Quote:
Originally Posted by enarchay
Another three questions.
Is there a way to skip ahead by more than one page at a time?
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There are several choices for navigation. Before I explain, let me comment about the choices between ebook navigation and paper. I have had many different types of readers and for the most part I prefer paper when I want to find things. It's much faster for me to guage the thickness of the book and to skim a few passages to orient myself. I have yet to find an e-alternative that is faster. However, there are several options on the Kindle that are useful.
1) Location: The Kindle does not have pages, but it does have location. As I understand it, a location is like a chunk of memory. I don't really know how big a typical chunk is; however, the book that I am reading now has 3,698 locations. Whereas the number of pages in a book can change based on font size, location number 1,234 (to pick a random example) should be the exact same spot in the book, irrespective of the font or font-size.
At the bottom of each page is a display that shows the locations on the current page. As well as the total locations in the book. For example, I have dummied up the location display for my current book below:
75% Locations 2801-8 3698
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This display indicates that I am 75% done with the book (also shown in the bar chart represented by the "="), and that the current page shows locations 2801 through 2808. The last location in the book is 3698. I can use the menu to go to any location. Therefore, I can "Go To Location 3100". If the spot I am looking for is after that, I can split half the remaining difference and "Go To Location 3300". Eventually I will narrow down to the correct location.
2) Search: The Kindle supports a full text search. If I can remember some fairly specific text passage this makes it easy to find a spot. I search for it and it takes me directly to the correct spot.
3) Page turning: The K2 uses the latest Epson controller. This means that simple page turns are faster than in the past. I used to own a Cybook and it took me forever to turn pages. If I have to page forward to a new spot, it is relatively fast for the Kindle.
However, I would make one comment about page turning and power consumption. Remember that eInk platforms are rated according to page turns, not time. Let's say you skip through a book using lots of page turns. Each page turn uses a similar amount of energy as-if you actually read the same amount of pages. In other words, 100 page turns uses a given amount of energy whether the page is displayed for two seconds or two minutes. Therefore, if your battery is low, skimming quickly through the book using the page turn will not save you a lot in terms of battery life.