TIPS for e-reading vs. books

Matt B said:

what do you do to make reading large amounts comfortable on Logos?

First, I use a Netbook/Tablet PC (Gigabyte T1028 w/2GB) so my reading is on a lightweight platform that I can hold as a book.  Also, I do not use the included pen - it is way too small for my fingers.  I have a couple of alternatives that I use - though an old non-working ball point also works well on this machine.

I do not use the reading view included with L4.  I divide my screen into three columns - a small left hand column with the highlighting options available, the middle column is for the text I am reading, and the right hand column is for displaying referenced text (scripture, footnoted text, etc.).  Depending on my mood I will either use the tablet  in landscape or portrait mode.

I can read while watching TV or while my wife is driving or on the train (we travel by Amtrak).  The only thing I don't like is the in ability to make hand written notes to the side of the text.  I am waiting for "formatted" copying to make its way into L4 - then I may be tempted to copy the text to OneNote and work in a similar way within that environment.

Feel free to ask more questions.

Blessings,

Floyd

One of my doctors told me to try and make sure the screen is lower than your eyes.  Looking downward is more comfortable than looking upward.  This is also helpful in keeping the eyes lubricated because the eyelid, being lowered, continues to cover much more of the eye itself.

Sometimes, after enlarging the font, I will set my office chair to a reclining position, put a small pillow behind my neck and try.

But the truth is, for me, because of physical pain, I usually print out large quantities of articles, sometimes whole books, in order to read comfortably and mark them up as I read.  I know this is a backwards way of doing it, but it works for me.  I still use Logos for this because I have the ability to print it.  It is also far less weight to hold than an entire book.  And, of course, I can choose the size font I want in hardcopy.

Since I've recently learned I have an advanced retinal condition in my right eye which causes ongoing deterioration in my vision, we've just started to investigate what can be done to facilitate my electronic reading and computer work in the event of the worst-case scenario. We've only just begun and are amazed at the variety of options available even to those who are legally blind ... most of which understandably comes with a price, of course. But it is easily do-able with that in view. So I can carry on with my Logos and my e-library! [:)]

What we have learned so far to minimize eye strain on my "good" eye is that using a Sans Serif font/typeface is preferred for e-reading, which is just the opposite of reading print copies of books, ironically. Many folks with diminished vision seem to generally prefer the Verdana font for online/monitor reading. Please note, however, this is one of the typefaces with which Logos4 doesn't play nice in dictionaries, but I find it only a minor, insignificant glitch. Examples:

Using Verdana (which doesn't play nice with dictionaries in L4) you get this glitch with the little boxes:

Using Calibri, with which L4 peacefully cohabits:

My retinal surgeon recommended the top border of my monitors be at about middle of forehead height so, as someone else here has already noted, your eyes are reading downward. He also recommended several specific over-the-counter eye lubricant drops since dry eyes can cause both discomfort and even some temporary, very minor visual distortion.

We're still learning and gathering info along the way as we go. One thing I'm imminently thankful for, none of my retinal docs have ever recommended I limit or cease my e-reading or computering.

I've done some practice learning speed reading, and it has helped me have less eye fatigue when reading on the screen. Here's why:

The speed reading training teaches you to make smoother eye motions left to right without stopping, rather than what we habitually do which is jerky zig-zag motions where our eyes are wiggling back and forth, stopping for a fraction of a second on a word here, backing up there, and continuing in this halting fashion. Not only does this slow down your reading, but it's also much more tiring on your eye muscles.

"Speed reading" need not necessarily be super fast. One major principle of it is you learn to adjust the speed at which your eyes pass over the lines and the page based on the type of content you're reading (how dense it is, and how familiar the subject matter; the lighter the material or the more familiar you are with it, the more quickly you can read it) and your purpose for reading it (whether to learn something, for enjoyment, or just to skim it for the highlights -- three different increasing levels of speed). Whatever you reading speed, though, the techniques of "speed reading" will help you read more smoothly which is key to less eye strain.

Now, when I speed read on screen, I can scroll down smoothly using the scroll button on the middle of the mouse, and it makes for a much more comfortable reading experience altogether.

So find a good resource for learning speed reading (I recommend Peter Kump's Break-Through Rapid Reading), and apply what you learn on paper to the screen.

EDIT: I just looked at that line reader utility, and it is based on the same principles of speed reading -- the guiding line helps to keep your eye moving at a constant rate forward, instead of skipping around all over the place, so I'm going to give it a try. Looks useful!

I have exported portions of  a book via copy/paste to a Word doc and sent it to my Kindle. On the kindle you can do markups and import them into Logos via notes files.

I have it slightly differently but with the same results.  I have three columns open.  The first is the Passage Guide/My Bibles.  The 2nd column is my Commentaries, and the third is the Info, favorites, explorer, text comparison, and highlighting.  These are the ones I use most when I'm studying, so this gives me what I need quickly.  I tried it your way but went back to this. 

Alan,

The font size is the main help for me, too.

And I have found, like you said, that Arial reads easily.  That is what I like to print in, too.

Sharon

OT: Thanks, Sharon, 'tis appreciated! :-)