Bytes and Paper

I just recently downloaded the Kindle application for PC's . I have been thinking about purchasing a hand held Kindle after reading a couple of reviews of the device. Now with the application download on my PC , I can mess around with it and truly find out if I want to purchase one.

So my first thoughts  , love the immediacy of the device. The download process is easy and simple . The click of a mouse and I had numerous books uploaded to my hard drive. There are many free books available but they are a bit slim on the theological spectrum. That being said , if you want the classics , works from Dickens,Bunyan,Milton etc.. Unlike ordering any of them for purchase and waiting , within less than a minute they are there to open and read.

Looking at the regular kindle books available ,the price is always cheaper than the actual physical copy. Sometimes over 50% , which is great if you want to build a library`quickly. Plus there is no shipping and handling charges . The selection as well is amazing in all genres . Very few books now are not available in the digital format upon release. Plus you have the convenience of not worrying about the book you are looking for being out of stock . If you have a connection , you are good to go.

The ultimate convenience of course you need not go out to a store and spend time browsing . You just type in the search engine and click. No travel,no crowds , no noisy mall crawlers .Of course this is the same if ordering a hard copy as well.

The reading process is easy and you can adjust the font , brightness,bookmark the page you left , write thoughts in a margin etc.. which is really an excellent group of tools . They help making the reading process enjoyable . So after playing with the program , there is no question that I will invest in a handheld Kindle in the future.Just like the MP3 revolution in music , the  Kindle along with its emerging competitors , is here to stay.

However I will leave you with this . Although I really think the Kindle will be a great tool and will be a device that will only grow in popularity , I still love the feel,smell and look a ink on paper . There is something more personal about a book . They become a part of you . Plus you cannot share your digital data to a friend but you can share one of your favorite books.

The cool factor though is if I want to take all of Edward's,Luther,Spurgeon,Sproul and Calvin's works with me to the beach or on vacation , I can , without breaking my back. Awesome.