Books - They Don’t Need Batteries

Gerard Vanderleun discusses books versus technology, in a post titled Bleached Woodpulp + Ink + Glue = A Mature Information Retrieval System, which is an interesting little read.  Here are 10 points regarding books’ strengths.

1) No “advanced” technology required. Ability to manufacture present in all areas of the globe.
2 ) Crude but functioning units can be made by kindergartners with pencil, paper and glue.
3) Operating system and interface rock solid.
4) All types of information can be stored.
5) Has been demonstrated to be able to retain information in retrievable form across several thousand years.
6) Of the two, the User will often crash first.
7) All parts can be recycled.
8) All or part can be backed-up at any Kinkos.
9) Can be powered for hours with one candle.
10) All users receive up to 12 years of interface training free.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 02/01 at 08:16 AM

  1. I have so many books, I keep adding more shelves. Nothing like a good paper book. Having said that, the Juju Woman and I both have Nooks. They do serve a purpose. I’m gonna have to put her in Nook rehab, she reads all the time. She’s even rigged a “Nook” stand next to the bath tub.

    One thing I like about the Nook / Kindle, is that some are not back-lit, and you can change the font size…easier on the eyes, especially if you require cheaters.

    Biggest problem is E-books are killing walk in book stores. I use to spend many hours in bookstores on Sunday afternoons…many are closing. Sad.

    Posted by Yabu  on  02/03  at  06:46 AM

  2. Morning, Yabu.  I understand the Nook/Kindle thing.  The Lovely Melis received a Nook from my sons for Christmas and I’ve read one book in the e-format on it.  The biggest advantage I see to the Nook, at the moment, is the ability to download many out of print or obscure tomes which are available for free and that I would like to have in my library.  I’ll still try to find these volumes, though, in a dead tree format.

    Posted by John Venlet  on  02/03  at  08:39 AM

  3. Find me a well used paperback book ten years old that is still in perfectly readable condition.

    of course, you can’t. The nature of paperbacks is that they are made on acid laden paper, and the bindings are temporary at best. Properly bound books, much more expensive, are just as susceptible to damage.

    People point to “old” books unaware of their actual construction- many were made of parchment and are in and of themselves perishable.

    I can carry 3500 books around on a Kindle, in the size of less than one book. I keep it fully charged by connecting it to an $11 solar charger, using zero power from the grid. It resides in a metal case making it impervious to EMP. All of it’s books are backed up on a similarly protected thumb drive. Do you have a copy of the Foxfire books, emergency medical reference, petersons field guide to edible wild plants and enough reading material to keep you busy for a year on you right now? I do.

    Posted by og  on  02/03  at  01:14 PM

  4. Og, you make some good points.  I still love those old books, susceptible to decay though they may be.

    Posted by John Venlet  on  02/03  at  01:59 PM

  5. I won’t discount the appeal of e-books, but I still prefer the companionship of bound ink and paper.
    For small, independent bookstores wherever you may be, try this link: http://www.indiebound.org/

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  02/03  at  03:25 PM

  6. Jon, I was not aware of that site so thanks for that link.

    As an aside, a few weeks ago, I was meandering south down 91 in Michigan and passed a run down building with a dilapidated sign out front that only said “Used Books.”  I was gonna just pass it by, but on second thought I turned around and pulled in.

    The building was for the most part dark, with one light on, that I could see, through a cracked and dirty window.  I went to the door, tugged at the handle and it swung open, so I stuck my head in and hollered “You open?” A voice replied “Yeah, I guess, I just got here.,” so I walked in and was confronted by a guy in duct taped work boots and clothes that appeared to have been slept in.

    Anyway, I introduced myself, and the gent turned on some lights for me, which displayed to my eyes a conglomeration of books stacked hither and thither.  Ended up spending about an hour or so in the place and purchased three books, cheap ($21 bucks).  A first edition Dylan Thomas Me and My Bike, G.K. Chesterton’s Grey Beards at Play (unfortunately a reprint from 1930), and Whitman’s Leaves of Grass from Aventine Press, 1931.

    Can’t wait to go back and dig around some more.

    Posted by John Venlet  on  02/03  at  03:50 PM

  7. I have several thousand books. A lot of fiction, a lot of murder mystery, a lot of spy novels, cop drama, that sort of thing. All read for enjoyment, and some of those books I paid $.35 for, brand new, and that was the cover price.

    I have enjoyed reading them over the years, and some i will always keep and always enjoy. The concept of having an entire reference library in my backpack, though, has amazing appeal. And yes, i always stop everytime I see a sign that says “used books” or “guns”, I’m genetically programmed to do so.

    Posted by og  on  02/03  at  04:30 PM

Name:

Email:

Location:

URL:

Smileys

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Submit the word you see below:


Next entry: Early ED Research and Audience Participation

Previous entry: Protect Yourselves, Mexicans

<< Back to main