Kindle & Tech formatted kindle books?

Ncage1974 · 02-07-2011, 09:15 PM

Hey guys i was looking for a e-reader maybe about 6 months ago and got an Ipad. While i liked the IPad i felt like i didn't get enough use out of it to justify the cost so i sold it (for a profit believe it or not). My main concern before was being able to read my tech pdf & chm files. To be honest i don't think i care that much anymore. I'f i'm going to read a pdf then i will just use my computer. I know the kindle is definitely not good for tech type books when they are pdf...but are they fine when they are kindle formatted? 99.9% of the time i read tech type books. I wouldn't be willing to spend the extra on the dx because your close to the cost of the ipad but if tech books are good when they are kindle formatted then id be willing to buy a kindle 3 wifi. Any help would be appreciated.

thanks,
Ncage

Ncage1974 · 02-07-2011, 11:12 PM

OK just to clarify i'm not talking about pdf that i convert to kindle format i'm talking about the ones you actually buy from amazon. I would image the publisher has taken the time to make sure it looks right on the kindle...but i wanted to ask before i made the jump...

MichelRenaud · 02-08-2011, 06:23 AM

I only have one so far - Essential C# 4.0 - and the formatting is just fine. Even the source code samples look good (they seem to have used images for those(?)) That said, I guess it ultimately depends on how good a conversion job the publisher does.

I also have a few technical PDFs that look alright as well, and a couple that aren't so great.

Edit: That's using a DX. I noticed that a lot of Kindle technical books have a note saying that they're optimized for larger screens, so things may not be so great on a K3, for example.

Ncage1974 · 02-08-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichelRenaud

I only have one so far - Essential C# 4.0 - and the formatting is just fine. Even the source code samples look good (they seem to have used images for those(?)) That said, I guess it ultimately depends on how good a conversion job the publisher does.

I also have a few technical PDFs that look alright as well, and a couple that aren't so great.

Edit: That's using a DX. I noticed that a lot of Kindle technical books have a note saying that they're optimized for larger screens, so things may not be so great on a K3, for example.

I appreciate the reply. Like you said though your using a DX which could make a huge difference it and the 6 in screen on the K3.

TallMomof2 · 02-08-2011, 11:09 AM

Definitely depends upon the conversion. I have two Windows Home Server ebooks. One has terrible graphics and the other is quite good. Download books samples before you buy.

Ncage1974 · 02-08-2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

Definitely depends upon the conversion. I have two Windows Home Server ebooks. One has terrible graphics and the other is quite good. Download books samples before you buy.

So i guess the only way to really find out is just to buy one and start looking at the specific books i want to buy and found out right?

MichelRenaud · 02-09-2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ncage1974

So i guess the only way to really find out is just to buy one and start looking at the specific books i want to buy and found out right?

With any luck you can download a free sample AND the sample will contain enough things like graphics and tables (etc...) so you can see if the formatting is any good.

Mark Rehorst · 02-09-2011, 10:03 AM

I have a DXG and it is great for pdfs. If you actually read those pdfs and don't need to make bookmarks, notes, or search through the file the DX is the way to go. I picked up my DXG via Craig's list for $230 with leather cover and reading light. You don't have to pay $379 if you have the patience to wait for a deal to show up.

Duokan adds pdf functionality that is missing from the DXG's firmware.

02-07-2011, 09:15 PM	#1
Ncage1974 Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle 3	Kindle & kindle formatted tech books? Hey guys i was looking for a e-reader maybe about 6 months ago and got an Ipad. While i liked the IPad i felt like i didn't get enough use out of it to justify the cost so i sold it (for a profit believe it or not). My main concern before was being able to read my tech pdf & chm files. To be honest i don't think i care that much anymore. I'f i'm going to read a pdf then i will just use my computer. I know the kindle is definitely not good for tech type books when they are pdf...but are they fine when they are kindle formatted? 99.9% of the time i read tech type books. I wouldn't be willing to spend the extra on the dx because your close to the cost of the ipad but if tech books are good when they are kindle formatted then id be willing to buy a kindle 3 wifi. Any help would be appreciated. thanks, Ncage Last edited by Ncage1974; 02-07-2011 at 09:25 PM.

02-08-2011, 06:23 AM	#3
MichelRenaud Connoisseur Posts: 53 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ottawa, Canada Device: Kindle DXG	I only have one so far - Essential C# 4.0 - and the formatting is just fine. Even the source code samples look good (they seem to have used images for those(?)) That said, I guess it ultimately depends on how good a conversion job the publisher does. I also have a few technical PDFs that look alright as well, and a couple that aren't so great. Edit: That's using a DX. I noticed that a lot of Kindle technical books have a note saying that they're optimized for larger screens, so things may not be so great on a K3, for example. Last edited by MichelRenaud; 02-08-2011 at 07:27 AM.

02-08-2011, 11:09 AM	#5
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 1,951 Karma: 1041343 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Amazon K4, Fire, Droid 2	Definitely depends upon the conversion. I have two Windows Home Server ebooks. One has terrible graphics and the other is quite good. Download books samples before you buy. __________________ You make it, we break it.

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02-07-2011, 11:12 PM	#2
Ncage1974 Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle 3	OK just to clarify i'm not talking about pdf that i convert to kindle format i'm talking about the ones you actually buy from amazon. I would image the publisher has taken the time to make sure it looks right on the kindle...but i wanted to ask before i made the jump...

02-09-2011, 10:03 AM	#8
Mark Rehorst was engr, now dentist Posts: 143 Karma: 18558 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Riverside, Ca Device: Kindle DXG	I have a DXG and it is great for pdfs. If you actually read those pdfs and don't need to make bookmarks, notes, or search through the file the DX is the way to go. I picked up my DXG via Craig's list for $230 with leather cover and reading light. You don't have to pay $379 if you have the patience to wait for a deal to show up. Duokan adds pdf functionality that is missing from the DXG's firmware.


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