Ebook Library User Poll

[amalthia]

This is a poll for anyone that's used or has an interest in using the Ebook Library Archive. I'm trying to get an idea of what I can do to improve the site and know which formats to focus on more.

Poll #2703 Ebook Library User Poll

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 68

View Respondents

What type of device do you read fan fiction on?

View Answers

Cybook
0 (0.0%)

Nook
1 (1.5%)

Amazon Kindle
14 (20.9%)

Ipad
3 (4.5%)

Sony PRS
18 (26.9%)

Ipod/touch
18 (26.9%)

Other will explain in comments
23 (34.3%)

What is your preferred reading format?

View Answers

RTF
21 (32.3%)

PDF
15 (23.1%)

LRF
4 (6.2%)

Mobi/PRC
14 (21.5%)

Epub
34 (52.3%)

Other I'll explain in the comments
11 (16.9%)

What fandoms do you read in the most?

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Comments

[anarchicq]

Generally when I read fics I read them straight from the webpage they're archived on and click through chapter by chapter, no downloading or copy-pasting unless the formatting is crap.

For me, fanfic reading is strictly an online thing. Writing it usually is too, unless I'm collabing with someone in person.

Sorry, I can't edit my posts and don't want to repost.

[anarchicq]

Having said that, I founded two fic archives for two separate fandoms and I did test them on an iPod touch. Also both archives have a download as doc option for those who would prefer it.

Re: Sorry, I can't edit my posts and don't want to repost.

[amalthia]

I think I can add a module like that for the Angst Archive but since I already share the stories in RTF on the Ebook Library I'm not sure if adding a doc option would be good?

I hadn't considered that. I didn't know the Ipod Touch could read doc but not RTF.

I thought for most people converting RTF to doc would be easy but I think it would require an extra step and I am trying to remove extra steps from getting fic onto devices.

Re: Sorry, I can't edit my posts and don't want to repost.

[anarchicq]

Admittedly I just checked to see if the site was viewable at all in an iTouch. A lot of magnifying was needed, but you could use one to read off the site. It was a compatibility thing. I didn't check docs or rtf's I just made sure one could read fics on site on the device.

Re: Sorry, I can't edit my posts and don't want to repost.

[amalthia]

Normally from what I understand most people who read on their Itouch/iphones use stanza on the devices to read epub files. I'm not sure how anyone can read on such a tiny screen but I have friends that swear by it. :)

Re: Sorry, I can't edit my posts and don't want to repost.

[amalthia]

p.s.this feedback really gave me some food for thought! thanks. :)

[amalthia]

Ah in that case then your original feedback while appreciated wasn't as helpful in this instance. The poll is targeted for users who read fic on portable devices or use the Ebook Library for other reasons.

I'm basically trying to figure out for those who do read on portable applications what I can do to make it better and figure out what format I should concentrate on the most.

You did say you'd never read on a portable device I'm a bit curious about that? Most people say they just aren't interested, or it costs too much, or they like the feel of paper (you don't strike me as the feel of paper type since you read online) :) but you did seem adamant about it?

I wasn't sure if there was something about portable devices that turned you off completely? Maybe the work involved with transferring fic to portable devices? Which after converting over 1k stories into alternate formats I can see that being a very legit reason to avoid ebook reading devices for now.

Though with the Ipad it looks like people can now read via a web browser fan fiction...but the price is a bit out there at the moment.

My reasons for moving to ebooks had more to do with too much computer usage and I started to develop tendinitis in my neck and carpal tunnel. So I had to find a way to read fan fiction away from the computer, or give up fan fiction all together.

[anarchicq]

I didn't say I'd never read on a portable device, I said I didn't want one. If someone gives me one for a gift or something, then that's very kind of them. But, even if they were cheaper, I don't want one. I like books, made of paper.

My laptop is under a year old and it works fine for fic reading, for me. I also have my phone and my iPod. I don't need another high priced digital device.

I don't know why but in my mind there's a big disconnect between book (which in my mind = novel) and fanfiction (which in my mind = digital hobby). Reading fic to me in any other form other than on a computer screen just looks odd to me. I suppose I would get used to it in time if I were to go in that direction. And if there was a fic I really, really wanted to read and it was only in PDF or RTF format, then I would download it or what have you.

[amalthia]

Ah, sorry I misunderstood what you'd said.

I read a lot of fan fiction on my Sony PRS (which I guess is a digital hobby) and strangely enough I don't actually read many novels on my device. Though I'm now going all digital for books because I had to get rid of 500 books out of my collection when we moved and I hate having to lose books.

I'd think as long as you don't feel pain from sitting at your computer and you're happy with what works then it's all good. I still read fic at my computer. I just save the really long ones to read on my device.

I had to find another way and I found that it's kind of neat to read fan fiction at work during lunch on my device. I'm able to read more fan fiction now that I can take it with me on car trips, to the movies, to work, and etc...

What I like about the concept of the Ipad is the ability to take the fan fic with me and the possible social networking aspects. Right now the hard part about using the portable e-ink devices is that after reading a story you have to remember to go and leave feedback. Reading on a browser makes it much easier to leave feedback at the end of the fic.

[anarchicq]

Oh yeah, I forgot. I get carsick if I read in a car. Heheh.

I'm glad this little conversation was useful!

[amalthia]

ouch! okay that has to suck! well at least there are audiobooks. :) I normally let my husband drive on long road trips and read and look at the scenery. :)

It has been a great conversation!

I like to hear different opinions and know more about other people's pov's because it helps me get a more balanced idea of what's going on. You brought up some ideas I had not considered.