If a pdf is a single huge column/normal-looking textblock, I convert so I can have the note-taking, underlining, and integrated dictionary functionality.
I'm reading heaps of articles for a class, right now, and all of those available as pdf-only are 2-or-more columns. Like the New Yorker or New York Times in print. In my experience, those don't convert *at all*. If something's changed on that, someone Please Let Me Know.
The last time I tried converting multi-column pdf's with Mobipocket Creator and Calibre, it strung line 1 of columns 1-3 (and lines 2, 3, etc.) all together into a single line that made no sense read on the Kindle.
These days, I just move any multi-column pdf's directly onto my K2, and read in landscape mode. For my life, it's better than spring semester last year (from Feb. on). Back then, the only practical means I had to avoid printing my pdf readings, was to read them on my iPod touch -- first via Evernote (sync, 'favorite' everything for offline reading... better than printing, but a hassle); then using GoodReader (which was 5 bucks, but worth it). GoodReader and Evernote don't allow note-taking on pdf's any more than Kindle does; I'm just glad to have everything on one device.
Last edited by thorn; 01-23-2010 at 07:01 PM.
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