Quote:
Originally Posted by SkyDream
Sony would miss 4) except for the 950.
And folders are called collections and are one-level only.
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Collections/tags are *not* folders; they are not direct representations of an actual folder based filing system. They are, instead, arbitrary groupings within a single location; useful, but no substitute for the sophisticated onboard file-management found on folder-based systems.
The key difference is that folder-based systems store the files physically in the designated folder structure. Collection/tag-based systems use a single storage location and use the tags as atributes to sort and organize the single repository. Essentially, they use a single folder with a flat-file database as a front end.
Folder-based systems use the devices file system or a subset/branch of it as their core organization system, not a single predetermined folder.
Folder-based systems let you create, rename, move, or delete entire folder structures from within the device. Some of them, let you create arbitrary link structures (like Windows shortcuts--Pocketbook calls them Favorites) to create an arbitrary parallel organization system independent from the physical location that offers some of the benefits of tags/collections.
The key benefit of tags/collections is that one physical file can be found at mutiple tag "locations" so only one copy is needed. In a pure folder-based system one file can only be found in the one folder where it actually resides. Which is where the link-based structure comes in since it offers an alternative that does allow multiple links to a single physical location for those that like to eat their cake and have it too.
At this point in time, among first and second tier vendors, an insistence on folder-based navigation excludes all Kindles, Nooks, all Sonys, and Kobos. (I have heard Kobo might be dropping their database storage system but I haven't heard if they are going for a true folder-based system or just switching the front end.)
Systems I personally know support folders are: all the Hanlin clones from Aztak and BeBook among others, Bookeens, Jetbooks, and Pocketbooks. And Pocketbook I know to also provide for link-based organization; they call it "Favorites".
I'm sure there are others, it is a fairly common and very useful system to manage large amounts of files (say, on the order of the Gutenberg collection), which is probably why the OP is asking for suggestions.