Dilemma -- Moving Overseas

honeybunny · 08-01-2009, 10:15 PM

It looks like I'm going to be moving overseas within the next 3-6 months. This will be a long-term move. I have a Kindle 1, and I'm a very heavy user of it. The device still works great, though it could probably use a new battery. I actually dunked it in the tub at one point, but I dried it out and it works fine.

I've backed up all of my current .azw purchases. We would still have a US credit card and US address linked to our Amazon account, so I know I could still make purchases. But I could no longer view samples and I could no longer get updated Kindle firmware.

So do I keep my Kindle and go through the hassle, or do I start looking into other ebook readers? I have a Nokia smartphone and I would LOVE for Amazon to release Kindle software for it (like they have for iPhone) but I'm not holding my breath. Plus, it would be hard to go back to reading on a 3.5" screen.

I'm open to other ebook readers. I have a handful of books I would hate to 'lose', but most of them are negotiable (I tend to be a read-once type of person for most things). I've gone through this before, as most of my purchases before the Kindle were through Fictionwise, for secure eReader format. (on another note, why can't they just decide on one secure format?)

I haven't actually kept up-to-date on ebook readers since buying my Kindle, because I've been very happy with it. The main things I love, though, are not unique to the Kindle. They are the eInk screen for its long battery life, and the screen size for ease of reading. I think most readers now have the same thing.

Nate the great · 08-01-2009, 10:20 PM

I don't see a reason not to keep the Kindle when you move over seas.

Elsi · 08-01-2009, 10:23 PM

Keep your Kindle. Even if you can't get the samples from Amazon, I've found that many of the samples are available from elsewhere. And the prices at Amazon are still lower than other places ... for the most part.

If you're willing to do the format-conversion and -shifting, you could deDRM your books from Fictionwise and probably 85-90% of the books you already have from Amazon, which means you shouldn't lose too much from your earlier purchases if you *do* decide to pick up another reader at some time.

Order yourself a spare battery while they're still available & then just don't worry about it for a while.

honeybunny · 08-01-2009, 10:27 PM

Thanks for your inputs.

daffy4u · 08-01-2009, 11:03 PM

You can download samples that work on the Kindle from Mobipocket.com. Also, whenever a new update is available, Amazon always creates a self-install version (they have to for people in the U.S. outside of Whispernet range). You'll still have easy access to Kindle books so there is no reason *not* to keep your Kindle. If you would like another ebook reader to add to your collection, it couldn't hurt.

honeybunny · 08-02-2009, 01:28 AM

Awesome, you guys are great! And I have now found how to un-DRM my old eReader books so that I can read them on new devices too! This is great! Have "backed up" all my Kindle purches to non-DRM format too.

Mike L · 08-02-2009, 05:31 AM

Cant add much to the good advice given here, except to say that I have been using my Kindle outside the US for several months, with very little problem. It will be even easier for you, given that you have a US-registered credit card.

On the issue of downloading samples, if you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, install the free Kindle app. This will let you download samples to the iPod.

My only worry would be the battery. If you need to send the Kindle back to Amazon for a replacement battery, they might need a US address to return it to. That shouldn't be a big problem, but if you feel the battery is nearing the end of its life, it might be worth getting a replacement before you leave.

pwalker8 · 08-02-2009, 09:06 AM

She said that she has a kindle 1. The battery is user replaceable, no need to send the unit in. You just order a new battery from Amazon and they ship it to you. I would agree that it might be a good idea to buy a replacement battery before she goes, just in case.

I agree with most of what the others have said. Keep the kindle and keep buying books via Amazon. Download the purchase to your computer via the web interface. Then you can either simply copy the book to your kindle via usb, or de-drm it (if it's not topaz format) and shift it to a different format. That's basically what I do. My difference is that I do this to read the book on my Sony 505, since I find it easier to read on the Sony than the kindle.

08-01-2009, 10:15 PM	#1
honeybunny Connoisseur Posts: 96 Karma: 76 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Brisbane, AU Device: Kindle 2 GSM	Dilemma -- Moving Overseas It looks like I'm going to be moving overseas within the next 3-6 months. This will be a long-term move. I have a Kindle 1, and I'm a very heavy user of it. The device still works great, though it could probably use a new battery. I actually dunked it in the tub at one point, but I dried it out and it works fine. I've backed up all of my current .azw purchases. We would still have a US credit card and US address linked to our Amazon account, so I know I could still make purchases. But I could no longer view samples and I could no longer get updated Kindle firmware. So do I keep my Kindle and go through the hassle, or do I start looking into other ebook readers? I have a Nokia smartphone and I would LOVE for Amazon to release Kindle software for it (like they have for iPhone) but I'm not holding my breath. Plus, it would be hard to go back to reading on a 3.5" screen. I'm open to other ebook readers. I have a handful of books I would hate to 'lose', but most of them are negotiable (I tend to be a read-once type of person for most things). I've gone through this before, as most of my purchases before the Kindle were through Fictionwise, for secure eReader format. (on another note, why can't they just decide on one secure format?) I haven't actually kept up-to-date on ebook readers since buying my Kindle, because I've been very happy with it. The main things I love, though, are not unique to the Kindle. They are the eInk screen for its long battery life, and the screen size for ease of reading. I think most readers now have the same thing.

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08-01-2009, 10:20 PM	#2
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	I don't see a reason not to keep the Kindle when you move over seas.

08-01-2009, 10:23 PM	#3
Elsi Wizard Posts: 2,366 Karma: 12000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: Kindle; Sony PRS 505; Blackberry 8700C	Keep your Kindle. Even if you can't get the samples from Amazon, I've found that many of the samples are available from elsewhere. And the prices at Amazon are still lower than other places ... for the most part. If you're willing to do the format-conversion and -shifting, you could deDRM your books from Fictionwise and probably 85-90% of the books you already have from Amazon, which means you shouldn't lose too much from your earlier purchases if you do decide to pick up another reader at some time. Order yourself a spare battery while they're still available & then just don't worry about it for a while.

08-01-2009, 10:27 PM	#4
honeybunny Connoisseur Posts: 96 Karma: 76 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Brisbane, AU Device: Kindle 2 GSM	Thanks for your inputs.

08-01-2009, 11:03 PM	#5
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	You can download samples that work on the Kindle from Mobipocket.com. Also, whenever a new update is available, Amazon always creates a self-install version (they have to for people in the U.S. outside of Whispernet range). You'll still have easy access to Kindle books so there is no reason not to keep your Kindle. If you would like another ebook reader to add to your collection, it couldn't hurt.

08-02-2009, 01:28 AM	#6
honeybunny Connoisseur Posts: 96 Karma: 76 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Brisbane, AU Device: Kindle 2 GSM	Awesome, you guys are great! And I have now found how to un-DRM my old eReader books so that I can read them on new devices too! This is great! Have "backed up" all my Kindle purches to non-DRM format too.

08-02-2009, 05:31 AM	#7
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	Cant add much to the good advice given here, except to say that I have been using my Kindle outside the US for several months, with very little problem. It will be even easier for you, given that you have a US-registered credit card. On the issue of downloading samples, if you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, install the free Kindle app. This will let you download samples to the iPod. My only worry would be the battery. If you need to send the Kindle back to Amazon for a replacement battery, they might need a US address to return it to. That shouldn't be a big problem, but if you feel the battery is nearing the end of its life, it might be worth getting a replacement before you leave.

08-02-2009, 09:06 AM	#8
pwalker8 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,195 Karma: 70314280 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Pro, iPad mini, Kobo Aura, Amazon paperwhite, Sony PRS-T2	She said that she has a kindle 1. The battery is user replaceable, no need to send the unit in. You just order a new battery from Amazon and they ship it to you. I would agree that it might be a good idea to buy a replacement battery before she goes, just in case. I agree with most of what the others have said. Keep the kindle and keep buying books via Amazon. Download the purchase to your computer via the web interface. Then you can either simply copy the book to your kindle via usb, or de-drm it (if it's not topaz format) and shift it to a different format. That's basically what I do. My difference is that I do this to read the book on my Sony 505, since I find it easier to read on the Sony than the kindle.

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