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Post by Carma on Aug 13, 2009 12:11:40 GMT -5
Most of us have probably downloaded some music, movies or tv series. Not all legal... probably . But I was wondering something. I read something about people being afraid that now that e-books are getting more popular, that people will start downloading books, illegally. Just like they do now with movies etc. My question is: would you download a book for free, just because you can? And I'd like an honest answer, not a PC one . I don't think I'll ever get into the whole e-book stuff, because I prefer reading on paper. But if I put that aside. I think I would sometimes download a book, to see if it is any good. Maybe I'd buy it later, but maybe I won't. Since I keep saying I will buy a dvd box of a tv series that I've downloaded all the episodes of, but then I'm at the store and I think: Well, this is just way too expensive. Then I don't buy it and watch the episodes again on my computer. So I guess I can't trust myself on that point of view... I think it would probably be the same way... But on the other hand, I'd like to support the writer by buying his/her book. Like from time to time I do buy the cd that I've already listened to. I'd like to know your opinions.
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Isa
Administrator
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Post by Isa on Aug 13, 2009 12:32:11 GMT -5
Good question! I honestly don't think I would - Believe it or not I've never downloaded movies, and I've never downloaded music illegally - I always buy it off itunes. I'm not into e-books either, and I find it hard to believe I ever will be, but you never know... If I do get into e-books though, I think it's safe to say I'd buy the books. For me it's a matter of principle and also I don't want to have to deal with the crap that sometimes get into your computer when you download stuff illegally
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Halie
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
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Post by Halie on Aug 13, 2009 15:06:30 GMT -5
Good question! I honestly don't think I would - Believe it or not I've never downloaded movies, and I've never downloaded music illegally - I always buy it off itunes. I'm not into e-books either, and I find it hard to believe I ever will be, but you never know... If I do get into e-books though, I think it's safe to say I'd buy the books. For me it's a matter of principle and also I don't want to have to deal with the crap that sometimes get into your computer when you download stuff illegally Agree on all points. I have had someone on Youtube send me a song because it wasn't available in the US. But generally I buy songs or copy them off CDs I already have. So I wouldn't download illegally. But, I probably wouldn't use e-Books at all, at least not on a computer. Staring at a screen for so long really hurts my eyes. For example, I've only been on less than an hour and my eyes are already starting to strain. Down the road I'd like to try out a Kindle though, as I've heard there's no glare. But, nothing can replace books for me! Interesting topic, Carma, thanks for bringing it up.
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sandy
First poem written for Mother’s Day
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Post by sandy on Aug 14, 2009 0:46:35 GMT -5
Two days before Harry Potter 7 came out, my friend downloaded the book. He told me it was a bit blurry, but clear enough to read. I got my copy the day it was actually released. I remember sitting on my sofa, reading page after page through all the excitement of HP 7. I look back today and I'm grateful that I had the actual paper copy to read. I can't imagine myself sitting at a computer screen for that day it took me to read the book. Somehow a computer screen just feels so impersonal. For me, an e-copy will never be able to replace a good ole worn out paperback.
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bookworm
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
"Everything you can imagine is real" - Pablo Picasso
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Post by bookworm on Aug 14, 2009 3:20:47 GMT -5
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Post by Carma on Aug 15, 2009 11:29:45 GMT -5
Yes, I also seriously doubt I'll ever get into e-books. I just like to collect books and put them on my shelves. But then again, I've never tried and e-book, maybe I'll love it! I do think it is interesting to see where the e-book bussiness is going. Will it replace most regular books in 20 years time? I hope not! . I'm also curious to know if people would download books illegally. Maybe when books are really expensive, but I don't think they are... Usually when I buy a cd I think: woww, this is actually pretty expensive (I mean the 20 euro ones, not the 10 euro ones)
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Isa
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Post by Isa on Aug 15, 2009 18:16:58 GMT -5
I'm also tempted to say I won't ever get into e-books, but bookaddict once wrote about how she didn't think she'd be downloading music and now she is - it's the same thing for me, I thought I'd never download music but now I do, even though I still buy CDs... but I have to admit, I've never felt about CDs the way I feel about books
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Lu
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Post by Lu on Aug 17, 2009 5:22:49 GMT -5
I thought about that matter, downloading books for free. I wouldn't download books, because I prefer reading on paper and (mostly) because I can borrow books from library for free.
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mv
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
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Post by mv on Aug 17, 2009 14:10:54 GMT -5
I have actually downloaded books and read them at work sometimes, but they don't feel like real books. And my eyes get really tired from staring at the computer screen (maybe it's time to get glasses? ). I definitely prefer real books!
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Post by bookaddict on Aug 18, 2009 9:17:10 GMT -5
I have the Sony Reader and I love it. I still buy books but I switch between the reader and real books. I love the Sony Reader because it is really small compared to tradepaperback or Hardcover. The Sony Reader is great for vacation, I can bring over 100 books with me. The Reader doesn't have glare and it is not like reading on a computer screen, it looks like a real book. Many times, Hardcovers don't get read because I don't want to carry it around. So, I try to buy them for my reader and I have no problems.
The only time I've downloaded a free ebook, is if I already owned it in paper format.
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Post by Steph on Aug 19, 2009 15:27:08 GMT -5
Hm. Interesting. I have searched sometimes for one book that I couldn't find anywhere, but was available online. I tried to read it, but I stopped at page 10. For some reason I don't like reading books on my computer, I like to see it in front of me. I do have to read a lot for my classes at college on the computer, but I always print the material so I always have it with me (plus I force myself to read it when I did print it, just because I paid for it ). So, no downloading for me, I like my books printed.
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oureternity
Collection of short stories bought by Random House
bam.
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Post by oureternity on Aug 20, 2009 9:18:13 GMT -5
I thought about doing so too, but it's just not fun reading things off the computer. It gives me a headache and it hurts my eyes, haha. I mean, if I need to just flip through a book to find something, I think it can be a good solution but for actually reading the book, nah I don't think so.
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