Quote:
Originally Posted by athlonkmf
Unfortunately, the sony reader is merely a 2nd gen ebook reader using the eink technology, and thus has it's own limitations.
If you take all other ebook devices like pda's, laptops, tablet pcs into account, then it'd be like comparing mp3 players with a walkman.
And my comparison is also correct, because with each new technology/gadget out, it takes at least 3 generations before the required software reaches a mature state.
The MD-player got good after the 3rd generation. Small size, long playtime.
The MP3-player got good after the 3rd generation. The free tools hooked on. Windows 2000 recognized the player as removable HDD.
When the 3rd generation reader comes (and bookeen seems to be leading the pack), conversion tools are plenty. And see now: we've got PDFread, PDFrasterfarian for PDF-conversions. You've got mine and several other image-converting programs. You've got bookdesigner. When the 3rd gen launches, those buyers won't have trouble getting the software. It's all around the internet then.
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First of all, the Eink display is irrelevant to the discussion of file format and conversion software.
The Sony Reader is not really a second gen ebook reader when you consider the history of ebooks, though I will agree it is a second gen
dedicated ebook device.
The first gen ebook reader was the Apple Newton. The second gen (and maybe third) is the various Palm PDAs. And then there is the Franklin Ebookman, various Gemstar devices, the original Cybook, the Sony Librie, and a couple others I can't name. So the Sony Reader is at least a fifth gen piece of hardware - maybe more.
If you want to look at it in terms of software, Mobipocket started in 2000. Palm eReader software is even older (I think).
When the Ipod came out, MP3 was not yet
the standard for digital music players. A lot of devices used their own goofy format. Similarly, Sony could have picked Mobipocket, Palm Ereader, or MSReader, and helped make it
the standard for ebook devices. Instead, they invented their own, and further splintered the market.
With the Ipod came Itunes. Sony (unfortunately) gave us the Connect store. Itunes will take many different formats, and convert them to work well on the Ipod. The Connect Store is a pioneer in customer disservice, particularly in developing the category of "ebooks we have that we won't tell you we have".
The point I am trying to make: We should not consider ourselves early adopters of ebooks because we own a Sony Reader. The PRS-500 could have been the Ipod for ebook devices. It's not because Sony screwed up.