Late to the party, I know, since you've already decided to buy a Kindle 2. (Congrats, btw, on a great choice!) Nonetheless, another 2¢ here ... without the 15¢ Whispernet delivery surcharge.
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Originally Posted by readingzombie
* Privacy. Can Amazon really see what personal content I have on my reader at all times? If I have de-DRM'd content on there, can they see it? Can they remove it?
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I am going to go out on a limb and say, no, they can't see the content on your Kindle. They can see the
file names, dates and sizes-- it's part of the sync process that allows you read from the same spot, and share the same bookmarks, on multiple devices (like your Kindle and your Kindle for PC). If they haven't attached a specific file to your account, it will be gibberish to them and ignored. So -- privacy is a non-issue.
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Originally Posted by readingzombie
* The screen.
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The reports of e-ink screen breakage are relatively few. Already 50-something, I have never lost my wallet or house-keys and I'v yet to drop anything inadvertently off the balcony. Treated with respect, like any portable electronic device, and it will be fine. I bought the officially sanctioned Amazon leather (it's real leather -- smell it! LOL) case with the Kindle 2 and that works very well for me. It's enough of a cushion for casual "ooopsies" to protect it. YMMV.
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Originally Posted by readingzombie
* The size. How big is the Kindle compared to say my old Palm T/X or the Sony Readers? I want something smaller than my netbook because I'm tired of lugging it around ...
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I has an ASUS netbook -- at around 2.5 pounds, closed and in its case, has a slightly larger footprint than the Kindle 2 in its case. Except the Asus would be horrible to read on for long-periods (it's terrific at what it does -- portable computing over wifi). And the Kindle 2 weighs 10 oz. It's a comfortable weight to hold and, in the case, has the same "feel" as a trade paperback without the tendency to close up.
I have yet to put it in a purse (I'd have to get a purse first.
) I carry it in my right hand, or slip it into my carry on when flying. Really, just bit the bullet and get the sturdy Amazon case.
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Originally Posted by readingzombie
* I really want a device that just reads eBooks ...
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Zing!
Give that reader a gold star! Honest to bejezzus, the folks running around on websites and TV heralding the coming of the Apple Tablet -- that would be this coming Tuesday for those keeping score -- give me a royal pain. You hit the nail on the head: the Kindle 2 is an e-reader, stoopid, and it's really good at that. Yes, my Asus network and my Blackberry cell-phone can take pictures ... but I have a dedicated digital camera for holiday snaps. Same with reading: there is a place in my world for a dedicated reader and Kindle 2 delivers that functionality very well as it is.
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Originally Posted by readingzombie
* If I shop at Fictionwise, or BoB, do I have to pay a fee to get the book onto my Kindle via the "whispernet?"
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I live in Canada. All Amazon titles (including the "free" ones) cost $2 more than for you. Life is not fair, I suppose, but there it is. So, paying 15¢ per transmission to get something directly to the Kindle doesn't faze me and would not stop me from using the service.
More to the point is I can't find anything on Fictionwise Kindle store I want to buy and can't figure out the pay rebate system. It doesn't seem to apply Kindle titles. If someone wants to explain it to me offline, I'd be grateful.
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Originally Posted by readingzombie
What is the one thing you love most about your Kindle that you can't live without? What is the one thing you wish your Kindle had/did that it doesn't?
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I really like the Wikipedia option -- and that works outside the US free (I tried it in Mexico before I tried it in Canada).
I wish it allowed non-US accounts to save the $2 delivery wireless charge and accept delivery exclusively to the PC account.
And, while it's been announced, some sort of tagging / directory system is woefully needed unless, like me at the moment, you are content to load up the Kindle with a few dozen titles and leave the rest "on the mother ship PC".
Hope this helps!