The Grand Experiment! - Page 4

radamo · 12-23-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

The thing with getting books from MR is that they will always be superior, no matter the format. I want to see what run of the mill, run through the regular ePub factory ebooks look like.

Daffy,
I love my Sony since I take advantage of my library's ebook collection. They recently picked up epub format. They used to just have pdf's. The epubs are wonderful especially when compared to pdf's. If you are just looking to evaluate epub format you should see if your library has them. Then you can have "run of the mill" formatting for comparison.

Good luck with your evaluation... welcome to the "light" side.

RA

JSWolf · 12-23-2009, 09:49 AM

Daffy, try your local library and see if they support ePub via Overdrive. That way you can get commercial ePub without having to pay for them so you can see how they look. I've been noticing a number of new ePub have been coming pretty well formatted and they have embedded fonts so it looks better then the default bland font ADE uses.

daffy4u · 12-23-2009, 09:59 AM

Thank you both. I did check library availability a few days ago, I just need to set up my account. What I think I'll do is look see if the library has an ePub copy of the next book on my Kindle reading (Under the Dome?). I don't like to use the library because I had being given a time limit in which to finish reading a book. Some I read fast and others slow (depending on my work schedule and how gripping the story is).

I still don't the 505 yet. The seller sent it signature confirmation and I haven't been home the last couple of days. I should get it today one way or another.

pilotbob · 12-23-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Thank you both. I did check library availability a few days ago, I just need to set up my account. What I think I'll do is look see if the library has an ePub copy of the next book on my Kindle reading (Under the Dome?). I don't like to use the library because I had being given a time limit in which to finish reading a book. Some I read fast and others slow (depending on my work schedule and how gripping the story is).

you could always renew your checkout. Some libs let you do that. Or just check it out again... assuming it is available of course.

Frankly I have been thinking of getting a device that will let me use our local library without having to do the DRM dance. Not settled on a Sony or Nook yet. (The recent firmware update for the nook seems to have solved most if not all of the perf issues.)

BOb

PS: Although I'm not sure if it is really so I can save money getting library books. Does it sound silly to spend $250 to save $6-$12 on each book? Hmmm?

daffy4u · 12-23-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

you could always renew your checkout. Some libs let you do that. Or just check it out again... assuming it is available of course.

Frankly I have been thinking of getting a device that will let me use our local library without having to do the DRM dance. Not settled on a Sony or Nook yet. (The recent firmware update for the nook seems to have solved most if not all of the perf issues.)

BOb

PS: Although I'm not sure if it is really so I can save money getting library books. Does it sound silly to spend $250 to save $6-$12 on each book? Hmmm?

I still want a Que. If the reviews are good and I like it, I probably won't keep the 505 (I don't need three 6 inch readers). If the reviews are bad, I'll most likely keep the 505 while waiting for a large reader that meets my needs.

I really liked the nook but it just isn't different enough from the Kindle for me to buy (though if I had money just falling out of my pockets, I'd own it and many other readers). I do think it is worth the purchase for library book usage. Over time, depending on how many books you check out, it will pay for itself.

JSWolf · 12-23-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

I still want a Que. If the reviews are good and I like it, I probably won't keep the 505 (I don't need three 6 inch readers). If the reviews are bad, I'll most likely keep the 505 while waiting for a large reader that meets my needs.

I really liked the nook but it just isn't different enough from the Kindle for me to buy (though if I had money just falling out of my pockets, I'd own it and many other readers). I do think it is worth the purchase for library book usage. Over time, depending on how many books you check out, it will pay for itself.

I am waiting for larger screen readers to come out with the new plastic screens instead of the glass screens. And I'm also interested in the Que. I do think 2010 will be an interesting year for readers.

JSWolf · 12-23-2009, 11:06 AM

Under the Dome is not available via Overdrive for pre-order. We'll just have to wait and see if Overdrive gets it once it's released.

daffy4u · 12-23-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Under the Dome is not available via Overdrive for pre-order. We'll just have to wait and see if Overdrive gets it once it's released.

That would be tomorrow!

just_jeepin · 12-23-2009, 11:20 AM

I love my 505 and only use epub (I prefer open formats).

I didn't like the Kindle because: not an open format, can't check out ebooks from the library and I don't need a physical keyboard.

pilotbob · 12-23-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by just_jeepin

I didn't like the Kindle because: not an open format, can't check out ebooks from the library and I don't need a physical keyboard.

Actually with the Kindle you do need a keyboard... assuming you want to search, annotate or use the web browser. Of course, if you have a reader that doesn't allow these things... they keyboard would be superfluous.

BOb

JSWolf · 12-23-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

That would be tomorrow!

That it would. I'm trying to decide if maybe I should by Under the Dome from Amazon at $7.99 or wait and see if Overdrive gets it. Decisions....

daffy4u · 12-23-2009, 02:06 PM

Okay the 505 is here.

I had to go pick it up from the Post Office. The box was big but very light. I actually had to shake it to make sure something was actually in it.

I'm sure people outside the Post Office thought I was dissin' Santa.

When I got home, I turned it on to make sure it was working (it was) then I turned it off and plugged into my computer for charging. The Reader Software opened immediately (so far so good Win7 64-bit), and Calibre, which was already open, asked if I wanted to convert my subscriptions and upload them to the 505... I said, sure why not. I also added the books from the 505 to Calibre.

Now I'll leave it alone while it's charging and play with it later.

kennyc · 12-23-2009, 02:13 PM

Thanks for the update duck!

daffy4u · 12-24-2009, 12:20 AM

Test ePubs have been selected. Freebies from the Sony store which were also freebies in the Kindle store (The software on the 505 was already up-to-date for ePubs.):

Already Dead - Charlie Huston
American Quartet - Warren Adler
Wit'ch Fire - James Clemens

I've been playing for a couple of hours. Thought I had bricked it at one point because it kept turning itself off (this after charging untouched for 5 hours).

I was able to register it with no problem. In fact it de-registered and re-registered according to the status section. I was able to "buy" my freebies without registering credit card. It took a while to figure out how to get the books on the reader. I actually did it with Calibre (I think).

I made a couple of collections (great feature). Figured out how to delete old book marks.

I know this experiment is about ePubs but I just want to share a couple of quick observations:

I find the 505 screen better than K2 but comparable to K1. I think the 8 shade gray-scale makes for blacker text. If K1 had the same font with a size as large as the 505 on the home page or vice versa it would be hard to tell them apart just from the screens. The 505 does a better job with images than K1.

My quickie test on a newspaper made in Calibre shows K2 and it's joystick to have much easier, faster and better navigation than the 505.

Those forward and back buttons on the far right side are definitely in the wrong order.

kennyc · 12-24-2009, 06:04 AM

That pretty much matches my experience....thanks.

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12-23-2009, 09:49 AM	#47
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,771 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Daffy, try your local library and see if they support ePub via Overdrive. That way you can get commercial ePub without having to pay for them so you can see how they look. I've been noticing a number of new ePub have been coming pretty well formatted and they have embedded fonts so it looks better then the default bland font ADE uses.

12-23-2009, 09:59 AM	#48
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	Thank you both. I did check library availability a few days ago, I just need to set up my account. What I think I'll do is look see if the library has an ePub copy of the next book on my Kindle reading (Under the Dome?). I don't like to use the library because I had being given a time limit in which to finish reading a book. Some I read fast and others slow (depending on my work schedule and how gripping the story is). I still don't the 505 yet. The seller sent it signature confirmation and I haven't been home the last couple of days. I should get it today one way or another.

12-23-2009, 11:06 AM	#52
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,771 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Under the Dome is not available via Overdrive for pre-order. We'll just have to wait and see if Overdrive gets it once it's released.

12-23-2009, 11:20 AM	#54
just_jeepin Addict Posts: 306 Karma: 1010848 Join Date: Oct 2005 Device: Kobo Libra 2	I love my 505 and only use epub (I prefer open formats). I didn't like the Kindle because: not an open format, can't check out ebooks from the library and I don't need a physical keyboard.

12-23-2009, 02:06 PM	#57
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	Okay the 505 is here. I had to go pick it up from the Post Office. The box was big but very light. I actually had to shake it to make sure something was actually in it. I'm sure people outside the Post Office thought I was dissin' Santa. When I got home, I turned it on to make sure it was working (it was) then I turned it off and plugged into my computer for charging. The Reader Software opened immediately (so far so good Win7 64-bit), and Calibre, which was already open, asked if I wanted to convert my subscriptions and upload them to the 505... I said, sure why not. I also added the books from the 505 to Calibre. Now I'll leave it alone while it's charging and play with it later.

12-23-2009, 02:13 PM	#58
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,901 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Thanks for the update duck!

12-24-2009, 12:20 AM	#59
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	Test ePubs have been selected. Freebies from the Sony store which were also freebies in the Kindle store (The software on the 505 was already up-to-date for ePubs.): Already Dead - Charlie Huston American Quartet - Warren Adler Wit'ch Fire - James Clemens I've been playing for a couple of hours. Thought I had bricked it at one point because it kept turning itself off (this after charging untouched for 5 hours). I was able to register it with no problem. In fact it de-registered and re-registered according to the status section. I was able to "buy" my freebies without registering credit card. It took a while to figure out how to get the books on the reader. I actually did it with Calibre (I think). I made a couple of collections (great feature). Figured out how to delete old book marks. I know this experiment is about ePubs but I just want to share a couple of quick observations: I find the 505 screen better than K2 but comparable to K1. I think the 8 shade gray-scale makes for blacker text. If K1 had the same font with a size as large as the 505 on the home page or vice versa it would be hard to tell them apart just from the screens. The 505 does a better job with images than K1. My quickie test on a newspaper made in Calibre shows K2 and it's joystick to have much easier, faster and better navigation than the 505. Those forward and back buttons on the far right side are definitely in the wrong order.

12-24-2009, 06:04 AM	#60
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,901 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	That pretty much matches my experience....thanks.

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