[sigma8]

I've lurked here for a couple days, and I think I've figured out all I can figure without creating a disturbance and rousing some discussion to bounce some ideas around.

I don't think my goals are adequately met by any current eBook reader, since what I mostly need is a nice reader for PDF's and websites (pre-cached is fine, it wouldn't need to be live; altho live would be nice). Basically, I want a tablet PC with an eInk screen. The PlasticLogic sounds promising, but that's neither here nor now.

Disclaimer being made, I would like to start experimenting with eBook readers sooner rather than later. Not only for my own personal use, but also to explore as a platform for proprietary content delivery (not necessarily DRM'ed). For example: trying to sell the top brass on using a eBook reader for corporate document delivery, or using it to distribute custom course materials for a class.

I'm not interested in mobi or books from the Amazon or Sony stores. All of the books I've ever bought or would probably be telling anyone else to buy are from specific publishers, and I've never seen anything on offer other than PDF. And I'm talking specific books. I'm not trying to satiate a reading hobby--I don't read as a hobby. I'm generally after specific material.

I like the Sony readers for their PDF support, format-flexibility, and their user-interface. I dislike them because I'm frustrated that the 700 would be great if only its screen was like the 505, and the 505 would be great if only it had the PDF support and features of the 700. The Kindle is not my first choice, but I'm intrigued by its wireless possibilities and how much they can accomplish when you're trying to get at non-Amazon data. The Kindle will also likely be most popular, so if I'm looking at eBook readers as a platform for data-sharing, the Kindle may be more worthwhile to explore, since more people will probably buy them, but ideally I'd like to be able to generate platform-agnostic content.

So, does anyone else here load their device with a lot of converted/self-generated content? How does it work out and how does it look? How good is the Kindle's web browsing? Sony users: how bad is 505 PDF reading? Sony 700 owners: how jealous are you of the 505's screen? How is the glare on your eyes?

I'm really making my brain implode over this decision, when the reality is that if I like this device, I'll probably become a fan of the technology and upgrade periodically. Maybe that means I should buy the cheapest one I can at the moment?