Secular Charlotte Mason

Since this is a modern CM group, I am curious about how to best use the digital media that is available for free on-line.  I don't mind investing in gadgets but I am not very tech savvy and don't want to waste my money.

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For e-books, I have considered a Kindle or other e-reader. Do you use one and how do you like it?

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For composer studies, I am considering an i-pod with a gadget that broadcasts to a radio station.  My youngest put coins in our CD player in the van and the cassette player doesn't work. LOL  I think an i-pod would be easier than several cds.  I could use the i-pod in the van or any radio in the house.  Or perhaps there are good "docks" for the i-pod.  I don't see us using earphones until the boys are much older and have their tastes in music developed...

What do you use?  Do you like it? Is it worth the investment?

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Would I be better off getting a laptop? Is the sound good enough on a laptop?

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Our computer is very old and showing signs of slowing down...but still works. I know there is wi-fi and all kinds of cool stuff available now...  We don't even have cell phones. LOL

I love my laptop but, unfortunately, they arean't really made to last as long as desktop computers. We definitely have to replace our laptops *far* more often than our desktops so that is a factor. I do like being able to bring my laptop to co-op classes and meetings. I use to use it in my history class for showing You Tube historical dramatizations since I believe a picture/image is worth a thousand words.

I am able to resist most technology but I am seriously thinking about getting an ipod to use for music studies, audio books and various podcasts. I would use it for leasure music too but that alone isn't enough incentive to get one.  I want one because I woudl rather listen to Shakespeare and Chekov than read them.I think an ipod combined with Libravox or some such service would end up costing much less than the audiobooks we currently buy. Plus I wouldn't have to worry about scratched CDs--a big factor at our house.

I have zero incentive to get a Kindle or anything like that.  I detest reading on screens of any type, mostly due to eye strain and migraines.  Plus, it just feels completely unnatural since I can't actually touch what I am reading (even my high tech kids preferthe feel of real books-they fell in love with my art history book because of the texture of the fabric cover lol). I need the weight of the book in my hands, the texture of the cover and pages, the smell of the paper (and attic if it is old lol) and so on.  I also do much of my reading in places where books are just more practical (waiting in lines, at the beach, out in nature, etc.).  I always have a book in my purse.  If I kept a Kindle in there instead I'd have to worry about someone stealing it. The only practical use I see for those ebook gadgets is if you travel a lot or have an apartment that is too small for many books.  And even then I'd probably use it more for reference type books and still use real books for pleasure reading.  The biggest disadvantage I see to using an ebook gadget is that I don't read what is popular and that seems to be what they market/publish for ebooks and not the classics and odd books I so love. Cost is the other factor. Electronic devices and their ebooks are way too expensive for me. One reason I can have so many real books is that I pay only $1 or so for many of them.  If the book rips I fix it with tape, if a Kindle broke I would have to save up $ to get it repaired.

Yep, I'm pretty much a luddite. It's a wonder I even have a website lol.

I received a Sony Reader as a birthday gift from my husband last year.  I love it.  My home is very small, and with three children, I don't have a lot of storage space available.  My Reader comes with 2GB of memory, and since book files are smaller than music files, that adds up to a lot of books.  It can store and play audio files as well, so there is no need for a separate device.  Another huge advantage (especially for we who love the classics) is that when you purchase a Reader at Borders, you receive a coupon for 100 free classic liturature e-books, unabridged.  We're talking Dickens, Austen, Tolstoy, Balzac . . . whatever.  Personally, I love being able to bring several reading choices along with me on vacation, or just a ride on the subway.  And this thing fits right in your purse.  I have Anna Comstock's book loaded, and it is delightful to be able to take it with us on nature walks.  I do not need to be lugging that one around with all the other obligitory stuff.

I don't like reading from a screen either, but the Reader (and the Kindle) have created a grey background tone, and a non-glare screen.  It is quite close to the look of real paper.  The feel, of course, is not the same as an actual book, but that is something that I have been able to work around.  I love, love, love my Reader and no one can convince me otherwise!:wink:

Heather

(stumbling down from her soapbox)

Thank you for your post about your Sony E-Reader, Heather...I was just wondering about e-readers, and I decided to have a peek, and sure enough (being modern CM educators) there was indeed a discussion.  (Have I mentioned that I love the board?)

I'm glad to hear that you like the Sony.  I have been eyeing the Kindle -- but it's so expensive and so limited...the Sony is sounding better and better.