Kindle better for e-book n00bs? - Page 2

askenase13 · 06-23-2009, 10:41 AM

I think Bezos had it right when he said he wanted the Kindle to be for the NON tech savvy. In other words, many people (mostly older) who do NOT use computers can easily use the Kinlde (with an Amazon account and whispernet coverage). So the Kindle is much better than the Sony in this regard. With a little work (you can set it up for her) you can bookmark feedbooks.com, manybooks.net and project gutenberg, so that they can (somewhat) easily use the Kindle to go to those sites and download directly public domain titles.

Personally, I prefer to buy my Amazon books from the computer and then it will download once I turn the Whispernet on. But I usually download from the other sites directly so I don't have to go through the computer wioth the USB cable. (no problem for me but just easier- and that is what Bezos was talking about).

Again, if someone is a little skittish about the computers, get the Kindle and pre-load the public domain sites for them.

Lilly · 06-23-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by askenase13

Personally, I prefer to buy my Amazon books from the computer and then it will download once I turn the Whispernet on. But I usually download from the other sites directly so I don't have to go through the computer wioth the USB cable. (no problem for me but just easier- and that is what Bezos was talking about).

Again, if someone is a little skittish about the computers, get the Kindle and pre-load the public domain sites for them.

Actually a lot of new beginners love whispernet, not to buy books with but for the simple download. When my mother-in-Law 1st got the K2, I showed her how to buy books using just the Kindle and she thought it was ok but once I showed her how to buy using her computer, she much preferred that method. She loves browsing Amazon from her computer and then using her 1-click buy to send it to her Kindle. She only turns on the Whispernet to download her purchase. I've been told that all 15 friends in her book club also prefer to browse books from Amazon on the computer (if Amazon had a referral program for customers that recommended their reader, I would have made a killing

).

Alisa · 06-23-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by askenase13

I think Bezos had it right when he said he wanted the Kindle to be for the NON tech savvy. In other words, many people (mostly older) who do NOT use computers can easily use the Kinlde (with an Amazon account and whispernet coverage). So the Kindle is much better than the Sony in this regard. With a little work (you can set it up for her) you can bookmark feedbooks.com, manybooks.net and project gutenberg, so that they can (somewhat) easily use the Kindle to go to those sites and download directly public domain titles.

Personally, I prefer to buy my Amazon books from the computer and then it will download once I turn the Whispernet on. But I usually download from the other sites directly so I don't have to go through the computer wioth the USB cable. (no problem for me but just easier- and that is what Bezos was talking about).

Again, if someone is a little skittish about the computers, get the Kindle and pre-load the public domain sites for them.

Have you tried using the download guides for Mobileread and Feedbooks? (I don't know if Manybooks has one.) It's a document you put on your Kindle that has links for all the books. You click on the link and it downloads the book to your Kindle. Very simple. I hate web browsing with eInk. It's rather slow for my tastes, but the guides eliminate that issue if it's an annoyance for you.

kelly1010 · 06-24-2009, 06:55 PM

The "extra" application is really very simple and does not take a rocket scientist to figure out. All you do is drag and drop onto the reader and you're done. There are also alot more choices to buy drm-ed content for the sony, and sometimes they even end up cheaper than the kindle. The price of kindle ebooks was totally irrelevent to me because I knew I'd be getting a ton from the library to offset that. The 505 is around $100 cheaper and comes with a case, so that extra money can be spent on ebooks. I really did consider the kindle and was actually getting ready to buy it, then I rethought my decision and went with the 505. I am by no means tech-saavy (I don't know how to convert, format shift, etc). and the Sony is just fine for me.

demoric · 06-25-2009, 10:49 AM

For me the Kindle was the way to go. You have a large selection of title available from Amazon at reasonable prices. Easy one-click samples and purchases. Wispernet for easy access to titles in addition to traditional USB connection. There are many, many sites to purchase books from aside from amazon many support transfering files through your kindle's email address if you want to use wispernet instead of usb.

The only downsides I know of only effect the technically inclined and have to do with the use of Amazon's DRM (which is weaker than Sony's DRM). Although it is worth mentioning that Amazon does have statistical analysis of usage and also has the ability to remotely remove files if wispernet turned on.

kevindorsey · 06-25-2009, 02:31 PM

I'd say Kindle is better for the novices. Its configurations are somewhat newbie friendly.

If you are computer literate though, I would get the Sony unit. Way more stuff you can do with it.

spear · 06-25-2009, 03:54 PM

Here's my stupid question: To buy a non amazon ebook, I guess it would have to be a non-DRMed mobipocket format? Or are there others....keeping in mind I'm not so good/wise in the ways of conversions.....

Alisa · 06-25-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spear

Here's my stupid question: To buy a non amazon ebook, I guess it would have to be a non-DRMed mobipocket format? Or are there others....keeping in mind I'm not so good/wise in the ways of conversions.....

If you aren't comfortable with stripping DRM and converting, then yes. It is actually rather easy but many people are intimidated by the idea at first.

sirbruce · 06-25-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spear

Here's my stupid question: To buy a non amazon ebook, I guess it would have to be a non-DRMed mobipocket format? Or are there others....keeping in mind I'm not so good/wise in the ways of conversions.....

The truth is almost any book available elsewhere that has DRM is also available on Amazon, and usually at a lower price unless you're relying on a particular store to accumulate points like Fictionwise. Otherwise, non-DRM mobi and prc books from places like Fictionwise (multiformat) or Webscription.net work fine.

dwallbaum · 06-26-2009, 10:20 AM

There are also several free book sites out there also which have non-DRM books - mostly eVersions of out-of-copyright books. MobilRead here has a good list. Look for Gutenberg.org, there are others.

Google something like "free Kindle books".

You can select the Kindle/Mobi versions, and I haven't had any problems. Some conversions are better than others, but nothing has crashed the Kindle, and all have been readable.

catsittingstill · 06-29-2009, 10:35 PM

If your relative isn't computer savvy (or doesn't have a PC) I recommend a Kindle. With the feedbooks and Mobileread download guides she can even download free books over whispernet, so it's not like she's limited to Amazon. And if she wants to get e-books via her computer, she can use a PC *or* a Mac, which she couldn't with a Sony.

desertgrandma · 06-29-2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwallbaum

There are also several free book sites out there also which have non-DRM books - mostly eVersions of out-of-copyright books. MobilRead here has a good list. Look for Gutenberg.org, there are others.

Google something like "free Kindle books".

You can select the Kindle/Mobi versions, and I haven't had any problems. Some conversions are better than others, but nothing has crashed the Kindle, and all have been readable.

Our own wiki has a list of free book sites.

https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Free_eBooks

JMikeD · 06-30-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsittingstill

And if she wants to get e-books via her computer, she can use a PC *or* a Mac, which she couldn't with a Sony.

This is why the Sony was excluded pretty early in my decision-making process..... I prefer to use my Mac laptop (which is always by my recliner) rather than having to go and start up the PC desktop machine.

Mike

Studio717 · 07-01-2009, 05:48 PM

Kindle, hands down.

Ease of use, can be used almost anywhere (in the US), and doesn't need any specific computer hardware other than a powered USB port for charging and transfer. (And the charging can be down with a regular AC, too.)

I have both a 505 and a K1 (and a DX) and surprised myself on just how much I use the Kindle. It's amazingly easy and I would recommend it without hesitation for anyone who likes to read a lot.

(It's saved me on paper, too, since I started emailing .doc files that I would have normally printed out. It's been great. I just love it.)

pboss · 07-03-2009, 11:36 AM

At home here, we have both K2 & DX. Plus my old Sony 505. Seeing what my mom does when she comes over makes this question a no-brainer for me. Kindle is definitely more noob friendly.

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06-23-2009, 10:41 AM	#16
askenase13 Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Boston area Device: Kindle DX	I think Bezos had it right when he said he wanted the Kindle to be for the NON tech savvy. In other words, many people (mostly older) who do NOT use computers can easily use the Kinlde (with an Amazon account and whispernet coverage). So the Kindle is much better than the Sony in this regard. With a little work (you can set it up for her) you can bookmark feedbooks.com, manybooks.net and project gutenberg, so that they can (somewhat) easily use the Kindle to go to those sites and download directly public domain titles. Personally, I prefer to buy my Amazon books from the computer and then it will download once I turn the Whispernet on. But I usually download from the other sites directly so I don't have to go through the computer wioth the USB cable. (no problem for me but just easier- and that is what Bezos was talking about). Again, if someone is a little skittish about the computers, get the Kindle and pre-load the public domain sites for them.

06-24-2009, 06:55 PM	#19
kelly1010 Book Addict! Posts: 533 Karma: 1070 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: CA Device: Sony PRS-505, iPod Touch, Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi	The "extra" application is really very simple and does not take a rocket scientist to figure out. All you do is drag and drop onto the reader and you're done. There are also alot more choices to buy drm-ed content for the sony, and sometimes they even end up cheaper than the kindle. The price of kindle ebooks was totally irrelevent to me because I knew I'd be getting a ton from the library to offset that. The 505 is around $100 cheaper and comes with a case, so that extra money can be spent on ebooks. I really did consider the kindle and was actually getting ready to buy it, then I rethought my decision and went with the 505. I am by no means tech-saavy (I don't know how to convert, format shift, etc). and the Sony is just fine for me.

06-25-2009, 10:49 AM	#20
demoric Kindle 2 User Posts: 98 Karma: 496 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: S.E. Kansas Device: Kindle 2	For me the Kindle was the way to go. You have a large selection of title available from Amazon at reasonable prices. Easy one-click samples and purchases. Wispernet for easy access to titles in addition to traditional USB connection. There are many, many sites to purchase books from aside from amazon many support transfering files through your kindle's email address if you want to use wispernet instead of usb. The only downsides I know of only effect the technically inclined and have to do with the use of Amazon's DRM (which is weaker than Sony's DRM). Although it is worth mentioning that Amazon does have statistical analysis of usage and also has the ability to remotely remove files if wispernet turned on.

06-25-2009, 02:31 PM	#21
kevindorsey Evangelist Posts: 488 Karma: 258 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: kindle	I'd say Kindle is better for the novices. Its configurations are somewhat newbie friendly. If you are computer literate though, I would get the Sony unit. Way more stuff you can do with it.

06-25-2009, 03:54 PM	#22
spear Connoisseur Posts: 89 Karma: 175420 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mostly In My Head Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Here's my stupid question: To buy a non amazon ebook, I guess it would have to be a non-DRMed mobipocket format? Or are there others....keeping in mind I'm not so good/wise in the ways of conversions.....

06-26-2009, 10:20 AM	#25
dwallbaum Zealot Posts: 100 Karma: 77 Join Date: May 2009 Device: Kindle2	There are also several free book sites out there also which have non-DRM books - mostly eVersions of out-of-copyright books. MobilRead here has a good list. Look for Gutenberg.org, there are others. Google something like "free Kindle books". You can select the Kindle/Mobi versions, and I haven't had any problems. Some conversions are better than others, but nothing has crashed the Kindle, and all have been readable.

06-29-2009, 10:35 PM	#26
catsittingstill Guru Posts: 643 Karma: 551634 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle 1.0.8, iPod Touch, Kindle Keyboard	If your relative isn't computer savvy (or doesn't have a PC) I recommend a Kindle. With the feedbooks and Mobileread download guides she can even download free books over whispernet, so it's not like she's limited to Amazon. And if she wants to get e-books via her computer, she can use a PC or a Mac, which she couldn't with a Sony.

07-01-2009, 05:48 PM	#29
Studio717 Addict Posts: 208 Karma: 575 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: California Device: Various Kindles, iPhone, iPad, Galaxy 10.1	Kindle, hands down. Ease of use, can be used almost anywhere (in the US), and doesn't need any specific computer hardware other than a powered USB port for charging and transfer. (And the charging can be down with a regular AC, too.) I have both a 505 and a K1 (and a DX) and surprised myself on just how much I use the Kindle. It's amazingly easy and I would recommend it without hesitation for anyone who likes to read a lot. (It's saved me on paper, too, since I started emailing .doc files that I would have normally printed out. It's been great. I just love it.)

07-03-2009, 11:36 AM	#30
pboss Evangelist Posts: 408 Karma: 646 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: none	At home here, we have both K2 & DX. Plus my old Sony 505. Seeing what my mom does when she comes over makes this question a no-brainer for me. Kindle is definitely more noob friendly.