If you're tired of lugging a heavy guidebook....
Apr 20th, 2006, 07:46 AM
#21
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I've never seen a Pocket PC or Palm that requires any startup time - when you turn on the switch, it's ready to use. I don't know if this feature is common to all of them, but mine just picks up where you left off when you powered it down.
And if it takes any appreciable time to search a document, there's something wrong with either the machine or the software. As an experiment, I just searched for the last sentence in <u>20,000 Leagues Under the Sea</u>, and Microsoft Reader found it in a second and a half.
Some people prefer to carry books, and that's fine. But they might appreciate knowing that there's an alternative. I find a PC more convenient, flexible, and powerful. And a LOT less hassle than copying, chopping, printing, and binding paper.
Doesn't a pocket computer represent the ultimate goal of all that effort, in that it reduces the size and weight of what one has to carry?
<i>p.s.</i> I'd like to go over the argument that electronics are more environmentally friendly than books - where might find that?
And if it takes any appreciable time to search a document, there's something wrong with either the machine or the software. As an experiment, I just searched for the last sentence in <u>20,000 Leagues Under the Sea</u>, and Microsoft Reader found it in a second and a half.
Some people prefer to carry books, and that's fine. But they might appreciate knowing that there's an alternative. I find a PC more convenient, flexible, and powerful. And a LOT less hassle than copying, chopping, printing, and binding paper.
Doesn't a pocket computer represent the ultimate goal of all that effort, in that it reduces the size and weight of what one has to carry?
<i>p.s.</i> I'd like to go over the argument that electronics are more environmentally friendly than books - where might find that?
Apr 20th, 2006, 10:28 AM
#22
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You will never get prosecuted for it, but technically, photocopying guidebooks borrowed from the library is copyright infringement.
Just as musicians don't want you downloading their music for free, authors don't want you making copies of their books without paying for them.
I do print info from websites and then copy them double-sided to reduce bulk and weight. But I also still take a guidebook, for its maps, opening times, etc.
Just as musicians don't want you downloading their music for free, authors don't want you making copies of their books without paying for them.
I do print info from websites and then copy them double-sided to reduce bulk and weight. But I also still take a guidebook, for its maps, opening times, etc.
Apr 20th, 2006, 10:40 AM
#23
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Assuming it is the same in wherever you live as is in Canada...
Actually auhors would rather you borrow their books from the library, rather than copy from their website. We get paid (Public Lending Rights Commission) for the number of times books are borrowed from libraries as opposed to hits on a website.
Actually auhors would rather you borrow their books from the library, rather than copy from their website. We get paid (Public Lending Rights Commission) for the number of times books are borrowed from libraries as opposed to hits on a website.
Apr 20th, 2006, 10:49 AM
#24
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Ropbjame - Interesting. I thought information posted on the web was essentially "public domain" and therefore not something the author would receive payment for anyway.
I stand corrected.
However, I imagine much of the copying of library books occurs *at* the library and thus does not trigger a check-out process.
I stand corrected.
However, I imagine much of the copying of library books occurs *at* the library and thus does not trigger a check-out process.
Apr 20th, 2006, 11:03 AM
#25
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Lesli you make a good point. There is also a Copyright Clearance Center that pays authors royalties for photocopied material but I am unsure about the mechanics of this and whether libraries are involved in this or only educational institutions and businesses.
Apr 20th, 2006, 11:27 AM
#26
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Maire that sounds like a clever idea... except that I just could not bring myself to chop up a book!
And I shudder when I hear people talking about ripping pages out of guidebooks.
I don't know why (maybe because it was drummed into me as a child that books were to be treated with the utmost "respect"
, it just seems like a terrible thing to tear up a book. (Maybe I'm just too neurotic... I hate it when my husband bends the covers of our books right back).
When I go abroad I love to have paper guidebooks with me, that I can read on the way there and peruse when I get home, that I can line up on my "travel" bookshelves and swap with friends. I don't think electronic versions would give me the same satisfaction. Perhaps as a complement to a book... but not instead of!
And I shudder when I hear people talking about ripping pages out of guidebooks.
I don't know why (maybe because it was drummed into me as a child that books were to be treated with the utmost "respect"
, it just seems like a terrible thing to tear up a book. (Maybe I'm just too neurotic... I hate it when my husband bends the covers of our books right back).When I go abroad I love to have paper guidebooks with me, that I can read on the way there and peruse when I get home, that I can line up on my "travel" bookshelves and swap with friends. I don't think electronic versions would give me the same satisfaction. Perhaps as a complement to a book... but not instead of!
Apr 20th, 2006, 12:15 PM
#27
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Thanks Hanl...and I understand how you feel. I'm not a book-bender either.
However, I also know how I travel, and the poor guide books will be totally bent, torn, ripped, or otherwise a mess by the time my trip is over anyway (even if I didn't rip pages out of it); so this way I can take the pages I want on a daily basis, keep the rest neat, and not have to lug the book.
However, I also know how I travel, and the poor guide books will be totally bent, torn, ripped, or otherwise a mess by the time my trip is over anyway (even if I didn't rip pages out of it); so this way I can take the pages I want on a daily basis, keep the rest neat, and not have to lug the book.
Apr 20th, 2006, 12:25 PM
#28
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I find myself doing this for my last few trips (Paris, Spain, Thailand); I make my own personal guide book and buy one.
The one I buy is usually the Eyewitness Guides by Knopf which focuses mainly on sightseeing rather than restaurants and hotels. Since I usually book hotels in advance, I don't need that info. I do a TON of restaurant research before I leave and that's the info that I cut and paste into my personal guidebook, along with obscure sightseeing tips, infoon markets, shopping , etc. Then I can take just the pages I need with me each day.
The one I buy is usually the Eyewitness Guides by Knopf which focuses mainly on sightseeing rather than restaurants and hotels. Since I usually book hotels in advance, I don't need that info. I do a TON of restaurant research before I leave and that's the info that I cut and paste into my personal guidebook, along with obscure sightseeing tips, infoon markets, shopping , etc. Then I can take just the pages I need with me each day.
