, which would set the right mood.
I do that quite oft, anyway. I always have music on when I'm at home, unless I'm watching TV or going to bed (I even have a shower radio). And I live alone and cook for myself, so reading while eating is no big deal. Some days, that's the only chance I get to do any reading.
Except for the odd munchy, I never eat while at my computer. So an ebook would be a disadvantage, there. |
| Gellion |
Posted - 20 Jul 2004 : 19:10:57
Another nice thing about an Ebook would be the ability to eat while you are reading. Okay, maybe I am the only one who finds that an advantage. I would also be able to put music on on my computer while I am reading, which would set the right mood. |
| Thelonius |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 17:54:43
Mmmm.... reading books on the web? Not really, In my view one of the most important thing of reading a book (not only FR) is the feeling of this book on your hand, touching the paper, even blowing the dust when you pick up an old one. Pass the hand over it's cover, open it slowly, ahhh... books, there's nothing like them. I prefer paying the whole price in a shope (specially an old one), that paying less, but lose my eyes in front of a computer screen or spending ink printing it.
Never, and never... the best things are the touchable things. |
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 17:51:13
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
How about both? If the hardcopy of a book included an e-copy on an enclosed CD-ROM, that'd be cool.
Baen does that every so often; with some books, there'll be a free CD (which doesn't add to the price) of that book, as well as others. For instance, the first CD (Baen Free Library CD 1.0, aka The Honorverse Disc) had every single Honor Harrington book (then 13), the first two Weber fantasy books (number three wouldn't be published for a year and a half), and several other books that I might not have picked up otherwise, but now am so very glad I did. Such as the Belisarius (alternate history) books. The Shadow of the Lion was also intriguing (deliberate pun!), and another alternate history (though not dealing with a time travel aspect, as the first ones).
I think that the Baen Free Library has shown conclusively that cheap ebooks ($0, in their case) help boost sales for the dead-treee versions. Some authors haven't experienced noticeable hikes, but those seem to all be people already known on the market. On the other hand, other authors on the list have just soared -- some obviously through amazing writing (John Ringo is excellent, especially when you consider the fact that he didn't start until recently), but others have also gotten huge boosts.
I think the fact that they're free (and even don't need registration to download) works best ("Huh, that looks interesting" [save for later]), helping people realize whether or not they like the book ("Wow! That was excellent! I'm buying that!"); but requiring a minimal fee would still help spread the word ("Hmm, I'll buy three ebooks, what's best? Well, I'll try these . . . .") about what works. So people not sure about Elfshadow could buy an ebook for two or three dollars, read it, and find (of course  ) that Elaine Cunningham is excellent and go out and buy every one of her books. 
Unfortunately, I doubt WotC will do this. It's cynical, but they seem to subscribe to the "Increase profits by minimizing cost and maximizing price" business philosophy, rather than "Let our products be of the highest quality we can get, with the lowest price we can give and still stay in business" that I think works best. (For instance, all their game books seem at least five dollars overpriced, and that's irrespective of quality.)
And even if they weren't like that, most people don't think that lowering prices work. Or that the answer to all the problems with Internet piracy is, as Eric Flint put it, "Alles in ordnung!" |
| Dantrag |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 17:12:26
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I'd not be inclined to buy them. I am another who prefers a good hardcopy in my hands.
I've not even done free downloads of stuff on the Wizards website. I want the actual book, not just a pdf.
Exactly... |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 15:53:15
How about both? If the hardcopy of a book included an e-copy on an enclosed CD-ROM, that'd be cool. |
| Faraer |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 14:30:19
Having PDFs of Realms novels would make searching for the Realmslore in them much easier.
Yay footnotes.
And what perplexes me is that the people who declaim how they couldn't ever read an ebook read an equal amount of text on webpages. |
| The Wanderer |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 14:25:41
Well, even though there are many enhancements that one could achieve with an electronic version of a book (updates, notes, hyperlinks), until they invent a comfortable and easy way of carrying them with you, I would not buy them. I like to take my novels with me when I go to the park and on long flights. I know there is the PDA, but it does not feel like an adequate solution (small screen, active vs. passive light).
Besides, I already spend enough time looking at a computer screen (I'm a computer scientist). My wife would throw out my computer if I spent my time reading on it as well  . |
| Jerard Doonsay |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 13:52:00
Hmmm.... probably yes. I think I would end up with 3 or 400 so FR Ebooks, but I would probably end up going and buying the actual books as well. Like they said, there is something just that much more satisfying about reading an actual book than off a screen. And it is easier to take it with you for most of the time, unless you got one of those Ebook readers. But that is a whole nother scroll. |
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 11:06:03
Well, of course I like regular books. I can literally spend hours in a bookstore (it irritates the heck out of my sire, the Spike Dragon ). I also have five bookcases squeezed next to my bed, desk, and dresser in my room, and more besides that in boxes. I even use the tops of my bookcases, desk, and dresser as extra shelves. 
What can I say? I'm a Bookwyrm. |
| Aeriden Raven |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 10:29:45
As would I! When I started reading Evermeet I took notes for a while, making a glossary, but I stopped after about 50 pages, because it slowed down my reading too much. So an annotated Evermeet (electronic or not) certainly sounds very attractive.
But for the general idea of ebooks, I don't think they could ever replace the way my books smell, feel and look (I just love my large book case in the middle of my house, it really ties the room together ). Also, when I read a book, I want it to be my own book, so I can get it out of the book case every now and then, after I read it and look through it again, etc.
I do agree with the uncomfortableness of reading for hours and hours, so all I have tot do is to save up some money for a really really big and comfortable reading chair. |
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 10:16:29
I actually can't understand why people object to ebooks so much. I practically swear by the Baen Free Library.
Lady Cunningham, if you ever manage an annotated version of Evermeet, I'll buy it. |
| Arivia |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 09:09:21
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
I couldnt read a novel or such off a screen, but with sourcebooks it would be useful as an interactive reference (as Elaine pointed out being able to click on maps etc.). However, id still require the actual book to be able to read at my leisure wherever I may be.
*hands Rad a PDA and memory stick*
There you go.
I would, but I'd also buy a hardcopy. Both have advantages over the other(text searching on the electronic version, the feel on the second). I read plenty of Ebooks these days-it's an odd day when I'm not opening at least one. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 09:06:04
I couldnt read a novel or such off a screen, but with sourcebooks it would be useful as an interactive reference (as Elaine pointed out being able to click on maps etc.). However, id still require the actual book to be able to read at my leisure wherever I may be. |
| ElaineCunningham |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 06:40:47
An online ebook could have enormous potential for annotation; for example, when a town or forest is named, click on the title for a link to a map. Characters could be linked to character sheets, artwork--whatever. In a world as vast and long-lived as the Realms, layers of information and lore could be added to an online novel.
Some books would benefit more than others from annotation. A straight-forward quest novel or a story that focuses on the machinations of the drow wouldn't be a prime candidate, but consider the possibilities in a novel such as Evermeet.
That book was the synthesis of just about every scrap of elven lore I could find, and Realms buffs might enjoy "footnotes" listing FR and D&D sources. For example, the mythology chapter showing the battle between the elven and orc gods could have been linked to a page that summarized the various creation stories, with reference and pages for each. The chapter on spelljamming ships could have had lore for those Realms fans not versed in that particular magical technology. Events referred to but not depicted, such as the Crown Wars, could be illuminated by a brief history. Names of gods could be linked to a page about the elven pantheon. Characters that have appeared elsewhere could be linked to a list of other books and stories. And it would have been really, really nice to have a timeline.
I don't see this sort of thing happening any time soon, but I still find the possibilies intriguing.
|
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 06:09:17
I'd not be inclined to buy them. I am another who prefers a good hardcopy in my hands.
I've not even done free downloads of stuff on the Wizards website. I want the actual book, not just a pdf.
|
| Winterfox |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 06:00:53
Well, you can always zoom in/out. It's not tiny print that bothers me; it's mostly the contrast between black and white, which is very sharp and very bright. |
| DDH_101 |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 05:38:24
I prefer a book. Staring at a screen for hours at tiny print isn't my preference. |
| Winterfox |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 05:18:54
Due to my living arrangements, something that can be stored in my harddrive as opposed to taking up space in my rapidly filling bookshelves would be preferable. On the other hand, I find it unpleasant to read something on-screen for an extended amount of time. Say, something 20k long, never mind a whole novel. |
| Gellion |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 04:45:37
I am not sure about the format. But it would have to be an easy to read one. As for wanting to just read the book. Well, I actually find it is easier to immerse myself in the story if I am more comfortabel. And like I said earlier it is impossible for me to be comfortable while reading a normal book. I would probably have read every FR book in existance if they were all available as Ebooks. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 04:40:56
quote:
Originally posted by AlacLuin
Oh, are we talking a downloadable .pdf (or something similar) or access to a web page?
One of the many questions that I previously mentioned. Would the format allow for someone to print it out? Or would such a function be disabled or not allowed? |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 04:38:23
quote:
Originally posted by Gellion
If it was perfectly legal, would you buy something like an FR Ebook?
I'd have many questions about purchasing such an item. However, even if everything was answered to my satisfaction, I doubt I'd buy an Ebook beyond the novelty of giving it a one time try. I like my actual physical books that I can hold in my hands and place on my shelves once finished.
quote:
I would because for me finding a comfortable place to read an actual bok is hard. I always have to get up and stretch my neck because it gets all cramped. Not to mention you could do things like surf the web while you are reading the book.
I more than understand the points you've made here. However, as for the latter, I don't want to surf or do anything else when I'm reading Realms fiction. I want the story to hold my attention so I can immerse myself into that fantasy world while I'm reading this piece of fiction. |
| AlacLuin |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 03:58:51
quote:
Originally posted by Dantrag
Your telling me that you can read the whole thing...ONLINE!!
Thats what is being asked, would you you buy one if you could.
Personally, yes I would, if the price was not to bad.
$1.50 per novel would be about right, I'd pay more at a used book store for a hard copy, but would settle for an e version to ease search time.
Oh, are we talking a downloadable .pdf (or something similar) or access to a web page?
If I had to be online to read it, it would be of no use to me. |
| Dantrag |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 03:42:55
Your telling me that you can read the whole thing...ONLINE!! |
| Gellion |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 03:39:11
quote:
Originally posted by Dantrag
What is an FR ebook?
It would be an online version of a Forgotten Realms book. |
