Kindle in the Boonies ( Canada Boonies)

[abra]

I am in rural sask and just got K3 wifi only on Sept 13. I do have high speed and a router for wifi at home and it works great for downloading books. I have not used the browser much. I find the Ipod and laptop much more user friendly for browsing. My sons friend has a K2 and has not had a problem with wifi downloads. I am very happy with wifi only. I just plan before I leave home and load books I am interested in for future use.

[Calebo]

Thanks for the replies, I don't have a router, so no wifi, but do travel to cities that are in the Roger's area coverage map. So will use the computer when I have to and wifi when able.
If I was to order some books ahead of time, when I do get into Roger's area range, would they just download automatically?

[PhotoJim]

SaskTel's new so-called 3G+ network uses technology compatible with the Kindle. I'm not sure if Amazon/AT&T have a roaming agreement with SaskTel - I gather not - but it's theoretically possible that, if they negotiate one at some point, you'll have 3G service in Gravelbourg (at least after SaskTel turns it up; not all towers have been converted yet).

Even in 2G coverage, book downloads are pretty quick. I downloaded a book at the cottage a couple of weekends ago without issue.

Get WiFi at home, though; it will save you a lot of hassle. A cheap 802.11b WiFi router is well under fifty bucks. You can get newer, faster ones that will do well as well but unless you have a high-end Internet subscription, it won't matter much.

[Zyzomys]

Thanks for the replies, I don't have a router ...

You really should buy yourself a router. The additional security that a router provides via a firewall is priceless and as PhotoJim mentioned, routers with wifi are cheap.

[Samantha45]

Originally Posted by jphphotography

To further assuage your worries about extra fees for purchasing books in Canada I can attest that other than USD>CAD exchange rate I have not been charged any extra fees. I know when I was first looking into getting a K3 I was a little concerned with what I'd heard from some of the international customers, some were being charged an extra $2 or more per book and it sounded like that was apart from any exchange rate costs.

.

me either. I've just been charged the exchange rate (live in Alberta)

[Samantha45]

Originally Posted by Calebo

If I was to order some books ahead of time, when I do get into Roger's area range, would they just download automatically?

Yes. You can also tell the K3 to sync and check for new items to download.

[patrickt]

I am in Oaxaca, Mexico, and I broke my DSL modem. When Telmex, my ISP, gave me a new modem it was wireless. Technically, it's a modem/router. It works great with my K3.

[GA Russell]

Welcome Calebo, abig, abra and PhotoJim!

I enjoy listening to Rod Pedersen, Carm Carteri and Lorne Harrison every week!

[jphphotography]

@Calebo
Who is your ISP in Gravelbourg? If it's Sasktel they do offer the 2wire modem/routers with wifi. If not and you're in the Saskatoon area I'd recommend going to OTV Tech on Wall St to pick up a router, way cheaper than places like Futureshop and the staff is knowledgeable. I recommend that place to everyone for any computer needs or even stuff like HDMI cables, it makes me sick how much some of the bigger stores are ripping people off.

Oh and Go Riders!

[PhotoJim]

There's an OTV in Regina too (McIntyre St. and 8th Avenue).

GA Russell: Rider fan?

[GA Russell]

PhotoJim, I'm a Canadian league fan, and try to listen to every game. Most people have a favorite team, but I am more interested in enjoying a good ballgame. And I say that the CFL has the best ballgames.

Nowadays with the internet, it's easier to be a fan of the CFL than any other league because there are only eight teams (only four games), and they are all on the internet for free.

I don't have a favorite CFL team, but I enjoy the Riders broadcasts because of the rural advertising - Case-IH tractors, hybrid canola seed, the wheat pool, etc.

PS - I once met here in Raleigh Bob Young, the owner of the Ticats!

[Calebo]

Jphphotography:
In Gravelbourg the ISP is Sasktel, but..... we're rural and my internet is our own satelite which is Xplornet. I do know that routers cause some havoc with the satelite systems, not sure which kind, but when talking to Xplornet for technical issues, the first question I'm asked is if I have a router. Our package is not the basic, but the higher speed internet, still not as fast as a city high speed. So am not sure if that would make a difference or not.

GA Russell, LOL, not a Riders fan ( shhhhhh) that's sacreligious here. But your comment about the rural advertising is dead on, that's our bread and butter, we deal with all those companies mentioned.

[Liv]

Hi,
I am from Regina Sask and an looking into the Kindle 3. I am electrinically dumb haha so I have some questions........

First....Does it access all of the internet?? Or does it just access book downloads?
Second...Does 3G work in Regina?
Third....Do you have to pay for the Wifi or 3G use monthly, or is it free?
Also.....could someone please let me know how you ordered your Kindle 3 in Sask? I keep seeing that it is not available in Canada and a lady I know said that she wasn't sure if you could download the books if you were in Canada. It's all very confusing to me, but I just assumed you downloaded a book to your computer, like you would a song, and then put in on the ebook, like you would the song to an Ipod.

Any dumbed down help is GREATLY appreciated

[Liv]

.....

[SensualPoet]

Originally Posted by Liv

Hi,
I am from Regina Sask and an looking into the Kindle 3. I am electrinically dumb haha so I have some questions........

First....Does it access all of the internet?? Or does it just access book downloads?
Second...Does 3G work in Regina?
Third....Do you have to pay for the Wifi or 3G use monthly, or is it free?

1. Yes, Kindle 3 accesses the full internet over both 3G and wifi. You ought to consider the 3G as your "bonus" network and stick to wifi where practical (like at home). Wifi is faster than 3G for most people.

2. Yes, AT&T's partner in Canada is Rogers and Rogers has 3G in both Regina and Saskatoon. Elsewhere in Canada, Rogers 3G coverage is much more extensive but it's also not competing against a crown corporation (Sasktel).

3. Wifi is free (well, someone pays for it like you if you have it at home). 3G is also "free" with the device forever. Bear in mind websurfing on an e-ink device isn't ideal -- it's more like a nice thing to have in a pinch. The real value is Kindle 3's always connected capability for instant download of samples and paid content, as well as sharing clips and such, and syncing your bookmarks with other devices on your account (like a smart phone).