What do you use your Reader for? - Page 2

Alexander Turcic · 06-27-2007, 02:45 PM

Initially I hoped to read both fiction and non-fiction (mainly IT- and science-related books) on the Reader. I quickly discovered though that its PDF capabilities are rather limited (mainly due to the restricting screensize), so now I am reading only what you'd call paperback books on the Reader.

Oh, and funny enough, I've never tried to listen to an MP3 or to browse JPG images.

astra · 06-28-2007, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexander Turcic

Initially I hoped to read both fiction and non-fiction (mainly IT- and science-related books) on the Reader. I quickly discovered though that its PDF capabilities are rather limited (mainly due to the restricting screensize), so now I am reading only what you'd call paperback books on the Reader.

Oh, and funny enough, I've never tried to listen to an MP3 or to browse JPG images.

Ditto, minus sciense related books

Studio717 · 07-03-2007, 05:41 PM

I read books and articles on my SR. A few have been purchased through the Connect Store, but many have been converted from ones I already had. The articles are for research and it's been very nice to be able to read and take notes (on paper - I do still carry some of that around

) wherever I find myself.

The conversion utilities available here have come in very handy! Many thanks to all who have given their time to develop them. The PDF converter, especially, has been getting a lot of use lately.

Azayzel · 07-04-2007, 10:27 AM

I had high hopes for using it to read a lot my technical books, as well as regular fiction, but unfortunately they all fall in the "too small to read" category. This is fine and dandy with me, I still enjoy the hell out of it with the huge supply of books I have just waiting for their turn on it. Of course, once a nice size reader pops up, I'll probably be popping for that one to fill the hole. BTW I use it to read books and manga, for now.

pwalker8 · 07-04-2007, 01:01 PM

Actually, pdf's work fairly well if they have been formated properly for the eReader, but not very many people make the effort to do that.

Like most others, I use my eReader to read books from a mixture of sources. The vast majority are from baen books, the rest are books that I bought from Connect (70 last count) or public domain plus a hand full that I've bought from other sources (McCollum's SF books that he sales in pdf format on his web site, for example. Excellent books, btw).

Studio717 · 07-04-2007, 03:39 PM

Azayzel,

If you have an original in HTML, then by using the instructions given by Sony on converting with Word to PDF, the type size is very readable (for me, at least, and I don't have the best of eyesight). I'd say my recent conversions look like the equivalent of at least a 'medium' setting on the SR (with its native format).

The PDF to SR can sometimes come in smaller, of course, but if I use them in landscape, they seem very readable to me. I do have a few scans of old old pages that don't translate well, but most seem fine.

Again, I'm using these for research so I'm reading them slowly and taking time to scribble notes, so they don't have to be as easy-to-read as my fiction does.

Bob Russell · 07-04-2007, 08:55 PM

I essentially read paperbacks on my Reader, i.e. books that I read like a novel from front to back. Plus the very occasional pdf thanks to the great folks here that have added that functionality with PDFRasterfarian and PDFRead.

But for reference or technical books, I prefer to have paper or a larger screen. Hopefully a tablet PC will be a good alternative for that situation, or a UMPC eventually.

I never listen to MP3s or look at photos on it.

But still, even with what may sound like limited use, it's exactly what I want it to do. Between the great screen, the long battery life and the simplicity of it, it's perfect for reading novel-like books, and it has brought additional reading back into my life just like reading on my PDA did.

It's one of those few pieces of hardware that is "just right". Doesn't mean it's perfect, but it doesn't leave me aching for the next model. It's rather satisfying in it's own way. How many PDAs or smart phones can you say that about?!

HarryT · 07-05-2007, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Russell

It's one of those few pieces of hardware that is "just right". Doesn't mean it's perfect, but it doesn't leave me aching for the next model. It's rather satisfying in it's own way. How many PDAs or smart phones can you say that about?!

For me, the Pocket PC reached that same stage some years ago. Time was, every time Compaq (later HP) released a new iPaq I'd automatically buy it. Now, though, I've not bought one in several years - mine (HP iPaq 4700) does just what I want and the new models don't add anything that makes me want to upgrade.

aleks · 07-09-2007, 07:40 AM

I use my unit to read pdf books (from google or msn) that were published in the 19th century covering a variety of topics.

Toyed with the idea of using the MP3 feature if traveling (one less piece of equipment to carry)

I have a couple of family pix on the unit.

ScottTheGR81 · 07-09-2007, 12:02 PM

I have over 9,000 books on my computer. Yes I have that many full length novels and similar books. I never really have tried to read them, I told myself I would eventually buy the Sony ereader. And now I will, I am getting the $50 deal with the new sony card.

JSWolf · 07-18-2007, 01:39 PM

I use my Sony Reader to read books. Fiction type books mostly.

Phebe · 07-23-2007, 10:05 AM

I use the Sony Reader for security.

And I bet a lot of people do.

I feel a lot more secure if I have books with me even for short trips, and this can, frankly, metastasize...... so I put my Sony Reader in my purse, with its 62 books on it, and I am perfectly secure. For long trips, I also take the charger.

This doesn't help with the need for security knitting, mind you.

Phebe · 07-23-2007, 10:08 AM

Oh, and I use the Reader to cut down on schlock new novels --- you know, the three serial killer books out this month and such. I need to be reading fiction a lot, and I don't like to save most of the stuff out there.

I've noticed the Sony Reader makes it easier to stop reading a crumby novel. Less visual stimulus to continue, I suspect. This is good --- there are lots of good books, no need to waste time on hopeless characters and plots.

Arek_W · 07-23-2007, 10:16 AM

I use it for books only, did hope for pdf's but gave up. & dont want antyhing else on it, no gps, bluetooth or wifi. the key to it is battery performance, I love it and dont want it to be compromised by other fireworks.

AndiR · 07-23-2007, 10:18 AM

I use my reader to read books but I also use it to carry all of the documents / slides / time tables for training courses that I deliver in my work as a facilitator / trainer.

These I store on an SD card so I have access to files if my lap top dies.

AndiR

07-03-2007, 05:41 PM	#18
Studio717 Addict Posts: 208 Karma: 575 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: California Device: Various Kindles, iPhone, iPad, Galaxy 10.1	I read books and articles on my SR. A few have been purchased through the Connect Store, but many have been converted from ones I already had. The articles are for research and it's been very nice to be able to read and take notes (on paper - I do still carry some of that around ) wherever I find myself. The conversion utilities available here have come in very handy! Many thanks to all who have given their time to develop them. The PDF converter, especially, has been getting a lot of use lately. Last edited by Studio717; 07-03-2007 at 05:47 PM.

07-23-2007, 10:18 AM	#30
AndiR Rather interested Posts: 104 Karma: 677 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maidenhead Device: Kindle, Sony Ereader, Ipad & iPhone	Work use....... I use my reader to read books but I also use it to carry all of the documents / slides / time tables for training courses that I deliver in my work as a facilitator / trainer. These I store on an SD card so I have access to files if my lap top dies. AndiR

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06-27-2007, 02:45 PM	#16
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,175 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Initially I hoped to read both fiction and non-fiction (mainly IT- and science-related books) on the Reader. I quickly discovered though that its PDF capabilities are rather limited (mainly due to the restricting screensize), so now I am reading only what you'd call paperback books on the Reader. Oh, and funny enough, I've never tried to listen to an MP3 or to browse JPG images.

07-04-2007, 10:27 AM	#19
Azayzel Cache Ninja! Posts: 643 Karma: 1002300 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: PRS-500, HTC Shift, iPod Touch, iPaq 4150, TC1100, Panasonic WordsGear	I had high hopes for using it to read a lot my technical books, as well as regular fiction, but unfortunately they all fall in the "too small to read" category. This is fine and dandy with me, I still enjoy the hell out of it with the huge supply of books I have just waiting for their turn on it. Of course, once a nice size reader pops up, I'll probably be popping for that one to fill the hole. BTW I use it to read books and manga, for now.

07-04-2007, 01:01 PM	#20
pwalker8 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,196 Karma: 70314280 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Pro, iPad mini, Kobo Aura, Amazon paperwhite, Sony PRS-T2	Actually, pdf's work fairly well if they have been formated properly for the eReader, but not very many people make the effort to do that. Like most others, I use my eReader to read books from a mixture of sources. The vast majority are from baen books, the rest are books that I bought from Connect (70 last count) or public domain plus a hand full that I've bought from other sources (McCollum's SF books that he sales in pdf format on his web site, for example. Excellent books, btw).

07-04-2007, 03:39 PM	#21
Studio717 Addict Posts: 208 Karma: 575 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: California Device: Various Kindles, iPhone, iPad, Galaxy 10.1	Azayzel, If you have an original in HTML, then by using the instructions given by Sony on converting with Word to PDF, the type size is very readable (for me, at least, and I don't have the best of eyesight). I'd say my recent conversions look like the equivalent of at least a 'medium' setting on the SR (with its native format). The PDF to SR can sometimes come in smaller, of course, but if I use them in landscape, they seem very readable to me. I do have a few scans of old old pages that don't translate well, but most seem fine. Again, I'm using these for research so I'm reading them slowly and taking time to scribble notes, so they don't have to be as easy-to-read as my fiction does.

07-04-2007, 08:55 PM	#22
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	I essentially read paperbacks on my Reader, i.e. books that I read like a novel from front to back. Plus the very occasional pdf thanks to the great folks here that have added that functionality with PDFRasterfarian and PDFRead. But for reference or technical books, I prefer to have paper or a larger screen. Hopefully a tablet PC will be a good alternative for that situation, or a UMPC eventually. I never listen to MP3s or look at photos on it. But still, even with what may sound like limited use, it's exactly what I want it to do. Between the great screen, the long battery life and the simplicity of it, it's perfect for reading novel-like books, and it has brought additional reading back into my life just like reading on my PDA did. It's one of those few pieces of hardware that is "just right". Doesn't mean it's perfect, but it doesn't leave me aching for the next model. It's rather satisfying in it's own way. How many PDAs or smart phones can you say that about?!

07-09-2007, 07:40 AM	#24
aleks Connoisseur Posts: 89 Karma: 205 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Upstate NY Device: Rocket eBook & Sony Reader	I use my unit to read pdf books (from google or msn) that were published in the 19th century covering a variety of topics. Toyed with the idea of using the MP3 feature if traveling (one less piece of equipment to carry) I have a couple of family pix on the unit.

07-09-2007, 12:02 PM	#25
ScottTheGR81 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2007 Device: Sony Portable Reader	I have over 9,000 books on my computer. Yes I have that many full length novels and similar books. I never really have tried to read them, I told myself I would eventually buy the Sony ereader. And now I will, I am getting the $50 deal with the new sony card.

07-18-2007, 01:39 PM	#26
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,743 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I use my Sony Reader to read books. Fiction type books mostly.

07-23-2007, 10:05 AM	#27
Phebe Connoisseur Posts: 85 Karma: 124 Join Date: Dec 2006 Device: Sony PRS 500 and Kindle 2 and iPad and iPhone	I use the Sony Reader for security. And I bet a lot of people do. I feel a lot more secure if I have books with me even for short trips, and this can, frankly, metastasize...... so I put my Sony Reader in my purse, with its 62 books on it, and I am perfectly secure. For long trips, I also take the charger. This doesn't help with the need for security knitting, mind you.

07-23-2007, 10:08 AM	#28
Phebe Connoisseur Posts: 85 Karma: 124 Join Date: Dec 2006 Device: Sony PRS 500 and Kindle 2 and iPad and iPhone	Oh, and I use the Reader to cut down on schlock new novels --- you know, the three serial killer books out this month and such. I need to be reading fiction a lot, and I don't like to save most of the stuff out there. I've noticed the Sony Reader makes it easier to stop reading a crumby novel. Less visual stimulus to continue, I suspect. This is good --- there are lots of good books, no need to waste time on hopeless characters and plots.

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07-23-2007, 10:16 AM	#29
Arek_W Connoisseur Posts: 76 Karma: 24 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wroclaw, Poland Device: PRS-505, ASUS N636	I use it for books only, did hope for pdf's but gave up. & dont want antyhing else on it, no gps, bluetooth or wifi. the key to it is battery performance, I love it and dont want it to be compromised by other fireworks.