June 2011 - eReaders

'eBook' is short for 'electronic book', a digital version of a print book that has been optimized for on-screen reading. eBooks are available in a variety of different formats that can be read on a personal computer or hand-held device designed specifically for this purpose.

eReaders are simple computers that are very portable and can be used to store and view many books. Even the lowest priced versions can store over 200 books. The purpose was to allow you to take many books with you on trips or have several books available in one small package. The arrival of tablets and netbooks on the market has cut into the potential market. eReaders had a severe drop in price, falling from $300 - $500 into the $150 - $170 price range. Tablets and netbooks can do everything that eReaders can and a lot more and are only slightly more expensive. Some of the early eReaders were linked to a book seller and used only a specific format that the seller controlled. Apple and Google joined Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders and others in selling eBooks.

When libraries started making eBooks available, they standardized into two basic formats EPUB and PDF format. Most books are available in these two formats.

Variety of eReaders:

eReaders come with many different features. Most are essentially the same size, about as big as a medium sized book. They are about as thin as your little finger and weigh less than a pound.

1. Some can only display black and white, while others display full color. It is claimed that the black & white format is easier to read in bright conditions than the color models.

2. Some come with automatic connection to the book seller to buy and download eBooks, while others need an open wireless connection (WiFi). Some of those with the automatic connection will allow you to surf the web, while others only allow the connection to the seller. Since the eBooks have slow processors, the connections are still slow compared to tablets and netbooks.

3. Most will allow you to play 'audiobooks' using internal speakers or using headphones.

4. Some will play slide shows of images you have loaded.

5. Some have the ability to play music, if you have loaded songs.

6. Video play back is included with some eReaders. These videos are more in the music video type, not full movies.

7. Some allow email and web surfing if a wireless source is available. It is slow but does work.

In other words, they are trying to be everything to everyone. Almost all eReaders come with preloaded free books from the public domain. These are books without copyright protection and include many of the classics. You won't find anything written after 1929 in the free books unless the publisher forgot to copyright it. Many of these have been scanned by students from college libraries and are very poor quality.

Do you need an eBook Reader?

The choice will be based on what you need and want to do with it.

1. Are eBooks cheaper then paper copies? NO, but they can be downloaded. Purchased copies can be saved on your computer for later usage.

2. Out of print books are often available as eBooks.

3. eBooks will never be sold for thousands of dollars at auction like rare paper books.

4. Are eReaders easier to carry than paper books? Yes, they are lighter than one hard cover or three paperbacks.

5. Can you pass them on to friends? No, copyright laws forbid printing or sharing of any eBooks except free ones without copyright protection.

6. Do you travel often with several books or want to check email at a hotel on the road? eReaders can do this.

7. The size and weight of an eReader can be helpful for those with disabilities that make holding a book a challenge.

8. Text size can be adjusted for those with vision problems and some eReaders even will read the text aloud to you.

9. The digital library is always open, whether you purchase an eBook or borrow one from the library. And you will never have a late fee for library eBooks as they return themselves.

eBook Sources:

There are many on line sources.

Amazon has a large list of available eBooks, as well as Borders and Barnes & Noble

Apple Store also sells eBooks.

Google has both free eBooks and eBooks for sale. They claim to have over 3000 free eBooks available.

Your Local library offers free eBooks for loan. I have never been able to get anything current and generally got a copy of the paper version faster. That may change as eBooks become more popular and libraries get more copies.

There are many other online sources, but these are the major sources.

Be sure to do your homework before buying an eReader. Items to consider include:

· Size and weight

· Controls, buttons, touchscreen

· Battery life

· Features

· Book formats handled

· Capacity

· Store Access

· Price