[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by GalinAZ

I got a Kindle as a gift. Why should I keep this thing? Here's the list of issues I have with it
1) I can't add library e-books to it.

yes you can! you just have to ask nicely for help Done
2) It doesn't have page numbers for the books like everything else published in the last 5 centuries
the rest of us get around it and unless you are using it for research, what's the issue? That's precisely the issue. If it's suppose to be a publication it should conform to the standard so that it can be referenced.

Ummm... If you need a page number stick to dead-tree. If you want to READ, let go of the concept of page numbers. Yes, this can be a difficulty for non-fiction, but fiction page numbers, who needs them?

3) It has a teeny tiny keyboard instead of a touch screen like half a million phones manage to have
it's not a phone!!! My point was a touchscreen would make more sense than the teeny keyboard

Sure, if you want to take copious notes or to compose complete doctoral theses on the device. But for a READING device, a tiny keyboard usable to find new titles at the store works just great! MOST people hardly ever use the keyboard.

4) I can't read PDF documents (not the way they look on a PC anyway)
it's not a PC!!! I realize that. I still would rather read PDFs on it than on a PC.

Then re-format the PDFs to fit a 600x800 pixel display. It *CAN* be done, although with great difficulty.

5) It's not a reading device it's a Amazon e-book selling device
that's where you are confused, that's the PC! As I experience it, it's only good for overpriced reading material in a closed loop environment, for purchase from Amazon. Hardly a way to encourage reading.

I buy most of my ebooks from BAEN and Amazon, it is true. I also buy books from eReader.com and Fictionwise (epub and ereader) and run them through Calibre to create mobipocket versions. Of course, the books have to be DRM-free for this to work.

6) I've got a PC (4, in fact) and a BB. I don't NEED another wireless device.
can you read your PC in bed? at the beach? on a ski lift? in an airplane? Yes, yes, why would you read on a ski-lift? and yes.

Why NOT read on a ski-lift? It's just as suitable as reading in a dentist's chair while waiting for the novacaine to kick in.

7) Searching for a "free" e-book on Amazon is frustrating. I don't want to read romance or "undiscovered" authors or born-again.
oh please! by ALL means don't get to know this site and all of the resources for free and cheap reading material. please PLEASE don't! you have such a perfect negative track record thus far! You are assuming you know my attitude. I merely listed issues I have with the device. I did explore the site and I am looking for quality reading, that may also be free, like I find in a library or used bookstore.

I prefer to buy my reading material. Could be because I'm in the process of WRITING two novels and hope to earn money from their sale just as current authors do.

But even so, there's nothing stopping you from finding free ebooks in non-Kindle format and running them through Calibre to convert them to mobipocket and loading them onto the Kindle.

I figure I can sell this thing on Craigslist and for $200 get enough used paperbacks to last me until they come out with something truly useful.
I figure you can't! Since you still have your Kindle, how do you know whether it would sell?