The main thing I learned from last week’s polls was I need to hone my poll-creator skills. I could have added a few more options. Probably a survey would have better severed my objective. Live and learn. The results also provided a private lesson, somewhat sobering, which I’ll address in a future post.
One of the factors not considered in the polls is the age of the responders, which could definitely skew the results. If all the responders had been under the age of twenty-five, the results would have weighed more heavily in the favor of e-readers and books. Still, as it is, e-readers win.
If we add voters who want an e-reader to those who already have one, plus half of those still weighing the pros and cons, electronic readers received 64% of the vote. And the Kindle is the leader of the readers.
Because of my ineptness, the other polls are not so clear-cut. Did some of those who have readers also vote in the reader app poll? Did some of those who voted they don’t use any reader apps, do so because they have a dedicated e-reader? Or are they so opposed to electronic books they won’t even use a free app to read some of the free e-books?
I was most interested to see that, apparently, even some of you who own readers would still buy books in print format at triple the price. Three of you even said you’d buy both versions. I’m curious which print books you’d prefer over their e-format. Reference books with color photos would be a good choice for me. I would also buy my favorite authors’ books in print format.
To me, it’s obvious electronic readers are here to stay. I’m not convinced they are more ecological. I’m not convinced that visually it looks “just like paper.” I am convinced, for traveling readers, they’re a fantastic convenience. I am convinced they are far superior to reading a book on a monitor, especially outdoors (except on maybe the iPad or other back-lit readers.)
Love them or hate them, I think ebooks are here to stay, and possibly be the only format for some books in the future. And I think, eventually, nearly all those who voted NEVER, will change their minds.
Interesting results. I just like the feel of a book in my hands.
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I do too, Duke, but I can see the uses of an e-reader and will eventually own one.
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Shouldn’t our first lesson in life be, never say never…
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Should be, but I’m still trying to learn it. 😉
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I should have entered this poll! I have a nook and love it. I use it for free domain books, my scriptures, papers, unpublished book reading and I buy things on it that I would buy in paperback form, especially when I’m on vacay and don’t want to carry books around. The books I want to hold on to forever I buy in hardback.
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That sounds perfect, Candi. I plan to buy a reader at some point and will use it pretty much the way you do.
(hint) You could subscribe to my blog, so you don’t miss out on the next amazing poll. 😉
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I agree with you that the NEVER people will probably change along with the times. If all books were available in e-form now, I’d be a happy reader of e-books. I would make it a priority to get one. I don’t think this is the case now, but this may change. Blessings…
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I just hope the technology doesn’t change to something else the week after I finally buy my e-reader. 🙂
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doesn’t it always?
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