Why Kindle (and the other E-book readers)?

[flyfishnevada]

That "Order Now $139" that appears on amazon.com is calling to me every time I see it. But here's what holds me back:

It has no backlight. The best thing about reading books on my iPod Touch is that I can do it without a light. This is great for camping, and even good sitting in my LazyBoy. I don't have to get the light position right, or moving it when I recline further.

Buying one for the wife. She reads a lot and I told myself that if the Kindle was under $200 i would pull the trigger for Christmas. $139 is totally reasonable. I am solving the back light problem by having my mom get her the Amazon lighted leather cover. Gets great reviews.

I just got the Kindle app for my iPod touch. Syncs with the Kindle and we can share books through our account. Another solution to the backlight problem. It even remembers what page you were on as you switch devices.

E-books are a great solution to the constant battle to downsize.

 

[Moemg]

I was really a skeptic about the e readers but now that I have one I love it . I still go to the library and occasionally buy books but this is just another great way to get books instantly .

 

[TromboneAl]

Here's the status of my quest to get access to the Northern California Digital Library.

First, the selection of ebooks isn't as good as I initially thought, because many of the ones I saw were audio books.

Second, you have to have a library card from one of the libraries subscribing to the digital library. While true that anyone in California can get a library card, you must physically show up at the library in order to get it.

I'm looking into ways to solve that. I'd prefer to read on a ebook reader, but I can't see paying $9 for a book.

 

[W2R]

I'd prefer to read on a ebook reader, but I can't see paying $9 for a book.

Al, it's all in the averages. I buy any book I want, regardless of price. The past ten books I have bought were: $0, $0, $4.47, $0, $0, $9.99, $11.43, $1.59, $0, and $0. These were all through Amazon.

My average price per book since I first bought my Kindle is $4.28. It would be less if I cared about keeping the price down. But I don't get Netflix or buy DVD's or spend much on other types of entertainment, so I don't feel as constrained on book prices.

 

[Moemg]

.

I'm looking into ways to solve that. I'd prefer to read on a ebook reader, but I can't see paying $9 for a book.

I just bought this Nook book yesterday for.99. I haven't read it yet but I've read several books by this author and they were enjoyable . The Ritual Bath (Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus Series #1), Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus Series, Faye Kellerman, (9780061490767) NOOKbook (eBook) - Barnes & Noble

I also struggled with buying the books so I just set a monthly limit and supplement with libary books .

 

[TromboneAl]

Part of my problem is that out of 10 books that I read (or start reading), I only really like one or two.

 

[Lsbcal]

...(snip)...
Second, you have to have a library card from one of the libraries subscribing to the digital library. While true that anyone in California can get a library card, you must physically show up at the library in order to get it. ...

Our librarian said that you can go to any branch of a county's system to get the library card. So for Marin branches that might be easily done on one of those pleasure drives to Point Reyes or if shopping in Corte Madera.

 

[Westernskies]

On Wikipedia I note that there are already 32 different ebook file formats. Why can't people standardize?

The answer to that can be found in the 4 zillion different phone charging cords that are out there...with replacements at $20/pop... at least they standardized the Kindle charger to a mini-USB...

 

[TromboneAl]

Right. Don't get me started.

 

[ERD50]

Here's the status of my quest to get access to the Northern California Digital Library.

First, the selection of ebooks isn't as good as I initially thought, because many of the ones I saw were audio books.

Second, you have to have a library card from one of the libraries subscribing to the digital library. While true that anyone in California can get a library card, you must physically show up at the library in order to get it.

I'm looking into ways to solve that. I'd prefer to read on a ebook reader, but I can't see paying $9 for a book.

Ahhh, "OVERDRIVE" (from your link)!

I was also amazed at how difficult it was to figure out how to get an ebook from our library onto the Nook that DW checked out from our library. It came pre-loaded with some ebooks, but I wanted to see how you actually get ebooks that you want to check out from our local library onto the Nook.

First, I figured that since the Nook has Wi-Fi access, that I could just get ebooks using the Nook. Apparently not (but maybe I missed something). But there was a bunch of references to installing this 'Overdrive' program on your computer. But after jumping through those hoops, that was only for audio-books (again, maybe I missed something).

At this point, I was getting frustrated and did some googling, and actually found some reasonable instructions from some Library in Iowa(!).

It seems you need to install Adobe Digital Editions. Then you have to go through a registration process (another logon/PW to store!), and (IIRC) authorize that specific Nook with this account. I then thought I DLd an ebook from our library (which you the open from Adobe DE), but Adobe DE would not recognize what I DLd. Then I noticed the 1.5MB eBook file was only 4K (!?). Turns out that is only a 'key', and I had to right click and tell it to open using Adobe DE (why DE would not open it directly is a mystery to me). Well, then it DLd the actual ebook file.

I could read it in Adobe DE, but now, how to get it on the Nook? Said I should just plug in the Nook and it would be recognized by Adobe DE. Nope, tried a bunch of things. Finally saw that I had to QUIT Adobe DE, and then it saw the Nook after restarting the app. Dragged the eBooks onto the Nook icon, and it got them. Whew!

This should be fairly straightforward next time, but I expect DW will have some troubles. I can't believe my local library doesn't have some hand-holding type instructions, I will need to contact them about that. And I imagine less computer iterate types would have given up along the way.

So I guess my question still stands - can you DL an eBook from the library directly to the Nook w/o going through the computer? If not, what's the Wifi for? I suppose it's possible that some of this stuff is disabled for these Library Loaner Nooks?


-ERD50

 

[W2R]

Part of my problem is that out of 10 books that I read (or start reading), I only really like one or two.

Did you know that you can download free "samples" of Kindle books to your Kindle? What you get is the first few pages, which sometimes includes the whole first chapter, sometimes not. (It's usually just enough to "suck you in" if it is a book you would like.) If you can decide if you like a book pretty quickly, this could work for you because you wouldn't buy it after reading the sample. If it takes until you are halfway through the book to decide, it's no help. Just FYI

 

[TromboneAl]

Thanks, that might work for me.

 

[W2R]

Thanks, that might work for me.

Samples are fun to read, too. I like keeping the samples that appeal to me on my Kindle, to remind me of what books I might like to buy next.

W2R - yes, I guess it is about the same size as a paperback, but I made the text larger because I wanted to and I could, and that is a great feature of these things. By the time I do that, it is probably about 2/3rds the amount of text as a single paperback? On a real book, my eyes jump easily from the end of the left page to the top of the right, so it is only the page turn at the end of two pages that breaks up the reading. So with the Nook, I'm getting about 3X the number of 'breaks'.

Maybe I'd get used to it, but I honestly feel that I won't take the time/effort, it bothered me that much. It's a bummer, I really wanted to like it. I have a feeling these won't appeal to me until they have a good projector technology available - then it could be both small in size for carrying around, with a large screen, two-page display that could fold out. And scroll!

I like to enlarge the font a little bit, but perhaps not as much as you. I use the fourth smallest font. Sometimes it helps to read in "landscape orientation", instead of "portrait orientation", on my Kindle. But really I don't think that would help the situation for you. Might be worth trying.

Otherwise, it sounds like you are either doomed to lugging around something like the 10.4"x7.2" Kindle DX (19 oz), or reading paper books with smaller fonts I guess. They might weigh a lot too if hardbound.

 

[flyfishnevada]

Al, it's all in the averages. I buy any book I want, regardless of price. The past ten books I have bought were: $0, $0, $4.47, $0, $0, $9.99, $11.43, $1.59, $0, and $0. These were all through Amazon.

One thing the Kindle (or any e-reader) doesn't allow so far as I can see is purchasing used books. My last few purchases have been used from Amazon. All were under $2.00 but around $15 new and they looked practically new.

 

[Moemg]

One thing the Kindle (or any e-reader) doesn't allow so far as I can see is purchasing used books. My last few purchases have been used from Amazon. All were under $2.00 but around $15 new and they looked practically new.

You are right and I considered that when buying my ereader . I do still buy some used books mostly travel books from Amazon . I don't use my reader exclusively I just use at as an adjunct to the library & buying regular books . Their strength is when you want a book now or for travelling .I just load up my Nook and take off.

 

[flyfishnevada]

I don't think I will ever give up buying certain books the old fashioned way. E-readers seem great for reading novels and such, but for books you will reference over and over, a real book seems more appropriate.

 

[clifp]

I don't think I will ever give up buying certain books the old fashioned way. E-readers seem great for reading novels and such, but for books you will reference over and over, a real book seems more appropriate.

Actually I found just the opposite. Novels especially paperbacks are small, easily portable and you can gift them to friends once you are done. In contrast, classics or non fiction are much better in electronic form because you can search them much easier the fumbling with an index.

For instance I have the Too Big to Fail, as a big many hundred page hardback, and The Big Short as a Kindle book. They both cover the financial crises (with slightly different perspectives) but if I am looking for info on say the Lehman Brothers, I immediately will search the The Big Short, eventhough Too Big to Fail is a better book on the subject.

 

[Nords]

For instance I have the Too Big to Fail, as a big many hundred page hardback...

I finally started reading my library copy (it's my second request) and it feels like wading through hip-deep snow.

Just about every name I come across makes me wonder "Where the heck do they work again?" It'd be great if an e-reader had a cursor to put over the name to pop up the meta-text...

 

[Sparty]

On PBS News Hour the other night a guy from the NY Times who reviews tech things like e-books mentioned that we're still in the stone ages of this technology. So I think it's fine to just wait for the technology and costs to come towards your point of view before purchasing. For some that time is now and for others not just yet. In the meantime there's that centuries old technology to enjoy.

I don't think it is going to be long before we start seeing fairly capable low-cost tablet devices running Android. And you should be able to download the B&N and Kindle apps which would give you a device that is not only a decent e-reader but a device that can be used for browsing the internet and other functions.

 

[ScottFromUtah]

Now I've had my Kindle for several weeks, I must say that I love it, although it has its problems. Here's what I like about it.

• It holds lots of books. I am always reading 3 or 4 books at a time, and now I don't have to fill up my backpack with books every time I travel.
• Its screen is easy on the eyes. I enjoy reading this clear, clean, paper-like screen indoors or out. It never makes my eyes tired like a backlit reader. (I rarely have to read in the dark.)
• Its interactive dictionary system is perfect for someone like me who reads books in a foreign language. I just move the insertion point to the unknown word--weather it is a conjugated verb or not--and I immediately see the translation.
• It's fast. I can switch from one book to another in seconds.
• It has excellent battery life, especially with the wireless internet turned off.

Here's what I don't like about it:

• It is highly sensitive to static electricity. In this dry, air, I have to discharge before I handle the Kindle or it will automatically reboot, which takes a couple of minutes and forgets my last-read position in the books I'm reading. (But then, I have to remember to discharge the static electricity before I kiss DW or we both get a shock!)
• Its keyboard could be improved. I wish more of the symbols were accessible using the Alt key.
• The internet feature doesn't support Yahoo Mail, or at least I can't get it to work.

That's the update of my impression of the Kindle. Once I pulled the trigger and made it my main reading instrument, I will never look back.

Scott

 

[Charlotte]

I was also amazed at how difficult it was to figure out how to get an ebook from our library onto the Nook that DW checked out from our library. It came pre-loaded with some ebooks, but I wanted to see how you actually get ebooks that you want to check out from our local library onto the Nook.

First, I figured that since the Nook has Wi-Fi access, that I could just get ebooks using the Nook. Apparently not (but maybe I missed something). But there was a bunch of references to installing this 'Overdrive' program on your computer. But after jumping through those hoops, that was only for audio-books (again, maybe I missed something).

At this point, I was getting frustrated and did some googling, and actually found some reasonable instructions from some Library in Iowa(!).

It seems you need to install Adobe Digital Editions. Then you have to go through a registration process (another logon/PW to store!), and (IIRC) authorize that specific Nook with this account. I then thought I DLd an ebook from our library (which you the open from Adobe DE), but Adobe DE would not recognize what I DLd. Then I noticed the 1.5MB eBook file was only 4K (!?). Turns out that is only a 'key', and I had to right click and tell it to open using Adobe DE (why DE would not open it directly is a mystery to me). Well, then it DLd the actual ebook file.

I could read it in Adobe DE, but now, how to get it on the Nook? Said I should just plug in the Nook and it would be recognized by Adobe DE. Nope, tried a bunch of things. Finally saw that I had to QUIT Adobe DE, and then it saw the Nook after restarting the app. Dragged the eBooks onto the Nook icon, and it got them. Whew!

This should be fairly straightforward next time, but I expect DW will have some troubles. I can't believe my local library doesn't have some hand-holding type instructions, I will need to contact them about that. And I imagine less computer iterate types would have given up along the way.

Unfortunately, I can't help ERD with his Nook, but for those of you who are interested in borrowing e-books from your local library (assuming that most likely use Overdrive)...

The process was virtually seamless on my Sony Reader (PRS-600 Touch version). I selected my library book and checked out on Overdrive, then downloaded the .ascm file to my desktop computer. Double-clicked on the file, and it jump-started my Sony software and imported the .epub book. The book is tagged as 21 days remaining initially, and you can easily see how much time you have left. When you are done with the book, you right click on the file name in the Sony software and there is an option to "Return Borrowed Item". When you choose to Return, your file disappears and your account on Overdrive clears the book from the record.

It's such a treat when a gadget works simply and easily!!

Charlotte

 

[TromboneAl]

I emailed all 15 of the CA libraries that support overdrive, and all said that I have to physically come in there to get library card. It's ironic that to be able to get something that will let me read books without going to the library, I need to drive hundreds of miles to a library.

I could claim that I'm disabled, but I don't think that "living in a remote location" is a qualified disability.

 

[Cattusbabe]

I know that the Kindle is all that but ya have to give it to the Ipad. Enjoy.

YouTube - North Point's iBand

 

[wheel9]

I emailed all 15 of the CA libraries that support overdrive, and all said that I have to physically come in there to get library card. It's ironic that to be able to get something that will let me read books without going to the library, I need to drive hundreds of miles to a library.

I could claim that I'm disabled, but I don't think that "living in a remote location" is a qualified disability.

Sorry, I have been away for a while with some nasty medical stuff, or I would have responded sooner. The Overdrive Library system will only work with those readers that support e-pub. That leaves out the Kindle - that is why I ruled out the Kindle from consideration.

As to selection, my library is the Northern California one also, and you are right, their selection sucks! In my entire time of using Overdrive, I think I got 1 book from there. What I have done is when I travel, I make a point to visit libraries and get cards. I have San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego City, and San Diego County. I have also asked friends and relatives for their card number to use as they did not have ereaders. No risk to them, as the book ceases to work when it is due, so no overdue book charges.

I have also been able to acquire many other libraries in other states, so I can almost always find the books I want. There are lots of great libraries with great selections.

As to how you do it with a Nook - I think it was ERD that had questions, yes you need Adobe Digital Editions to check out library books. The book downloads to your computer. You need to "authorize" the Nook, and then you will be able to drag and drop the book right onto your Nook from within Adobe Digital Editions. I can post more detailed information or respond to questions.

The new Nook Color is sort of a poor man's Android table - it is wifi and can surf the web and do email in addition to being an e-reader. It is an LCD, so in bright sunlight it will be like an IPad. It is a 7 inch screen and only $250. I bought some as gifts for some folks this holiday and was very favorably impressed with the new device.

Please ask any other questions and I will respond in a more timely manner.

 

[Moemg]

I have a Nook and for Christmas I bought my Mom who is 94 a Kindle thinking it would be easier for her to use . The verdict is yes and no .The kindle is lighter but the book buying feature of the Nook is much nicer . It is also easier for her to navigate the Nook than the Kindle . Plus I like the way Barnes & Noble have the books arranged . It's easier to navigate in my opinion.