ebook readers

Sorry but my feelings are negative.

I still find the paper version much better, some examples.

Farnell and RS component catalogues are many times quicker and better than either the CD or online alternative.

When debugging software, printing it out as a hard copy is sometimes the only way to really check for that last elusive typo' which is screwing it up, as you can go line by line and tick it off, and see more than 'a screen full' at one time .

Finally the tactile feel of a book...you can also put your coffee mug on it!

Please don't let this disscourage you...

" I'm ancient and retired"

I'll be getting there soon. I watched my dad waste 20 odd years of early retirement , so I'm glad you aren't doing the same.

I wish you every success in this or any other project you take on.

Best Regards

Del

"Farnell and RS component catalogues are many times quicker and better than either the CD or online alternative"

I'm 100% (or maybe 1000%) with you on this, but I must say that a lot of it is down to the pathetic organization of the sites and the search facilities. I've fired e-mail comments (at RS in particular) 'til my fingers are numb, with absolutely no response.

The RS site, for instance, times out after about 15 minutes of inactivity. You may have spent an hour sieving through the crap that a search produces, finally found what you want .. then the phone rings. By the time you get back to it, you try to open the datasheet - and the damned thing tells you that "for security" and "to protect your personal details" or some-such rubbish, you have to start again from square one. This, when I haven't even logged in!

With the paper version, "you can .. put your coffee mug on it" to mark the page, and it'll still be there after the phone call, or after lunch, or the pub, or whatever.

Having had my rant, I should point out that a lot of these shortcomings are down to poor design. I think there may be some future in ebooks (particularly given the ability to search them), but they'll have to be very well thought out to match hard copy.

red123 - good luck!

Hi John

I just wanted to add that I think your issues are software related like you said. If they want your business then shouldn't the site be user friendly? When I was last working it was before these 'DIS'advantages. We only had catalogues and I found myself on the phone to my rep about everyday! Some things stay the same, huh?

If you want to know how good this can be you should get a wii or new xbox. these games are amazing. I can play tennis with you across the pond in real time. I can go on the internet and shop with my TV remote. Some how these advances have not made it into the technical ivory tower.

But if you read my previous answer, I am answering a need I have in my own home, to help my children with all the demands and overprogramming they must endure. I want to put engineering to use to make my life easier.

Thanks for letting me rant. I'll be back.

-red123

No doubt McMaster and DigiKey sites are good ennough, or better than to have a paper catalog.

Sometimes I print a page to use as a cofee mug coaster.

Good online resource [MacmasterCarr]

Bad online resource [Grainger ]

mmc good search function, muliple ways to navigate, un obtrusive security........

grainger slow, useless search, security times out very quickly, wouldn't use it if it wasn't local [will calls] & reasonable $$

Grainger is not very usefull, as a supplier either.

I found Fastenal a good McMaster alternative. You make searches on McMaster and can order with them using McMaster numbers.

My bad experience purchasing at Grainger was lead time passing from 4 weekg to 8 weeks for Loctite product, in stock at Loctite. Resolved an in hand in 3 days at Fastenal. Also saved 30% $$$.

Sadly McMaster does not open new accounts anymore in Canada.

Agree about Grainger. I dont know about situation in your area, but unless you are a business-based customer, you are not welcome to purchase from them.

You can tell them [Grainger] you are paying cash for an existing account holder.

I may have a different impression because I have a location locally & can walk in & talk to a person.

If they don't have what you want in stock you're taking your chances on delivery time.

The real point is the online catalogue [grainger] is terrible.

MMC's is wonderful, they ship the same day but their prices are higher.

MMC won a well deserved award for their site I remember well. Design News perhaps.

All others should take notice.

Some companies have their site structure similar to having catalog pages not numbered in sequence!

Hi Del,

Thank you for your response. I agree that the paper version is currently better then the amateurs or the king - Sony. I have been up against Goliath before, my first job out of school was at a startup named Compaq Computer. The point being the computer was invented and in the market, it was just designed differently. If the product is good, people come. But I do believe price overrides all other concerns and the publishing houses control things tightly. I wait for paperback versions of bestsellers. That is a different problem.

So, I was going to start with students and a world where everything is locked into place and is free. Gutenburg Project, free literature, and the common need for textbook material. My 13 year old carries an outrageous amount of books and paper that easily be brought into the digital world. I have an idea for something no larger then an 8 1/2 by 11 piece of paper, maybe the thickness of a paper folder that would fit inside a 3 ring binder. As for taking notes on them, that is a must, my child may have changed her middle name to flashdrive. Battery life is everything here, but I can make anything work as long as they charge it overnight, like they do their cell phones. Or you can have an extra battery charging while using the first. And of course, cost,cost, cost. I think it can be made so everyone must have one, not this $300 range business. College debt is already ridiculous.

As for catalogues, sounds like another prime area. More of a software issue though.

My husband is a physician that recently moved into a paperless office situation and he loves it. As painful as it was for him to have data scanned in, once it was done, he eliminated errors and sped up performance. It is based on templates.

Thanks for your support and I'll let you know how things progress.

-red123

The computer screen is up against an invention 5000 years in the making! The printed book was a revolution - more than that, it was a new paradigm!!!

The computer screen takes us all the way back to the scroll. People hated the scroll, that's why the book took off the way it did. Stick your finger in it to hold your place, then flip to another section. Then, go back to where your finger is. This does not work very well on the computer screen because, intrinsically, it is a scroll no matter what you do.

It's very easy to get lost in hypertext.

Like all said , I too am passonate for paper books , though i spend more time on monitors reading , but satisfaction is better off on books , though books are bulky and heavy to carry but that screams for wealth of knowledge not information . Internet , CD`s , online informations are okay from need of the time.