Hi everyone. This post is an effort to get advice from all you experts on ebook readers. I live in Zimbabwe which is a problem in itself as you will see. There are virtually no bookshops in Zim so I recently (on advice from a Kindle owner who does not live in Zimbabwe bought a Kindle. This would seem to be the perfect solution.
The Kindle was sent by courier to me in Zim and at the end of the day - taking into account customs duty - ended up paying more than US$300 for the privilege.
First problem - the Kindle wireless transmission does not work in Zim so I registered my computer to receive ebooks via broadband and registered my Kindle to accept transfer of the Kindle books via the USB cable supplied.
I paid for an ebook with my (International VISA credit card) and
Second problem - got a message from Amazon that Zimbabwe Kindle owners are not allowed to download Kindle books. So that takes care of that. All that money and nothing to show for it.
Is there an ebook reader that does not need all this red-tape?. Its like dealing with a government department which wants to make life as difficult as possible.
Microsoft ebook software downloads need a "passport" to use (more shades of Government-like interference) and now it appears my Vista operating system does not have "Activation ActiveX control software" and I can't download ebooks via Microsoft!!
I would like to utilise eBooks.com for material but how will I get it onto my Kindle. I will have to de-register the Kindle before using it as Amazon will not sell ebooks to me. Then I must send any ebook content via an email and in PDF format to my Kindle??? Will the Kindle reject these books because I have de-registered? I will have to buy a ebook content first and then attempt to transfer the content to the Kindle only to find it can't be done.
I am sure all you guys know exactly what I am talkming about. So all in all - I would like some advice on an ebook reader which is not riddled with all these "regulations " and difficulties. That will accept downloads of ebooks from my computer and which has a decent enough screen and battery power to enable me to read a book over a couple of days.
Is this too much to ask for???
driftzim@zol.co.zw