Over-Obsessing Over E-Reader Decision

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by peitsao

Debby,

I have tried to use the DRM removal programs with no luck since it looks like a foreign language and I have no idea how to use them. I guess you all are tech. wizards, but I am not and would need someone to guide me through the process. I can't seem to get Calibre to work to my advantage either as I use the notation/highlighting function on the PRS 600 and when I try to save my markups on Calibre, they disappear. It's all very frustrating for a non-geek like me.
Pei

There is at least one DRM-removal tool that plugs into Calibre. Installation is simple enough and after that its transparent...
Do a bit of web searching and you can learn how it works through the Apprentice Alf or other sites.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Trebro

In terms of what I was thinking, I'm more or less down to a Sony, nook, or Kindle2, but I'm open to other ideas.

You're doing fine; you have our priority tree worked out, which is the hardest part.
You really can't do too badly with either of your three finalists but, as pointed out, you should take a look at the Pocketbook readers. They generally match your finalists in most aspects, are not tied to any single ebookstore, support more formats than any of your finalists, and have two features that stand out over the others: ergonomics and customizability. There are "have it *your* way" readers that let you organize the books your way, let you control presentation by overriding most hardwired formatting (or not, if you don't want to), let you easily add new reader apps, and even let you change the behavior of the interface (not just the look).

If you haven't, stop by the Pocketbook forum here and check out the sticky threads on themes, tips and tricks, and the alternate FBreader180 app.

The PB302/602 is just starting to be widely available and offers wifi and a browser plus the baseline Pocketbook experience while the PB360 (my current reader of choice--I also have a Kindle and BeBook, plus plenty of hands on experience with Sony and Jetbook Lite, which isn't bad at all if you can get it for US$99 or thereabouts)... Well, the PB360 is the size of a CD jewel case, very light but solid, has user-replaceable battery, stable flexible firmware, and the ergonomics just plain rock. The thing fits in my hand like a glove, I can hold it for hours with zero stress, and you can navigate the entire interface and control the entire reading experience with one finger.

It's simply a fun device to own.
If you like the idea of having a reader with no status bar or page numbers intruding on the text, like using *your* choice of Truetype/Opentype font in *your* choice of size, line spacing, with your choice of margins, etc, and you don't want to have to *hack* the firmware and maybe disrupt its stability, you should look at the Pocketbooks. They offer in-book dictionaries (plural, you can install and access multiple dictionaries), notetaking, and even a Favorites tagging system, plus games and apps. (Not all that important, I know, but they're available.) And the platform is open *and* transparent. No hacking, rooting, or jailbreaking required. Just copy over a file or edit a plain text config file to make it do what you want how you want it to do it.

If you're not interested, you should still do fine with any of your three Big-name models. They do come with recognizable corporate names on them and some people do love theirs...

Don't think you'll do badly with any of those choices.
Just remember that there comes a time to stop researching and take the plunge so you an get on with the really important stuff: reading.

Have fun!

[luqmaninbmore]

Both the Sony Reader (at it's current 199 price) and the Pocketbook 360 are good choices. The customer service I've gotten from Pocketbook through both Yar and Tatiana has been excellent. People seem to have mixed reactions with Sony customer service. My experience has been good; whenever I had problems with their software (such as the Sony Ebookstore losing by CC information or my need to de-authorize old computers that I no longer have access to) they have been very prompt and helpful. They also recently carried a massive upgrade program for owners of the Sony PRS 500. I didn't take them up on the author but I still appreciate that gesture of support for 4 year old hardware. They are both good choices. The 360 is more portable and reads more formats and has a (slightly) clearer screen. The Sony Touch has better annotation capabilities (I use the handwriting application frequently to take notes on meetings and jot down bits of info) and an easier to use dictionary (although the PB360's dictionary support is still quite good and has an added bonus of allowing you to use multiple dictionaries). They both support Adobe DRMed library books. You can't go wrong with either, for the current prices.

Luqman

[tvpupsik]

Originally Posted by luqmaninbmore

The customer service I've gotten from Pocketbook through both Yar and Tatiana has been excellent.

Luqman, thank you very much! Appreciate your feedback. In PocketBook we do our best to have all our customers happy.

Tatiana

[Trebro]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input. After a lot more thinking, a lot more reading, and a gentle nudge, I ended up going with the nook. The deciding factors were that I didn't like the entire-screen touch screen on the PRS600 and I liked the fact that B&N seems to be trying to build up a community around the reader, with in and out of store efforts.

I'll be sure to let folks know how things went. Again, thank you all, I read and re-read everything you had to say!

-Rob

[Yar-PocketBooker]

Originally Posted by Logseman

If screen size isn't an issue, I'd consider a Pocketbook 360.

5 inches size, very pocketable and easy to handle; it reads 99% of text-PDF's with no flaws, it has a microSD slot for further space and it doesn't add to the boot-up time; it works with folders: you can make as many as you like, and you can just drag-and-drop things like in a run-of-the-mill USB stick.

And to top things off, it seems to be in sale right now.

Thanks, man

[Arts]

Sony 600,

It's my first and only reader, so I can only tell you about my experience with it. After much research I went with the 600 because I wanted the touch screen but...

Firs thing I did, was figure out my needs. In my case I am a programmer and I read a lot of technical books. The way I study is that I read a book, take notes and save them to Google Docs so I can refer back to it whenever I need to. So for me the most important thing for me was the note taking, and that's why I chose a touch screen.

Pros (Needs):
- Touch screen, and "fast" note taking (thanks to pen).
- MP3 Player (I thought it was a need... read conclusion)
- External memory (I thought it was a need... read conclusion)

Cons:
- Text isn't sharp, probably the worst I've seen.
- Screen is very reflective, like others have said is bearable.
- Note taking takes some time when the ebook is in an external memory, (4-5s) and around (2-3s) on internal memory.
- When I resize the font, I lose indentation of the code segments (programming books). So I need to read the books in small font, thank god I don't need any glasses.
- Reader software, although it looks cool at the beginning, you don't have zoom capabilities in the reader in the computer. So if I want to read from my computer and take notes, so I can sync them with the reader, you'll have a hard time reading in the computer, because the resize works the same way as the reader (by font) not by zoom.

Conclusion

So I chose the 600, because I thought "cool, external memory", "cool, mp3 player". Now that I realize it, I still prefer to use my iPod for mp3's and I don't carry more than 600 MB in books or notes. I would have save a couple bucks and choose a reader with less reflection and more sharpness, even though note taking might take me a little longer.

My advise to you is figure out your needs and how you are going to use it, be as realistic as possible. Honestly, I don't think the reader will replace you favorite MP3 player, and do you really need that much storage, do you always have to carry around 30 or more books?

[Trini]

I'm in the same position Rob was in. I'm OVER obsessing over what e-reader to finally buy. Unfortunately for all the readers that caught my eye, Asus, Copia and Cybook Orizon their final release dates and exact prices haven't been released thanks to Sipix screen problems(Asus and Copia). So I'm hesitant to buy anything right now. Hopefully I'll be better informed after Computex in a few weeks time as I'm getting impatient! So many ebooks to read but no reader..............

[mike_bike_kite]

Originally Posted by Logseman

I'd consider a Pocketbook 360
...
And to top things off, it seems to be in sale right now.

Where?
and can it be bought in Europe on sale?

[Logseman]

Originally Posted by mike_bike_kite

Where?
and can it be bought in Europe on sale?

The sale is in America AFAIK, but maybe our European dealers have a surprise.

[Debby]

Originally Posted by peitsao

Debby,

I have tried to use the DRM removal programs with no luck since it looks like a foreign language and I have no idea how to use them. I guess you all are tech. wizards, but I am not and would need someone to guide me through the process. I can't seem to get Calibre to work to my advantage either as I use the notation/highlighting function on the PRS 600 and when I try to save my markups on Calibre, they disappear. It's all very frustrating for a non-geek like me.
Pei

I sent you a private message. I don't use the mark up so I can't comment on that. But the other issue is manageable. In the past, mobile forums allowed help with DRM issues but that is no longer allowed. However, there are other sites that do allow assistance such as Apprentice Alf's Blog or rapid.org boards.

For Calibre and mark up questions, goto the forums, it is amazing the level of assistance you will receive. Don't know how long you tried Calibre but has improved significantly. One of the greatest things about this program is how it has evolved. It was clearly created for a sophisticated user, but it has been discovered by us, the non technical. As a result each version fixes something "we" don't get and now automates it for us. Don't want to unzip a file? Fine just drag it in and Calibre will do that for you too. User suggestions are in corporately quickly.

If you use Calibre make certain you know how to save your library.

In preferences:

Adding Books: check if books with similar titles and authors are found......

Add/Save
check: save cover separately, update metadata, save metadata in OPF file

Once those are checked......they will always be the the default unless you change it. From then out click the upper right corner in your library to highlight all books (just like in excel), goto to "Save to Disk" on main page, select "save to Disk" and tell it where to save.

Send back a PM if you have questions.

[bookmonster]

Originally Posted by peitsao

Debby,

I have tried to use the DRM removal programs with no luck since it looks like a foreign language and I have no idea how to use them. I guess you all are tech. wizards, but I am not and would need someone to guide me through the process.
Pei

I am in the same boat. I visited Apprentice Alf & followed instructions to the best of my ability, but cant figure out how to make this work. I have a Kindle & would like to be able to read library books on it, as well as "liberate" my purchased books from azw format. Anyone that would be willing to instruct a struggling reader, please PM me. Thanks!!

[JimMcLaren]

Originally Posted by peitsao

Jim,
Can you read Sony epubs on the 302? I like the touch screen capability, but don't like the loss of clarity on the 600. If the 302 is sharper for reading, and I can save my notes on the books I mark up to the desktop, I'd consider the 302.
Pei

I don't use Sony DRM epubs. I always strip the DRM first. It's easy enough to do. But you can use the Sony software to get their books on your reader. Read about it here.

[sabredog]

I went through the same research - agonising cycle when deciding what dedicated reader to purchase. It was drawn-out, exasperating and sort of fun!

In the end though I opted for the Sony PRS-300 mainly because it reviews well and a bargain came out online that I could not pass up on. I am extremely happy with my PRS-300 and won't let it leave my beside table until I get a M-Edge cover or suchlike to protect it.

Now the whole thing is starting again as I decide what to buy my bride. Do I go for the PRS-300 knowing the hoops I have to go through to get the Sony to Australia (Sony does not sell ereaders here ) or do I get a cheap and cheerful Kobo, (just released here). Even the Jetbook has caught my interest!

delays...delays.....

At least we are spoiled for choice! Even Australia is slowly starting to get better ereader offerings. Please Sony, come down under and let us buy your PRS range!!

Or any other ereader devices for that matter!

[citac]

Originally Posted by Trini

I'm in the same position Rob was in. I'm OVER obsessing over what e-reader to finally buy. Unfortunately for all the readers that caught my eye, Asus, Copia and Cybook Orizon their final release dates and exact prices haven't been released thanks to Sipix screen problems(Asus and Copia). So I'm hesitant to buy anything right now. Hopefully I'll be better informed after Computex in a few weeks time as I'm getting impatient! So many ebooks to read but no reader..............

Trini, it's the same for me - Asus and Copia are the ones I like the best. I just came across a post on <a href="http://www.the-digital-reader.com/2010/05/26/copia-e-readers-delayed-until-fall/">The Digital Reader</a> website, who say that Copia has been delayed to late fall. By that time, I'll be done with my postgrad...