AWOL

[Najemikon]

Proper papery books have been around for thousands of years and you want rid of them because some crappy electronic gadget has a perceived benefit? No way! Cut the number of cars dramatically and that would make such a difference we wouldn't mind industrial traffic so much (such as the paper industry).

A book is a special end product in any case. It lasts forever, you can pass it on and above all, it's indestructible. Obviously not physically, but once something is printed, it's set and can't be changed. That, I think is a very important thing for society. Not so with anything digital. It just can't be trusted!

But anyway you do it, good for you for finding the time to read again. I've always loved books, but like you, I haven't read anything properly for years. I will make time. I've actually eaten into my Internet time in a different way; I've upgraded my phone to a HTC Hero and it's made a massive difference. Whereas before I'd boot up my PC, just in case I had an email... and, ooh, I'll just browse the web for a bit ...and, ooh, where did my evening go? Now, my phone tells me if as soon as I have email, so I never do 'lazy booting' anymore. Half the time, even keeping up with posts here, I can do it from the phone anyway.

Oh yeah. Welcome back, you old dog. 

[Achim]

I agree that electronics isn't ecological but then nothing industrially produced is, the important is that we find ways to reduce their impact as much as possible...............and maybe one way would be to educate people to stop changing their computers every year or so just because the new model is 0.01Ghz faster

I am in the business to build factories where they can produce the memory chips! It's bad enough as it is.

I think many eReader devices nowadays are build environment friendlier than before.

To be safe I basically don't read at all

But most important:
Welcome back, Eric! Glad you revoked your decision.

[Halo2]

I'd like to add my voice to the chorus welcoming you back Eric.

As to the matter of books and electronics....

My books are my friends. They sit patiently on the shelf, waiting for my eventual return. And they never fail, even when the power goes out.
As for the eReaders, I want to get one for when I travel. I always take a number of books with me, but never enough. There never seems to be enough room.
And if it weren't for electronics in general and computers specifically, I wouldn't have the job I do in IT and couldn't pay for as many books and DVDs as I do.

[Dragonfire]

Welcome back

[addicted2dvd]

  Welcome Back Eric! 

[lovemunkey187]

Ah what the heck !  I was missing the place !

You went somewhere?  Missed that.

[Kathy]

Ah what the heck !  I was missing the place !

You went somewhere?  Missed that.

See what Vegas does to a person.

[goodguy]

Ah what the heck !  I was missing the place !

I always feel a bit silly to add what basically amounts to an AOL post, but I too am glad you decided to come back.     

[Touti]

Ah what the heck !  I was missing the place !

I always feel a bit silly to add what basically amounts to an AOL post, but I too am glad you decided to come back.     

Thanks Mathias..........and everyone else.  I guess there's a little bit of me in here, can't cut my own arm 

[DJ Doena]

I won't be back 'til Monday. A friend of mine marries tomorrow in Berlin. 

[Achim]

While 5 days is hardly enough to realize that someone is absent from the forum, I thought I mention that I will be going to China, Hainan Island, from coming Sunday thru the following Thursday (11/29~12/03).

[lyonsden5]

Whether it's business or pleasure I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip!

[Achim]

Whether it's business or pleasure I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip!

Pleasure.

Alcohol may be involved and temporarily reduce the enjoyment in the morning

[Kathy]

Have fun!

[addicted2dvd]

Hope you have a good time Achim!