Help please (new ereader owner)

[amward]

Originally Posted by Poppaea

Nah, you just give a 7-digit number, ANY number and you'll be fine. How should they be able to tell the difference? They are asking for a passport no. which changes every few years, when you get a new one. They don't ask for your social security number. Lots of folks here just made up a number.

Anyway I don't understand this, when registering in your local library you have to bring your ID, too. At least here.

Didn't work for me though, although it could be my nontechie abilities.

[SolRaven]

Originally Posted by justapuppy

I have a few books that I could buy, but can see the cost spiralling out of control... I need some guidance on acquiring some books for limited cost.

I don't know what your book buying habits were before, but you certainly should be spending less on books now that they'll be in ebook format. It sounds to me like you're in the excitement of it all and just want to fill it up, only to realise that you can't read that many books at once.

[witeowl]

Originally Posted by SolRaven

I don't know what your book buying habits were before, but you certainly should be spending less on books now that they'll be in ebook format. It sounds to me like you're in the excitement of it all and just want to fill it up, only to realise that you can't read that many books at once.

Why would that be? Most ebooks cost just as much as their paper counterparts, if not more. Sure, some are less expensive, but I suspect that it all evens out in the wash.

ETA: Though you likely have it right that there's a certain desire to fill it up right away. For that "ailment", I'll echo the recommendation of Project Gutenberg. Also if one doesn't have a problem with liberating legally purchased books, the free offerings at a number of retail sites can make one's collection grow quite quickly.

[lestatar]

Originally Posted by rdfry

Are debit cards different in England than they are here in the US? I use a debit card to purchase from Kobo.

This may depend on your originating bank, but generally, debit cards work the same worldwide. Your purchases are immediately deducted from your linked checking/savings account - so while not a credit card in the traditional sense, globally, debit cards work just like credit cards.

[SolRaven]

Originally Posted by witeowl

Why would that be? Most ebooks cost just as much as their paper counterparts, if not more. Sure, some are less expensive, but I suspect that it all evens out in the wash.

I suppose that is true for paperbacks. I can't stand paperbacks, so my book bill went down quite a bit when I got my first ereader.

[justapuppy]

Originally Posted by SolRaven

I don't know what your book buying habits were before, but you certainly should be spending less on books now that they'll be in ebook format.

In the UK we have VAT added to ebooks that isn't on paperback books. So in theory buying an ebook is 20% more expensive. I've looked around and it seems there are fewer options in terms of deals over here than in the USA, that also adds to the price. Most of my books are second hand (I'm a student), which has also knocked the price of my old book buying habits.

Originally Posted by SolRaven

It sounds to me like you're in the excitement of it all and just want to fill it up, only to realise that you can't read that many books at once.

I don't want to just fill it up - hence why I've only downloaded a couple from Gutenberg. I'd like to use my reader for academic work, but the cost for me to get the books I need is currently prohibitive for me to get them all for my reader - I'll be doing a balance of second hand, library, and a few ebooks, until my university library allows me to download ebooks!

[justapuppy]

Originally Posted by lestatar

This may depend on your originating bank, but generally, debit cards work the same worldwide. Your purchases are immediately deducted from your linked checking/savings account - so while not a credit card in the traditional sense, globally, debit cards work just like credit cards.

Ah, if only! Kobo will only accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards in the UK - I tried to use my debit card anyway and it wasn't accepted. Nevermind, Diesel books let me use PayPal (thus getting me round the VAT issue from my previous post!)

[kiwipippa]

Originally Posted by justapuppy

Ah, if only! Kobo will only accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards in the UK - I tried to use my debit card anyway and it wasn't accepted. Nevermind, Diesel books let me use PayPal (thus getting me round the VAT issue from my previous post!)

Weird, I'm in New Zealand and kobo accept my visa debit card. Is your debit card a visa, mastercard or something else?

[taming]

Most debit cards in my part of Canada, and perhaps throughout the country, are not associated with Visa or Master Card. Instead we have Interac. I haven't tried using it, but Kobo didn't accept Interac either when last I heard.

[justapuppy]

Visa Debit. I did try though!

[Poppaea]

Kobo USA didn't like my Visa debit card either.

[SolRaven]

Originally Posted by justapuppy

I don't want to just fill it up - hence why I've only downloaded a couple from Gutenberg. I'd like to use my reader for academic work, but the cost for me to get the books I need is currently prohibitive for me to get them all for my reader - I'll be doing a balance of second hand, library, and a few ebooks, until my university library allows me to download ebooks!

Well, just a fair warning. Ereaders have been known to cause addictions. When I wanted a 3rd ereader after buying my first one less than 4 months before, my beau started asking me questions because he said my behavior resembled that of an addict. Believe it or not, he sat me down and talked to me about it. Being a good addict, I convinced him I was fine. I did such a great job, he bought me that third reader saying, "Well, I've been thinking about buying you a present anyway." It seems my addiction is geared towards Sony's. Thus far, I've only had an issue with purchase control when Sony comes out with new readers. You should've heard the excuses coming out of my mouth when I picked up the 650. Oh, the justification, the justification... I have a SonyStyle 3 mis away, resistance was futile.

In any case, I was helpless 2 years ago, but if you find yourself in a similar circumstance, you can find help here.

[justapuppy]

Lol, one of my reasons for getting an e-reader was to minimise the space on my shelves (I end up moving every six months, though it's never the plan!)... Sounds like you're heading towards filling a few shelves in just devices!!

[SolRaven]

Originally Posted by justapuppy

Lol, one of my reasons for getting an e-reader was to minimise the space on my shelves (I end up moving every six months, though it's never the plan!)... Sounds like you're heading towards filling a few shelves in just devices!!

LMAO!! After getting my 650 I started to feel a little guilty. To assuage my guilt, I decided to give away two of my readers. I was never crazy about the screen clarity on Sonys second touchscreen, the 600; and I loved the Sangria Red 505 too much to sell, so... the 600 went to my nephew; if he broke it, I wouldn't care. My beloved Sangria Red 505 had to go to someone that I new would love it as much as I did, so I gave it to my sister. I told her that she could borrow books on it via her library and asked if she had a library card. She replied,"Library card? I have five."

[Loosheesh]

Originally Posted by Gronk

I just checked out The Singapore Library quickly and it appears foreigners need a passport number to become a member. I'm outta luck there.

Not really - check this thread for more information

Originally Posted by justapuppy

I have to say that put me off too... It sounds like you need to be physically in a library as well if you're a foreigner...

Not at all - I'm thousands of miles away and I use the Singapore Library all the time; check this thread for more information

For non-US residents, there's also paid membership ($35 annually, and worth it) to the Free Library of Philadelphia; more info in this thread.