Hello every one

cindynsg · 11-23-2008, 02:14 PM

My name is Cindy, and I'm researching e-book readers for my husband with cancer, blind in one eye and 1/2 blind in the other. He loves reading and has re-read the same books over and over in the house. He has also read all the neighbors book as well as the relatives. He reads at least one book per day and sometimes two. I've been looking at the mentor EB 900 because it seems easy enough for an inept electronic person to use. I (the computer person) would install all the books for him. I'm not sure if it's on the market as of yet as I can't seem to find it anywhere. I thought it was coming out this month. At any rate I need something that I can either buy ebooks at like Mobipocket or download from different forums and be able to load them into the ebook reader. Well I guess I've rambled on long enough. So hello every one!

badgoodDeb · 11-23-2008, 03:18 PM

Hi Cindy! What's your basic location (country, state - general area)? I'm biased, cuz I have one, but for US readers who want to be un-encumbered by electronic tasks, the Kindle seems the easiest -- a computer person can point to amazon books and send a book sample directly to the Kindle. The reader can start the sample, and buy the book right then if he likes it. You can also, of course, download books from other places (free ones from right here!) and put them onto the Kindle via USB cable.

Anyway -- we'll be glad to advise on what might work best for you.

MickeyC · 11-23-2008, 03:44 PM

Hi cindynsg and welcome to the Forum. Good advice from badgoodDeb on the Kindle.

slayda · 11-23-2008, 07:49 PM

Hi & welcome Cindy. Might I suggest the Bookeen Cybook Gen3. It reads the Mobipocket format plus you can choose between 12 different font sizes. This would be very helpful to someone with vision problems. In addition you can load any True Type font. I've found that some are easier to read than others.

Apparently you can also buy it on Amazon.

cindynsg · 11-24-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

Hi Cindy! What's your basic location (country, state - general area)? I'm biased, cuz I have one, but for US readers who want to be un-encumbered by electronic tasks, the Kindle seems the easiest -- a computer person can point to amazon books and send a book sample directly to the Kindle. The reader can start the sample, and buy the book right then if he likes it. You can also, of course, download books from other places (free ones from right here!) and put them onto the Kindle via USB cable.

Anyway -- we'll be glad to advise on what might work best for you.

I looked at the kindle, but I have to say that I have a resentment right off the top because it's exclusive for amazon. I have bought hard copy books from them, but would like to have more options. $9.99 is a bit steep for each book. I prefer to download from forums and such for free. Especially if I'm paying a lot of $ for an exclusive reader. He reads 10 - 14 hours a day, 500-1500 pg per book. (Quick reader)
What I'd really like to see on this site is a working flow sheet for new buyers. The kind that one would use for troubleshooting a computer or a car. (In text asking questions on preferences all the way down the sheet.) I'm having difficulty explaining what I mean here. You know when you buy a new computer online, some places go down a check list on what your needs are and then let you select from a group that matched your answers, I would like to see something like this here. This would make it easier to narrow down the choices. The comparison chart https://www.mobileread.com/eink/ is great. I've gone over this and love it. But, I want to know more. I want to know about customer service, product updates, usability,etc... I'm probably asking for way too much. If I knew how to accomplish such a task, I would start a thread on the topic myself. Oh well enough rambling, back to researching to make a decision.
Thank you for your suggestions, I will look at those options again.

pilotbob · 11-24-2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cindynsg

I looked at the kindle, but I have to say that I have a resentment right off the top because it's exclusive for amazon. I have bought hard copy books from them, but would like to have more options. $9.99 is a bit steep for each book. I prefer to download from forums and such for free. Especially if I'm paying a lot of $ for an exclusive reader. He reads 10 - 14 hours a day, 500-1500 pg per book. (Quick reader)

Cindy... it is a pretty well "publisized" mistake that you can only get books for the Kindle by buying the from Amazon. The kindle can read nonDRMed mobipocket books without problem or conversion. So, pretty much any book on this forum, or at other free sites like feedbooks.com and manybooks.net will work just fine on the Kindle.

You can also purchase content for the Kindle any many ebook stores, many which have DRM free mobi books like webscriptions and several others. And, if you are willing to learn how to run a few simple scripts/programs you can also get ebooks from a public lending library or even commercial ebook stores like fictionwise.com and booksonboard.com (although usually the same book cost less at the Kindle book store.)

Finally, 9.99 is basically for new best sellers. The back catalog prices are much lower... most ebooks I have bought from Amazon were about $4.

I do understand what you mean by a flowchart and it is a good idea. Perhaps Alex would have time to put something like that together.

I hope I have dispelled some of the myths about the Kindle being so "closed". It is nothing of the kind.

BOb

cindynsg · 11-24-2008, 11:51 AM

I live in the US, but cell phone reception is poor.

cindynsg · 11-24-2008, 12:04 PM

Thank you Bob, I appreciate your input. There seems to be an USB port, so this option just may work

pilotbob · 11-24-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cindynsg

Thank you Bob, I appreciate your input. There seems to be an USB port, so this option just may work

Yep you can use USB if Whispernet doesn't work. However, the data services frequencies for Sprint are different from the normal voice ones so your coverage may be good enough. But, USB via the PC will always work if needed.

BOb

DixieGal · 11-24-2008, 12:13 PM

Hi Cindy,

Speaking as another person with very poor vision, I say listen to Deb, Bob, and Slayda. I don't have either a Kindle or Cybook (yet), but have been thrilled to handle them in person and see how jumbo the fonts can go.

However, the Kindle has very small buttons with marks on them, but I couldn't see what the marks meant. I'm sure with a little practice, it would be simple to memorize what the buttons do and just sort of feel around for the right spot. I can't comment on the Cybook, because I don't remember quite so well about it from just a short couple of hours test-driving readers at our regional picnic last Oct.

Best wishes to you and your husband.

DixieGal

cindynsg · 11-25-2008, 07:20 AM

Thanks for the added support DixieGal. Now if can convince mt husband that it's worth it's weight in gold!

Slite · 11-25-2008, 07:30 AM

An e-reader is worth it's weight in gold (squared) even, it's the best gadget I ever bought and I never go anywhere without it. I can leave my cell at home or even my mp3-player, but if I ever forget my BeBook, I get very upset

Elsi · 11-25-2008, 09:04 AM

Hello Cindy:

I'll gladly support the nomination of the Kindle for your husband. The range of font sizes is one of its attractions as is the ease of use.

DixieGal comments on the keys with small writing on them ... that's the keyboard in QWERTY format that you can use to write notes in the books that you read. There are only three of those keys you will need/use if you aren't making notes. The key to change the font size (known as the "Aa" key) is the right-most key on the bottom row of the keyboard. The "Alt" key is the left-most key on the bottom row. (You press the alt key at the same time as the Aa key to lock or unlock the Kindle.) The "home" key is smack-dab in the middle of the bottom row with a wide space to its left so it is easy to find even if you can't read the symbol on it. Even with limited vision, your hubby should have no problems in using the Kindle.

Other options for US residents include the Sony Reader. It's a nice device, too, but from my comparisons, its large font size is nowhere near the large on the Kindle.

The Cybook Gen 3 also looks like it would fit your needs. Even the eBookwise used by DixieGal should work.

The Kindle's network connectivity makes it easy for the non-technical person to use, but with you around to load up books on the device, your hubby should do well with any of the recommended devices.

pilotbob · 11-25-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slite

An e-reader is worth it's weight in gold (squared) even, it's the best gadget I ever bought and I never go anywhere without it. I can leave my cell at home or even my mp3-player, but if I ever forget my BeBook, I get very upset

The wiki matrix says the Kindle is 10.2ozs. At today's gold spot price of $819 that would make the Kindle worth $69,772,609 ($8,353 ^2)--- wow you must really love your Kindle.

BOb

Slite · 11-25-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

The wiki matrix says the Kindle is 10.2ozs. At today's gold spot price of $819 that would make the Kindle worth $8,353 ^2 would be $16,706 --- wow you must really love your Kindle.

BOb

Well, I don't have a Kindle, I have a BeBook, but yeah, I love it that much

11-23-2008, 02:14 PM	#1
cindynsg Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: none	Hello every one My name is Cindy, and I'm researching e-book readers for my husband with cancer, blind in one eye and 1/2 blind in the other. He loves reading and has re-read the same books over and over in the house. He has also read all the neighbors book as well as the relatives. He reads at least one book per day and sometimes two. I've been looking at the mentor EB 900 because it seems easy enough for an inept electronic person to use. I (the computer person) would install all the books for him. I'm not sure if it's on the market as of yet as I can't seem to find it anywhere. I thought it was coming out this month. At any rate I need something that I can either buy ebooks at like Mobipocket or download from different forums and be able to load them into the ebook reader. Well I guess I've rambled on long enough. So hello every one!

11-24-2008, 11:51 AM	#7
cindynsg Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: none	I live in the US, but cell phone reception is poor. Last edited by cindynsg; 11-24-2008 at 11:56 AM.

11-23-2008, 03:18 PM	#2
badgoodDeb Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,540 Karma: 64201357 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Harrisburg outskirts Device: Palms, K1-4s, iPads, iPhones, KV, KO1	Hi Cindy! What's your basic location (country, state - general area)? I'm biased, cuz I have one, but for US readers who want to be un-encumbered by electronic tasks, the Kindle seems the easiest -- a computer person can point to amazon books and send a book sample directly to the Kindle. The reader can start the sample, and buy the book right then if he likes it. You can also, of course, download books from other places (free ones from right here!) and put them onto the Kindle via USB cable. Anyway -- we'll be glad to advise on what might work best for you.

11-23-2008, 03:44 PM	#3
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Hi cindynsg and welcome to the Forum. Good advice from badgoodDeb on the Kindle.

11-23-2008, 07:49 PM	#4
slayda Retired & reading more! Posts: 2,764 Karma: 1884247 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Alabama, USA Device: Kindle 1, iPad Air 2, iPhone 6S+, Kobo Aura One	Hi & welcome Cindy. Might I suggest the Bookeen Cybook Gen3. It reads the Mobipocket format plus you can choose between 12 different font sizes. This would be very helpful to someone with vision problems. In addition you can load any True Type font. I've found that some are easier to read than others. Apparently you can also buy it on Amazon.

11-24-2008, 12:04 PM	#8
cindynsg Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: none	Thank you Bob, I appreciate your input. There seems to be an USB port, so this option just may work

11-24-2008, 12:13 PM	#10
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Hi Cindy, Speaking as another person with very poor vision, I say listen to Deb, Bob, and Slayda. I don't have either a Kindle or Cybook (yet), but have been thrilled to handle them in person and see how jumbo the fonts can go. However, the Kindle has very small buttons with marks on them, but I couldn't see what the marks meant. I'm sure with a little practice, it would be simple to memorize what the buttons do and just sort of feel around for the right spot. I can't comment on the Cybook, because I don't remember quite so well about it from just a short couple of hours test-driving readers at our regional picnic last Oct. Best wishes to you and your husband. DixieGal

11-25-2008, 07:20 AM	#11
cindynsg Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: none	Thanks for the added support DixieGal. Now if can convince mt husband that it's worth it's weight in gold!

11-25-2008, 07:30 AM	#12
Slite Icanhasdonuts? Posts: 2,837 Karma: 532407 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mölnbo, Sweden Device: Kobo Aura 2nd edition, Kobo Clara HD	An e-reader is worth it's weight in gold (squared) even, it's the best gadget I ever bought and I never go anywhere without it. I can leave my cell at home or even my mp3-player, but if I ever forget my BeBook, I get very upset

11-25-2008, 09:04 AM	#13
Elsi Wizard Posts: 2,366 Karma: 12000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: Kindle; Sony PRS 505; Blackberry 8700C	Hello Cindy: I'll gladly support the nomination of the Kindle for your husband. The range of font sizes is one of its attractions as is the ease of use. DixieGal comments on the keys with small writing on them ... that's the keyboard in QWERTY format that you can use to write notes in the books that you read. There are only three of those keys you will need/use if you aren't making notes. The key to change the font size (known as the "Aa" key) is the right-most key on the bottom row of the keyboard. The "Alt" key is the left-most key on the bottom row. (You press the alt key at the same time as the Aa key to lock or unlock the Kindle.) The "home" key is smack-dab in the middle of the bottom row with a wide space to its left so it is easy to find even if you can't read the symbol on it. Even with limited vision, your hubby should have no problems in using the Kindle. Other options for US residents include the Sony Reader. It's a nice device, too, but from my comparisons, its large font size is nowhere near the large on the Kindle. The Cybook Gen 3 also looks like it would fit your needs. Even the eBookwise used by DixieGal should work. The Kindle's network connectivity makes it easy for the non-technical person to use, but with you around to load up books on the device, your hubby should do well with any of the recommended devices.

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