I'm looking for a new device

[Jaie]

Originally Posted by Gideon

A lot has to do whether or not you are actually using the texts in class. I've a history minor, and generally found that I wasn't using the texts in class (snipped)

With the frequent use of bookmarks, I think the benefit would outweigh the costs.

Not all the texts that's for sure. But yeah, I agree that the bookmarking is important for referencing for papers. And as you know, it's not just the class texts, it's things like if I wanted to do a paper on the fall of Rome, I might want to download Gibbons to my reader and be able to reference. I'd need the markers and placeholders then.

[Jaie]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

The other device you might consider is the Nokia 770 (no longer made, replaced by similar N800 and N810) with FBReader. It cannot read DRM-laden e-books and its battery life is perhaps 4 hours, but it is otherwise a very good e-book reader and it does come with WiFi. The screen is almost exactly half the size of a Sony, but because it is usually held in "landscape" mode all this means is that you need twice as many page turns (which are very fast on the 770). It is also backlit and color. The more expensive N810 has a sun-light readable display.

OK, I've looked at the N800 and the 770. My question is this, every one I've seen doesn't strike me as a "reader" but more of something like a blackberry. Is this device simply not the same as say, the Sony reader? It's more multi use than *just* a book reader?

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Jaie

OK, I've looked at the N800 and the 770. My question is this, every one I've seen doesn't strike me as a "reader" but more of something like a blackberry. Is this device simply not the same as say, the Sony reader? It's more multi use than *just* a book reader?

It is more than just an e-book reader, although that is what I bought and used my 770 for. It is a full Linux-based "Internet Tablet" with a relatively large and active developer community. The screen is small, but its 800 pixel width is enough to display many web pages without horizontal scrolling. It is not a blackberry or PDA, because office (PDA) software is not really available, but it will browse the web, play videos, act as a wifi radio, etcetera.

A used 770 would make a good e-book reader. The N800 is the better Internet Tablet, and is about as capable an e-book reader as the 770.

[Jaie]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

It is more than just an e-book reader, although that is what I bought and used my 770 for. It is a full Linux-based "Internet Tablet" with a relatively large and active developer community. The screen is small, but its 800 pixel width is enough to display many web pages without horizontal scrolling. It is not a blackberry or PDA, because office (PDA) software is not really available, but it will browse the web, play videos, act as a wifi radio, etcetera.

A used 770 would make a good e-book reader. The N800 is the better Internet Tablet, and is about as capable an e-book reader as the 770.

Yup, I took a look. It's a nice little device. Is there subscription service involved? I have to admit, it seems like a lot more than I need is all. Does this read HTML books and store them?

[wallcraft]

FBReader reads many DRM-free formats, including single-file HTML (with images). You can try it out on a Windows or Linux Desktop. For multi-file HTML you either need to convert it to an OEB e-book (add a .opf file) or use Sunrise XP (say) to make a Plucker version. FBReader will also read the MOBI files in the Upload section, and from feedbooks.com (its Kindle EVDO services, e.g. feedbooks.mobi and Kindle guide, also work via WiFi on the 770).

FBReader does not read PDF. There is a (DRM-free) PDF reader for the 770, but I have never used it.

There is no subscription involved, unless you need to pay for access to WiFi.

[Gideon]

Keep in mind that reading with eInk is a much, much more natural and pleasant experience than on a back lighted display. I've tried this ebook thing on everything from tablet pcs, PSPs, Nintendo DS's, windows mobile devices and iphones - and I could never tolerate the small screen and eye strain for all that long.

After trying an eInk device, you couldn't make me go back to the others as options.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Gideon

After trying an eInk device, you couldn't make me go back to the others as options.

I agree, with the exception of material with color illustrations (e.g. SciFi magazines) E-Ink is much better.

However, a used 770 is much cheaper, e.g. $120 on internettablettalk.

[Gideon]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

I agree, with the exception of material with color illustrations (e.g. SciFi magazines) E-Ink is much better.

However, a used 770 is much cheaper, e.g. $120 on internettablettalk.

Good point... didn't realize they were that cheap.

Of course, still... you have to use the thing.

[Jaie]

I've encountered the e-ink already. I agree, amazing for looks and etc. Is there the off chance that the Sony reader will eventually be much better with textbooks? I have to be honest it's the one I would really like.


But I'll be checking out that link later at tablet talk. My only thing with the 770 is as nice as it is, all the color etc, but it's really more than I need. I have my laptop and while it's bigger than the 770, it covers my needs for net access at school. But it's on my list still I guess I'd like to see one in action.

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by Jaie

Yup, I took a look. It's a nice little device. Is there subscription service involved? I have to admit, it seems like a lot more than I need is all. Does this read HTML books and store them?

The Nokia Tablet assumes you will have Wifi available and browse the internet. It comes with a full featured browser, and can take expansion cards for storage.

The 770 uses a version of Opera for the browser. The 800 and 810 use a variant of Firefox. The 770 uses RS-MMC expansion cards. The 800 has two standard SD slots. The 810 uses a micro-SD card.

You ought to be able to store HTML documents on the expansion card, and read them from there.

I'm lusting in the background over the 800. I don't need the included keyboard on the 810 - I'd get a Bluetooth keyboard for that. I do need the storage capacity, and two SD slots that can take SDHC cards are a boon.

I haven't jumped because I need PIM functionality that isn't quite there yet. I need a device that does more than just display ebooks, so a dedicated reader like the Sony or Kindle doesn't work for me.

At the moment, a Tapwave Zodiac 2 (a Palm OS based PDA) is my workhorse device, but a Nokia 800 or an ASUS eee may be the next step.
______
Dennis

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Jaie

Is there the off chance that the Sony reader will eventually be much better with textbooks?

No. The problems with textbooks are down to the limitations of the PDF format, not those of the Reader. PDF is not an eBook format, and attempts to force it to be one are doomed to failure.

[Jaie]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

I need a device that does more than just display ebooks, so a dedicated reader like the Sony or Kindle doesn't work for me.
Dennis

]

I think this is where it's kinda summed up for me. I don't need all the added features, a dedicated reader is enough. BUT, at the same time, I really was hoping to be able have the wifi connection. The main problem with Kindle for me however (beyond the cost) is my concern that they've released this product, have a big campaign, and next thing you know, they no longer support it because it's not selling like they thought, or in six months they let out a new one. I think these are concerns with the Sony reader as well, but Sony is (as an electronics c ompany) far more likely to continue support for their product far more than Amazon. The plus side to the Kindle, is that a website selling books, it is to their benefit to support the product that helps you read the books.


But stupid question, if I get the Kindle or the Sony reader, I'm assuming that you don't HAVE to download only from them for your books, but can get books anyplace as long as your reader supports that format. is that correct?

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Jaie

if I get the Kindle or the Sony reader, I'm assuming that you don't HAVE to download only from them for your books, but can get books anyplace as long as your reader supports that format. is that correct?

Many publishers require DRM, and the only place to get DRMed e-books for Sony and Kindle are the Sony Store and Amazon.com respectively. For the Kindle there is a hack that allows some DRMed MOBI files from a few e-book sites to work. The other option is to buy DRMed LIT e-books and break the DRM. The LIT format is one of the most feature rich, and is easily converted to DRM-free e-books for Sony or Kindle.

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by Jaie

"DMcCunney:I haven't jumped because I need PIM functionality that isn't quite there yet. I need a device that does more than just display ebooks, so a dedicated reader like the Sony or Kindle doesn't work for me."

I think this is where it's kinda summed up for me. I don't need all the added features, a dedicated reader is enough. BUT, at the same time, I really was hoping to be able have the wifi connection. The main problem with Kindle for me however (beyond the cost) is my concern that they've released this product, have a big campaign, and next thing you know, they no longer support it because it's not selling like they thought, or in six months they let out a new one. I think these are concerns with the Sony reader as well, but Sony is (as an electronics company) far more likely to continue support for their product far more than Amazon. The plus side to the Kindle, is that a website selling books, it is to their benefit to support the product that helps you read the books.

If a dedicated reader does work for you, splendid. I'm trying to reduce complexity. I don't want a smartphone with converged PIM functionality because that has form factor compromises I don't like.

The Zodiac has a 3.25" x 2.25" screen in 480x320 resolution. I'd like a larger one. A cell phone is of necessity smaller, with a smaller screen.

I'll happily carry a PDA and a cell phone. I won't carry a PDA, cellphone, and reader.

But stupid question, if I get the Kindle or the Sony reader, I'm assuming that you don't HAVE to download only from them for your books, but can get books anyplace as long as your reader supports that format. Is that correct?

Largely. The first question is whether your reader supports the format. The second is how you get the book on the device.

In my case, I have software installed on the Zodiac to read books in eReader, Mobipocket, PDF, HTML (after conversion), text, RTF, and Word formats. I put ebook files directly on an SD card with a USB reader.

I can't handle things like the Sony LRF or Kindle AZW format, but I don't really care. There is far more available now that I want to read in formats I can handle than I have time for.

Other folks here can advise you on the formats supported by the Sony REader and the Kindle, but you have options beyond just content available from their respective stores.
______
Dennis

[Jaie]

I can actually read books on my LG from Verizon. But, tiny tiny screen. And really annoying when you are trying to read say, Gibbon's Fall of Rome or something involved like that.


I've been researching this question for months and it seems to get more confusing sometimes I know I'd like to be able to read PDFs, but it's not a deal breaker. I'd also like to be able to use the plucker format on Gutenberg, but again, not a deal breaker. My big thing is, does it handle HTML well, and is it mandatory that I use the books offered by the manufacturer poor college student, can't invest $9.99 each time I want a Kindle book. Or, if I can use a book from anyplace, is it going to be simple to convert it to the format I need in order to install it on my reader. I'm not really that determined to have wifi, it simply would be easier to download books that way, and not have to move files from one electronic to the next. (I'm apparently that lazy )


And of course, storage is a concern. I enjoy reading, otherwise I wouldn't have a personal book collection (I'm on librarything as Jaie if you ever get curious) and I don't want something that'll hold 4 books and then I need to delete in order to store more.

So, now to continue narrowing down I suppose.