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Mike L · 01-09-2010, 05:19 AM

Ficbot,

I'll have a shot at some of your questions, but keep in mind that I'm not the most expert Kindle user around here. If anyone contradicts any of my answers, believe them, not me.

1) Can I sync non-Amazon content to the iPod Touch app if I have an iPod Touch and a Kindle?

Don't think so. The Touch has no way of knowing what's on your Kindle. It only knows what you've purchased from Amazon.

2) Am I correct in my conclusion that the 'whispersync' means that if I read in the iPod Touch (for example while the Kindle is charging) and then go back to the Kindle later, the book will jump ahead to where I was on the iPod Touch?

That's my understanding, but you need to have Whispernet access to do that.

3) Does the link at Manybooks to set up the Kindle to download wirelessly from there work in Canada or non-US, or is my only option if I don't want to buy Amazon content going to be downloading to PC and transferring via Calibre?

Can't answer the first part. But, in general, you don't need to use Calibre to transfer to Kindle from PC. You simply need the books to be in Mobi format. Many titles are available in that format (including many from this forum), or you can use the Mobi Pocket PC application to convert them. (But that doesn't mean you shouldn't insall Calibre anyway, which is a very useful tool in its own right.)

4) ANY options or hacks to group, organize or filter the books on the Kindle? Or must you scroll through every screen of books to find the one you want?

There is no system for organising books into folders or categories (although Amazon have promised this for a future software update). The best you can do is to sort the books by title, author or most recently read (the last option requires Whispernet). Or you can search for a given title (including searching for comments that you have added).

5) If I want to install a non-Englush dictionary (I am prepared to buy this) and use it with the dictionary look-up, how easy is this? Tutorial anywhere?

Pass.

6) I have seen some cute gelskins. Is this enough? Or should I really be investing in a more 'proper' cover for it? I like the gelskin because it will look nice when I read it plain, and when I travel I have more sturdy things I can put it in.

It's really a matter of personal preference. Personally, I don't use a cover or case or skin of any kind. If there's any risk of my Kindle getting wet, I put it in a transparent Ziploc bag. On the other hand, I guess it would make sense to get a good-quality protective case. I might do that myself soon. But in any case, you don't have to decide now. You can always buy the Kindle first and think about the protection later.

Let us know what you decide.

01-09-2010, 05:19 AM	#24
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	Ficbot, I'll have a shot at some of your questions, but keep in mind that I'm not the most expert Kindle user around here. If anyone contradicts any of my answers, believe them, not me. 1) Can I sync non-Amazon content to the iPod Touch app if I have an iPod Touch and a Kindle? Don't think so. The Touch has no way of knowing what's on your Kindle. It only knows what you've purchased from Amazon. 2) Am I correct in my conclusion that the 'whispersync' means that if I read in the iPod Touch (for example while the Kindle is charging) and then go back to the Kindle later, the book will jump ahead to where I was on the iPod Touch? That's my understanding, but you need to have Whispernet access to do that. 3) Does the link at Manybooks to set up the Kindle to download wirelessly from there work in Canada or non-US, or is my only option if I don't want to buy Amazon content going to be downloading to PC and transferring via Calibre? Can't answer the first part. But, in general, you don't need to use Calibre to transfer to Kindle from PC. You simply need the books to be in Mobi format. Many titles are available in that format (including many from this forum), or you can use the Mobi Pocket PC application to convert them. (But that doesn't mean you shouldn't insall Calibre anyway, which is a very useful tool in its own right.) 4) ANY options or hacks to group, organize or filter the books on the Kindle? Or must you scroll through every screen of books to find the one you want? There is no system for organising books into folders or categories (although Amazon have promised this for a future software update). The best you can do is to sort the books by title, author or most recently read (the last option requires Whispernet). Or you can search for a given title (including searching for comments that you have added). 5) If I want to install a non-Englush dictionary (I am prepared to buy this) and use it with the dictionary look-up, how easy is this? Tutorial anywhere? Pass. 6) I have seen some cute gelskins. Is this enough? Or should I really be investing in a more 'proper' cover for it? I like the gelskin because it will look nice when I read it plain, and when I travel I have more sturdy things I can put it in. It's really a matter of personal preference. Personally, I don't use a cover or case or skin of any kind. If there's any risk of my Kindle getting wet, I put it in a transparent Ziploc bag. On the other hand, I guess it would make sense to get a good-quality protective case. I might do that myself soon. But in any case, you don't have to decide now. You can always buy the Kindle first and think about the protection later. Let us know what you decide.