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As I said I love the device. It's the rest of the ecosystem (store and software) that ruin the experience for me. I know there are other sources on the web for books - I've used and enjoyed Baen, but seriously AZ Sci Fi? I love McCollum's books, but this 'source' is only a single author who is self publishing just a dozen book. Many of the the other recommended sources are specialty shops as well. Let's say I decide to give up on the Sony Bookstore like you suggest. Now I must search through other potential sources with my PC (each with a different download mechanism), manage the files on my PC, Strip out the DRM, Convert the format, and use Calibre to sync to my device. Calibre is good software. Why can't Sony get theirs to work? I love technology, but the point of this is Reading. Compare this to my new Kindle. I turn it on literally anywhere there is 3G coverage, type in a book or author right on the device and browse the Amazon bookstore. Select a book and purchase it. Before I can navigate back to the table of contents, the book is there. I suppose this is bad if you lack impulse control, but nothing is as fast or convenient. With the Kindle I can 'share' books with my family members or friends. I can even use the free Kindle Prime Lending Library. The Sony is hobbled by it's bookstore, software and dependence on a PC. I would likely still be using my Sony if the software wasn't so bad. Syncing should be transparent like your MP3 player. Plug it in and in a few minutes, it says Done! I guess I'm just tired of constantly tinkering with my reader. It's like choosing which car to drive - a vintage BMW that requires some tinkering to keep it on the road or a brand new VW with all of the modern bells and whistles and a 5 year maintenance plan. After the Beemer lets you down and strands you a couple of times, you'll be asking yourself is it worth all this work?
Best regards,
PCH
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