[CLIEGURU]

So much can and should be said about Sony's effort. They were the first to wholesale bring e-ink into the mainstream and they helped to change the way people read. It truely is a sad day but not unexpected. Rather than detail Sony's actions with the reader let's look at Mobileread's contribution:

* Mobile read hosted the very first FAQ with Sony even before the product launched- Thanks to Alex.

* NatCh posted the very first detailed hands on review of the Reader on this site.

* Bob Russell reported tirelessly on the product on this site.

* Kovid Goyal created the first third party eBook Library "Calibre" for the Sony Reader and posted on MobileRead.

* Before Kindle some MobileRead people were at Book shows promoting the product. I meet NatCh in Austin doing that.

* Due to Calibre and MobileRead members, Mobileread hosted one of the earliest free public domain archives in LRF for the Sony Reader.

* When Amazon first launched the Kindle, it was MobileRead that took to Sony's defense and promoted the PRS 505 over the first generation Kindle.

* There were so many posts in forums for the Sony Reader here at MobileRead that it took Amazon almost 4 years to have as many posts about the Kindle.

I write these things because this is a good time to point out how influential MobileRead has been and really to show how much of the Reader's initial success resides with all of us here. I haven't written much here but was a daily reader of all the great stuff when both the Reader and Kindle launched. To all of you, if you are still here- THANKS!