Ereader update

There was one possibility I considered in comparing reading books electronically and reading paper+ink books, but not thinking I would really encounter the problem, I had not previously included it in my lists of comparison. But now I have, so I can state, from personal experience, that the old fashioned, paper-ink-glue style of books does have a distinct advantage over the metal-plastic-circuitry style of books.

Both will make a "Crack!" sound if you accidentally step upon them. With the more conventional medium of reading, a bit of glue and mailing tape will fix the problem in a matter of hours, and depending upon your inherent talents for book binding, won't leave a scar.

On the other hand, the crack! you hear while using the new and improved electronic format will require a phone call to a sympathetic customer service rep, who will promise to send out a return/replacement kit, which you will wait for two days past the promised arrival date before calling back, whereupon you will call and speak to polite but seemingly not-as-interested-in-your-problem-as-the-other rep, who will tell you that the "order is pending but should be going out shortly" and you will wait two weeks before trying email which will bring the prompt response of "Your order is still pending and is currently under investigation why it is still pending."

In the meantime, I have enjoyed my other reader from another manufacturer. Yes, I have two readers, the second of which was ordered before the first one (the one involved in the accidental steppage) arrived, the reason why it was ordered when I had another coming involves a brain burp and that is all that is necessary to be said on the matter.

Well, I enjoyed it until last night, when it froze on a document -- and none of the buttons - Back, Home, Page Up, Page Down, Magnify, Enter, POWER or even RESET -- work. And the computer no longer recognizes the device when it is plugged in.

Today as I was leaving for work I brought along a REAL book.