Book vs PDF?

Sie

Im looking at a few books to get just one small question.

Company i work for have a deal with a online book libary and I can get some of the books in PDF.

In your own opinions would you rather have PDF (free through company) or pay out your own pocket for the actual book. I can see advantages and disadvantages with both just wondered what others thought.

Treg

No way i'd study for an exam through a PDF.

I like to underline things and refer back to sections quick through flipping pages, rather than scrolling on a pdf.

If you get a book they usually supply a pdf as well.

But then again, it always comes down to cost and what you can afford.

Sie

yeah i was leaning towards the actual books myself.

However atleast if i have a look at PDF's i can save getting useless 'doorstops' .

Though that would mean i would have to replace the HDD im using at the moment!

NinjaBoy

For on the move, ie traveling so using a laptop or PDA, then I use the .pdf version, however I prefer a handheld book.

-Ken

EdTheLad

I'd rather the book from the company, i never had the luxury of having a paper back books for my studies. Ebooks all the way to ccie i'm hoping!

Kaminsky

I have lots and lots of PDF/CHMs (20gb roughly - A colleague is a BT fanatic) and a couple or ten real books. I find it much easier to read the books than I do going through an ebook. It's not that I make any notes on the pages or anything but it just seems more natural for the information to flow in.

Also, You can read a real book anywhere and don't have to be sat in front of the screen for the whole time you are reading. I suppose if I had a tablet or a little PDA I could do the same as a real book but my eyesight is no longer bionic due to age and extensive early support of the old orange phosphorescent screens in my early IT days. ( you could actually close your eyes and still read what was on the screen as is was still glowing on your retinas - why we have screen savers now. Before a switched off monitor would still show up the main menu of common applications as that is where it would sit mostly)

Also, sat in front of the screen reading it is very easy to be distracted with email, looking up ideas quickly in google, a quick play of solitaire, etc.

LukeQuake

I prefer books, I can read them on the train into work and during my lunch. It also gives me a nice break from the screen!

crap I forgot my old pwd

I like the books that come with a pdf version on an included disc; Best of both worlds.

ajs1976

If someone is going to give me a free ebook, I will take it, but I prefer to do most of my reading from paper books. Easier on the eyes. I will print out some of the PDFs and have ask our secretary to bind them.

Plantwiz

I read books a whole lot better then PDFs. Now for a quick reference...PDF's are helpful, but if I want to really read the material...I prefer to study from a book (sit back when reading..so book is easier. If you sit forward reading...then PDF may be easier).

Really depends on your likes.

Sie

I've been reading PDF of a book ive ordered while im waiting for it to arrive which has been useful during lunchs etc (i havent had to carry the book from work and back)

However using a PDF last night while coding wasnt much use as I had to switch between screens which became a pain in the a$$.

Inc

paper for commute / pdf for reading at work