Do You Prefer Physical Or Digital?

[Clint Cora]

Now that we have ebooks and online audio in addition to physical books and CD/DVD sets, which do you prefer, physical or digital?

If you like both, how do you decide whether to get a physical or digital version?

[Midnite]

At first I thought your poll was referring to sex, but then I realised you were talking about books, but my answer is still the same. Nothing beats crawling up with a really good book at night.

God why has everything gone digitalised these days? Very soon we are all going to be walking around naked with 'digital clothes', eating digitised meals, and believing cybersex was the only way they ever did it.

[Kaie]

I love physical, but digital is a good way to be private about what you are reading (sometimes I read self improvement books and don't want the world to know if I am reading at work or in public)

[desertrat]

Not intending to derail your thread, I was taking to this guy about inter net porn , he said he just did not get the point. He said "the real thing is just so much better." desert rat

[wstein]

Aren’t CDs and DVDs digital media??

There may be a valid distinction now between physical items and digital media for a but a short while longer. Soon those will merge and become indistinguishable. Haptic feedback has already made it to cell phones. There have already been successful though so far limited direct brain interfaces. A Matrix like fusion will soon follow.

[elucidate]

I was relieved to see that the majority prefer physical books...as do I.

The world would be seriously at a loss if we were to stop reading books in paperback. As much as I love trees and am a conservationist at heart, there is something about the smell and feel of a book that reminds you of being human.

I have created a kids book, and when it is published it will only be in paperback. I want to be part of keeping books a part of our culture.

[brendannz]

Originally Posted by elucidate

I was relieved to see that the majority prefer physical books...as do I.

The world would be seriously at a loss if we were to stop reading books in paperback. As much as I love trees and am a conservationist at heart, there is something about the smell and feel of a book that reminds you of being human.

I have created a kids book, and when it is published it will only be in paperback. I want to be part of keeping books a part of our culture.

I voted physical, however I wonder in 30-40 years time how a new generation will feel. Because CDs have gone already. I'm a rarity, and I still buy tonnes of CDs, but never buy vinyl.

You can say you like the feel and smell of a book, but a new generation might see that being a bit backward, and like the smell and feel of a digital book reader.

[elucidate]

Originally Posted by brendannz

I voted physical, however I wonder in 30-40 years time how a new generation will feel. Because CDs have gone already. I'm a rarity, and I still buy tonnes of CDs, but never buy vinyl.

I still buy CD's too...for the nostalgia factor, and so I can synch them onto my computer to put in my Mp3.

You can say you like the feel and smell of a book, but a new generation might see that being a bit backward, and like the smell and feel of a digital book reader.

They probably will, which I find a bit scary.

[ZephyrusX]

I love holding a book while reading, but it is a real pain in the ass storing physical items and I'm the type of person who will reread books if I like them. At some point, I can imagine my self getting a Kobo or something equivalent just so I won't have to carry books around with me every time I move. Whether or not I still have books depends upon whether the type of stuff I like to read is available for download some where. Some of the stuff I read isn't too obscure, but I never did see it while my mother was browsing through lists of books to buy on her Kobo. Then again, I'm not really sure how the whole digitization of books is working. Is it possible to go to a digital bookstore that specializes in Restoration and Victorian books? May be some time in the future?

[Helesinine]

I voted for No Preference. Sometimes I read digital e-books or watch videos online, other times I put on a DVD or read a physical book in bed before going to sleep. Right now I'm actually listening to an old audio tape. Haven't done this for a long time.

[TobyBarnes]

Originally Posted by elucidate

I was relieved to see that the majority prefer physical books...as do I.

The world would be seriously at a loss if we were to stop reading books in paperback. As much as I love trees and am a conservationist at heart, there is something about the smell and feel of a book that reminds you of being human.

I have created a kids book, and when it is published it will only be in paperback. I want to be part of keeping books a part of our culture.

I too am relieved. There are some good digital products out there in the webisphere, but you simply can't beat a good physical book.

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned yet, is the fact that it's not good for your eyes to stare at a screen for too long. What do they say?... A 5 min Eye Break break every hour?

You can't lay in bed reading your ebook... unless you print it out