The idea that ebooks will somehow replace paper books reminds me of the fears of the movie industry about videotapes killing movie theaters.
Books are already viewed at home or wherever you take them. Movies can be viewed at the theater or at home (or location of the DVD player) but that is pretty much it. You can't store and transport movies like you can ebooks.
On the other hand, I think things like iphones and kindle may make print newspapers and magazines less ubiquitous. Purely anecdotal, of course, but the five or six people I've observed using the Kindle were all reading either USA Today or the Wall Street Journal.
They are still in their growing pains. I thought about the Sony or the Kindle 2 recently but decided not to. From what I read Sony and one of the other companies have some new models coming out that will rival Kindle 2's functions. I think in another generation or two I will be purchasing one - something I never would have seen myself doing a few years ago. A lot of people like me just don't want all the books on our shelves anymore.
Personally, I like the way books look on my shelf.
Books are already viewed at home or wherever you take them. Movies can be viewed at the theater or at home (or location of the DVD player) but that is pretty much it. You can't store and transport movies like you can ebooks.
On the other hand, I think things like iphones and kindle may make print newspapers and magazines less ubiquitous. Purely anecdotal, of course, but the five or six people I've observed using the Kindle were all reading either USA Today or the Wall Street Journal.
They are still in their growing pains. I thought about the Sony or the Kindle 2 recently but decided not to. From what I read Sony and one of the other companies have some new models coming out that will rival Kindle 2's functions. I think in another generation or two I will be purchasing one - something I never would have seen myself doing a few years ago. A lot of people like me just don't want all the books on our shelves anymore.
Personally, I like the way books look on my shelf.

But wine was the great assassin of both tradition and propriety...
-Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings
-Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings
E-books could spell the end for hardbacks, warns Hachette chief
31/08/2009 04:32:35 AM
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I wouldn't put too much stock into that anytime soon
31/08/2009 05:07:02 AM
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I agree with you very much on that last sentence.
31/08/2009 05:50:37 AM
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I only buy hardcovers and am willing to pay a premium for them
31/08/2009 05:11:26 AM
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I like tradepaper backs too.
31/08/2009 05:17:08 AM
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Re: I like tradepaper backs too.
31/08/2009 02:16:25 PM
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I doubt hardcopy books are doomed.
31/08/2009 05:13:38 AM
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I don't agree with the comparison. *NM*
01/09/2009 05:31:37 AM
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I imagine that it's paperbacks which are under more of a threat
31/08/2009 04:26:26 PM
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Re: I imagine that it's paperbacks which are under more of a threat
01/09/2009 05:46:12 AM
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Re: I imagine that it's paperbacks which are under more of a threat
01/09/2009 04:21:08 PM
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well, i'd say yes, but no...
31/08/2009 07:22:51 PM
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Re: well, i'd say yes, but no...
01/09/2009 06:02:14 AM
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yeah... one of the cool things is that i no longer have to wait fo paperbacks....
01/09/2009 10:00:19 PM
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