Plastic Logic QUE event (Thu 7:30 am PT)

[jasonkchapman]

*shrug* It doesn't seem much different from what computer monitor makers did for years: advertise the tube size without pointing out how much of it was hidden behind the bezel. Thus, the (viewable) disclaimer that eventually started showing up everywhere.

[jasonkchapman]

Originally Posted by Phogg

On the other hand, for productivity I would prefer a business device NOT be easy for an employee to load up a company manual reader with manga and trashy novels.

Unless you happen to be in the trashy novel and manga businesses.

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by kjk

Interesting, didn't catch that earlier. (The whole device is letter-size, not the screen).

yeah, I was on the look out for it because last year I got the impression it was using a letter sized panel but the other day I looked at the Que site and it showed a 10.5" diagonal panel. Needless to say this was a major let down...and now we see I probably did not misread the earlier info, it was all in the misdiection which was intentional as it's still going on, only now it's all on the same spec sheet.

Oh, well, I am sure if they actually deliver on the promised software with email and what not, then it might be of use to some businesses though I still don't see any value in a device to only handle documents with email access of unknown benefit will represent a good investment at $800. Not when one can give the staff convertible tablets or even Slates for about the same or slightly higher price this year. I mean we are talking about a device with no track record and only the promise of working office oriented features. The software is apparently not even finished yet...

Maybe it will be an OK device in the end, but today's info is not more useful than last year's info on the Que.

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by jasonkchapman

*shrug* It doesn't seem much different from what computer monitor makers did for years: advertise the tube size without pointing out how much of it was hidden behind the bezel. Thus, the (viewable) disclaimer that eventually started showing up everywhere.

Apparently your view and the value you place on ethics is different from mine. *shrug* whatever works for you.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by jasonkchapman

*shrug* It doesn't seem much different from what computer monitor makers did for years: advertise the tube size without pointing out how much of it was hidden behind the bezel. Thus, the (viewable) disclaimer that eventually started showing up everywhere.

I think its a bit different-when they were tossing around 8.5x11 and business documents, it definitely caught my eye, as all our docs are 8.5x11 PDFs, and I thought they were going the 1:1 route, which would remove the whole PDF reflow/conversion issue. Now it seems as though there will be some zooming/rescaling.

With LCD computer monitors, there was rarely a 1:1 issue.

[Dulin's Books]

not to defend them but it's been pretty clear all along I thought that the whole
device was 81/2 by 11. reports other wise were just bad reporting. I've been trying to correct when its been said other wise for a year anywhere i can.

Note they say (viewable) for the spec. The entire panel is actually probably closer to 7.5 by 10 as the total panel size is about an inch or so bigger than the viewable area 944 by 1264 @150ppi is 6.3 x 8.4

[Dulin's Books]

Originally Posted by kjk

I think its a bit different-when they were tossing around 8.5x11 and business documents, it definitely caught my eye, as all our docs are 8.5x11 PDFs, and I thought they were going the 1:1 route, which would remove the whole PDF reflow/conversion issue. Now it seems as though there will be some zooming/rescaling.

With LCD computer monitors, there was rarely a 1:1 issue.

really the bezel acts like the margins on a printed document. there wont be much if any need for zooming/scaling- unless you want to.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

not to defend them but it's been pretty clear all along I thought that the whole
device was 81/2 by 11. reports other wise were just bad reporting. I've been trying to correct when its been said other wise for a year anywhere i can.

Note they say (viewable) for the spec. The entire panel is actually probably closer to 7.5 by 10 as the total panel size is about an inch or so bigger than the viewable area 944 by 1264 @150ppi is 6.3 x 8.4

I guess I was just seduced a bit by their description

The inspiration for QUE was an age-old but perfect business tool: a simple sheet of paper.

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

really the bezel acts like the margins on a printed document. there wont be much if any need for zooming/scaling- unless you want to.

a valid point with the one cavaet of the case where you actually use the whole sheet with something like 1/4" margins...I do this all the time and have for years.

[Dulin's Books]

me too really

[Over]

My heart is broken. US only. The price is high, but lower than the iRex's.

I don't know if B&N exports the device, but I doubt it. Even the KindleDx costs 116$ more for import taxes, I can only imagine how much those taxes would be for QUE...

AAAAaaarrrggggghhhh! I'm NOT happy.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by Over

My heart is broken. US only. The price is high, but lower than the iRex's.

I don't know if B&N exports the device, but I doubt it. Even the KindleDx costs 116$ more for import taxes, I can only imagine how much those taxes would be for QUE...

AAAAaaarrrggggghhhh! I'm NOT happy.

Just for now...Amazon didn't waste too much time getting an international version out-I'm sure if the market is there, Plastic Logic will come!

[Dulin's Books]

shouldnt have any trouble using the non 3g version there. Im sure someone wouldnt picking one up for you and sending.

[Grauheim]

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

Note they say (viewable) for the spec. The entire panel is actually probably closer to 7.5 by 10 as the total panel size is about an inch or so bigger than the viewable area 944 by 1264 @150ppi is 6.3 x 8.4

Well, no, because 7.5" x 10" gives a diagonal of 12.5". Which is a full 2" bigger than the actual device. Letter-sized documents will have to be significantly shrunk to get a whole page on the Que.

[acastillo]

Originally Posted by eboyhan

Well, I bought my Kindle DX about two months ago -- I am quite happy with it. As part of my evaluation process, I looked at Plastic Logic, liked what I saw, but decided I didn't want to wait (uncertain delivery date; uncertain price)-- so I went ahead and bought the Kindle DX. My interest in e-book readers was more as a laser printer replacement than as a book reading device. I do a lot of technical research on the web, and end up printing a lot to paper (I can't stand reading off screens). So I was looking for a device that would in effect enable me to "print to reader device". Using a "print to PDF" facility, along with the Kindle DX's PDF display capability, I was able (a little bit clumsily) to do this. I also read a ton of books for pleasure, and the e-book book reading capability was a strong secondary motivator. At present, I probably have about 150 general reading titles, and maybe 50 rather long technical PDF documents on the Kindle DX, and I do not seem to have made much of a dent in the 3 GB storage capabilities of the KDX. I do wish that the PDF rendering capabilities of the KDX were a bit better, but I can live with what I have.

Now along comes the Plastic Logic QUE device, which addresses most of my needs better than the KDX does. If the QUE device were available today at the prices quoted, and I was comparing the QUE versus the KDX, I would buy the QUE. I do not find the absence of an SD slot, nor the absence of 3G access (in the cheaper model) problematic. Even though the QUE is in many ways superior to the KDX, I will not rush out and buy one when it becomes available in April. Much of what I like in the QUE, could easily be provided in the KDX via a software upgrade. I am hopeful that the verities of a competitive marketplace will lead Amazon to "see the light".

Sounds like you are a lot like me, with the major exception that I do not expect to have a lot of technical PDFs. I am an attorney and will be opening my private practice in March. Here is my thought of how a Que proReader would work for me (or my thought of what a typical work day will encompass)

I wake up and begin getting ready for the day. While I get dress, the Que will wirelessly download any newspapers or magazines that I subscribe to (although I hate paying for something that I can usually read online for free -- at present, I usually will read my local paper online and quickly scan Google News). I then drive to the office and will start the day skimming the newspapers and checking my schedule -- which all can now be done on the Que. After checking my schedule, I see that I have a few court appearances and need to run out -- but before doing that, I need to print off some case law or other documents to take with me. I get on my computer and print straight to the Que (here is where I like having Wifi capability - instead of hooking directly to the computer with a cable that I inevitably lose). <Am I wrong to assume that I can print through my office Wifi network instead of having to be physically connected?> I then run off to the courthouse. While I am waiting for the judge to begin, I receive some emails (some with attachments). Rather than trying to read the emails on the phone, I simply transfer it to the Que and see the attachment. I also begin reviewing the case law that I "printed" to the Que and begin making notations and highlighting the parts most relevant and beneficial to my case.

The judge gets on the bench and begins calling cases. When my time comes, I go before the judge and begin arguing my case. To support my position, I begin citing the case law and have it all handy because it is highlighted for me and I am not fumbling with a lot of paper. Instead, I am before the judge, looking sharp with only the Que in its proFolio ($89.99 at the Que Store).

After completing the court hearings, I return to the office and meet with clients for the rest of the day. As I am meeting with clients, my receptionist who has been taking messages while I was at court just "prints" out "While you were Out messages" to the Que instead of walking into my client meetings with little sticky notes.

At the end of the day, I see that I have received some emails containing recent cases published by the appellate and supreme courts. Rather than wasting paper and staying at the office, I print it off and get the heck out of Dodge. Maybe I am going home, meeting the family for dinner, or running off to the kids' basketball game. But in all cases, I have stuff on the Que to keep me busy for the remainder of the evening. And if I have any free time, then I read that one or two items that I purchased (maybe a sci-fi book) or something from MobileRead forums or Feedbooks.


As you can see, I am not really envisioning the Que as the device for casual reading or for subscription based magazines or newspapers. I really need it for those times, when I would usually print something out, use it once, and then trash the paper. I will still need to print out motions and briefs to hand the court, copies of correspondence and billings that I send to clients, or anything else that I will be giving to a third party. But in the office, I don't need the receptionist handing me slips of paper or me "wasting paper" by printing stuff out that I will use briefly.

I know it is a long post, but I am trying to convince myself that it will save me money in the long run and will help me appear more professional in the courtroom.

Questions that I still have:
1. How are annotations handled? Can they be transferred back to the computer?

2. Does the Que support different font sizes? (I think it has a zoom feature for PDF files).

3. How do we remove items from the Que? Is it as simple as "deleting" or "trashing" an item.

All in all, I will very likely fork over the $650 dollars for the 4GB version. But boy, is it going to be hard.