Dissatisfied Kindle user, looking for a reader I can organise books better on

[JSWolf]

So everybody gets punished for the actions of some. Stupid some (IMHO). They'd learn not to do that eventually.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

So everybody gets punished for the actions of some. Stupid some (IMHO). They'd learn not to do that eventually.

Hardly a "punishment" to make a device more robust against an entirely understandable user error.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Hardly a "punishment" to make a device more robust against an entirely understandable user error.

Not sure I completely agree with that. Where do we stop with protecting people against their own stupidity?

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Not sure I completely agree with that. Where do we stop with protecting people against their own stupidity?

This particular case is not exactly close to the edge of a slippery slope.

A Kindle is part of a relatively closed ecosystem, intended to be used as a consumer appliance by decidedly non-technical users who just want to click a button and read without worrying about wiping out critical functions with the accidental press of a key.

It's lovely that the Kindle can be extended by tech savvy hackers, but it's not stupidity if a typical Kindle user can't manage file systems. It's not a skill set required of the intended audience.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ApK

This particular case is not exactly close to the edge of a slippery slope.

A Kindle is part of a relatively closed ecosystem, intended to be used as a consumer appliance by decidedly non-technical users who just want to click a button and read without worrying about wiping out critical functions with the accidental press of a key.

It's lovely that the Kindle can be extended by tech savvy hackers, but it's not stupidity if a typical Kindle user can't manage file systems. It's not a skill set required of the intended audience.

Precisely. Common sense on Amazon's part to move critical files out of the user partition. Long-time members will remember, I'm sure, the number of people we used to get here complaining that they'd accidentally deleted the TTS files from their Kindle Touch. People do "play" with the USB-mounted partition, and saying "you shouldn't have done that" isn't an answer that will gladden the heart of someone who's just wiped out their laboriously-created collections.

[John F]

Kobo, thank you for making collections (and other stuff) user accessable.

[crossi]

Originally Posted by ApK

This particular case is not exactly close to the edge of a slippery slope.

A Kindle is part of a relatively closed ecosystem, intended to be used as a consumer appliance by decidedly non-technical users who just want to click a button and read without worrying about wiping out critical functions with the accidental press of a key.

It's lovely that the Kindle can be extended by tech savvy hackers, but it's not stupidity if a typical Kindle user can't manage file systems. It's not a skill set required of the intended audience.

Is there anyone in today's U.S. who can't manage Windows files? I mean for something like your Word files or emails.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by crossi

Is there anyone in today's U.S. who can't manage Windows files? I mean for something like your Word files or emails.

Yes. Many. And you're missing the point. It's a reading appliance.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Hardly a "punishment" to make a device more robust against an entirely understandable user error.

The Kobo database can be accessed by the user and I've not read of many oh shit moments with having deleted it. Kobo trusts their users. Why doesn't Amazon?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by ApK

This particular case is not exactly close to the edge of a slippery slope.

A Kindle is part of a relatively closed ecosystem, intended to be used as a consumer appliance by decidedly non-technical users who just want to click a button and read without worrying about wiping out critical functions with the accidental press of a key.

It's lovely that the Kindle can be extended by tech savvy hackers, but it's not stupidity if a typical Kindle user can't manage file systems. It's not a skill set required of the intended audience.

But back then, some users were tech savvy enough to get into the Kindle to delete what should not have been deleted. If they were not tech savvy, then there would not have been an issue.

I think Amazon's decision is wrong. It would be better to teach users not to delete the file instead of taking away functionality.

[robko]

Really, it all comes back to $$$$. What is Amazons financial benefit for going back to the old way. Probably pretty minimal (they likely aren't going to lose many sales from not going back). It's also nearly impossible for them to quantify any benefit from going back. On the other hand, it's really easy for them to quantify the CS cost of the old way.
And sorry, but teaching people not to erase the files is not a viable option. The more you idiot proof something the worse the idiots will manage to screw up the device.
Kobo obviously does things differently than Amazon which means the don't run into the issue even though they are more open. But I go back to my original point: where is Amazon's financial incentive to completely revamp their system -- I doubt there is one.
That may not be an answer that makes people happy, but it's the reality and peoples wishing it to be otherwise isn't going to change that.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The Kobo database can be accessed by the user and I've not read of many oh shit moments with having deleted it.

In that case you haven't been paying attention. I'm not going to say it's common, but people have deleted the database and all sorts of other files. Fiddling with the contents of database is different as it's normally only done by people who think they know what to do. And the damage they do...

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by ApK

This particular case is not exactly close to the edge of a slippery slope.

A Kindle is part of a relatively closed ecosystem, intended to be used as a consumer appliance by decidedly non-technical users who just want to click a button and read without worrying about wiping out critical functions with the accidental press of a key.

It's lovely that the Kindle can be extended by tech savvy hackers, but it's not stupidity if a typical Kindle user can't manage file systems. It's not a skill set required of the intended audience.

If you're not tech savy, why are you messing around on a device using an USB connection?
Unless you imply people could delete that file using the Kindle UI, yes, I find it a slippery slope.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I think Amazon's decision is wrong. It would be better to teach users not to delete the file instead of taking away functionality.

And your decision is reflected in your decision not to buy a Kindle, which is absolutely fine. Your choice entirely. Amazon made their decision; you make your buying choice accordingly. If Amazon make decisions which go against the wishes of a significant proportion of their customer base, sales figures will reflect that. The success of the Kindle suggests to me that this is not an issue that weighs heavily on the mind of the typical consumer. I don't give a damn about it personally.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

If you're not tech savy, why are you messing around on a device using an USB connection?
Unless you imply people could delete that file using the Kindle UI, yes, I find it a slippery slope.

I understand several of you think that way. If you were right, I'd agree with you.