Giles' Greatest Nightmare Come True

white avenger

white avenger

white avenger
Joined
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rome, georgia
I was looking through the book titles at Amazon.com a little earlier, and I found this:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1607259842/sr=1-3/qid=1241357318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1241357318&sr=1-3&seller="]Amazon.com: Title: Great Science Fiction e-Library (Over 185 Titles on ONE TINY USB FLASH DRIVE): UniteddigitalBooks: Books[/ame]

It just reminded me of Giles bursting into Wood's office in "Lies My Parents Told Me" bewailing the fact that there were no books in the new library. It brings up an interesting thought. How much longer can it be before all of our dvd's and cd's will be obsolete and all of our movies, tv shows, music, and books will be available on flash drives?
 
The majority of my fiance and I's movie collection is on a hard drive, and all of my cds are packed in boxes that haven't been opened for over year, because I just use my laptop.

I have wondered in the past why you can't just buy things on usb instead of compact disc format. CD's and DVD's are completely hopeless, they scratch way to easily, the cases that they're bought in break to easily, and they're a waste of space, especially when you just upload them all and then pack them away. No wonder so many people just download things from the internet - compact discs just seem completely outdated.

Books though? I dunno. You can't lie in a bath and read something that is on usb, and it's just not the same. I would never want a book replaced with a computer screen. I'm with the Giles quote "Knowledge should be tangible, it should be smelly"
 
caitaintdead said:
Books though? I dunno. You can't lie in a bath and read something that is on usb, and it's just not the same. I would never want a book replaced with a computer screen. I'm with the Giles quote "Knowledge should be tangible, it should be smelly"
Click to expand...

Just imagine, though, being able to carry your entire library around with you wherever you go, not just fiction, but reference books, tech manuals, the kind of reference material that engineers, doctors, scientists and technicians of all sorts might need in the course of their work (even a complete reference file for demons and vampires, if you happen to be a Slayer or Rogue demon hunter).

Plus, I just found this:


Coming soon: Movies on flash memory cards - CNET News

So you'll also be able to take along all 7 seasons of "Buffy" and all 5 seasons of "Angel" in a package smaller than a pack of chewing gum.
 
I kinda enjoy holding a book, turning the pages, and not be looking at digitalized stuff all the time. If all our belongings like that would end on a drive...It'll be sad. Just because we can do it, doesn't mean we should do it.
 
F
Fake Shemp
im with you and giles, info should be smelly, and what happens when theres a glitch and we loose all the digital data?
Digital books would be really rubbish! I couldn't stand not being able to read a proper book. Plus, reading on a screen would absolutely destroy your eyes!
 
I agree that the disk media is becoming rapidly outdated. But at the same time, it still manages to maintain a last tiny grasp on the romance of books. I mean, they're packaged in boxes of that shape for a reason, after all. And some of the packaging...well, I'm looking at my LotR extended edition box set right now, and my LotR complete score recordings on CD. You just wouldn't get things as nice as that with usb or flash media. I don't think so, anyway. You couldn't justify it. And I'd miss that.

Of course, we use far too much packaging as it is, and on most CDs/DVDs it's completely unnecessary. But those extra special ones make it almost worth it for me.

Regarding books though, I agree, I don't think the experience of reading a physical paper book should be lost. But I have to say, I wouldn't pass up a Kindle. Also, the availability of out of print editions etc would be a huge benefit. But I can only see it as a supplement to physical books.

Unless they can make a Kindle that has a time released "Eau du Parchment", of course.
 
F
Fake Shemp
i like the ownership and artwork, i mean thats out the window with music now, i remember the artwork of LPs and its just not there anymore
Lindsey McDonald said:
I agree that the disk media is becoming rapidly outdated. But at the same time, it still manages to maintain a last tiny grasp on the romance of books. I mean, they're packaged in boxes of that shape for a reason, after all. And some of the packaging...well, I'm looking at my LotR extended edition box set right now, and my LotR complete score recordings on CD. You just wouldn't get things as nice as that with usb or flash media. I don't think so, anyway. You couldn't justify it. And I'd miss that.

Of course, we use far too much packaging as it is, and on most CDs/DVDs it's completely unnecessary. But those extra special ones make it almost worth it for me.
Click to expand...

People said that when CD's where beginning to replace records. And to some degree, some people still do - I find a lot more magic in listening to a vinyl then I do a CD or mp3. I enjoy getting a limited edition press, with fantastic art work, and having the thrill of playing it, and looking at it.
So, it is unfortunate that as things progress a lot of magic is lost when it comes to the media that you own, but I think, that as long as records and cds are available then I can get over it. It just makes the things that you appreciate more special.
Perhaps that is what can happen with books as well. If you have a favourite book, or a classic, then you can own it, and it can become something more then a book, something to read, it becomes a work of art, something to cherish. Just like records I have.
 
caitaintdead said:
The majority of my fiance and I's movie collection is on a hard drive, and all of my cds are packed in boxes that haven't been opened for over year, because I just use my laptop.

I have wondered in the past why you can't just buy things on usb instead of compact disc format. CD's and DVD's are completely hopeless, they scratch way to easily, the cases that they're bought in break to easily, and they're a waste of space, especially when you just upload them all and then pack them away. No wonder so many people just download things from the internet - compact discs just seem completely outdated.

Books though? I dunno. You can't lie in a bath and read something that is on usb, and it's just not the same. I would never want a book replaced with a computer screen. I'm with the Giles quote "Knowledge should be tangible, it should be smelly"
Click to expand...

USB is a lot more expensive than dvd disc so i do not forsee it becoming option unless you willing to pay a lot more for the movies, books or whatever else in mind.
 
i really hate the idea that books, actual tangible, smelly books, could be replaced in just a short while by screens. i hate that new kindle thing...i would really miss holding a book, turning the pages. there's just something about it, especially old books.
 
I love the feeling of reading a book, running my fingers over the pages I have left to go, the smell and feel.
Bending the spine when i've read a whole chunk of it or have read it over and over.
I'd hate to have digital books take over, but I don't think they will.
 
sweetescape said:
I love the feeling of reading a book, running my fingers over the pages I have left to go, the smell and feel.
Bending the spine when i've read a whole chunk of it or have read it over and over.
I'd hate to have digital books take over, but I don't think they will.
Click to expand...

Haha, I always make sure my books have lots of big dents in the spines! It's how a book should look once it's been read. One of my friends on my course hates having any marks on her books, she doesn't read them fully open or anything! That's book sacrilege as far as I'm concerned!

You couldn't make dents in the spine of a digital screen...
 
Sweetescape
Sweetescape
you HAVE to bend them! its how to show you've read it! lol
While I'm all for the advancement of technology, I think it would be really stupid to do away with books completely. In my opinion, it's not smart to rely soley on computers and electronic devices, and I'd hate to lose the feel of a good book in my hands when I want to read. 🙂
 
white avenger said:
I was looking through the book titles at Amazon.com a little earlier, and I found this:

Amazon.com: Title: Great Science Fiction e-Library (Over 185 Titles on ONE TINY USB FLASH DRIVE): UniteddigitalBooks: Books

It just reminded me of Giles bursting into Wood's office in "Lies My Parents Told Me" bewailing the fact that there were no books in the new library. It brings up an interesting thought. How much longer can it be before all of our dvd's and cd's will be obsolete and all of our movies, tv shows, music, and books will be available on flash drives?
Click to expand...

I don't like this idea at all. Call me old fashioned, but I enjoy having an actual book to carry around with me and read. And actual DVDs.
 
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