techno poll!

[derien]

eor's been researching the various options for downloading stories to some sort of handheld device so that I don't have to be chained to the computer to fulfill all my slashy needs, or so that he can carry several books on trips in the same space as would normally be taken up by one.  Palm pilots are one option.  Ebooks are another, but they don't seem to be widespread. 

Now, when you read offline, do you revert to traditional paper books?  (Yes, I'd like to hear from everyone on this, I'm curious about the spread of who bothers with tech and who doesn't.) 

If you do have some sort of text-displaying device which you read stories on, what do you use? 

Or, what do you think you would use? 

What features do you think are vital in a device you would read on?  (The ability to change contrast and brightness?  The ability to read any type of file?)

Comments

[daegaer.livejournal.com]

Paper all the way! Although if I had a palm pilot I'd probably load it up with favourite fic and read it offline.

When I read on-line I like to be able to see italics, so that would be pretty vital for me in a device to read on - I also hate, hate, HATE whatever that font is most plain text uses, so I'd be all about having a pleasant font too.

[derien.livejournal.com]

So it sounds as though your stopping blocks are either money or disliking bothering to learn a new technology...?

[daegaer.livejournal.com]

Both, really; although my extreme laziness can't be discounted either. I'd have to make sure the device's battery was charged, and possibly carry a charger with me. And I'd feel sort of horribly visible, reading from it in public - I don't think palm pilots are desirable objects for muggers as are iPods and fancy phones, but I'd still worry.