[mracct14]

Hi all - I would appreciate your input on a few questions before I buy a Kindle Paperwhite directly from Amazon. As you all know more than most people about Kindles, I assume this is the right place for these questions, but please let me know if I should post them elsewhere.

1. Privacy. Is it possible to prevent a Paperwhite from ever connecting to Amazon's servers? I would like to use the device without ever signing it into an Amazon, Google or Facebook account. (I would consider jailbreaking if necessary, but I understand that the latest firmware is not compatible with existing tools.)

2. Reliance on Amazon servers. Do any core features (e.g., local bookmarks or basic dictionary lookups) require access to Amazon's servers?

3. Automatic wifi syncing. Is it possible to automatically transfer new books in a Calibre library to a Paperwhite over a wifi network without going through Amazon's servers (e.g., without having Calibre email the books to an Amazon administered email account)? I use Calibre to download articles from a number of websites on a scheduled basis and would like them to show up on my device without any intervention on my part.

4. Browsing Calibre over wifi. Is it possible to browse and download books from a Calibre library over a local wireless network?

5. Screen quality. Are there any common complaints about the quality of the Paperwhite's backlight or screen (e.g., uneven lighting at the edges, persistent black dots or unevenness of the color of the screen). I have used E Ink readers before so I am familiar with issues like slow and distracting refreshes that affect all E Ink screens.

6. Use in pitch darkness. I plan to use the device in a completely dark room immediately before sleeping. Is there any reason the Paperwhite is a bad fit for this kind of use?