First eReader

[vanillabean]

Originally Posted by Synamon

A few people in this thread have already explained format shifting and DRM stripping.

If you really don't like Amazon or Kobo, where are you planning to buy ebooks from? Or are you planning to only read library and public domain books?

DRM stripping, however much I disagree, is illegal. I'd rather not have that kind of financial trouble, personally. Unless you are suggesting they would make it so that I could reformat my legally obtained property for my e-reader. Of course this is all hypothetical, the move to a standardized format is probably a ways off.

Kobo is the one I don't like as a company. There was an issue with a Harry Potter pre-order many moons ago and some truly dreadful customer service. I still shop there because they are one of the only booksellers in town, but I do so with chagrin and a deep desire to shop elsewhere.

I have no issues with Amazon, other than if I go with a Kindle it is my understanding I have to buy all my books from Amazon. I just don't like being limited like that. It would aggrivate me to no end if I wanted to buy a book for my Kindle, only to find out that Amazon doesn't have it, but Kobo does, or Kobo has it for cheaper.

I could, of course, be completely wrong. I am very new to all this which is why I am seeking advice.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by vanillabean

Because the plain jane Kobo WiFi (at least the Canadian model) has a hard refresh every page turn. I don't know if hard refresh is the proper term, but it flashes black with white text. Some people don't find it noticeable, but I personally do... especially because it is my first e-reader. I am sure I would probably get used to it over time, but I also might not...

The page flash is inherent with eInk screens. 99.9% of people find that after using an eInk reader for a few hours, they are no longer even consciously aware of it - because it's a regular event, your brain just filters it out, just like your probably not consciously aware of the world going black every time you blink. It's really a complete non-issue.

[Synamon]

Originally Posted by vanillabean

I have no issues with Amazon, other than if I go with a Kindle it is my understanding I have to buy all my books from Amazon. I just don't like being limited like that. It would aggrivate me to no end if I wanted to buy a book for my Kindle, only to find out that Amazon doesn't have it, but Kobo does, or Kobo has it for cheaper.

Amazon has the widest selection and usually price matches the other retailers, but there are probably a few books that Kobo carries (Canadian content specifically) that Amazon does not so you might run into that situation. You are more likely to find that Amazon has books that the EPUB stores don't carry. It cuts both ways. Anything without DRM can be converted to another format, but if you aren't willing to strip DRM then protected books are out.

You do NOT have to buy all your books at Amazon though, most of the smaller ebook retailers supply ebooks in both Kindle and EPUB formats, it's only the main retailers with eReaders of their own who sell only one format.

[Irish Lion]

Originally Posted by Synamon

You do NOT have to buy all your books at Amazon though, most of the smaller ebook retailers supply ebooks in both Kindle and EPUB formats, it's only the main retailers with eReaders of their own who sell only one format.

Smashwords offers books in .mobi, for example.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Irish Lion

Smashwords offers books in .mobi, for example.

As does Baen.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by vanillabean

DRM stripping, however much I disagree, is illegal.

That depends what country you live in. What country are you in?

[ProfCrash]

Even if DRM stripping is illegal, they have to catch you. If you do not upload the books you strip so others can read them, how are they going to know? In most countries that are represented on these boards the Police would need a search warrant to inspect your computer and find any evidence of drm stripping. The only ay for them to get a search warrant is to have probable cause. The only wy they have that is if you are illegally up loading or down loading books to the net or you send letters to folks saying that you are breaking the law.

I am not saying that there is not a possibility of legal trouble, just that it is very, very slim. And the police have bigger fish to fry than one removing drm for their library. But that is me.

There are many stores that you buy mobi books. Any independent bookstore will sell mobi. All of the sites with public domain books have mobi. The only disadvantage to mobi outside the US is lack of library access.

[vanillabean]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That depends what country you live in. What country are you in?

Canada. Recently there had been a lot of hubbub over bill C-32/C-11 which would make breaking digital locks, even for what would be defined as legal and personal use, illegal. I am not actually sure if the bill has been passed or not, as my Google-fu is failing me.

[Shopaholic]

Originally Posted by vanillabean

Canada. Recently there had been a lot of hubbub over bill C-32/C-11 which would make breaking digital locks, even for what would be defined as legal and personal use, illegal. I am not actually sure if the bill has been passed or not, as my Google-fu is failing me.

Not as far as I know. They're still debating it. As always.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by vanillabean

Canada. Recently there had been a lot of hubbub over bill C-32/C-11 which would make breaking digital locks, even for what would be defined as legal and personal use, illegal. I am not actually sure if the bill has been passed or not, as my Google-fu is failing me.

I'm pretty sure that DRM removal for personal use is not illegal in Canada, just as it isn't in the UK.

[vanillabean]

I just went browsing to check out some e-readers.

The Sony was awesome, except for its page flash every page turn. I was really really sad about that. The program that you can load, is it safe? Am I at risk of bricking my reader?

The Aluratek wasn't bad, but my fiance noticed that he couldn't see it with his sunglasses on. As there is a potential to be reading it on a sunny beach, this may be the end of the Aluratek for me.

While asking a sales rep at Best Buy about the page refresh on the Sony, a couple overheard me talking and advised me against a Kindle because the library selection here is very poor in .mobi. So unless I want to reformat every book I get, I am kinda stuck there.

I am liking the look of the Sony with all of its shiny extra features. I like the thought of being able to mark up my books (something I have always wanted to do, but the thought of physically marking them makes me cringe) so I can remember things I like, etc.

The Kobo Touch is still in there as a less expensive option. I mean, really. I can keep notes in their own notebook.

The Kindle is next. I love the design but I think until either my library system changes or Kindle supports .epub files, it won't be as friendly for Canadians as it is in the US.

And the Aluratek is all but out because of not being able to read it with my sunglasses on. As I wear prescription sunglasses during my commute (hey, it gets sunny in Canada!) it is actually pretty important.

[ProfCrash]

If you are going to use the library, go with the Sony. Check out how bog your library holding is first. Some people have very poor library selection and it is a moot point.

Marking the book in the book is really nice. Do you want to carry a note book and an ereader? I would get the Sony over the Kobo. Extra features are worth it, to me.

[Xanthe]

After a bit, you don't even notice the flash on the e-ink screens, so don't let that deter you from any brand. It's like when you have a grandfather clock in the house with a noticeable ticking sound - after a while you don't even hear it unless you concentrate on it.

[sqdancer]

Originally Posted by vanillabean

- Kobo Touch (the basic model does a hard refresh every page turn, downside is I dislike Chapters as a company)

In case it makes any difference to you, Chapters sold Kobo to Rakuten (a Japanese company). Chapters/Indigo is a Retail Partner (as are Future Shop, WHSmith, Best Buy, etc).

[vanillabean]

I am the proud new owner of a red Sony T1.
She's beautiful! <3