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DEL.ICIO.USBy reading this, you just proved you’re special
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you’re reading this, there’s something you need to know about yourself.
Odds are that - as an online reader - you end up with more information than someone who confines his reading to the print world.
Now that’s a surprise, to me at least. It is the reverse of conventional wisdom. But a new study says online readers are more likely to finish a story than those who read the print version of the story.
It’s another case - if the survey results hold up - of how confusing this major shift toward online news really is.
You can read the entire story here - and since it’s online the odds are that you’ll read 77% of the story, instead of print readers who will read about 62%.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: General
Comments
By Duke
March 29, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this
My reading comprehension is a lot worse online. Maybe that is just because of the way that I grew up; and maybe if I ever get a laptop, I will read more comfortably; but I still schedule my most serious reading in printed form, fairly early in the morning. A scientist whom I regard as an expert on this says that because the resolution of computer monitors is not as good as print, the eye cannot process words as quickly; but as computer monitors get better, he says that gap is closing. Of course he reads a lot more a lot faster than most of us. I know I do not read fast enough for that to make much difference. It is the uncomfortable posture which distracts me, and the silent hum of the electronic companion. Occasionally, though rarely, I find myself at my desk with the monitor off; and it seems like a completely different room, so quiet and peaceful. This new generation has been raised on sound bites. Online or print, they do not really know how to engage the deep ideas of serious reading. I read very few books, but I am always reading a book. I select them very carefully, and read them slowly and thoughtfully.
By Bill
March 29, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
Yeap, Duke - despite the item I posted - it’s the same for me. I guess that’s why I found it interesting. It is sure counter-intuitive and doesn’t match my own reading habits.
Although these days I do read a lot more online than I ever thought I would.
I’m still not able to enjoy a book online - and have tried a few times. I remember, one vacation, taking along several on a laptop. It just wasn’t the same experience for me.
By fer
March 30, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
I read several newspapers online daily, but if I’m really going to go in-depth into an article, I usually print it.
And I still LOVE books, can’t imagine reading a book online.
By Chris F
March 30, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
I definitely absorb more “worldly” information online simply because it would be too costly to obtain it in print. I read multiple sources online, including news, forums, and highly-focused websites. However, I keep my book reading offline. There’s no way I could read chapter after chapter on a screen. It’s too uncomfortable. It also doesn’t have the same “feel” to it as a real book, mostly in that you have to sit there and just read - nothing to hold onto. When I read online, I’m typically doing other things, too, so I can’t remain focused long enough for a full-length book. Now, one of those eInk devices might be nice. Easier to tote around than a regular paperback and probably wouldn’t be hard on the eyes because it uses a different method to draw the screen.
By js3
March 30, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
I will NEVER give up my library card ! ! ! But I read a number of sources daily on the web. Books are special. If I ever get well off : - ), I will have a home library composed of bargin books from discount sources and one of those industrial grade tough laptops. ( o.k. if I’m well off I buy some books from retail outlets at discount)