Wish I could see the future (aka Newbie making a choice) - Page 4

RickV · 07-22-2008, 12:44 PM

Well, I guess we can stop talking about generalities and start talking about the Kindle itself.

There were basic concerns with data on CD's, but were eventually overcome with burning software and I can't see how this would be any different. I'm sure some bright little hacker to work around Amazon's file to convert it.

desertgrandma · 07-22-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasnightowl

OK, looks like I've missed quite the discussion since I had to actually go do some work yesterday. :>

As for the "future proof"/30 yrs thing...let's put it this way. I have books with me that I've had for 20 yrs or more and still pull out to re-read. If I buy an ebook, I want to be able to do the same. I am willing to have to use utilities to convert it if need be. I suppose that is part of the reason I am leaning towards the Sony - because of the Calibre software. I know if I go with the Sony I will be doing conversions and can therefore store things in other formats.

That being said, the Kindle is very tempting for a couple of reasons. 1. The number of items currently being offered by Amazon. 2. The wireless download.

My friend brought his Kindle into work today for me to play with. And, it's not as bad as my first impressions. But, with the buttons taking up so much of the sides, it is harder to pick it up/hold it without moving forward/back (at least, when it is outside the case). I am not crazy about the keyboard being on it, but it certainly is very useful for searching the Kindle store. I downloaded a few samples and it all works seamlessly and is very tempting.

But, I do have a usage question:
Is the page turn on the Sony any faster than the Kindle?
I am a fast reader and find that even when hitting the Next Page button when on the next to last line, I was still waiting for the next page to load. I'm sure I would adjust and maybe hit the next page button even earlier after spending more time with it, but was curious if the Sony was any faster.

I see also that Kindle allows you to display your books by author, most recent, etc. - does the Sony allow you to display your titles by different methods too?

And remember this when trying to decide. Amazon has a 30 day no questions asked return policy for their Kindle. You can order it, use it for quite a while.....and if its not the perfect one for you, return it and you will be out only the $10 return postage. You don't even have to buy any books. You can download free ones from here or other sites and read to your hearts content......

jerryleejr · 07-22-2008, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

And remember this when trying to decide. Amazon has a 30 day no questions asked return policy for their Kindle. You can order it, use it for quite a while.....and if its not the perfect one for you, return it and you will be out only the $10 return postage. You don't even have to buy any books. You can download free ones from here or other sites and read to your hearts content......

Oh DG you really should be a Kindle SpokesCat!

JJ

desertgrandma · 07-22-2008, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerryleejr

Oh DG you really should be a Kindle SpokesCat!

JJ

Well, I have come to the conclusion that the Kindle is not for everyone! And since they won't let it be bought except off of Amazon, they really have to have this policy. I think, tho, that most people who actually use on for a while tend to keep it. Its just too darn handy and easy to use. Even for 'newbies'. (this has been an unpaid endorsement)

texasnightowl · 07-23-2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elsi

Errr... I'm in Raleigh through Thursday. Want to meet me some night to see my Kindle and talk about my coming Sony?

Aaack! I missed this...sorry! I was doing the post and run thing! But it's almost funny that you're in Raleigh :>

My friend brought his Kindle in to work yesterday and I played with it. I like it a bit more than I did initially.

However, if you would like to meet up I can probably be free tonight around 7 or so. (Lemme go try the PM thing and I'll send you my cell number.)

Why did you decide to go ahead and get the Sony too?

texasnightowl · 07-23-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

I think, tho, that most people who actually use on for a while tend to keep it. Its just too darn handy and easy to use. Even for 'newbies'. (this has been an unpaid endorsement)

Yeah...and on waking up today, I'm leaning towards the Kindle...because I can just download and read and not have to convert. And the ton of content.

One more question: if you have a folder of web pages (ie. an index page and the pages linked from it) is there a tool to make a mobi file for the Kindle like you can do with Calibre/html2lrf for the Sony? I did a test last night with Calibre and just fed it my index page and it processed all the linked pages and created my lrf with a table of contents which was pretty slick. The Calibre stuff is slick. It is probably one of the reasons (along with the actual Sony hardware) that I am still torn between the Sony and the Kindle.

desertgrandma · 07-23-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasnightowl

Yeah...and on waking up today, I'm leaning towards the Kindle...because I can just download and read and not have to convert. And the ton of content.

One more question: if you have a folder of web pages (ie. an index page and the pages linked from it) is there a tool to make a mobi file for the Kindle like you can do with Calibre/html2lrf for the Sony? I did a test last night with Calibre and just fed it my index page and it processed all the linked pages and created my lrf with a table of contents which was pretty slick. The Calibre stuff is slick. It is probably one of the reasons (along with the actual Sony hardware) that I am still torn between the Sony and the Kindle.

Take a look at my avatar. Would someone like that know the answer to your question? I am still trying to learn mobi2mobi. I would love to learn more more more....but still trying to find someone out here to sit and teach. Things that are intuitive to command prompt person aren't to me. Your queston will be answered by someone I'm sure. This board is so great for finding information.

jerryleejr · 07-23-2008, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Take a look at my avatar. Would someone like that know the answer to your question? I am still trying to learn mobi2mobi. I would love to learn more more more....but still trying to find someone out here to sit and teach. Things that are intuitive to command prompt person aren't to me. Your queston will be answered by someone I'm sure. This board is so great for finding information.

Stanza will do all you need for a Kindle with Non DRM stuff.

JJ

desertgrandma · 07-23-2008, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerryleejr

Stanza will do all you need for a Kindle with Non DRM stuff.

JJ

See? The monkey knows......

texasnightowl · 07-23-2008, 11:40 AM

It looks like Stanza is for MAC? I don't have a mac.

jerryleejr · 07-23-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasnightowl

It looks like Stanza is for MAC? I don't have a mac.

They are working on Windows version... However Mobipocket creator should work on your PC But Since I use a Mac I will defer to the PC People for further guidance.

JJ

rixte · 07-23-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasnightowl

Yeah...and on waking up today, I'm leaning towards the Kindle...because I can just download and read and not have to convert. And the ton of content.

One more question: if you have a folder of web pages (ie. an index page and the pages linked from it) is there a tool to make a mobi file for the Kindle like you can do with Calibre/html2lrf for the Sony? I did a test last night with Calibre and just fed it my index page and it processed all the linked pages and created my lrf with a table of contents which was pretty slick. The Calibre stuff is slick. It is probably one of the reasons (along with the actual Sony hardware) that I am still torn between the Sony and the Kindle.

Mobi Creator should work fine - you can just highlight the contents of the folder and drag them over. I get the impression it's not as slick as Stanza (haven't managed to get that to run on my mac yet), but it'll create a very useable file.

RWJ · 07-23-2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patricia

I'm an academic and I need my lectures, notes and books. I've now learned that data isn't safe unless you keep it in at least two different places and in transferable formats.
It all depends on your attititude to books etc. Some people (like me) want to keep most of them forever. Others see many of them as disposable, like magazines.

This describes my situation too. And apart from flimsy quality weekly magazines, I keep everything I read, one reason why an electronic reader, combined with storing files in at least two (geographically separate) places, is very appealing - I'm running out of shelf space.

manchuia · 07-24-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

And remember this when trying to decide. Amazon has a 30 day no questions asked return policy for their Kindle. You can order it, use it for quite a while.....and if its not the perfect one for you, return it and you will be out only the $10 return postage. You don't even have to buy any books. You can download free ones from here or other sites and read to your hearts content......

This was actually a big selling point for me. I knew I "wanted" a Kindle, but the fact that I could get my money back if I didn't like it as much I hoped made the cost a little better.

texasnightowl · 07-25-2008, 02:18 PM

OK, one more question...this one on the Cybook (it seems to be dropping to my 3rd choice right now)...it seems like there are more posts about broken screens with it as opposed to Sony/Kindle. Is this true? Or just there are more posts about it?

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07-22-2008, 12:44 PM	#46
RickV Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 198 Join Date: Jul 2008 Device: none	Well, I guess we can stop talking about generalities and start talking about the Kindle itself. There were basic concerns with data on CD's, but were eventually overcome with burning software and I can't see how this would be any different. I'm sure some bright little hacker to work around Amazon's file to convert it.

07-23-2008, 11:40 AM	#55
texasnightowl Guru Posts: 797 Karma: 2873645 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Device: PW5, Oasis 3, K4B(NT), K3/KK	It looks like Stanza is for MAC? I don't have a mac.

07-25-2008, 02:18 PM	#60
texasnightowl Guru Posts: 797 Karma: 2873645 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Device: PW5, Oasis 3, K4B(NT), K3/KK	OK, one more question...this one on the Cybook (it seems to be dropping to my 3rd choice right now)...it seems like there are more posts about broken screens with it as opposed to Sony/Kindle. Is this true? Or just there are more posts about it?