MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
but sometimes he needs to remember to do something:
[img] 
[/img]
He is clearly the Malvern Hills version of Flavor Flav.
Oh my Dad beats that hands down!
Proper old-school luddite.
I saw him unpacking from a holiday once (couple of years ago maybe) and out of his big rucksack, he pulled out a Walkman and a pile of tapes. Then a pile of paperbacks.
It was quite sweet really, I didn't have the heart to tell him that a 2cm x 2cm iPod held more tracks than he could listen to in half a lifetime and a Kindle could hold 2000 books.
It reminds me a little bit of the story (don't know whether it is true or not but highly plausible) about Nasa spending millions of dollars on developing the space pen so astronauts could write in space whereas the Russians (ok pedants - the Soviets) took pencils.
If it works it works - why go overkill?..
He does know non-smartphones have alarms and whatnot on them, right? 😛
[quote=Jamie said]He does know non-smartphones have alarms and whatnot on them, right?
Ditto wris****ches.
It reminds me a little bit of the story (don't know whether it is true or not but highly plausible) about Nasa spending millions of dollars on developing the space pen so astronauts could write in space whereas the Russians (ok pedants - the Soviets) took pencils.
It's not true.
Imagine snapping the 'lead' off your pencil in zero-G and watching it go pinging off around the capsule... Graphite is a conductor, so once it pings into a circuit board or something, it could cause all sorts of problems.
My father-in-law is over to stay at the moment and didn't have my new mobile number so I gave him it. Instead of adding it to the contacts list in his phone he wrote it on the piece of paper that he keeps tucked away in the battery compartment with everyones contact details on.
The suspense is killing me!
[img] 
[/img]
Bloke i work with does exactly the same.. hangs a timer round his neck to remind him to do something in 30mins etc.
If it works, why change?
My father-in-law is over to stay at the moment and didn't have my new mobile number so I gave him it. Instead of adding it to the contacts list in his phone he wrote it on the piece of paper that he keeps tucked away in the battery compartment with everyones contact details on.
Brilliant!
He'd forgotten why he set it anyway or say "What the hell is that noise?"
If it works, why change?
And if it doesn't work, you get a loud alarm going off while you think "Shit, what was it I was supposed to remember?!"
//imagines Countdown music as time approaches zero//
Graphite is a conductor, so once it pings into a circuit board or something, it could cause all sorts of problems.
They could use wax crayons instead. Is there a Russian equivalent of Crayola?
😯
[img] 
[/img]
I dunno - I'm imagining him walking into an airport wearing it and the whole place getting closed down!! 🙂
Rachel
Although I recognise the usefulness of Kindle, compact size with loads of material and good for ladies to secretly read "50 Shades..." whilst commuting, it's just not the same as reading a real, honest-to-goodness book with real pages that you turn.
I've no use for "smart" phones either - a phone that texts is all I need.
I'm not a Dad though - as far as I know - and as for needing an alarm to remind me to do things? Well, there was that thing the other day that, um, was... hang on...
miketually, thanks for that, I always thought it had an 'urban legend' feel about it.
[url] http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp [/url]
Although I recognise the usefulness of Kindle, compact size with loads of material and good for ladies to secretly read "50 Shades..." whilst commuting, it's just not the same as reading a real, honest-to-goodness book with real pages that you turn.
Actually a kindle is better, it is more ergonomic and easier, a book is it's contents not the method of delivery.
It was a bomb, and the Iron Man get to him in time 🙁
Stoner - MemberIt was a bomb,
That's what I said, and look what happened.
Jamie - updates please 😯
[img] 
[/img]
*must try harder*
Best lol in ages Jamie, thanks 🙂
Did he remember?
I love mechanical egg timers. I like setting them all to slightly different times in a shop and then wandering off sharp-ish.
Actually a kindle is better, it is more ergonomic and easier, a book is it's contents not the method of delivery.
Kindle is good and bad.
Don't like the fact that you can't flick through a kindle to find a particular section of a book and the '% remaining' indicator stuff is no way as nice as 'page XX' IMO.
I use a Kindle for novels, but can't imagine using it for factual books.
I find a Kindle without a 'book style' case harder to hold and read, so mine has ended up being put in a 'book cover' style case to make it easier to hold while reading.
😆
Word up?
That was by Cameo. Does Stoner Senior sport a codpiece?
Kindle is a lot easier to handle if it's a huge book, of course, regardless of cover.
Jamie - 😀
I've lost track of how many internets you've won now. You must nearly have a set?
It reminds me a little bit of the story (don't know whether it is true or not but highly plausible) about Nasa spending millions of dollars on developing the space pen so astronauts could write in space whereas the Russians (ok pedants - the Soviets) took pencils.
Not true, the pens already existed, NASA just took advantage of having the technology available at the appropriate time.
Oh, and genuine LOL at Jamie!
Phah, neat Jamie 😆
I love mechanical egg timers. I like setting them all to slightly different times in a shop and then wandering off sharp-ish.
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who does this 🙂
Alternative:
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
a Kindle could hold 2000 books.
But paperbacks don't depend on being charged and don't break if dropped on on a hard surface. Can you pass on a Kindle book to someone else after you have read it or pick them up for a quid in charity shops?
I often read 2000 books, like all the time
How do you fold the corner of the kindle over to save your page? Bust the last one trying!
Jamie, awesome stuff!
Jamie I thank you.
excellent work. I shall show Stoner Sr when he's finished oiling his bath-chair wheels and winding the gramaphone.
You *can* pass a Kindle book on but would possibly be breaking Amazon's T&C's in doing so...
But paperbacks don't depend on being charged and don't break if dropped on on a hard surface. Can you pass on a Kindle book to someone else after you have read it or pick them up for a quid in charity shops?
They get just as soggy when dropped in the loo, though.
Plus, just think how much your baggage allowance suffers trying to take several 600 page novels on holiday.
I never pass on books after I've read them, because I'm going to want to read them again, and I never go hunting for cheap books in charity shops; most of the stuff I've found in second-hand shops I've already read, if it's something I'm interested in.
Although, I have managed to find hardcover versions of favourite paperbacks through on-line dealers, but that's different.
You can't read a kindle in the bath
Or throw it at amorous cats
You can't read a kindle in the bath
[url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterproof-Amazon-Kindle-Paperwhite-Keyboard/dp/B00923Y0I4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377090802&sr=8-1&keywords=kindle+waterproof+case ]Yes you can.
[img] 
[/img][/url]
Mate's dad (very health & safety conscious) used to unplug the answering machine when they went out "because it might cause a fire".. Hm.
Can you pass on a Kindle book to someone else after you have read it or pick them up for a quid in charity shops?
If you're going to have a paper vs Kindle argument:
1) I have to go out to a shop to buy paper books, I can't browse for reviews or comments on books and buy them instantly at 11pm within 5 mins of finishing something else.
2) I can buy English books in foreign countries, instantly of course
3) I can get enormous volumes of stuf for free or at least under a quid. Complete works of Jules Verne, sir? That'll be 79p please.
4) It's easier to read in bed, you don't have to hold up a big heavy book with one hand. Books actually aren't that convenient for bed reading, we are just used to them.
5) I can't check news or weather on a paperback novel 🙂
6) Paperbacks generally only contain one story not a dozen novels and another dozen non-fiction
7) Amazon has way way more books in it than a conventional shop
8 ) Amazon also does the 'you may also like' bit which is fantastic - of course a good bookseller would help you along those lines too, but when was the last time you met one of those? Who was equally knowledgable in all genres of fiction and non-fiction?
.It's easier to read in bed, you don't have to hold up a big heavy book with one hand
Are you a T. Rex?
Can't throw kindles at the cat.
They don't look nice on book shelves.
No such thing as antique kindles.
Can't get First Edition kindles.
Can't prop things up with a kindle.
I've got books and a kindle. Prefer books!
You can throw kindles at cats.
First edition Kindle:
[img] 
[/img]
This thread was far better on the first page.
This reminds me of the time I was teaching my dear old mum how to use a mobile phone, it took me days before she was confident enough to actually use it to make a call.
Anyhow, I came back from work one day to find my Mum looking pleased as punch, and she proceeded to tell me how she had used the phone to have a really long conversation with my sister and how she had even managed to receive a text message from her.
"Really" said I, "What did it say" astonished at her new found technical skills.
"Well, she must've been taking the mickey out of me for being on the phone so long, because she sent a text saying, Your battery is low".
"Mum! That's the phone telling you it needs charging!
W are not all techy types.
I do have a mobile but its the most simple thing going. ~WTF would I want to do any more than call some one in an emergency. Actually its to keep the missus happy if I am away.
My dad does the paper bit for the phone but his has the instructions on it for starting the thing as well.
Kindles are limited. Very little non fiction, nothing old except classics and "book" cost a fortune compared with charity shops. Batteries flatten and who the hell goes near a power point or carries a charger on a tour. I haven't even brought my phone on holiday
Kindles are a very convenient way to store many novels.
They're just not the same as having a real book in your hands.
Bit like comparing a vinyl LP to an ipod download. They both contain the same music but one of them is special.
Paper books are not special. Without the words it would be bog paper. Books are only special because of their contents; now the kindle contains books it becomes special.
Matsccm you do realise Kindle lasts weeks on a single charge? I found plenty of non fiction for me on there, and there is easily more than a normal town bokshop. And of course if you really need a particular book you can stil buy them as well 🙂
Paper books are not special. Without the words it would be bog paper. Books are only special because of their contents; now the kindle contains books it becomes special
Well der, a book without words eh? that wouldn't be a book then would it?
😆
People will differ in their opinions obv.
I notice you didn't shoot down the vinyl comparison? Plenty would, we each have our own views based upon the things that we have experienced and the things in our lives which have held meaning or have strong memories of.
I notice you didn't shoot down the vinyl comparison?
Low hanging fruit. I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than go back to vinyl.
My father-in-law is over to stay at the moment and didn't have my new mobile number so I gave him it. Instead of adding it to the contacts list in his phone he wrote it on the piece of paper that he keeps tucked away in the battery compartment with everyones contact details on.
Brilliant!
Which he will still have when your iTunes/Google acc has been corrupted and lost. It will also only include the people he is likely to ring as opposed to "Dave R" who you can't remember.
Btw I work developing new tech and use a basic Nokia cos its better than ur not so smart smartphones.
Knackered if he loses his phone though.
I doubt he'd stress that's the point.
[s]Btw I work developing new tech[/s] and use a basic Nokia cos its better than ur not so smart smartphones.
As a phone, or as a smartphone?
My stuff is backed up online automatically 🙂
You quoting, editing and challenging in defence of a consumer device?
Erm, no? I was just leaving in the relevant bit, and asking you to clarify what you meant. As an old school Nokia probably is better a phone than a iPhone, due to being a more focused device. But, as a smartphone, it's bobbins.
It all seem fairly straightforward, but I get the feeling you have some sort of point to prove, so will graciously step aside.
I love proper books but Kindles are excellent.
A customer recently gave me approx 4Gb of books on a memory stick, that would take up most of the rooms in my house if they were actual books.
I still like books and will continue to buy them, can't be arsed with vinyl anymore tho.
Can read Kindle in the bath in a plastic ziplock bag, can read it in bed with the light off and disturb my lass less.
I love being able to download a book that I've been made aware of by a friend/the internet instantly and be able to read it straight away, the number of books I must have been recommended over the years but forgot to follow up is a bit depressing.
On balance, Kindles rule.
Got a kindle.
Went back to paper books.
Books are better to use and I say that being a linux nerd, there's just something that is laggy and a pain in the arse about my kindle. Also, I go on spending sprees buying shit books that I never properly read when I have a kindle. I don't do the same with proper books. Also I find that if I go to a bookshop and spend an hour browsing I find books that I might never have read had I just used teh internetz/the kindle to find what I normally like.