jl-lb.ms
John A. Lever
Nook owner here (the Barnes and Noble version). I investigated the Kindle, but its downside was that it only let you obtain books from Amazon. The Nook uses open formats, and you can buy e-books from multiple online dealers, or you can even check e-books out of some public libraries. Also BN has a library of thousands of public domain books; many of them are crap scans of old manuscripts, but there are a few gems here and there.
The proprietary nature of the Kindle was what killed it for me.
The proprietary nature of the Kindle was what killed it for me.
Nomad Z
Well-known
Calibre converts almost any e-book format to almost any other. That pretty much removes the proprietary nature of the Kindle, and was a factor in my buying one. The e-ink and battery life were other significant factors.
literiter
Well-known
I don't have a Kindle, or any E-book for that matter. A sad silly old man I am.
But, last evening I set a book on the rail on our deck and it accidentally fell off. The drop was about 8 feet onto some stonework.
A page bent...I fixed it....the book is OK now.
But, last evening I set a book on the rail on our deck and it accidentally fell off. The drop was about 8 feet onto some stonework.
A page bent...I fixed it....the book is OK now.
pagpow
Well-known
Ampguy, Ade-oh, sol33,
Hi guys -- chosen because you talk about free 3G web-browsing outside the US.Just bought the latest Kindle 3 weeks ago, wi-fi only because I mistakenly thought the 3G gave me access ONLY to books outside wi-fi coverage.
Looks like I made an error. I am traveling increasingly. I have a MacBook Air but might like to leave it sometime.
Two questions:
1) Can any of you confirm free browsing on a US bought US address registered Kindle in the whole of the whispernet coverage area? Your postings seem to be in tension. I am particularly interested in Italy.
2) Any of you know whether a wi-fi kindle can be tethered to a cell phone for that purpose? I have unlimited data with the low Blackberry data roaming plan.
Thanks.
Giorgio
lacavol
Established
You can put almost any book on the kindle. Most places have a variety of formats. Manybooks and Gutenberg project come to mind. So many books, so little time.
ampguy
Veteran
Hi
Hi
I get free browsing throughout the areas I've tried in in the western US. But the browser is minimal, no flash, not a standard screen resolution. Generally, mobile web sites will be easier to navigate than a standard website.
Have not heard of anyone tethering via 3G with a kindle, but I can create a wifi hotspot with my phone, and have my kindle access amzn through wi-fi, but I think you're attempting the opposite. Have not heard of that being done. (certain functions, like sending user pdf's to the kindle are free via wi-fi, charge through 3G)
Hi
I get free browsing throughout the areas I've tried in in the western US. But the browser is minimal, no flash, not a standard screen resolution. Generally, mobile web sites will be easier to navigate than a standard website.
Have not heard of anyone tethering via 3G with a kindle, but I can create a wifi hotspot with my phone, and have my kindle access amzn through wi-fi, but I think you're attempting the opposite. Have not heard of that being done. (certain functions, like sending user pdf's to the kindle are free via wi-fi, charge through 3G)
pagpow
Well-known
Thanks, ampguy, that's helpful.
Giorgio
Giorgio
lilmsmaggie
Established
Just before Father's Day this year, I started pondering the purchase of an e-reader. I had noticed that I had my proclivity for purchasing books had led to them encroaching on just about every inch of free space in my house. There are books in the kitchen on the counters; books in the dinning room on the floor on the table and on some of the chairs; there are books in the living room, on the piano; books in a wicker basket; there are books in the bedroom on the floor, on the nightstand; on the chest-of-drawers; there are books in my office on the shelves of the bookcase, on my desk, on the floor -- they're everywhere!
So, I decided enough was enough. I took advantage of Amazon's Father's Day sale and bought a Kindle. The first week I had it, I must have read 2-3 books.
I think I like it
So, I decided enough was enough. I took advantage of Amazon's Father's Day sale and bought a Kindle. The first week I had it, I must have read 2-3 books.
I think I like it
JohnTF
Veteran
PMFJI, have not read all eight pages, but two things surprised me when using the 3G out of the country.
I subscribe to the International Herald Tribune and my local paper, there is a monthly charge for downloading out of the country, however, I called Kindle, got very good customer support and they changed my address to Mexico for the time I was there and no downloading charges for the paper.
There were no charges as I recall for any other downloads.
I have a lot less newspaper about the house, still not neat, but I suppose things could be worse, Hoarders has me on their 10 most wanted, beginning with Camera Collectors.
With the cost of weight in luggage, the Kindle has been an excellent buy.
I have not acquainted myself with the newer color Kindle.
Price of mine seemed reasonable, and shipping was quick, plus it arrived pre-registered as I already had an account with Amazon so they set it up before shipping.
I saw many of them around the hotel.
Regards, John
I subscribe to the International Herald Tribune and my local paper, there is a monthly charge for downloading out of the country, however, I called Kindle, got very good customer support and they changed my address to Mexico for the time I was there and no downloading charges for the paper.
There were no charges as I recall for any other downloads.
I have a lot less newspaper about the house, still not neat, but I suppose things could be worse, Hoarders has me on their 10 most wanted, beginning with Camera Collectors.
With the cost of weight in luggage, the Kindle has been an excellent buy.
I have not acquainted myself with the newer color Kindle.
Price of mine seemed reasonable, and shipping was quick, plus it arrived pre-registered as I already had an account with Amazon so they set it up before shipping.
I saw many of them around the hotel.
Regards, John
Guaranteed
Well-known
I picked one up awhile ago using some gift cards so it worked out to be free and I couldn't be happier. I've done more reading in the past six months than I've managed in the prior fifteen years and I've still got a good amount of others to get through. Just for a goof I checked my local library website and found out I'm able to get books on my Kindle from there also. I guess that just means more coin for photography gear/workshops which is fine with me.
dee
Well-known
I now have a kindle as a gift . Oddly , it seems just like reading on tracing paper , so familiar .
Useful for free classics which I would never otherwise bother with .
Neat pink cover too LOL
Useful for free classics which I would never otherwise bother with .
Neat pink cover too LOL
whitecat
Lone Range(find)er
I have one and like it. Built in light for reading at night. You can make the text white and the background black.
isoterica
Established
Kindle Fire is color. iPad will read too. I have a Kindle, vacationed, it was nice on the plane. I think if we just used readers it would save a lot of house space given all the books we have here. But.. there is also something about having an illustrated paper book in hand too..
nighstar
eternal beginner
i have a 2nd gen kindle. kindle on my phone. kindle on my tablet. kindle on my computer.
omg i
kindle.
omg i
thegman
Veteran
Used to have a Kindle, but sold it. At the time I had one, book availability was pretty weak, although it's better now.
For me, an eBook reader has very few advantages. The main ones are having many books on you at the same time, but I generally only read one book at a time. Also, there is the instant download, which is fantastic at airports etc. but all I need to do is think a few days ahead and order what I want.
The downsides are that it's one more thing to keep charged along with phone/MP3 player etc. graphics display is rubbish, even for B&W. For me it's not about making books better, it's about companies making money. Good for them of course, but I find real books better for the moment.
My career is in computing, so it's not new or exciting for me, just another electronic gadget, which I probably tired of 10 years ago.
For me, an eBook reader has very few advantages. The main ones are having many books on you at the same time, but I generally only read one book at a time. Also, there is the instant download, which is fantastic at airports etc. but all I need to do is think a few days ahead and order what I want.
The downsides are that it's one more thing to keep charged along with phone/MP3 player etc. graphics display is rubbish, even for B&W. For me it's not about making books better, it's about companies making money. Good for them of course, but I find real books better for the moment.
My career is in computing, so it's not new or exciting for me, just another electronic gadget, which I probably tired of 10 years ago.
mugent
Well-known
Dues to a longish commute, I get through books very quirky, usually over 1 per week, every week, so a Kindle stops me from building up a massive load of books at home, which I'd need to sell, or give away.
Also, the instant delivery is a huge bonus, it means I've always got a book to read, regardless of if I'm near a book shop.
I think if you are a prolific reader, it makes sense, if you don't read many books, then in doesn't.
Also, the instant delivery is a huge bonus, it means I've always got a book to read, regardless of if I'm near a book shop.
I think if you are a prolific reader, it makes sense, if you don't read many books, then in doesn't.
Bike Tourist
Well-known
I've had a Kindle for about two years, during which time it has turned my brain to mush. I have read so much — fiction and nonfiction, I can't keep all these works in my mind. When I hear a title mentioned or hear of a movie based based on a book I think, "Oh yes, I've read that". But I can't recall what it's about! I have to go back and review it just to get a feel for the book again.
A classic case of:
A. Senility
or:
B. TMI
A classic case of:
A. Senility
or:
B. TMI
paulfish4570
Veteran
i've had a kindle fire for three months. very convenient for buying books and keeping them from cluttering up the cabin. reading on the fire is taxing to my eyes so i have to be careful to rest a bit every few chapters. i repeat: so, so convenient.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
From http://www.rogerandfrances.com/e-books.html
Proper, paper books are one of life's great pleasures. Think of the crisp pages of a new book: the sense of setting out on something exciting. Conversely, old books become like old friends, comfortable and familiar: you know where you are with them. But yet...
E-books have their advantages too. They can be (or should be) cheaper. They don't go out of print. They are easier to update. They are lighter to carry. And they can be a lot more specialized.
Cheers,
R.
Proper, paper books are one of life's great pleasures. Think of the crisp pages of a new book: the sense of setting out on something exciting. Conversely, old books become like old friends, comfortable and familiar: you know where you are with them. But yet...
E-books have their advantages too. They can be (or should be) cheaper. They don't go out of print. They are easier to update. They are lighter to carry. And they can be a lot more specialized.
Cheers,
R.
Beemermark
Veteran
I just bought a Kindle Fire and think it's fantastic. And I'm old school so this is my first jump into something like this. The fire is color and magazine and such are fantastic. The photo magazine are great.