[DougFNJ]

Hey all,

I was curious what everyone's ebook reading experience was before the Reader came about.

I started with a US Robotics Palm Pilot back in 1997. This Monochrome Device could hold some books, but the lighting was bad, and the screen was a bit too small to read thm with. I was able to tolerate very short storys, but paperbacks were staying.

Sony came out with a brighter and full color screen, so I purchased a music playing brilliant color Clie. I tried the Ebooks on there.....same experience.

I attempted a couple of Windows devices that sported more multimedia capability, but no matter what devices I would purchase I always found they could handle my PDA needs and muti media needs so much better.

I saw the ebook readers released a number of years ago, and looked at them, thought about purchasing, and never pulled the trigger because I felt I would do the same thing with those readers that I had with my Palm Pilots and Pocket PC's, read short stories. All of these screens IMHO were ok for short stories, but there was nothing like reading a book from a book. Those devices tried to simulate it, but nothing caught on for me. I periodically looked for what was available, and began to see pre-reviews at the beginning of this year that announced and discussed the Sony Reader. They piqued my interest talking about the E-Ink technology, and paper look of the screen. Everytime I looked for one, I read articles about Sony still not ready to put them out, release date changed again, "great device, will they ever release it?" I eventually stopped looking.

Monday I went Christmas shopping with a buddy of mine and we walked into the Sony Store. Right in the front 4 demo units of the device I thought would never be released. I picked it up, looked at it, and liked what I saw and felt immediately. This was exactly what I was looking for. The perfect screen for the paperback experience. I didn't buy it right then and there. I wanted to see what my budget allowed after shopping, and I wanted to look up reviews and opinions before I made up my mind.

That device wouldn't leave my mind after I saw it. I am a gadget guy, when I come across a gadget I like, my mind wanders frequently back to that device for curiosity. I want more info, I need to know more. So google here I come. Quite a few reviews posted out there, back and forth, nobody giving it their full seal of approval, but nobody saying to not buy it. I found this site, and read users experiences with it, alot of your ideas on what you were seeking in a reader very similar to mine, and that sealed my decision. Merry Christmas to Doug, this would be my gift for myself.

Tuesday, I went to lunch at my local mall, and went to Sony Store to purchase my new toy. I looked at it a bit more, slapped down the debit card, and purchased. I went to the car, opened her up, looked through the manual, read a few excerpts that were included in the Reader, and the decision was validated. This is what I have been searching for for quite awhile, an Ipod for books.

Where PDA's were great for my organizational needs, the limited size for the e-books were not meeting my needs. I have found this Reader to be perfect. The size of the screen is precisely what I was looking for, the device satisfied 2 things, the look of a regular page of a book, and the ability to carry numerous books while away from home and office. I read up to 4 books at one time, and am usually able to carry 1-2 at a time. I am definitely looking forward to what this technology brings to the arena as E-ink advances.Judging by how quickly this seems to be selling with virtually no marketing, just buzz alone....think about the potential once we see a commercial or an ad.

I look forward to hearing other Mobilereaders experiences.