Afraid to Abandon Sony...

[JSWolf]

The best way to work things with the Kindle and a Sony is to purchase content in MS Reader format and use ConvertLIT to remove the DRM & also explode the content into it's base parts. That way you can do fairly easy conversions (without DRM) to LRF & Mobipocket for the same eBook. Calibre and Mobipocket Publisher do fairly pain-free conversions that you will enjoy reading.

Now, speaking of Calibre, you can use Calibre to download newspapers, bogs, and more web content. You can get a 505 cheaper then a Kindle and you will have the same Vizplex screen that the Kindle uses. That way, you will be 100% compatible with the 500. Have a look at Calibre and look are the forum at threads on Calibre or Libprs500 (the former name of Calibre). See what you find and then decide once you have enough information to make an informed decision. After that if you decide you still want a Kindle, go for it. But you might find you'll go for a 505. Only you can say. But please do your homework first.

[BettyE]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The best way to work things with the Kindle and a Sony is to purchase content in MS Reader format and use ConvertLIT to remove the DRM & also explode the content into it's base parts.

Now, speaking of Calibre, you can use Calibre to download newspapers, bogs, and more web content.

Jon - Thank you for the advice. I am traveling now and forgot my USB cable but when I get home, I will test out Calibre. I had tried it in its earliest stages and found it cumbersome, but I will try it again now that it advanced. Even if I keep the Kindle, it can still help me to keep enjoying my PRS 500.

Betty

[seajewel]

I haven't tried Calibre in its previous incarnations, but as of right now the GUI is really easy to work with and intuitive for me. Makes converting a breeze, and setting up the default font size you want, which is great, and margins. so you can get the book looking just as you want it. I love my Sony Reader, and part of it is definitely Calibre.

[BettyE]

Originally Posted by jerryleejr

I know you have ordered a kindle and not to play devil's advocate but, If you could have gotten your blogs and Newspapers on the Sony wouldn't it have been better to be a two Sony household? I am kind of in the same boat, One of us likes the Sony the other the Kindle, I would much rather have two of the same devices to transfer content back and forth.

JJ

Jerry -

I agree, it would be better. I was assuming my husband would not use the Sony that much and we could swap back and forth like a normal book when we want to read what the device has. It didn't occur to me that maybe he would get hooked and then the swapping would be tedious, especially if we both like the same device.

I think, though, I need to discuss it more deeply with my husband.

One thing about the Kindle, though, is that lots of times I am stuck in an airport or on a plane on the ground and I keep thinking that I could be downloading something better to read than what I have. With the Sony, I would need to boot my PC, hook up, etc. It is too much for a quick fix.

Betty

[Rocketime]

"One thing about the Kindle, though, is that lots of times I am stuck in an airport or on a plane on the ground and I keep thinking that I could be downloading something better to read than what I have. With the Sony, I would need to boot my PC, hook up, etc. It is too much for a quick fix.

Yep, that's why I went from a 505 to a Kindle. I wanted the freedom from my computer and that's what I got with the Kindle.

[jerryleejr]

Originally Posted by BettyE

Jerry -

I agree, it would be better. I was assuming my husband would not use the Sony that much and we could swap back and forth like a normal book when we want to read what the device has. It didn't occur to me that maybe he would get hooked and then the swapping would be tedious, especially if we both like the same device.

I think, though, I need to discuss it more deeply with my husband.

One thing about the Kindle, though, is that lots of times I am stuck in an airport or on a plane on the ground and I keep thinking that I could be downloading something better to read than what I have. With the Sony, I would need to boot my PC, hook up, etc. It is too much for a quick fix.

Betty

Hey at least you have 30 days to try out the kindle, As for the downloading a new book, I would keep your entire library current on a SD card that way you would not have to pull out a computer at all, Of course there are the rare instances where you might see a book in a store at the airport and want to get it but really I have enough books downloaded right now I can get thru any flight offered even if half of them were boring books. Enjoy which ever you end up with.

JJ

[bwaldron]

Originally Posted by BettyE

One thing about the Kindle, though, is that lots of times I am stuck in an airport or on a plane on the ground and I keep thinking that I could be downloading something better to read than what I have. With the Sony, I would need to boot my PC, hook up, etc. It is too much for a quick fix.

I seem to have a different problem -- the books available on my device for reading seem to be increasing at a faster rate than my reading time. So I don't really have the need for a wireless purchase option on my device.

[jerryleejr]

One thing about the Kindle, though, is that lots of times I am stuck in an airport or on a plane on the ground and I keep thinking that I could be downloading something better to read than what I have. With the Sony, I would need to boot my PC, hook up, etc. It is too much for a quick fix.

I have found that I have enough books available (SD CARD) that I have needed to have a new release that couldnt wait until I got home.

Originally Posted by Rocketime

Yep, that's why I went from a 505 to a Kindle. I wanted the freedom from my computer and that's what I got with the Kindle.

That is certainly an Option but I have never really found that to be a deal breaker, I usually have plenty on my wishlist that I can buy 5-10 books every couple of weeks and be good.

Originally Posted by bwaldron

I seem to have a different problem -- the books available on my device for reading seem to be increasing at a faster rate than my reading time. So I don't really have the need for a wireless purchase option on my device.

"Ditto"


JJ

[Alisa]

Originally Posted by jerryleejr

That is certainly an Option but I have never really found that to be a deal breaker, I usually have plenty on my wishlist that I can buy 5-10 books every couple of weeks and be good.

Before I got the Kindle, that would definitely describe how I bought pbooks. The problem for me was that I would often end up not reading them and buying yet more books. Some of them I started but didn't like well enough to finish. Others, I never started because the fancy for them passed. With the Kindle I don't tend to buy in advance. I'm going out of the country soon so I might buy a few books ahead for that, but in the course of my daily life Whispernet is always there, Amazon is always open, I can always get a free sample before I buy a book, and I can get the rest of the book within seconds of finishing the sample. I've read a lot of samples and ended up not buying the book. Those were all books I probably would've bought before. It's not like it was bankrupting me or anything but still, I don't like to waste money.

[BettyE]

Originally Posted by jerryleejr

I have found that I have enough books available (SD CARD) that I have needed to have a new release that couldnt wait until I got home.

I see your point, but sometimes, even with several books on the Sony nothing appeals to me. The other problem is that I forget what the books are about. I would imagine on the Kindle you can, real-time, go into the store and remind yourself why it appealed to you in the first place.

Betty

[BettyE]

Originally Posted by Alisa

I've read a lot of samples and ended up not buying the book. Those were all books I probably would've bought before. It's not like it was bankrupting me or anything but still, I don't like to waste money.

Very good point, Alisa. I hadn't really thought about that before.

Betty

[manchuia]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Now, speaking of Calibre, you can use Calibre to download newspapers, bogs, and more web content. You can get a 505 cheaper then a Kindle and you will have the same Vizplex screen that the Kindle uses. That way, you will be 100% compatible with the 500. Have a look at Calibre and look are the forum at threads on Calibre or Libprs500 (the former name of Calibre). See what you find and then decide once you have enough information to make an informed decision. After that if you decide you still want a Kindle, go for it. But you might find you'll go for a 505. Only you can say. But please do your homework first.

Since I first thought about why I had problems reading "real" books to the point I KNEW I had to get a reader I have wanted a Kindle. I have tried to figure out the best way to tip toe into the waters ($400 for such a specialized device seemed a bit steep for me.. 400 on a multi solution device is a monthly purchase for me ).

I have to say Calibre has been the single biggest reason to disuade me from getting a Kindle and staying with the 505 (too late now) or the 500. It is a brilliant program, and if you have not tried it out then you have not given the Sony Reader a fair shake when comparing it to any other device. The Sony book store should just hire / buy out Kovid and combine the online shopping experience with his content management / gathering system.

I am still going to get a Kindle because of automatically updating blogs, wiki / dictionary search, and audible content, but the mindset I once had that the Kindle was a "superior" device disappeared once I had Calibre setup on my machine(s).

[Alisa]

Originally Posted by manchuia

I am still going to get a Kindle because of automatically updating blogs, wiki / dictionary search, and audible content, but the mindset I once had that the Kindle was a "superior" device disappeared once I had Calibre setup on my machine(s).

I agree, they should offer Kovid some serious cash to distribute Calibre themselves. It really adds sorely needed features that they should have developed themselves. As for which is superior, it's so relative. The thing that kept me from buying the Sony was that you couldn't search your books or look up words in a dictionary. I was truly appalled when I found that out. I saw the Sony Reader at Fry's and just fell in love with the screen. I thought the whole device was gorgeous. Having been an unhappy Sony customer a few times in the past, though, I figured I'd go home and read up a bit before I bought it. I was astounded by the wasted potential. There was so much they could have done but didn't. I almost bought a Cybook because it at least had a dictionary and it supported Mobipocket, but I was a still disappointed with the lack of book search. I figured with a smaller company they might be more responsive and eventually add it.

Before the Cybook was available through NAEB, the Kindle came out and it had both features and more plus WAY lower prices in the store. (Thankfully other stores have lowered prices to compete now but that hadn't happened yet when I ordered my Kindle.) I really wasn't all that interested in the network features when I decided to buy the Kindle, except for what it added to searching. Now that I have the Kindle I realize how amazingly convenient the wireless is and how much it adds to my reading experience, but given my priorities the Kindle was still the superior device for me in features even without it.

[BettyE]

Well, I got my Kindle and I really love it. Being able to get content so easily is a major draw for me. Plus, I thought I would only have the slower wireless speed, but my coverage is EVDO - better than the coverage map showed.

One negative, though, is the size. My PRS 500 fits into even very small purses.

I still have time to decide if I want to send this back and get a PRS 505 but, as of now, I don't think I will be doing that. This way, I can have the best of both worlds with the Kindle and my PRS 500.

Betty

[jerryleejr]

Originally Posted by BettyE

Well, I got my Kindle and I really love it. Being able to get content so easily is a major draw for me. Plus, I thought I would only have the slower wireless speed, but my coverage is EVDO - better than the coverage map showed.

One negative, though, is the size. My PRS 500 fits into even very small purses.

I still have time to decide if I want to send this back and get a PRS 505 but, as of now, I don't think I will be doing that. This way, I can have the best of both worlds with the Kindle and my PRS 500.

Betty

Well keep us posted, I would love to know your decision.

JJ