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Love Kindled, and thwarted, by technology Richard L. CONNOR Opinion

Sunday January 03, 2010 | 12:00 AM

Richard L. Connor rconnor@timesleader.com

ONE OF MY flash points — boiling points — is the Kindle.

You could say it’s my kindling point.

The Kindle is an “e-reader” or “wireless reading device.” The user can download newspapers, magazines and books, among other features. It was developed by Amazon and is its single largest revenue producer. There are three versions available in the United States, differing slightly in size. All three are about the same height and width as a typical hardcover novel, but much thinner and lighter in weight. Prices currently range from around $250 to $500.

The Kindle can store volumes and volumes of books and information. You purchase the books to be downloaded and you pay a subscription to newspapers such as The New York Times which are carried on the device. Most smaller, regional newspapers such as ours are not offered on Kindle but they will be someday.

Those who delight in predicting the death of newspapers love to reference the competition from the Kindle.

When I hear that prognostication and the bragging about the ease of usage of the Kindle my blood boils. It’s, you could say, when I reach my own kindling point.

My favorite story about me and the Kindle — or at least it used to be my favorite until I tell you the next one — was this.

I was standing at a bar when an attractive 25-year-old woman sidled up next to me.

“Do you Kindle?” she whispered ever so coyly?

After a brief fantasy of age reversal to 25 I realized she was talking about e-reading.

“Well, I actually do,” I said. “Why do you ask?”

“It’s going to put newspapers out of business,” she said. “It’s the new great way to get news, read books.”

I said I was aware of the threat.

“How do you like yours?” I asked.

“Me? Oh. I don’t own one,” she said. “Never even saw one. Just heard about it.”

I find this to be often the case. Those talking about the Kindle putting us out of business actually do not have the foggiest idea about the Kindle. I do. I’ve owned one for two years and it’s a great device but ultimately it does not replace the newspaper.

Why?

You lose the tactile experience of a newspaper, the familiarity and the warmth that comes from leafing through its pages while you sip a morning cup of coffee or take a break from work or some tedious chore to enjoy reading and thinking and perhaps even learning.

The Kindle is small and portable and efficient. It’s also cold, antiseptic and plastic.

The Kindle won’t replace the newspaper any more than it will replace books and the authors who write them. It’s not an alternative publication, it’s a delivery method.

True, it has its fans and a loyal following. How loyal? How big?

Interesting question.

Amazon reports “facts” such as record-breaking holiday sales but has never provided statistics. There are no hard numbers available after three holiday seasons on total numbers of units sold, even though there are predictions that total sales of Kindles will top $1 billion in 2010.

There are other reports that say sales of Kindles or Kindle-related products will account for 4 percent of all Amazon revenues in the future.

Amazon reported that on Christmas Day it sold more e-books than paperbacks. Again, though, no hard numbers.

The lack of statistical data expressed in numbers — not percentages — makes me suspicious, but I do not deny the popularity and efficiency of the Kindle. I like mine a lot. So much so, that I gave Kindles as gifts this Christmas.

I also want my family and friends to use the Kindle to help me understand the threat to my livelihood and a business — the news business — I love.

Those who give, receive, they say. Well, my Kindle gift-giving came back to me immediately.

One of those who received one decided to fire it up and use it while I watched.

The Amazon site advertises the Kindle, saying “Free wireless delivery in 60 seconds. No fees. No contracts.”

But, guess what? She was unable to use the Kindle. It would not open to the wonders of the Internet.

This was amazing because she’s a technology-savvy interactive media executive making a living where it’s competitive and tough — New York.

She phoned the Amazon help line and was on it almost an hour. She went through two experts but still no service. She explained that all of our cell phones and other wireless devices were working. Both AT&T and Verizon were connecting but no Kindle.

While she was arguing with Amazon and getting totally exasperated, you know what I did?

Read three newspapers and then took a nap by the fire.

Experiences such as that one with Kindle might be rare, but they lift my spirits and renew my belief that newspapers will be with us a long time. They may even outlive the Kindle.

About the Author

Richard L. Connor is Editor and Publisher of the Times Leader and president of Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company.

Richard L. Connor is Editor and Publisher of The Times Leader. Mr. Connor’s career in the newspaper business spans nearly 40 years in four states and in a variety of positions including editor, publisher and owner.

In June of 2006, Mr. Connor formed The Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company, purchased The Times Leader and returned to the post he previously held from 1978 to 1986.

He has worked for several media companies, including 25 years as an executive with Capital Cities Communications, later Cap Cities/ABC and then the Walt Disney Company. During that time he served for over 10 years as President and Publisher of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram in Fort Worth, TX.

His work to have his newspapers not only serve the community as a voice of needed change but also to build bridges among its leaders and diverse forces has been recognized constantly for its unique brand of media leadership. He has won numerous awards as a columnist and for his editorials and has received a number of awards for his newspaper and community leadership and achievement. He has served on numerous community and industry boards, including two times as a member of the Pulitzer Prize Nominating Committee.

He resides in the Back Mountain with his wife, Deborah, and daughter, Meredith. Mr. Connor also has two adult children.