Help Please

crewpsu · 03-06-2008, 07:44 AM

Hello Everyone,
Like many new members, I'm sure, I came across this site after trying to find out more information on the kindle. My choices now are between the kindle and the cybook. My question to everyone here is based on content which reader do you think I should choose. Down the road who do you think will have more book?

Thank you for your time.

Also one quick question. One feature I like about the cybook is that I can read and view my library on the computer where it is stored, is there any program for the kindle that will allow you to do the same?

HarryT · 03-06-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crewpsu

Hello Everyone,
Like many new members, I'm sure, I came across this site after trying to find out more information on the kindle. My choices now are between the kindle and the cybook. My question to everyone here is based on content which reader do you think I should choose. Down the road who do you think will have more book?

If I bought mainly commercial eBooks and lived in the US, I'd probably go for the Kindle. Since, however, I don't live in the US, and I create most of my own content, I prefer the CyBook, which I regard as a better reader than the Kindle (eg multiple font support, better dictionary support, better battery life).

I have several lifetimes' worth of stuff to read on my Gen3, so the sheer "number" of eBooks sold for each platform is irrelevent for my purposes.

Quote:

Also one quick question. One feature I like about the cybook is that I can read and view my library on the computer where it is stored, is there any program for the kindle that will allow you to do the same?

No.

Halk · 03-09-2008, 08:19 PM

The "killer app" for eBook readers may turn out to be the ability to read a few chapters free, which (as far as I'm aware) you can only do on the Kindle. I've not tried it, as I live in the UK, so it's just not an option for me.

I've decided to go for the Cybook, but I'm thinking perhaps maybe I'll go for the Kindle when the eventually launch it in the UK.

It's pretty much guesswork what will happen in the future to eBook DRM formats.

There's 3 I'm aware of - Amazon, Sony, and Mobiread. Possibly there's more on the horizon with rumours about Apple bringing out a reader, and readers suddenly getting popular. In an ideal world I'd like to see no DRM on them, however failing that I guess the best position would be one and only one DRM "type". If that happens then I think firmware updates might enable any reader to read whatever DRM wins a format war. It's unlike HD-DVD and Blue Ray in that it's just the software that's different, not the hardware.

Something else, which I think is kind of hush hush on here because of forum policy, and I know very little about, is the possibility of removing DRM from DRM'ed eBooks, or translating them across DRM standards. If that kicks off it might again mean there's less restrictions on what will work with your reader.

JSWolf · 03-10-2008, 12:48 AM

I would suggest you also look at the Sony PRS-505. It's available now at some places and see again at Sony. Also, it's cheaper then the Kindle. You can use the tools available here to easily remove DRm and convert content so you don't have to complain that there is not enough content available for the 505. Frankly, I really like the 505. It's slim, sleek, and works well reading with one hand or two. It doesn't have any of the page turn issues of the Gen3 and it's not as unwieldy as the Kindle.

Alisa · 03-10-2008, 03:36 AM

Though be aware, if you want to have a built-in dictionary or search your content on the device, the Sony doesn't support that. Cybook has dictionary support but not content search. Kindle has both (and not everyone finds it "unwieldy". I use it regularly and I find it light and very ergonomic). However there's not a program to read Kindle books on your computer. There is a way to convert the Kindle books but I'm not sure if that's legal in the US even if you don't copy them to people who haven't paid for them. I seem to recall someone here mentioned that there was one other store besides Amazon that has does samples, though, so you aren't locked to Amazon Kindle if that's a big feature for you. If none of these features are make-or-break issues for you, then I really suggest you check out the various stores out there and look for kind of books you want to read. That may help you make your choice.

HarryT · 03-10-2008, 06:23 AM

Baen do free samples for all their books.

Kingston · 03-10-2008, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alisa

I seem to recall someone here mentioned that there was one other store besides Amazon that has does samples, though, so you aren't locked to Amazon Kindle if that's a big feature for you.

Here's a repost of what I wrote about samples. These samples can be natively read on Gen 3 or Kindle, but not Sony:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingston

I'm one of the poor souls who live out of EVDO range which leaves me SOL when it comes to sampling first chapters from Amazon since it's only done wirelessly.

Mobipocket has a big selection and the samples are in Kindle-friendly prc format and easy to drag and drop with USB.

http://tinyurl.com/3dkhms

Halk · 03-10-2008, 04:03 PM

Yep, I've since found out I'm a bit wrong - you can indeed download samples from mobipocket, and they're in a format you can stick on the reader, so you can make sure it looks alright and read the first few pages etc.

What I meant though was that the Kindle does it while you're not at the PC, i.e. when you're likely to be doing the reading.

HarryT · 03-11-2008, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halk

What I meant though was that the Kindle does it while you're not at the PC, i.e. when you're likely to be doing the reading.

Only if you're in range of the Sprint wireless service.

Kingston · 03-17-2008, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crewpsu

Hello Everyone,
Like many new members, I'm sure, I came across this site after trying to find out more information on the kindle. My choices now are between the kindle and the cybook. My question to everyone here is based on content which reader do you think I should choose. Down the road who do you think will have more book?

Thank you for your time.

Also one quick question. One feature I like about the cybook is that I can read and view my library on the computer where it is stored, is there any program for the kindle that will allow you to do the same?

Whichever device you buy I would suggest following the advice of the old-timers on this board many (but not all) of whom are mods.

Buy your books in drm-free format, and if you can't find them that way (and you won't except at Baen and a few other small vendors) buy them in Microsoft Reader format and use convertlit to remove the drm and mobicreator to change the file to .prc or whatever file type works best on your unit.

I bought a Kindle the first day of sale, and have subsequently bought around 96 Kindle books, none of which I can view on my new Iliad (or on any other reader...including the much hoped for Apple ereader).

If your library is drm free it can be shared on any device in the future.

Fictionwise has probably the best selection of books in .lit format.

Be smart....buy wisely.

bwaldron · 03-17-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingston

Buy your books in drm-free format, and if you can't find them that way (and you won't except at Baen and a few other small vendors) buy them in Microsoft Reader format and use convertlit to remove the drm and mobicreator to change the file to .prc or whatever file type works best on your unit.

There are now tools, discussed elsewhere on the forums here, that allow the DRM to be removed from mobi and ereader files as well.

bwaldron · 03-17-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It doesn't have any of the page turn issues of the Gen3

How serious are these issues on the Cybook?

HarryT · 03-17-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwaldron

How serious are these issues on the Cybook?

A complete "non issue" IMHO. There's a software bug (it's not a hardware problem) which means that, if you press the page turn button too quickly, then perhaps one time in 20 or 30 it "misses it" and you have to press the button again. Hopefully they'll fix it in the forthcoming firmware update but (IMHO at least) it's a complete "zero" as far as "nuisance value" goes.

pilotbob · 03-17-2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halk

Possibly there's more on the horizon with rumours about Apple bringing out a reader, and readers suddenly getting popular.

Of course, Steve Jobs is on record saying the dedicated book reader device is a non-starter since "Nobody reads books anymore".

Of course, he also said in a shareholder/analyst meeting that there is no need to have video on the iPod... and how it was a non-starter since no one would watch video on such a small device... Hmm... sound's familar.

Steve Jobs also talks about "tablet" PC's being a non-starter because people like to use a keyboard. Of course, that was before the iPhone and iPod Touch. Seems like he protests the loudest about a device just before Apple releases it.

BOb

03-06-2008, 07:44 AM	#1
crewpsu Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: non currently	Help Please Hello Everyone, Like many new members, I'm sure, I came across this site after trying to find out more information on the kindle. My choices now are between the kindle and the cybook. My question to everyone here is based on content which reader do you think I should choose. Down the road who do you think will have more book? Thank you for your time. Also one quick question. One feature I like about the cybook is that I can read and view my library on the computer where it is stored, is there any program for the kindle that will allow you to do the same? Last edited by crewpsu; 03-06-2008 at 08:26 AM. Reason: wanted to add a question

03-09-2008, 08:19 PM	#3
Halk Fanatic Posts: 538 Karma: 469999 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Sony PRS-650 (PRS+ alpha - thanks Kartu!)	The "killer app" for eBook readers may turn out to be the ability to read a few chapters free, which (as far as I'm aware) you can only do on the Kindle. I've not tried it, as I live in the UK, so it's just not an option for me. I've decided to go for the Cybook, but I'm thinking perhaps maybe I'll go for the Kindle when the eventually launch it in the UK. It's pretty much guesswork what will happen in the future to eBook DRM formats. There's 3 I'm aware of - Amazon, Sony, and Mobiread. Possibly there's more on the horizon with rumours about Apple bringing out a reader, and readers suddenly getting popular. In an ideal world I'd like to see no DRM on them, however failing that I guess the best position would be one and only one DRM "type". If that happens then I think firmware updates might enable any reader to read whatever DRM wins a format war. It's unlike HD-DVD and Blue Ray in that it's just the software that's different, not the hardware. Something else, which I think is kind of hush hush on here because of forum policy, and I know very little about, is the possibility of removing DRM from DRM'ed eBooks, or translating them across DRM standards. If that kicks off it might again mean there's less restrictions on what will work with your reader.

03-10-2008, 12:48 AM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,479 Karma: 145863170 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I would suggest you also look at the Sony PRS-505. It's available now at some places and see again at Sony. Also, it's cheaper then the Kindle. You can use the tools available here to easily remove DRm and convert content so you don't have to complain that there is not enough content available for the 505. Frankly, I really like the 505. It's slim, sleek, and works well reading with one hand or two. It doesn't have any of the page turn issues of the Gen3 and it's not as unwieldy as the Kindle.

03-10-2008, 03:36 AM	#5
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	Though be aware, if you want to have a built-in dictionary or search your content on the device, the Sony doesn't support that. Cybook has dictionary support but not content search. Kindle has both (and not everyone finds it "unwieldy". I use it regularly and I find it light and very ergonomic). However there's not a program to read Kindle books on your computer. There is a way to convert the Kindle books but I'm not sure if that's legal in the US even if you don't copy them to people who haven't paid for them. I seem to recall someone here mentioned that there was one other store besides Amazon that has does samples, though, so you aren't locked to Amazon Kindle if that's a big feature for you. If none of these features are make-or-break issues for you, then I really suggest you check out the various stores out there and look for kind of books you want to read. That may help you make your choice.

03-10-2008, 06:23 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Baen do free samples for all their books.

03-10-2008, 04:03 PM	#8
Halk Fanatic Posts: 538 Karma: 469999 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Sony PRS-650 (PRS+ alpha - thanks Kartu!)	Yep, I've since found out I'm a bit wrong - you can indeed download samples from mobipocket, and they're in a format you can stick on the reader, so you can make sure it looks alright and read the first few pages etc. What I meant though was that the Kindle does it while you're not at the PC, i.e. when you're likely to be doing the reading.

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