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AnemicOak · 11-28-2007, 04:44 PM

Well, I've now had my 505 for over a month & after much use I still love it. I guess these are just some thoughts after a more extended period of use. I've read 37 books on it so far & have settled into using the Reader as my primary way of reading books.

For the most part it's great & I don't regret the purchase. I've learned a lot about the ebook world that I didn't know before having it, before buying the Reader my only exposure to ebooks was Baen & one PDF book from Fictionwise.

I've learned that although it would make sense that if a publisher is going to put out an ebook that they'd put it out in all the major formats, but apparently there is sometimes no rhyme or reason to what format certain books get. I've settled on MS Reader for my format of choice for DRM'd materials, but at least three books I've wanted have been released in only Mobi or Mobi & eReader format. It'd be nice to be able to buy the Mobi book & do a simple conversion like you can with a LIT file.

I've learned that some titles I had hoped will be available aren't & may not be for some time. This is a bit of a disappointment. It's not like there aren't tons of books available, but for me there are some pretty big holes.

I can't bring myself to trust Sony to stick with LRX for the long haul so as long as that format remains unbroken I'm reluctant to buy from them. Although I did use a $10 off coupon I got from Borders to buy one book from them.

I've found libprs500 to be a great asset. It makes converting the LIT files I buy so simple. I've found Sony's software to be just OK, not great. I've found as I get around the 100 book mark with 11 collections that the software has become increasingly sluggish.

Collections work quite well, but I really wish there was some type of folder system available. As I add books the need to be more organized increases. It's definitely an area they could improve. Haven't needed to use a memory card yet.

The screen rocks. I've noticed very little, if any, ghosting at all. It's so much nicer reading on e-ink than it is trying to use a backlit screen.

Battery life is great & seems in line with what Sony promotes it as having.

I've found that I've grown so comfortable with using it, that reading a pbook seems strange. Unfortunately it seems I'm doomed to still buy pbooks if I want to keep up with long time series I'm in to reading.

One thing it's done that I hadn't really considered is made me go ahead & read some classics I've been meaning to read/re-read that just seemed to get lost in the shuffle when I'd have needed to go get a pbook copy.

There have been a few times where I've wished I waited a few more weeks & bought a Cybook, because I figure if one DRM format is going to stick around it's probably Mobipocket. Plus the fact that there's stuff in Mobi I want & can't get in LIT.

Thanks to everyone who's helped by answering my questions over the past month. You made the 'settle in' period a breeze.

`

11-28-2007, 04:44 PM	#27
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Well, I've now had my 505 for over a month & after much use I still love it. I guess these are just some thoughts after a more extended period of use. I've read 37 books on it so far & have settled into using the Reader as my primary way of reading books. For the most part it's great & I don't regret the purchase. I've learned a lot about the ebook world that I didn't know before having it, before buying the Reader my only exposure to ebooks was Baen & one PDF book from Fictionwise. I've learned that although it would make sense that if a publisher is going to put out an ebook that they'd put it out in all the major formats, but apparently there is sometimes no rhyme or reason to what format certain books get. I've settled on MS Reader for my format of choice for DRM'd materials, but at least three books I've wanted have been released in only Mobi or Mobi & eReader format. It'd be nice to be able to buy the Mobi book & do a simple conversion like you can with a LIT file. I've learned that some titles I had hoped will be available aren't & may not be for some time. This is a bit of a disappointment. It's not like there aren't tons of books available, but for me there are some pretty big holes. I can't bring myself to trust Sony to stick with LRX for the long haul so as long as that format remains unbroken I'm reluctant to buy from them. Although I did use a $10 off coupon I got from Borders to buy one book from them. I've found libprs500 to be a great asset. It makes converting the LIT files I buy so simple. I've found Sony's software to be just OK, not great. I've found as I get around the 100 book mark with 11 collections that the software has become increasingly sluggish. Collections work quite well, but I really wish there was some type of folder system available. As I add books the need to be more organized increases. It's definitely an area they could improve. Haven't needed to use a memory card yet. The screen rocks. I've noticed very little, if any, ghosting at all. It's so much nicer reading on e-ink than it is trying to use a backlit screen. Battery life is great & seems in line with what Sony promotes it as having. I've found that I've grown so comfortable with using it, that reading a pbook seems strange. Unfortunately it seems I'm doomed to still buy pbooks if I want to keep up with long time series I'm in to reading. One thing it's done that I hadn't really considered is made me go ahead & read some classics I've been meaning to read/re-read that just seemed to get lost in the shuffle when I'd have needed to go get a pbook copy. There have been a few times where I've wished I waited a few more weeks & bought a Cybook, because I figure if one DRM format is going to stick around it's probably Mobipocket. Plus the fact that there's stuff in Mobi I want & can't get in LIT. Thanks to everyone who's helped by answering my questions over the past month. You made the 'settle in' period a breeze. `