After having the iPad for over a week, I am finally ready to talk about it. Instead of going point by point through my likes and dislikes, I’m going to tell a story. In my editing and publishing class it came up that I got an iPad ( I still feel like a spoiled brat) and a debate ensued. A select few claimed they were “purists” and couldn’t imagine not having books in the raw form.
Well, neither can I. I will always own books, but I think these book purists need to get with the times, especially if they are seeking a career in publishing. They may not like the technology, but they have to be open to it and understand it instead of scoffing at it.
After spending some time with my iPad, which I affectionately call my iPizzle, I now know that it is a game-changer. I’ve downloaded a few books through the iBook store and they are so dynamic that it makes reading them fun and engaging. Additionally Vooks are spectacular. I had been waiting to download a Vook until my iPad arrived, and I’m glad I did. I downloaded Seth Godin’s Unleashing the Super Ideavirus, and am so pleased with the design of the app, the clarity of the pages and interactivity of the videos.
Beyond books, the iPad obviously offers so much more, but the “purists” weren’t impressed with this either…you could spill coffee on it, drop it, it needs to be charged etc…blah blah blah. So what! I officially knew I wasn’t going to win my battle when the question what about the generation beyond ours arose; what will happen to books then?
They said that their children will read paper books, will not use e-readers or anything too techy because our generation is overstimulated already (a dig against me? I think so). In the end, I failed at convincing them of the iPad’s power and future and left class feeling disappointed for them and their future children. I guess the lesson learned is that I appreciate technology and hope that I have an advantage over my purist classmates.
