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Ebooks or hard copies? Which would you choose?
- This topic has 9 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 11 months ago by
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I have several books that I will be purchasing from the SCM site and I was wondering if it would be better to have an ebook or hard copy? I know that ebooks are less exspensive and i’ll get the book quicker and I can certainly see the benefit of that. I’m wondering though do we have a set time limit in which to have the book downloaded? Can I save my download to a disc as a back up in case of computer crash? Thanks
I think it just depends on which you like better. I don’t like to sit at the computer and read a book like the Habits book on SCM. I would rather read it in bed with a highlighter or be able to take it with me on a longer car ride. But something like Spelling Wisdom I will probably buy the e-book since I won’t be reading that I will just print out the page for that day. Oh, you also need to think about how you plan your curriculum. When I was using the 106 Days of Creation.. I liked having the hard copy so I could be at the table with all my other resources and read through what we would be doing the following week.
Hope that helps.
Shelly
yes, it does help and totally know what you mean about being in bed with highlighter, cup of hot cocoa and the book. The Habits book is one i’m going to buying when I make my curriculum purchases. I’m thinking i’ll buy the History module in ebook and just print off what i’ll need each week, maybe? Thanks for your thoughts!
I can’t answer which format would be best for you, of course, 🙂 but I can answer a couple of the specific questions you have.
I’m wondering though do we have a set time limit in which to have the book downloaded?
The download links are good for a couple of days then they expire. But if you don’t get your book downloaded in that time, just contact us with your receipt number and we can send you new links. No problem.
Can I save my download to a disc as a back up in case of computer crash?
Absolutely! Please do. We encourage people to save a copy of their e-book files to a CD or external drive for safekeeping.
I love ebooks – I have a comb binder so most ebooks I print the whole thing out. I use card stock for the front and back which I cover with clear contact paper and it makes a very nice book. There are some ebooks that I consider too large to be cost effective – like Jack’s Insects – I plan to purchase that one.
But Hours in the Out-of-Doors is only 76 pages so I plan to get that as a ebook and print it and bind it.
You can also take your printed books to Kinko’s or some place like that and they will bind it with a comb or spiral binding for a very low price.
Here’s an interesting follow-up question…
Would any of you want both a printed book and the e-book? Should we offer a discounted bundle where you get both? You could download the e-book immediately then the printed book would be shipped. I’ve seen other publishers offer this option and wondered if they have much demand for it.
I ALWAYS choose a hardcopy over an e-book. Can’t stand that I have to use up all my own ink and paper. Plus, I want to be able to read the spine when it’s on the bookshelf. 😉
Doug – Depending on the book,actually, the e-book/printed bundle is sometimes nice. I, too, prefer the hardbound and am happy to pay the costs. But some are also useful to teach out of, either for copywork, pictures, etc. I seem to make a lot of copies of certain books. Having it in a PDF would make that easier and less destructive on my books (as I squish them in the copy machine).
I would imagine Jack’s Insects (my next purchase) would be something I would use that way. I’d perhaps be interested in a bundle for that one!
I’m a big side-noter in my books, too, so I have always ordered printed copies and paid quite a bit on shipping. After carefully considering the savings with e-books, I have purchased at least seven in the last six months (several of them from SCM). I am very pleased to have this option because 1) I admit I am a bit impatient 😳 when it comes to diving into a new book, so an e-book is very satisfying; 2) the savings – both in a lower purchase price, and the savings of shipping fees; 3) having it saved on a cd is a big plus for me, considering that I’ve had some favorites that became very worn and I felt I needed to have a new copy – with an e-book it’s just the small expense of printing a new one 🙂 . Some books, depending on what they are, I’ve printed and 3-hole punched and put them in a binder. Others I’ve taken to the office supply store down the street for spiral binding, costing me aprx. $3. (After reading Rene’s post, I’m checking into getting a comb binder. Great idea, Rene, thanks!)
As Rene mentioned “There are some ebooks that I consider too large to be cost effective…” – I totally agree and have opted to buy certain books for this very reason. (Jack’s Insects being one of them. LOL )
It’s all personal preference. When e-books first came out, I was stuck on ordering a printed copy. I’ve converted and am happy, very happy with e-books. 😀
As for your question, Doug, I would not be one to purchase both. E-books save me money, buying both would not. 😉 I would think some would appreciate the option, though.
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