Comments on: Older adults and e-books—and how E could be the new large ‘print’ http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:05:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Howard http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/comment-page-1/#comment-1200933 Howard Sun, 20 Feb 2011 22:10:37 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/#comment-1200933 My point, Catana, was that it is not just the elderly who are composed of a section with low income. Other age groups are just as represented in that income bracket. My point, Catana, was that it is not just the elderly who are composed of a section with low income. Other age groups are just as represented in that income bracket.

]]> By: Catana http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/comment-page-1/#comment-1200932 Catana Sun, 20 Feb 2011 22:02:05 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/#comment-1200932 Yes, a lot has changed, but people who depend on Social Security, and don't have nice pensions, even the current Nooks and Kindles are luxury items. Not that I really care. I read most ebooks on my computer, and the ability to adjust the font size is the only reason I was able to keep reading before I finally scraped up enough money for cataract surgery. I bought a refurbished third generation iPod Touch, and that's my away-from-home reader, thanks to its high resolution, but it took a lot of thought before I made the decision to sink a good chunk of my savings into it. Howard, there does exist a large population of elders who are struggling just to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, and necessary prescriptions in the medicine cabinet. It's nice for you that you're well off enough not to have to notice. Yes, a lot has changed, but people who depend on Social Security, and don’t have nice pensions, even the current Nooks and Kindles are luxury items. Not that I really care. I read most ebooks on my computer, and the ability to adjust the font size is the only reason I was able to keep reading before I finally scraped up enough money for cataract surgery. I bought a refurbished third generation iPod Touch, and that’s my away-from-home reader, thanks to its high resolution, but it took a lot of thought before I made the decision to sink a good chunk of my savings into it.

Howard, there does exist a large population of elders who are struggling just to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, and necessary prescriptions in the medicine cabinet. It’s nice for you that you’re well off enough not to have to notice.

]]> By: Barbara Henry http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/comment-page-1/#comment-1200930 Barbara Henry Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:48:28 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/#comment-1200930 The date on this post is 2007!! - a long, long time ago back when Kindle was just making headway and the nook had not yet come on the scene. So much has changed since then. The date on this post is 2007!! – a long, long time ago back when Kindle was just making headway and the nook had not yet come on the scene. So much has changed since then.

]]> By: Howard http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/comment-page-1/#comment-1200926 Howard Sat, 19 Feb 2011 19:41:43 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/#comment-1200926 Where do these ancient articles get dug up from and what is the point ? What evidence is there that older people are less able to afford eDevices than young people ? It is obvious that eReaders are solving the big print issue. Within a year or two eReaders will be a fraction of today's cost. It's all yesterday's news. Where do these ancient articles get dug up from and what is the point ? What evidence is there that older people are less able to afford eDevices than young people ? It is obvious that eReaders are solving the big print issue. Within a year or two eReaders will be a fraction of today’s cost. It’s all yesterday’s news.

]]> By: John Sheets http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/comment-page-1/#comment-1200915 John Sheets Fri, 18 Feb 2011 23:44:09 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/#comment-1200915 Does anybody have experience with using borrowed e-readers from libraries? If libraries could spring for the devices and circulate them (already loaded with title or titles that readers could select) there would be no cost issue to the older reader. Does anybody have experience with using borrowed e-readers from libraries? If libraries could spring for the devices and circulate them (already loaded with title or titles that readers could select) there would be no cost issue to the older reader.

]]> By: ‘Conversations with Papa Charlie’ book review: Thumbs up—and toes, relax | The Solomon Scandals http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/comment-page-1/#comment-1159520 ‘Conversations with Papa Charlie’ book review: Thumbs up—and toes, relax | The Solomon Scandals Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:40:27 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/#comment-1159520 [...] and soft­ware pos­si­bil­i­ties for school­child­ren, the elderly and others—yes, e-books can be the new large print. One source of advice might be the Inter­na­tional Children’s Dig­i­tal Library, based at [...] [...] and soft­ware pos­si­bil­i­ties for school­child­ren, the elderly and others—yes, e-books can be the new large print. One source of advice might be the Inter­na­tional Children’s Dig­i­tal Library, based at [...]

]]> By: Senescence, death and e-books | TeleRead: Bring the E-Books Home http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/comment-page-1/#comment-1148004 Senescence, death and e-books | TeleRead: Bring the E-Books Home Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:41:59 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/#comment-1148004 [...] not excluding the terminally ill. It’s great to see similar thoughts from Alex; also see Isabelle Fetherston’s essay on e-books a the new large print. Meanwhile, even without a library, countless public domain books exist for access at no charge, [...] [...] not excluding the terminally ill. It’s great to see similar thoughts from Alex; also see Isabelle Fetherston’s essay on e-books a the new large print. Meanwhile, even without a library, countless public domain books exist for access at no charge, [...]

]]> By: Steve Jordan http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/comment-page-1/#comment-1146651 Steve Jordan Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:06:39 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/#comment-1146651 Fortunately, reading devices are growing more numerous and coming down in price, making it easier for someone to find a model they like, at a price they can afford. And don't forget, e-books can be read on existing devices, including desktop and laptop computers, which many older adults say they are perfectly comfortable using as readers. Fortunately, reading devices are growing more numerous and coming down in price, making it easier for someone to find a model they like, at a price they can afford. And don’t forget, e-books can be read on existing devices, including desktop and laptop computers, which many older adults say they are perfectly comfortable using as readers.

]]> By: David Rothman http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/comment-page-1/#comment-1146612 David Rothman Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:16:13 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/#comment-1146612 Thanks for reviving the thread, Dave, but remember that the existing Kindle comes with a <em>big</em> problem for older adults and lots of other people. Price! Even at $259 rather than the earlier $299 in the Stats, the Kindle still expensive. $99 might be too much for some. There are other issues such as tech support in person, which some newbies might need. Not to mention the possibility of using the library model to pay writers in many cases, while putting the books online for free to users. What's more, some elderly people might have problems with the current E Ink's low contrast and prefer LCDs. Simply put, yes, much progress has been made, but it's not as if nirvana has arrived. Hence the need to think about a focused effort. Thanks, David Thanks for reviving the thread, Dave, but remember that the existing Kindle comes with a big problem for older adults and lots of other people. Price! Even at $259 rather than the earlier $299 in the Stats, the Kindle still expensive. $99 might be too much for some.

There are other issues such as tech support in person, which some newbies might need. Not to mention the possibility of using the library model to pay writers in many cases, while putting the books online for free to users. What’s more, some elderly people might have problems with the current E Ink’s low contrast and prefer LCDs.

Simply put, yes, much progress has been made, but it’s not as if nirvana has arrived. Hence the need to think about a focused effort.

Thanks,
David

]]> By: dave http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/comment-page-1/#comment-1146600 dave Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:20:29 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/#comment-1146600 It seems like this thread is over a year old and did not know at the time that the Kindle would be so successful. It seems like this thread is over a year old and did not know at the time that the Kindle would be so successful.

]]> By: Barton Hodes, MD http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/comment-page-1/#comment-747168 Barton Hodes, MD Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:18:36 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/#comment-747168 As an ophthalmologist I see many patients every day who have limited vision, most with macular degeneration but many more with a wide variety of other untreatable eye diseases. Large print books and periodicals have been available for decades but do not fill the void that easily can and should be filled with user-friendly i-devices. Amazon's Kindle is a good start, but it has limited ability to enlarge font size. It should be painfully simple to increase that font size to at least double its present capability and help many more vision compromised indiduals enjoy the near endless array of available offerings. To many of these people reading is the ONLY recreation left in life. How about adding SUDOKU, SCRABBLE, and other games to the menu? Keep beating the drums ... this void must and WILL be filled, hopefully sooner rather than later. As an ophthalmologist I see many patients every day who have limited vision, most with macular degeneration but many more with a wide variety of other untreatable eye diseases. Large print books and periodicals have been available for decades but do not fill the void that easily can and should be filled with user-friendly i-devices. Amazon’s Kindle is a good start, but it has limited ability to enlarge font size. It should be painfully simple to increase that font size to at least double its present capability and help many more vision compromised indiduals enjoy the near endless array of available offerings. To many of these people reading is the ONLY recreation left in life. How about adding SUDOKU, SCRABBLE, and other games to the menu?

Keep beating the drums … this void must and WILL be filled, hopefully sooner rather than later.

]]> By: links for 2007-12-14 at LIS :: Michael Habib http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/comment-page-1/#comment-658077 links for 2007-12-14 at LIS :: Michael Habib Fri, 14 Dec 2007 08:27:33 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/#comment-658077 [...] Older adults and e-books—and how E could be the new large ‘print’ Excellent article arguing the need for large print and senior friendly e-books and readers. I would have the font size blown up all the time. Maybe I need to take a look at the Kindle. (tags: ebooks books ebookreaders largeprint kindle publishing) [...] [...] Older adults and e-books—and how E could be the new large ‘print’ Excellent article arguing the need for large print and senior friendly e-books and readers. I would have the font size blown up all the time. Maybe I need to take a look at the Kindle. (tags: ebooks books ebookreaders largeprint kindle publishing) [...]

]]> By: Isabelle Fetherston http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/comment-page-1/#comment-655183 Isabelle Fetherston Wed, 12 Dec 2007 23:33:34 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/#comment-655183 Al, thank you for sharing your experiences with the Kindle. Are there any features that you think should be added to the Kindle? Al, thank you for sharing your experiences with the Kindle. Are there any features that you think should be added to the Kindle?

]]> By: Isabelle Fetherston http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/comment-page-1/#comment-655172 Isabelle Fetherston Wed, 12 Dec 2007 23:21:27 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/#comment-655172 Thank you, Jeff. I agree that technology is a barrier - both learning the technology and being able to afford it. First, an older adult has to buy a computer, buy an e-book device, and pay for an internet connection. Then the person may need to learn both how to use the computer and how to transfer files to the e-book reader. This is a lot to expect if you want people to try this new way of reading. That is the main benefit that I see with the Kindle. There is no need for a computer or for an expensive internet connection. Also, it would enable people to start reading e-books right away without the steep learning curve. Thank you, Jeff. I agree that technology is a barrier – both learning the technology and being able to afford it. First, an older adult has to buy a computer, buy an e-book device, and pay for an internet connection. Then the person may need to learn both how to use the computer and how to transfer files to the e-book reader. This is a lot to expect if you want people to try this new way of reading.

That is the main benefit that I see with the Kindle. There is no need for a computer or for an expensive internet connection. Also, it would enable people to start reading e-books right away without the steep learning curve.

]]> By: Al http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/comment-page-1/#comment-654991 Al Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:57:31 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/older-adults-and-books-and-how-e-could-be-the-new-large-print/#comment-654991 I have a Kindle. I am also 75 years old. I bought it not only for the portability features but also for the large text. I was showing it to a friend who reads only large print books and she immediately ordered one for herself. It is easier to hold and the text is large enough at the #5 setting for her to read. She then has one larger size to switch to when her eyes are tired. I think variable text size in e-readers is one of the most desired features of these devices and will be a boon to those who cannot hold the large print and hard to get books in print. I have a Kindle. I am also 75 years old. I bought it not only for the portability features but also for the large text. I was showing it to a friend who reads only large print books and she immediately ordered one for herself. It is easier to hold and the text is large enough at the #5 setting for her to read. She then has one larger size to switch to when her eyes are tired. I think variable text size in e-readers is one of the most desired features of these devices and will be a boon to those who cannot hold the large print and hard to get books in print.

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