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 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,725 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1923 Posts |
I prefer the books other than they take up space but you have them even if the power goes out or your computer goes down. But the computer is good to if you are away from home and don't have the books you can always find a computer to use somewhere. In today's world I think we need both literature in books and on web sites.
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
9866 Posts |
I prefer physical books,web based references seem too ephemeral for me.I think this bias is age-related and younger collectors will pefer electronic media because it is instantly and universally accessible.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
610 Posts |
 With svslav.My thoughts also. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1116 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1051 Posts |
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Valued Member
Canada
74 Posts |
In the case of reference books, if the price is right I prefer PDF. I can print and bind the sections I actually will use frequently, quite reasonably.
For example, the Charlton guide, I could print only those series I intend to collect in the relative near future and omit the couple of hundred pages of tokens, specimen sets, provincial information and Victorian nickel identification guide. If I discover a need for that information, I'd then reference the pdf, possibly printing at that time.
I believe that purchasing books online like this allows for more titles to be produced on increasingly narrow topics since there's no physical dead stock. I believe Lulu.com does this sort of thing. I know in the university book stores they've introduced a machine that does a nice job of printing, binding etc the book while protecting the rights of authors against unauthorized reproduction.
As to the comment about having the physical book when the power's out, that's exactly why I print the sections I want. Also, hand held pdf readers are battery operated. :-)
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Valued Member
United States
94 Posts |
I prefer books, but would also like to have those books on DVD, especially reference guides with values and pictures.
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New Member
Canada
12 Posts |
My favorite would be a .pdf updated at a web site. I have a duplex color laser printer for the parts I want hard copy of, just print and put in a binder. Its great, I can take pages out for side by side comparisons, take just what I want with me. Or load a copy of the pdf on my laptop for traveling. As new additions or corrections ate made, they are available on the web site.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
Nothing can ever replace physical books since they are far more reliable, easy to flip through, and work even when the power goes out.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3692 Posts |
In books. They're pretty portable (if you bring 1-2) and you don't need to haul a heavy and expensive laptop around. I check internet for message boards because the people have more say than anything else. However, as a resource, I prefer the book.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
731 Posts |
Books. That said, most of the more obscure books that I have for reference I learned of their existence online. I also bought most of my newer books online.
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New Member
Canada
17 Posts |
I too prefer physical books but also have specialized sites that I can have access to anytime I need them.
Bujutsu
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
650 Posts |
The book form for the main reference, I go online for further reference. The book form is just quicker.
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Valued Member
Canada
351 Posts |
I am from the "younger generation" and I would disagree with the earlier statement. I think when it comes to reference material nothing beats a good old paper back book. Numistmatic books happen to be a side hobby of mine, and I feel storing them on a computer isn't nearly ad conveniant, not to mention the screen hurts my eyes after a while.
Bottom line, I would rather lay in bed reading about large cents with Hanz Zoell, than sit at my crappy computer and computer chair staring at a screen.
It seems wayyy easier to get distracted while reading online... Oh look.... A video of a cute kitty. BRB
(disappears to YouTube for an hour and half) :p
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1571 Posts |
All very interesring, but..... I know Bill in Burl will agree, but not many others, with MY point of view. for example: I am legally blind, and so it requires different equipment to be able to enjoy our hobby. the reference books, in the majority are hard, or softbacked. I need another type, such as a loose[leaf binder for my viewing. To this end, I have CCTV which is very much like the microfissche reading machines used in cartography, and other places where much info is stored on very small plates, and read on these machines. Most of my reference library is the normal books, and manuals we are accostomed to using. BUT.... One can't take them everywhere one goes, so we have our computers, rented, laptops, iPod, or what ever they are called, (I don't use one because it is too small, and being also very hard of hearing, are of no use to me.. Anyway I belisve we need to devise a way to have all our most required materials at hand, soa CD is the next best thing. it hoklds a lot of info, and is easy to store. I have not been "blind", all my life. This happened, lately, due to age, exposure to everything, etc. It came with the territory. As a result, I no longer have a drivers liscense. I can see all around, as well as anyone, but I have blak spots, deadahead, and that which id directly ahead, is not always visible. I need very large pring to be able to read text, etc. Other than this, I am "disgustingly healthy", for an 85 year old kid. I too would like to take my book(s) on IHC, gor example, and read thru the different descriptions, of the varieties, but it would get awful heavy in a short time! And where would I put the CCTV? All you younger, young, and very young, enjoy the methods that serve you best, and enjoy the years ahead, with all the new ways to 'get it done". I won't be around that long, (they hope), but they don't have the final word, and are not as stubborn as I. I have enjoyed coin collecting, off, and on for many years, but I haven't had the fun , with the varieties, not the equipment to see them, but whikle I am here, I intend to keep as busy as any of you "kids". I might even be ablr to help you, now, and then. There are those who have helped me, and "I owe". I don't think there is any "best reference material", nor any best way to obtyain, or store same. Bottom line, make the best use of whatever you have access to, and ENJOY! This "living dinasaur', has done just that, and it has been FUN! Dick |
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Posted 12/20/2009 5:06 pm
