Okay, I give in! Please suggest an epub reader.

[tornado5528]

Originally Posted by ApK

It reads RTF or DOC files without conversion?

My apologies; just taken a look and Calibre converted my rtfs to epubs when copying them to the new reader.

[BookCat]

I'm all confused again. I'll have to make a list. The Kindle Paperwhite was my favourite till I read some poor reviews about light leakage and bright spots, but I like the various functions, such as X-ray, which it has.

A frontlight isn't essential. I have a very good booklight (the Mighty Bright Ultrathin), but I do like the ones where you can change the font size and type and justify margins.

Wi-fi, unless it's 3g, is wasted on me, because I don't have wi-fi at home (I get a headache if I have the pc antennae switched on; I discovered this at my previous address where I used to pinch the internet from the students before they got it secured, after which I had cable installed.)

The need for a new reader stems from the out-dated lrf format of the 505. I want something more modern. I'll still use the 505 for the lrfs that I have, but download new books as epubs/kindle format.

Something I can purchase online would be great as I'm a bit housebound after a couple of bad falls - tripping over badly laid paving slabs. Have a broken wrist, black eye and bumps on my head! The wrists are the worst; it hurts to type.

I'm due a new reader, just what the doc ordered!

[HarryT]

I honestly wouldn't worry about getting a faulty PW. Look at the Kindle forum here at MR. How many reports of faulty devices do you see? The overwhelming majority of owners are happy.

[booklover6]

The lighting was much improved on the newest PW. I think you will be very pleased.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by tornado5528

My apologies; just taken a look and Calibre converted my rtfs to epubs when copying them to the new reader.

That's pretty much the definition of "easy" when you don't even realize it's happening. And since BookCat is interested in sideloading and is likely to use Calibre in any case (right, BookCat?) then the rtf and doc issue is a non-issue for either Nook or Kindle. It'll just magically happen in the background.

By the way, BookCat, what's wrong with the PRS-505's epub handling? Is it something that PRS+ might address for you?

I mean, you are CERTAINLY entitled to a new reader ...most of us didn't even need all the physical trauma to feel entitled...but I'd hate for you settle for using less than a favorite reader if it's something that can be addressed.

ApK

[HarryT]

The main thing wrong is the lack of support for full justification. We were discussing this in another forum before moving here.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The main thing wrong is the lack of support for full justification.

Ah. Which I see is listed under "Impossible" on PRS+'s 505 feature request list.

We were discussing this in another forum before moving here.

That explains the thread title.

OK, so BookCat needs to get a Nook AND a Kindle, and keep the 505 for the old format.

Remember, the goal is this:

[Garry Lancaster]

Originally Posted by ApK

Ah. Which I see is listed under "Impossible" on PRS+'s 505 feature request list.

The eBookApplications firmware for the PRS-505 does provide fully-justified ePubs, however. This is because it completely replaces the standard Sony software, rather than just make a few tweaks to the onboard reader like PRS+ does. You can still switch back and forth between eBookApplications and standard Sony (or indeed PRS+) just by restarting the reader.

It also gets rid of the annoying page numbers down the side, and adds other goodies like a pop-up dictionary and easily-selectable fonts & sizes. The drawbacks are perhaps a lack of polish and a few bugs (largely in the PDF reader).

OK, so BookCat needs to get a Nook AND a Kindle, and keep the 505 for the old format.

I've no experience with Kindles, but had a Nook STR for a while and didn't really get on with it. The page-turn buttons are well-placed but stiff and awkward to press, and it has a lack of support for organising books by collections like the Sony. I've gone back to the PRS-505.

[EndlessWaves]

Originally Posted by BookCat

The need for a new reader stems from the out-dated lrf format of the 505. I want something more modern. I'll still use the 505 for the lrfs that I have, but download new books as epubs/kindle format.

Seems a bit silly to ditch one reader because of it's poor format support only to buy another with the same problem, I'd take the kindle off the list.

[susan_cassidy]

The Kindle doesn't have poor format support. It supports its chosen formats just fine. The new azw3 format is just as good as epub in formatting choices.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by BookCat

I'm all confused again. I'll have to make a list. The Kindle Paperwhite was my favourite till I read some poor reviews about light leakage and bright spots, but I like the various functions, such as X-ray, which it has.

A frontlight isn't essential. I have a very good booklight (the Mighty Bright Ultrathin), but I do like the ones where you can change the font size and type and justify margins.

Wi-fi, unless it's 3g, is wasted on me, because I don't have wi-fi at home (I get a headache if I have the pc antennae switched on; I discovered this at my previous address where I used to pinch the internet from the students before they got it secured, after which I had cable installed.)

The need for a new reader stems from the out-dated lrf format of the 505. I want something more modern. I'll still use the 505 for the lrfs that I have, but download new books as epubs/kindle format.

Something I can purchase online would be great as I'm a bit housebound after a couple of bad falls - tripping over badly laid paving slabs. Have a broken wrist, black eye and bumps on my head! The wrists are the worst; it hurts to type.

I'm due a new reader, just what the doc ordered!

3G is free for any books you buy from Amazon, and any other books you should just sideload via calibre anyway, so you won't be charged.

The issue with the backlights.... to take it one step further, the impression I got was that the only people who had that problem with either the PW1 or the PW2 were people who bought the PW1 during the first rush, while Amazon was trying to churn out massive numbers of new devices that had a uniquely new component they weren't used to working with etc.

Since the first holiday rush for the PW1 I cannot remember seeing any complaints at all, to be honest, about the Pw light -- it has been hyped up way too much.

[BookCat]

Thanks for all the help. The pic made me laugh ApK. I've narrowed it down to the Paperwhite or the Kobo Aura. I like the appearance and some features (such as the search and the thing which is similar to putting your finger between the pages of a pbook while rummaging through the book) of the Paperwhite, but I'm still reluctant to limit my purchases to Amazon; at the moment it's still easy to do the Alf thing to epubs and convert them in Calibre to mobi, or whatever, but this could become much more difficult in the future.

Also, the Aura has expansion slots and the light can be turned completely off, and it supports epubs. I don't like the size of the HD version, but the Aura seems nice. Lots of ability to play with fonts and justification too. WH Smith seem to be having a sale of Kobos, so I might ask a friend to get one for me.

Decisions!

[dordale]

Originally Posted by BookCat

but I'm still reluctant to limit my purchases to Amazon; at the moment it's still easy to do the Alf thing to epubs and convert them in Calibre to mobi, or whatever, but this could become much more difficult in the future.

Decisions!

Along these lines--remember that as it stands right now, the Aura isn't compatible with the new epub standard either--although, of course it can read kepubs...but not sure how this will be affected (if at all) with the Adobe changes. And I would hope that Kobo would release a firmware to make the Aura compatible with Adobe's DRM--but that is by no means guaranteed.

[ApK]

Do keep in mind that "but I'm still reluctant to limit my purchases to Amazon" is not really the issue. There are other sources for books for Kindle besides Amazon (Smashwords, O'Reilly, Baen, direct sales sites, libraries, PD sites, etc).

But presuming we're talking only about "large mass-market DRM ebook sellers," on a practical level, that means "B&N, Kobo, and Google."

Apple is a different system, Sony is out, and while I may be forgetting one or two ADE-based contenders at most, it's not like you are ensuring a huge world of competitive options.
The pool is actually pretty shallow, and while there are deals to had by shopping around at all of them (thank you Alf and ilk) none of them can boast generally better selection or price than Amazon.

Might Alf's mojo stop working in the future? Sure. Can you guarantee that Adobe or one of the other device makers or book sellers won't screw you over similarly in the future?

Unless you just have a principle objection to patronizing one vendor over another, get the device you like best.

ApK

[BookCat]

I think I prefer the elegance and features of the Paperwhite. Then the only question is whether or not I NEED the 3g? Can I just sideload everything, even from Amazon? The Amazon purchases could, theoretically be put onto Kindle4pc, then moved to Calibre, then to the reader. Or is there some reason why this isn't possible?

I could ask Amazon to pre-register the device for me - I regularly buy things from there and the customer service has been okay - so I won't need an internet connection for the registration. What about firmware updates?

Thanks.