Comments on: This Week at Mobile Tech Manor #47: Unplugging is a Good Thing

By: Ann Murphy

Ann Murphy — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:21:30 +0000

I just read your interesting column for the first time, having followed a link from Salon.com. I agree that it’s so easy to be “on the grid” all the time, and I’ve found that it has cut into my family’s reading time, too. Since we also have a growing “collection” of ebooks, and are considering buying iPhones, I’m glad to read in your comment section that they are comfortable for reading.

One thing, though: Your column was so well-written that I hated how distracted I was by this: “One of the actors in the movie was very familiar to both my wife and I…” You could do your readers, especially younger ones who are still in school, a big favor by correcting that to “my wife and me.” The “grid” is highly educational and useful in so many ways, but it also helps to validate and proliferate incorrect grammar such as this, especially when it’s plunked down in the middle of an otherwise well-written article, because when people read it they assume your usage is correct. I appreciated and enjoyed your column very much, but the incorrect usage of “I” instead of “me” seems to be increasing, and you can be a positive force in decreasing it. English teachers everywhere–and grammar nerds like me who are obsessed with correctly-written English–will thank you.

By: HG

HG — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:54:01 +0000

James are you still using your Viliv S5 with eReader to read books? I have installed the eReader to my S5 and from when I seen your reviews, it really looks nice on the screen. By the way reading your week at the mobile tech manor looks great on the S5.

By: Philip |Ferris

Philip |Ferris — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:58:23 +0000

Being able to be offgrid is why I love archery so much; not only do I spend some real time with people, I forget everything about work etc and can clear my mind – for me it’s a form of meditation.

By: Gavin Miller

Gavin Miller — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:50:06 +0000

It might be my imagination but I’m sure the backlight on the 3GS goes lower than it did on my ‘old’ iPhone 3G

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:42:07 +0000

Most people I speak with react negatively toward phone reading at first until they try it.

By: EddieW

EddieW — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:00:48 +0000

iPhone reading turns out to be really nice. I had avoided phone reading with my phones (XV6700, Advantage, and Fuze) as I had heard that the eyestrain was a bit much with the backlighting. On trying iPhone reading, at first I thought the backlighting was kinda harsh, but I turned it down about 1/2-way and now it’s great. I think it’s actually easier reading than on the Sony with its sidelights. I especially like eReaderPro’s ability to scroll the text automatically so I can just keep reading without flicking at the screen.

In the very early 2000’s on my PC, I started collecting books and monthlies (like Analog and Ellery Queen) from Peanut Press, and I’m trying to catch up on some of those. Many of them were free so I had downloaded with the intent of reading later, but later never seemed to come. I find I have the same condition of “collectitis” (grin) with the Sony and now the iPhone, where I have all these free books to read…..

I’ve started making a dent in the pile by reading “Benjamin Button” and on lunch I started reading “Riding the Bullet” by Stephen King.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:04:14 +0000

Glad you are finding some books you like. We all have unique tastes so it’s not always the case.

So how did you like reading on the iPhone? I’m curious how you found the experiment.

By: EddieW

EddieW — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:10:27 +0000

Dude! I’m becoming book $ poor trying to keep up with you. I’ve gotten many of the books that you’ve read and recommended. You have a very interesting reading list.

I was perusing the free ebooks on eReaderPro and found “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” which I read this morning on the subway (on iPhone, not the Sony — I was trying an experiment to see if I’d like reading on the small screen). I didn’t know until I saw it that the story was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It was a short, quick read, so they really milked it in the movie to stretch it out…..