Kindle simplifies PC document transfers ->Plug in

SeaKing · 01-13-2012, 12:15 AM

From CNET/CES2012:

"Kindle simplifies PC document transfers

by Dara Kerr January 12, 2012 8:00 PM PST

Ever wanted to read personal documents on a Kindle? There's a plug-in for that.

Amazon released "Send to Kindle" today that let's users transfer personal documents from their PC to a Kindle. It seems that the divide between tablets and computers is ever shrinking.

Once downloaded and installed, the way the plug-in works is users can right-click on one or more documents, select print, then choose "Send to Kindle." The document will automatically be converted into a PDF. This plug-in can be used with any application that connects to a printer..."

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-573...?tag=cnetRiver

Oh, Happy Day! Go Amazon!

HarryT · 01-13-2012, 03:40 AM

"... that let's users ..."

I sincerely hope that Amazon didn't really say that.

Prestidigitweeze · 01-13-2012, 03:54 AM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...tag=gmgamzn-20

I'm overjoyed and am yodeling and fondling myself with jubilation at the news the plugin works with older Kindles (definitely the Kindle Keyboard and possibly the two earlier iterations), but I'll believe in the Mac version when Amazon actually releases it. Still, they ought to have included Linux.

Of course, this would be a lot more exciting (which is to say exciting) if (1) pdfs on a pearl-screened Kindle were practical and (2) it was previously impossible to save our docs as pdfs.

HarryT · 01-13-2012, 03:58 AM

PDFs created for the screen size of the Kindle work extremely well. Why do you regard them as being impractical?

Prestidigitweeze · 01-13-2012, 04:31 AM

I'm not confident Amazon has designed a plugin to be used with multiple devices to optimize pdfs for the screen and size of a given device. Pdfs which are not tailored to a given screen size are awkward to navigate on a Pearl-screened and comparatively underpowered e-reader, and they include virtually every online pdf I've ever tried to read.

UpSpin's tear-inducing reformatting of graphics-heavy textbooks to be read on a PRS-350 sets the bar high, and I'd never complain about pdfs if I could hire him to create mine, but I've yet to see a mere plugin that good even when the source is a volume o' virile prose or poetry by yours oh-so-very truly.

As you already ken, Harry, the common wisdom is that pdfs are best read on a tablet, e-books, on a reader. As you also ken, doll, that barb[i]ed idea has been disputed by many users who feel differently and speak from experience.

I would never presume to say they're wrong, for the love of Mildred Piercings. But I speak from my own experience when I say that arduous optimization is the only thing that makes a pdf relatively painless on any current Pearl-screened device.

HarryT · 01-13-2012, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

I'm not confident Amazon has designed a plugin to be used with multiple devices to optimize pdfs for the screen and size of a given device. Pdfs which are not tailored to a given screen size are awkward to navigate on a Pearl-screened and comparatively underpowered e-reader, and they include virtually every online pdf I've ever tried to read.

As you very rightly say, trying to read a PDF that's formatted for an A4/Letter-sized page on a 6" screen is an exercise in frustration, but I'm sure that Amazon's plug-in will be using a page size to match the device that you've selected, given that it knows what the screen size of that device is.

Prestidigitweeze · 01-13-2012, 06:26 AM

I feel silly talking about the details of software that neither of us has seen or used, but why assume that a meat-grinder plugin for multiple devices would work better than a single-purposed application (such as Acrobat)? There's a huge difference between UpSpin's painstakingly tailored conversions and the output of a plugin by an online store's software division. It seems likely Amazon's addressing the need to go outside their ecosystem to have your docs converted, not necessarily to do a better job.

Then again, I could be wrung. (Stop wringing me with your special torso-twisting bell.)

(By the way: Are you close to being finished proofreading The Chessmen of Mars?)

HarryT · 01-13-2012, 07:11 AM

As you say, time will tell.

About two thirds of the way through "Chessmen", but I won't be uploading until the whole series is done. "Chessmen" is number 5 out of the 11 books in the series.

wizwor · 01-13-2012, 08:20 AM

It takes seconds to install and run the program. When you send a document, the program presents a list of the kindles associated with your account. Simply check the box next to the target kindle. I do not have a DX, but I sent documents to my k79 and Fire.

You cannot send every file type. If a file cannot be sent, there will be no option in the right click menu. PPT was suprisingly missing from the supported list.

I sent a couple word docs. The program does not 'screenshot' the document to a kindle format. The formatting was different for each kindle and flipping the Fire from verticle to horizontal changes the formatting as well.

This is a very useful, FREE program for Kindle users.

Prestidigitweeze · 01-13-2012, 09:23 AM

I'll try it on my NC10 over the weekend.

I'm glad Amazon's plugin is free, but so, for that matter, is Calibre.

Have you gotten the chance to scrutinize the readability and ease of navigation of the result?

RainingLemur · 01-13-2012, 10:39 AM

I'll have to give this a whirl when I get home. Just to see how it works.

wizwor · 01-13-2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

I'll try it on my NC10 over the weekend.

I'm glad Amazon's plugin is free, but so, for that matter, is Calibre.

Have you gotten the chance to scrutinize the readability and ease of navigation of the result?

The readability and ease of navigation are both excellent. I use Calibre for a lot of things, but to send a file from my pc to my kindle, this is easier.

BeccaPrice · 01-13-2012, 08:43 PM

Is this a plugin for K4PC? I'm not sure how to use this. I've downloaded it, but don't see an icon on my desktop for it. I open K4PC, and don't see it as an option anywhere. I'd like to use it but I can't figure out how.

wallcraft · 01-13-2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeccaPrice

Is this a plugin for K4PC? I'm not sure how to use this. I've downloaded it, but don't see an icon on my desktop for it. I open K4PC, and don't see it as an option anywhere. I'd like to use it but I can't figure out how.

You use it via Windows Explorer, which is the part of Windows that shows the files within folders. Pick the file you want to send and right click on it, one of the options in the drop down menu should be "Send to Kindle". This option will only be present if the file type is supported by e-mailing to Kindle. Similarly, when you print a file one of the available "printers" is now "Send to Kindle". The printer produces a PDF that gets sent to your Kindle.

At Amazon's see Send to Kindle for PC Frequently Asked Questions.

BeccaPrice · 01-13-2012, 09:21 PM

I see - how clever! Thanks for the information.

01-13-2012, 12:15 AM	#1
SeaKing Frequent Flier Posts: 1,282 Karma: 2058993297 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: KB kindle aboard, Galx Tab 7.0 Plus, trying out Droid 1 as mini-tab	Kindle simplifies PC document transfers ->Plug in From CNET/CES2012: "Kindle simplifies PC document transfers by Dara Kerr January 12, 2012 8:00 PM PST Ever wanted to read personal documents on a Kindle? There's a plug-in for that. Amazon released "Send to Kindle" today that let's users transfer personal documents from their PC to a Kindle. It seems that the divide between tablets and computers is ever shrinking. Once downloaded and installed, the way the plug-in works is users can right-click on one or more documents, select print, then choose "Send to Kindle." The document will automatically be converted into a PDF. This plug-in can be used with any application that connects to a printer..." http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-573...?tag=cnetRiver Oh, Happy Day! Go Amazon! Last edited by SeaKing; 01-13-2012 at 12:17 AM.

01-13-2012, 04:31 AM	#5
Prestidigitweeze Fledgling Demagogue Posts: 2,384 Karma: 31132263 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: White Plains Device: Clara HD; Oasis 2; Aura HD; iPad Air; PRS-350; Galaxy S7.	I'm not confident Amazon has designed a plugin to be used with multiple devices to optimize pdfs for the screen and size of a given device. Pdfs which are not tailored to a given screen size are awkward to navigate on a Pearl-screened and comparatively underpowered e-reader, and they include virtually every online pdf I've ever tried to read. UpSpin's tear-inducing reformatting of graphics-heavy textbooks to be read on a PRS-350 sets the bar high, and I'd never complain about pdfs if I could hire him to create mine, but I've yet to see a mere plugin that good even when the source is a volume o' virile prose or poetry by yours oh-so-very truly. As you already ken, Harry, the common wisdom is that pdfs are best read on a tablet, e-books, on a reader. As you also ken, doll, that barb[i]ed idea has been disputed by many users who feel differently and speak from experience. I would never presume to say they're wrong, for the love of Mildred Piercings. But I speak from my own experience when I say that arduous optimization is the only thing that makes a pdf relatively painless on any current Pearl-screened device. Last edited by Prestidigitweeze; 01-13-2012 at 04:37 AM.

01-13-2012, 06:26 AM	#7
Prestidigitweeze Fledgling Demagogue Posts: 2,384 Karma: 31132263 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: White Plains Device: Clara HD; Oasis 2; Aura HD; iPad Air; PRS-350; Galaxy S7.	I feel silly talking about the details of software that neither of us has seen or used, but why assume that a meat-grinder plugin for multiple devices would work better than a single-purposed application (such as Acrobat)? There's a huge difference between UpSpin's painstakingly tailored conversions and the output of a plugin by an online store's software division. It seems likely Amazon's addressing the need to go outside their ecosystem to have your docs converted, not necessarily to do a better job. Then again, I could be wrung. (Stop wringing me with your special torso-twisting bell.) (By the way: Are you close to being finished proofreading The Chessmen of Mars?) Last edited by Prestidigitweeze; 01-13-2012 at 09:36 AM.

01-13-2012, 09:23 AM	#10
Prestidigitweeze Fledgling Demagogue Posts: 2,384 Karma: 31132263 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: White Plains Device: Clara HD; Oasis 2; Aura HD; iPad Air; PRS-350; Galaxy S7.	I'll try it on my NC10 over the weekend. I'm glad Amazon's plugin is free, but so, for that matter, is Calibre. Have you gotten the chance to scrutinize the readability and ease of navigation of the result? Last edited by Prestidigitweeze; 01-13-2012 at 09:30 AM.

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01-13-2012, 03:40 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	"... that let's users ..." I sincerely hope that Amazon didn't really say that.

01-13-2012, 03:54 AM	#3
Prestidigitweeze Fledgling Demagogue Posts: 2,384 Karma: 31132263 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: White Plains Device: Clara HD; Oasis 2; Aura HD; iPad Air; PRS-350; Galaxy S7.	http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...tag=gmgamzn-20 I'm overjoyed and am yodeling and fondling myself with jubilation at the news the plugin works with older Kindles (definitely the Kindle Keyboard and possibly the two earlier iterations), but I'll believe in the Mac version when Amazon actually releases it. Still, they ought to have included Linux. Of course, this would be a lot more exciting (which is to say exciting) if (1) pdfs on a pearl-screened Kindle were practical and (2) it was previously impossible to save our docs as pdfs.

01-13-2012, 03:58 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	PDFs created for the screen size of the Kindle work extremely well. Why do you regard them as being impractical?

01-13-2012, 07:11 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	As you say, time will tell. About two thirds of the way through "Chessmen", but I won't be uploading until the whole series is done. "Chessmen" is number 5 out of the 11 books in the series.

01-13-2012, 08:20 AM	#9
wizwor Wizard Posts: 1,068 Karma: 23867385 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: kindle, fire	It takes seconds to install and run the program. When you send a document, the program presents a list of the kindles associated with your account. Simply check the box next to the target kindle. I do not have a DX, but I sent documents to my k79 and Fire. You cannot send every file type. If a file cannot be sent, there will be no option in the right click menu. PPT was suprisingly missing from the supported list. I sent a couple word docs. The program does not 'screenshot' the document to a kindle format. The formatting was different for each kindle and flipping the Fire from verticle to horizontal changes the formatting as well. This is a very useful, FREE program for Kindle users.

01-13-2012, 10:39 AM	#11
RainingLemur Spork Connoisseur Posts: 2,355 Karma: 16780603 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Nook Color	I'll have to give this a whirl when I get home. Just to see how it works.

01-13-2012, 08:43 PM	#13
BeccaPrice Wizard Posts: 2,146 Karma: 11174187 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Sony 350, K3-3G, K4SO, KPW	Is this a plugin for K4PC? I'm not sure how to use this. I've downloaded it, but don't see an icon on my desktop for it. I open K4PC, and don't see it as an option anywhere. I'd like to use it but I can't figure out how.

01-13-2012, 09:21 PM	#15
BeccaPrice Wizard Posts: 2,146 Karma: 11174187 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Sony 350, K3-3G, K4SO, KPW	I see - how clever! Thanks for the information.

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