Boil it down for me

Gfinch · 07-26-2008, 08:44 PM

Greetings all.

I am new here and have been a contented owner of 2 REB-1100's for many years now. But the need to read new and sometimes infected....errr I mean encrypted (DRM) content is now overpowering.

I have narrowed my choices down to either the Sony PRS-505 or the Kindle. My question that I need summarized is which of these readers can most easily convert my existing content using other software or means? I get the impression that the Sony has the lead on conversion with Calibre, Is this correct?

I have .lit and html and some .rb format stuff. The Rocketbook stuff is mostly from Baen Publishing and can be re-downloaded so no problem there. But which one will allow me the most widely available content counting conversion software?

I have thoroughly enjoyed the past couple of days crawling the site and seeking info. You all seem like a fun loving and helpful crew. I thank you

in advance and apologize for asking something that can be found elsewhere, but I am a truck driver and I need to order my device quickly and time it such that it will be delivered the few days that I am home or I will be a verry unhappy camper if I miss it. This is the most critical piece left in my decision making process and I expect to use it long after any corporate abandonment issues arise. (I did mention I owned 2 REB-1100's right

)

Again Thanks

Leep · 07-26-2008, 11:46 PM

Can't speak to the ability to convert your existing ebooks to either device, but I can say that there is a huge free, or reasonably priced ebook world out there for the Kindle. Additionally, if you have a public library card many libraries offer mobipocket format ebooks checkout that can be used with the Kindle thanks to Igorsky's Kindlefix tools. Of course, Kindle also gives you the option of subscribing to a number of newspapers and magazines that automatically get downloaded onto your Kindle.

Cheers

bbusybookworm · 07-27-2008, 12:14 AM

There ar plent of tools that will allow you to convert your content in Lit and Html for the Sony or the kindle.

For lit you can remove the DRm by using ConvertLIT (Google is you friend) and convert it to LRF for the sony using Caliber or Mobi using Mobipocket creator for the Amazon kindle. Also Amazon provides a free service where you can email files to be converted, and they are emailed back to you. Bear in mind that they use the same mobi converter, and doing it yourself will give more control, and is pretty easy to do.

As for availability of New (DRM) content, Sony now support ePub, so that DRm protected books will be or are already available from other sources besides the Sony store, one of the major drawbacks that existed previously.

With the Kindle, while you will probably have access to one of the largest collections of ebooks, it will be tied to that device, and will not be transferable to another non amazon device that you purchase in the future.

While buying from the sony store has the same drawback, the combination of convertLit & Caliber did provide viable alternative, and the new epub support should allow you to buy DRM protected files in ePUB format from other stores and read them on the sony without having to convert them.

I also have to point out that you could consider the Cybook Gen3 as an alternative. The Conversion tools are the same for you existing content as for the kindle with the additional advantage that most html file can be handled natively, without having to be converted. Also, the avability of protected mobipocket files from various sources means that you are not tied to one provider or one companies device.

And if you find the cost of the Gen3 a bit high, you might consider waiting for the Astek devices, as they are expected to be cheaper, and the first of the devices are expected in a month or 2.

jerryleejr · 07-27-2008, 12:34 AM

If you have a large collection of books, I would look at which device allows the easiest conversion i.e. One step two, three etc It may be as easy as emailing them to Amazon for conversion or Just One click in Calibre. What you do not want to run into is converting to one format just to get it in a format that can be converted again for your device.

What Format are most of your books??

JJ

HarryT · 07-27-2008, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gfinch

I get the impression that the Sony has the lead on conversion with Calibre, Is this correct?

Mobi Creator for MobiPocket files. Calibre for LRF files. Both are superb tools. Both are equally easy to use. I wouldn't personally say that you can make a decision on that basis.

I'd look at the features of the device, personally. Eg, dictionary lookup is important to me personally; the Sony doesn't support that.

Gfinch · 07-27-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerryleejr

If you have a large collection of books, I would look at which device allows the easiest conversion i.e. One step two, three etc It may be as easy as emailing them to Amazon for conversion or Just One click in Calibre. What you do not want to run into is converting to one format just to get it in a format that can be converted again for your device.

What Format are most of your books??

JJ

All books have been converted to rocket format. Some were converted from .lit and html. Maybe 300 to 400 in this format. Another few hundred in pure .rb format but all can be redownloaded in mobipocket from Baen's website.

I like the ease of purchase and pricing on the Kindle, but most of my reading will be done in the bed on my side and the design does not look friendly to one handed reading. My apologies to the kindleites but it is also Fugly. That really doesn't matter to me but they could have done better.

I lean more towards the sony for a better screen and conversion ease but can someone tell me can you hold that in your left hand and not have to use your right hand to effect a page turn.

I have to decide tonight and order or wait another month. Thanks for your help everyone.

JSWolf · 07-27-2008, 01:18 PM

Since you plan on reading in bed, can I suggest the Sony PRS-505 since you can get one thing for it that you cannot get for any other eink based device.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26776

wallcraft · 07-27-2008, 01:25 PM

The Kindle is easy to use one handed, with either hand. The cover folds behind the Kindle, and you hold it by the cover with next page keys available on the right and left.

daffy4u · 07-27-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gfinch

I like the ease of purchase and pricing on the Kindle, but most of my reading will be done in the bed on my side and the design does not look friendly to one handed reading. My apologies to the kindleites but it is also Fugly. That really doesn't matter to me but they could have done better.

I have no problems reading my Kindle with either hand or both. Since the page forward buttons are on both sides, the Kindle lends itself operation with either hand.

Now, if looks are that important to you and you aren't attracted to the Kindle, you should get the Sony.

daffy4u · 07-27-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Since you plan on reading in bed, can I suggest the Sony PRS-505 since you can get one thing for it that you cannot get for any other eink based device.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26776

That cover with light doesn't seem to be getting such great reviews.

jerryleejr · 07-27-2008, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gfinch

All books have been converted to rocket format. Some were converted from .lit and html. Maybe 300 to 400 in this format. Another few hundred in pure .rb format but all can be redownloaded in mobipocket from Baen's website.

I like the ease of purchase and pricing on the Kindle, but most of my reading will be done in the bed on my side and the design does not look friendly to one handed reading. My apologies to the kindleites but it is also Fugly. That really doesn't matter to me but they could have done better.

I lean more towards the sony for a better screen and conversion ease but can someone tell me can you hold that in your left hand and not have to use your right hand to effect a page turn.

I have to decide tonight and order or wait another month. Thanks for your help everyone.

Well the lit and html can be easily converted for the Sony PRS 505 using calibre and if you have a Mac Stanza can convert for the Kindle.

JJ

RickyMaveety · 07-27-2008, 01:35 PM

Personally, I never (ever) advise someone to get a Kindle if they think it is ugly. I don't much care if that "matters" to them or not ... if it matters enough to tell everyone that they think it is ugly ... then it must matter to them a little.

So, get a Sony.

Gfinch · 07-27-2008, 02:54 PM

Oh and one other thing. I know the Sony can change to landscape mode, can the Kindle also rotate to landscape mode. I take my Rocketbook in to dinner with me and read it in landscape while I eat.

And the only real concern about the Kindle's looks is that is it so easily recognized someone might steal it

I just think they could have chosen a better color for the casing since the screen is white it would look better with a darker case. Still on the kindle side, my concern was that I understood the page buttons are pressed a little to easily making for accidental page turns. I don't much like the location for the page buttons on the Sony at all. It seems that you would have to stretch your thumb around for paging and that seems like it would get old after a few hours.

I really want to like the Kindle because of the Whispernet and book pricing, but again I need to easily be able to convert my own books even when I do not have internet connectivity on the road.

Many thanks for the advice. Your comments are helping tremendously as the clock counts down to decision time.

RickyMaveety · 07-27-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gfinch

All books have been converted to rocket format. Some were converted from .lit and html. Maybe 300 to 400 in this format. Another few hundred in pure .rb format but all can be redownloaded in mobipocket from Baen's website.

I like the ease of purchase and pricing on the Kindle, but most of my reading will be done in the bed on my side and the design does not look friendly to one handed reading. My apologies to the kindleites but it is also Fugly. That really doesn't matter to me but they could have done better.

I lean more towards the sony for a better screen and conversion ease but can someone tell me can you hold that in your left hand and not have to use your right hand to effect a page turn.

I have to decide tonight and order or wait another month. Thanks for your help everyone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gfinch

Oh and one other thing. I know the Sony can change to landscape mode, can the Kindle also rotate to landscape mode. I take my Rocketbook in to dinner with me and read it in landscape while I eat.

And the only real concern about the Kindle's looks is that is it so easily recognized someone might steal it

I just think they could have chosen a better color for the casing since the screen is white it would look better with a darker case. Still on the kindle side, my concern was that I understood the page buttons are pressed a little to easily making for accidental page turns. I don't much like the location for the page buttons on the Sony at all. It seems that you would have to stretch your thumb around for paging and that seems like it would get old after a few hours.

I really want to like the Kindle because of the Whispernet and book pricing, but again I need to easily be able to convert my own books even when I do not have internet connectivity on the road.

Many thanks for the advice. Your comments are helping tremendously as the clock counts down to decision time.

Right. You always call things "fugly" when you like the way they look??

No, the Kindle cannot rotate into landscape mode. I read while I eat all the time ... I can honestly say, I have never needed to have a book in landscape mode in order to read it while I eat. In fact when I used my REB, I seldom if ever used it in landscape mode.

It shouldn't be a matter of "wanting to like" something. If you don't like it ... don't buy it. Buy something else ... hell, buy anything else ... but don't buy the product that you know you don't like. That's just plain a waste of money.

desertgrandma · 07-27-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gfinch

Oh and one other thing. I know the Sony can change to landscape mode, can the Kindle also rotate to landscape mode. I take my Rocketbook in to dinner with me and read it in landscape while I eat. I eat while I read all the time....thats one of the perks. No ungainly pages to turn, its lightweight, and if you read it 'nekkid' its extremely light and easy to hold one handed.

And the only real concern about the Kindle's looks is that is it so easily recognized someone might steal it

Like with any expensive electronic item you would want to take precautions, not leaving it lie around, etc. But wouldn't this apply to any ebook reader? I just think they could have chosen a better color for the casing since the screen is white it would look better with a darker case. Had you seen the info tape, you would have understood the color was chosen specifically because it 'blends' into the background and doesn't distract from reading. Still on the kindle side, my concern was that I understood the page buttons are pressed a little to easily making for accidental page turns. This is an oft repeated mantra from people who have never actually used one for any length of time. Your fingers adjust quicklyI don't much like the location for the page buttons on the Sony at all. It seems that you would have to stretch your thumb around for paging and that seems like it would get old after a few hours.

I really want to like the Kindle because of the Whispernet and book pricing, but again I need to easily be able to convert my own books even when I do not have internet connectivity on the road.

Many thanks for the advice. Your comments are helping tremendously as the clock counts down to decision time.

If you have to force yourself to like something, it really isn't for you. Its either right, or not. And, its NOT "fugly"

07-26-2008, 08:44 PM	#1
Gfinch Junky Posts: 29 Karma: 58 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denton, Tx Device: Sony PRS-505 and REB-1100	Boil it down for me Greetings all. I am new here and have been a contented owner of 2 REB-1100's for many years now. But the need to read new and sometimes infected....errr I mean encrypted (DRM) content is now overpowering. I have narrowed my choices down to either the Sony PRS-505 or the Kindle. My question that I need summarized is which of these readers can most easily convert my existing content using other software or means? I get the impression that the Sony has the lead on conversion with Calibre, Is this correct? I have .lit and html and some .rb format stuff. The Rocketbook stuff is mostly from Baen Publishing and can be re-downloaded so no problem there. But which one will allow me the most widely available content counting conversion software? I have thoroughly enjoyed the past couple of days crawling the site and seeking info. You all seem like a fun loving and helpful crew. I thank you in advance and apologize for asking something that can be found elsewhere, but I am a truck driver and I need to order my device quickly and time it such that it will be delivered the few days that I am home or I will be a verry unhappy camper if I miss it. This is the most critical piece left in my decision making process and I expect to use it long after any corporate abandonment issues arise. (I did mention I owned 2 REB-1100's right) Again Thanks

07-26-2008, 11:46 PM	#2
Leep Guru Posts: 739 Karma: 1018859 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Near Seattle Device: kindle1, K3, K3G (thanks MR), iTouch, Kindle Touch	Can't speak to the ability to convert your existing ebooks to either device, but I can say that there is a huge free, or reasonably priced ebook world out there for the Kindle. Additionally, if you have a public library card many libraries offer mobipocket format ebooks checkout that can be used with the Kindle thanks to Igorsky's Kindlefix tools. Of course, Kindle also gives you the option of subscribing to a number of newspapers and magazines that automatically get downloaded onto your Kindle. Cheers

07-27-2008, 12:14 AM	#3
bbusybookworm Tech Junkie Posts: 1,027 Karma: 10080 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Earth Device: iPad, MotoXStyle, OnePlusOne	There ar plent of tools that will allow you to convert your content in Lit and Html for the Sony or the kindle. For lit you can remove the DRm by using ConvertLIT (Google is you friend) and convert it to LRF for the sony using Caliber or Mobi using Mobipocket creator for the Amazon kindle. Also Amazon provides a free service where you can email files to be converted, and they are emailed back to you. Bear in mind that they use the same mobi converter, and doing it yourself will give more control, and is pretty easy to do. As for availability of New (DRM) content, Sony now support ePub, so that DRm protected books will be or are already available from other sources besides the Sony store, one of the major drawbacks that existed previously. With the Kindle, while you will probably have access to one of the largest collections of ebooks, it will be tied to that device, and will not be transferable to another non amazon device that you purchase in the future. While buying from the sony store has the same drawback, the combination of convertLit & Caliber did provide viable alternative, and the new epub support should allow you to buy DRM protected files in ePUB format from other stores and read them on the sony without having to convert them. I also have to point out that you could consider the Cybook Gen3 as an alternative. The Conversion tools are the same for you existing content as for the kindle with the additional advantage that most html file can be handled natively, without having to be converted. Also, the avability of protected mobipocket files from various sources means that you are not tied to one provider or one companies device. And if you find the cost of the Gen3 a bit high, you might consider waiting for the Astek devices, as they are expected to be cheaper, and the first of the devices are expected in a month or 2.

07-27-2008, 12:34 AM	#4
jerryleejr Koby-rific! Posts: 944 Karma: 191112 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 2' From My MacBook Pro Device: Kobo Sage,Kobo Aura One, Glo HD,PRS-T1,PRS-950, PRS 300, PRS 350	If you have a large collection of books, I would look at which device allows the easiest conversion i.e. One step two, three etc It may be as easy as emailing them to Amazon for conversion or Just One click in Calibre. What you do not want to run into is converting to one format just to get it in a format that can be converted again for your device. What Format are most of your books?? JJ

07-27-2008, 01:18 PM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,708 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Since you plan on reading in bed, can I suggest the Sony PRS-505 since you can get one thing for it that you cannot get for any other eink based device. https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26776

07-27-2008, 01:25 PM	#8
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	The Kindle is easy to use one handed, with either hand. The cover folds behind the Kindle, and you hold it by the cover with next page keys available on the right and left.

07-27-2008, 01:35 PM	#12
RickyMaveety Holy S**T!!! Posts: 5,213 Karma: 108401 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego, California!! Device: Kindle and iPad	Personally, I never (ever) advise someone to get a Kindle if they think it is ugly. I don't much care if that "matters" to them or not ... if it matters enough to tell everyone that they think it is ugly ... then it must matter to them a little. So, get a Sony.

07-27-2008, 02:54 PM	#13
Gfinch Junky Posts: 29 Karma: 58 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denton, Tx Device: Sony PRS-505 and REB-1100	Oh and one other thing. I know the Sony can change to landscape mode, can the Kindle also rotate to landscape mode. I take my Rocketbook in to dinner with me and read it in landscape while I eat. And the only real concern about the Kindle's looks is that is it so easily recognized someone might steal it I just think they could have chosen a better color for the casing since the screen is white it would look better with a darker case. Still on the kindle side, my concern was that I understood the page buttons are pressed a little to easily making for accidental page turns. I don't much like the location for the page buttons on the Sony at all. It seems that you would have to stretch your thumb around for paging and that seems like it would get old after a few hours. I really want to like the Kindle because of the Whispernet and book pricing, but again I need to easily be able to convert my own books even when I do not have internet connectivity on the road. Many thanks for the advice. Your comments are helping tremendously as the clock counts down to decision time.

Advert

Advert