Between ESlick and Kindle?

phenomshel · 01-24-2009, 10:42 PM

After researching this for literally months, it is looking like my choice would be between the new Foxit ESlick and a Kindle (even though I dread buying a Kindle probably just in time for a new model to come out).

I have a TON of non-DRM ebook content in multiple formats, that I will be wanting to read on whatever device I end up with.
However, I will also (naturally) want to buy new books, and so availability of what I like to read (mainly mysteries, and not just new releases, either) will be a big consideration as well.

I'm fairly sure from what I've been able to find on the ESlick that my present content will be readable on that device, even if I have to convert to .pdf. I'm not so sure with Kindle on this, do y'all know about that?

The whispernet capability of the Kindle isn't really a selling point for me, since I plan on having multiple backups of my ebooks; plus it'd drive me into bankuptcy in short order

. However, the sheer availability of content from Amazon is highly tempting...

Do y'all see the conundrum? Any suggestions?

Shel

wallcraft · 01-25-2009, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phenomshel

I'm not so sure with Kindle on this, do y'all know about that?

For the Kindle (and most other EInk readers, except the eSlick and the Sony's) you should convert them to MOBI. This is the Kindle's primary ebook format - Amazon's AZW is MOBI with a different filename extension.

phenomshel · 01-25-2009, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallcraft

For the Kindle (and most other EInk readers, except the eSlick and the Sony's) you should convert them to MOBI. This is the Kindle's primary ebook format - Amazon's AZW is MOBI with a different filename extension.

Ok...please excuse my ignorance of the conversions, but CAN you convert .txt, .lit, .pdf, .rtf, .doc,etc. and so forth to MOBI format? If so, and if you can do it easily enough, that would be a heavy point for the Kindle in my decision making.

Shel

MrFinch · 01-25-2009, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Ok...please excuse my ignorance of the conversions, but CAN you convert .txt, .lit, .pdf, .rtf, .doc,etc. and so forth to MOBI format? If so, and if you can do it easily enough, that would be a heavy point for the Kindle in my decision making.

Shel

Sure can, Shel. I do it all the time, as the Mobipocket Desktop Reader is my weapon of choice for my PC-so I convert 'near everything into MOBI for the PC, and then a quick FB2 conversion to read on my Nokia 770 while I'm on the go.

BookDesigner (available elsewhere on this fine site) makes it all very easy. Of course, we're talking about non-DRM books here

wallcraft · 01-25-2009, 12:44 PM

Under Windows, MobiPocket Reader or Creator can convert to MOBI. So can BookDesigner (see the wiki).

On any Desktop (Windows, Linux or OSX), Calibre (which has its own Forum) can convert nearly every common DRM-free format to MOBI.

I think it is actually harder to find a good tool to convert to small screen optimized PDF than to MOBI.

phenomshel · 01-25-2009, 02:50 PM

At this point in time, non-DRM books are all I have. I'd like to continue that trend but don't see how it's at all possible once I start wanting to buy new books in ebook formats. Thanks to both of you for the advice on conversions

Shel

DDHarriman · 01-25-2009, 04:38 PM

Hi

The ESlick is in pre-order for 229.99 US (excluding taxes), and the Kindle is 359.00 US (including taxes).

Do you think they are comparable?

S.Canton · 01-25-2009, 05:15 PM

Personally, I think the eSlick reader looks really impressive. The biggest problem is that it's not out yet.

phenomshel · 01-25-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.Canton

Personally, I think the eSlick reader looks really impressive. The biggest problem is that it's not out yet.

This is true, but if you take into consideration Amazon's sold out status on the Kindle, they'll be available at about the same time.
I'm heavily leaning toward the ESlick, depending on reviews when it does come out. I *think* what I may do is get an ESlick now (or soon when it comes out) and then wait a couple of years and get a Kindle at that point, after the dust settles with a new version, or not a new version, or whatever Amazon decides to do.

My biggest worry with NOT getting a Kindle was content. I like my mysteries, and a lot of ebook sites that sell in multiple formats aren't heavy on mysteries. Plus, we all know Amazon has everything, and with the Kindle, I'm a little concerned that some authors will release ebook format for ONLY Kindle. However, I need something that is capable and willing to read my TON of ebooks that I already have, in almost every ebook format known to man. So I think I might have my solution - it'll just mean some delayed gratification.

If for some reason the ESlick doesn't pass muster when the reviews come out, I guess I'll have to start all over again...

Shel

JSWolf · 01-26-2009, 08:01 AM

The Foxit while cheaper is not all that wonderful. It supports PDF and TXT. That's it. While it might have the best PDF display of a 6" device, it has poor support of eBooks other then PDF. So basically, it's not all that wonderful.

phenomshel · 01-26-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The Foxit while cheaper is not all that wonderful. It supports PDF and TXT. That's it. While it might have the best PDF display of a 6" device, it has poor support of eBooks other then PDF. So basically, it's not all that wonderful.

So I'm finding out. Although I thought I had researched thoroughly, I completely missed out on seeing the BeBook. Since one of my main priorities is being able to read all the multitudes of formats I already have, and BeBook reads all of them natively (no conversions, huzzah!), it's now looking like the most viable option. There is a price difference, but it's not a deal-breaker. I would also not be locked into only one format in the future when purchasing ebooks, which was another of my main concerns.

The remaining concerns I am left with in regards to whatever vs. a Kindle is the "amazon has everything" factor. However, with all the formats that a BeBook supports, between all the ebookstores out there, if I wait a couple of years and THEN get a Kindle, I see no prospect of running out of available reading material in that time span.

One of my other concerns is that Amazon may already be doing so,(I don't know) or may in the future start brokering deals with publishers that their author's work ONLY be available for Kindle. If the publishers of enough of my favorite authors did enter into such contracts - well, as much as I wouldn't like it, it'd be a powerful motivator to acquire a Kindle.

Sorry for the rambling... I'm mainly thinking out loud here. Anyone want to point out issues I may be missing? I'm open minded and all for being set on a different path.

Shel

gdhaliwal23 · 01-31-2009, 12:45 PM

Kindle!

coolcat1901 · 02-01-2009, 12:26 PM

Kindle is going to have the most content so that's the one I'd go with

bwaldron · 02-05-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolcat1901

Kindle is going to have the most content so that's the one I'd go with

There isn't really that much content for the Kindle that isn't available for other readers. However, newer popular books are quite often significantly cheaper at $9.99 for the Kindle than through other ebook retailers.

01-24-2009, 10:42 PM	#1
phenomshel ZCD BombShel Posts: 4,793 Karma: 8293322 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Frozen North (aka Illinois, USA) Device: iPad, STB Kindle Oasis	Between ESlick and Kindle? After researching this for literally months, it is looking like my choice would be between the new Foxit ESlick and a Kindle (even though I dread buying a Kindle probably just in time for a new model to come out). I have a TON of non-DRM ebook content in multiple formats, that I will be wanting to read on whatever device I end up with. However, I will also (naturally) want to buy new books, and so availability of what I like to read (mainly mysteries, and not just new releases, either) will be a big consideration as well. I'm fairly sure from what I've been able to find on the ESlick that my present content will be readable on that device, even if I have to convert to .pdf. I'm not so sure with Kindle on this, do y'all know about that? The whispernet capability of the Kindle isn't really a selling point for me, since I plan on having multiple backups of my ebooks; plus it'd drive me into bankuptcy in short order . However, the sheer availability of content from Amazon is highly tempting... Do y'all see the conundrum? Any suggestions? Shel

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01-25-2009, 12:44 PM	#5
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	Under Windows, MobiPocket Reader or Creator can convert to MOBI. So can BookDesigner (see the wiki). On any Desktop (Windows, Linux or OSX), Calibre (which has its own Forum) can convert nearly every common DRM-free format to MOBI. I think it is actually harder to find a good tool to convert to small screen optimized PDF than to MOBI.

01-25-2009, 02:50 PM	#6
phenomshel ZCD BombShel Posts: 4,793 Karma: 8293322 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Frozen North (aka Illinois, USA) Device: iPad, STB Kindle Oasis	At this point in time, non-DRM books are all I have. I'd like to continue that trend but don't see how it's at all possible once I start wanting to buy new books in ebook formats. Thanks to both of you for the advice on conversions Shel

01-25-2009, 04:38 PM	#7
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 4380 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS 505, Kindle DXG and Samsung Galaxy Note	Hi The ESlick is in pre-order for 229.99 US (excluding taxes), and the Kindle is 359.00 US (including taxes). Do you think they are comparable?

01-25-2009, 05:15 PM	#8
S.Canton Groupie Posts: 174 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Kindle 2	Personally, I think the eSlick reader looks really impressive. The biggest problem is that it's not out yet.

01-26-2009, 08:01 AM	#10
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,970 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The Foxit while cheaper is not all that wonderful. It supports PDF and TXT. That's it. While it might have the best PDF display of a 6" device, it has poor support of eBooks other then PDF. So basically, it's not all that wonderful.

01-31-2009, 12:45 PM	#12
gdhaliwal23 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: none	Kindle!

02-01-2009, 12:26 PM	#13
coolcat1901 Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: kindle	Kindle is going to have the most content so that's the one I'd go with

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