New PW3 arrived: Comparing it to Nook Simple Touch

[haertig]

Originally Posted by HarryT

To clarify, if a book does not specify its justification, the Kindle will display it fully justified. If, however, it specifically specifies left justification in its CSS, that will be honoured.

Thanks for that additional info. I may try fiddling around with CSS settings for the book I am having problems with, Spartan Gold. But other than this one example I've found so far, other books look good fully justified and I'm fine with how my PW3 is displaying them. As I read more of Spartan Gold on the PW3 last night, either I am getting more used to the full justification, or it is only causing ugly displays in some parts of the book and not others.

But IMHO, justification should be a user setting, not a publisher setting. Sure, the publisher should be able to specify a default, but the user should always be able to change that dynamically, without having to resort to manually editing the CSS data and/or running a format conversion. Even if done with Calibre, where these edits would be simple, this is really beyond what customers should be required to do. It's weird that the Kindle software lets you dynamically change everything else about a book (except justification in KF8) - font face, font size, margins, line spacing, etc. Why they picked on justification is a mystery. Full justification takes more sophisticated computer algorithms than left justification, so you'd think if anything, the Kindle would have defaulted to the simpler case of left justified.

Based on jhowell's comments, I'm thinking Amazon eventually realized this flaw in their implementation of KF8 format and added the ability for on-the-fly justification changes to KFX.

I'm starting to think of Amazon's proprietary eBook formats a bit like I think of Microsoft Windows. Yeah, Windows works. But it's a real complicated and convoluted mess under the hood compared to other operating systems. My opinion right now (subject to change as I learn more) is that ePub is more like Linux, and KF8/KFX is more like Windows in regards to complexity/convoluted-ness.

[Cinisajoy]

If I remember correctly, even the print versions of some of Cussler's books have odd formatting at times to accentuate something.

[haertig]

After using this new PaperWhite for a day and a half, loading more books onto it, exploring its features, and getting some actual reading time with it ... I withdraw my previous statement:

Originally Posted by haertig

So in summary: A years old outdated Nook appears to beat a brand new PW3 for the things that are important to me.

The PW3 beats the Nook Simple Touch. Quite handily.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by haertig

After using this new PaperWhite for a day and a half, loading more books onto it, exploring its features, and getting some actual reading time with it ... I withdraw my previous statement:



The PW3 beats the Nook Simple Touch. Quite handily.

Really cool man. You know groovy and all that.

Seriously, glad you like it.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by haertig

So in summary: A years old outdated Nook appears to beat a brand new PW3 for the things that are important to me. Because of two significant issues: No organization of side-loaded books on the PW3, and forced full justification of text.

If you like the Nook Simple Touch, you might want to search for a Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight on eBay or Amazon. I still think my NSTs with (and without) Glowlight stack up well to modern eReaders.

(EDIT: Should have kept reading before responding.)

[Barbara1955]

Did you put the Routers Pass word into the PW?

[Tarana]

So glad your PW3 is working well for you! Just be sure to occasionally use your Nook ST and recharge - otherwise the battery will deteriorate from non-use. After awhile, you can decide if you want a backup or sell or give away.

FWIW, I still like my Nook ST (and Glo), but I'm a gadget fiend and hoarder, so gotta have everything.