Nobody ever hears the good things...

xanlexian · 07-01-2010, 09:07 AM

I'd say a good 70-90% of vocal folks have a problem with a product. Not necessarily conclusive to ebook readers.

Anyway, just wanted to say that I haven't been on this site in quite some time. I use my PRS-505 daily, and absolutely still love it.

I originally sold a Uniden BCT-396T radio scanner to buy the PRS-505 (and some ham radio gear). Got the dark blue one, and haven't looked back.

Recently, I was thinking of selling my 505 to get a Nook (just the WiFi, have zero need for 3G). I even had my 505 listed on Craigslist. So, again I'm finding myself on these forums. After reading quite a bit on the "Nook vs. PRS-505".

Took my ad down, and am quite pleased I made the right decision a couple of years ago on the 505. I saw there is new firmware available (PRS+ and the other one... the name escapes me at the moment). How pleased I am there is still active development on this thing!!

Anyway, I absolutely love my 505! I REALLY love that it can handle most formats I throw at it. I don't use it for pictures, music, games, or anything other than READING!!

My original idea to get a ebook reader a couple of years ago was when I had two experiences. I should note at this point that I visited my local library about 2 to 3 times a week. Anyway, I'm sitting on the couch, reading a book I checked out at the library. I'm really into the story, my surroundings have vanished and I'm entirely engrossed in the book. Following the characters, deep in the plot, waiting to turn the page... what happens next??? Read faster... faster... get to the next page... OH MY GOD A BOOGER!!!

Then, the second experience was reading another book I checked out. I'm sitting on the porcelain throne. I started thinking, "this is where a LOT of people read... in the can... in the 'ol stink lodge..." I started obsessing over it. Really obsessing over the fart-infused paper pages. It got to the point where I just turned in all of my other library books and went on the hunt for an ebook reader. Something that I *KNOW* where its been.

When I mentioned this to my librarian, she showed me her red PRS-505 and said something along the lines of, "yeah... I've had those thoughts as well. Try being the librarian!!"

I picked up a second silver PRS-505 from Target for the ungodly price of $40, and two Sony lightwedge covers for $3 each. Thought about keeping them, but sold the silver PRS-505 and lightwedge for near $200. Not a bad investment. However, I no longer have the spare parts -- if I ever need them.

This is turning out to be a long, rambling post -- but I just wanted to throw in to anybody considering getting a PRS-505 (I have no experience with any other reader) -- you just can't go wrong. I absolutely love mine and it has gone on many trips, and survived many many many page turns. I never have used the memory card slots (except for flashing firmware a year and a half ago). The internal memory is plenty sufficient for holding a good 80+ complete books. Perfect for me.

Well, there you go. Absolutely no problems out of my reader. Ever. (*knocks on wood*)

--Alex

*EDIT* -- I should also note that I have never used the Sony Library software. I've never even seen it (other than screenshots). Calibre is the way to go. Kovid (I believe that's his name) has done a magnificent job and it marries up to the PRS-505 beautifully. It just works. It handles everything I throw at it.

spideyak · 07-01-2010, 10:52 AM

Alex,

I loved my PRS-505, as well. I handed that down to my daughter & bought a Pocketbook 301+; you can see my review in the Pocketbook forum for my thoughts on that (I didn't like it).

So, I bought a PRS-300 & have loved it. I didn't want to take back a gift to my daughter & my wife was loving her 300, so I thought I would try the little one, too.

I need to write a review here, but, I agree with you on the PRS-505: I've traveled to remote villages in the Amazon Jungle to small Arctic Villages in Alaska & Canada, and it has survived and worked flawlessly.

Had I not given it as a gift to my daughter, I'd still be using it.

Worldwalker · 07-01-2010, 10:54 AM

There are a lot of people who are very happy with their readers -- I'm one of them. Silver 505, by the way.

But most of the people posting here, like most people who post in tech support forums anywhere, are posting because they have a specific problem they're trying to solve. Their battery won't charge, their collections are borked, their screen has a wicked big line across it ... whatever it is, it's something that needs to be taken care of. So they ask us. That's kind of the point of it. The answers to those questions help other people. I don't think it would be reasonable to discourage them from asking those questions just so that our little pieces of silicon and steel can feel better about themselves, nor to flood them out with paeans of praise that, really, help no one.

Of course the Sony Reader is a great device; everyone in this section owns at least one, and most of us say how much we love them at every opportunity. But saying so isn't the purpose of this forum, and helping people who are having problems is, so naturally you'll see more of the latter.

spideyak · 07-01-2010, 11:01 AM

Worldwalker,

I'm new to the forum (this is my 12th post), is this a support forum, then, or just for general discussion? If this isn't for general discussion, where can we go for that? I don't want to hijack any threads or forums...

xanlexian · 07-01-2010, 12:12 PM

I'm pretty sure this is a "general discussion" forum. The last time I was here, there were a number of sub-forums. Looks like a lot of stuff got consolidated to just this main forum and the dev forum (which I think is a great idea!) I just wanted to give some kudos to the PRS-505 if anybody is searching/researching one.

Before I buy anything, I typically do a search -- especially for the negative aspects. This way I'll know what to possibly expect as well as possibly fix.

Anyway -- just something positive amongst the myriad of issues some folks are having.

ShellShock · 07-01-2010, 12:41 PM

xanlexian, pay Worldwalker no heed--I really enjoyed your post and couldn't agree more (sliver 505).

sayhello · 07-01-2010, 04:35 PM

Where be this new firmware? I haven't gotten any notices about it when I plug my PRS-505 into the Sony Library ... Must I go to the Sony Store?

Sayhello

laitsabr · 07-01-2010, 04:54 PM

If I too could find a $40 505, I would suffer little hesitation to claim it

I do like my 600, but the 505 was ahead of its time in form and functionality. It had all I needed in a quality well-designed straight reader with good battery life. Never used the audio functionality, but I have great memories of having gone through a few hundred books on my 505 before its premature demise...
Thanks for the opportunity to reminisce!

Worldwalker · 07-01-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spideyak

Worldwalker,

I'm new to the forum (this is my 12th post), is this a support forum, then, or just for general discussion? If this isn't for general discussion, where can we go for that? I don't want to hijack any threads or forums...

MobileRead is pretty flexible on what goes where. The Sony forum (and other device forums) isn't just for general discussion, or just for support. However, the majority of general discussion isn't very device specific, so it ends up in the General Discussion forum, and the majority of what is device-specific is technical questions, either pre- or post-purchase, which are specific to various reading devices and therefore go in the device forums.

I never suggested that you shouldn't post about how much you like your reader, but xenlexian was being very harsh towards the people who posted about problems with their devices. It seemed to me that he was criticizing them for complaining, and even implying that they're whining, and they should be posting how much they like the device rather than asking how to fix problems.

If they can't ask their questions here in the Sony section without being berated for doing so, what should they do? Try to get somewhere with Sony? (yeah, good luck with that) Just throw their Reader in the trash because there's nobody who can help them fix the problem? Or should there be a certain number of words of praise they're required to include in their post before they ask how to un-brick the thing?

Of course 70-90% of the people posting have questions and need answers. That's the nature of the forum. Of pretty much any forum, in fact, which provides some type of community support. Had I not found a critical bolt, finally, I was going to have to post in a car forum ... something like "Help, I can't get the back seat out!" That doesn't mean I hate my car (I love it) nor that I'm a horrible, negative person who wants everyone else who has a car like mine to be unhappy. I just need to know how to get the back seat out (there's this bolt...).

Let me ask you this: if people only posted how happy they were with their Readers, how helpful would the forum be? What value to you would there be in knowing that other people who have the same device as you do like it? And what would you do, some day, when your Reader wouldn't boot properly, and there was nowhere to ask for help? At least, nowhere you can ask without risking the wrath of xanlexian?

Sayhello, go to the Dev Corner" sub-forum here. What they're talking about is PRS+, user-written enhanced firmware for the 505, which adds many of the features that, in a perfect world, would have been there in the beginning.

Clancy_s · 07-01-2010, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sayhello

Where be this new firmware? I haven't gotten any notices about it when I plug my PRS-505 into the Sony Library ... Must I go to the Sony Store?

Sayhello

Not official - third party, not supported, may void your waranty if used but IMO excellent.

I use PRS+ currently on 1.3, the other one is PRS customizer, there are stickied threads for both in the Sony dev sub-forum.

xanlexian · 07-01-2010, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

I never suggested that you shouldn't post about how much you like your reader, but xenlexian was being very harsh towards the people who posted about problems with their devices. It seemed to me that he was criticizing them for complaining, and even implying that they're whining, and they should be posting how much they like the device rather than asking how to fix problems.

I was??? I assure you (and everybody else) there wasn't an iota of ill intent in what I wrote. I was just saying that you hear complaints more than you do compliments. This is very noticeable in practically any industry -- no matter the product or the service. The loudest voices are those with issues as opposed to praise.

Seriously, I meant absolutely no harshness towards any people who post about any problems/issues.

The great minority of those that have zero issues with whatever product/service they've received rarely voice their praise.

I do apologize that you took my message as being harsh to those with questions/issues/problems/what-have-you.

All the best,
--Alex

sayhello · 07-01-2010, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clancy_s

Not official - third party, not supported, may void your waranty if used but IMO excellent.

I use PRS+ currently on 1.3, the other one is PRS customizer, there are stickied threads for both in the Sony dev sub-forum.

Ah, OK. I'll have to check it out.

My 505 is almost 3 years old, so I'm pretty sure the warranty is long since expired...

Sayhello

pendragginp · 07-02-2010, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xanlexian

I was??? I assure you (and everybody else) there wasn't an iota of ill intent in what I wrote. I was just saying that you hear complaints more than you do compliments. This is very noticeable in practically any industry -- no matter the product or the service. The loudest voices are those with issues as opposed to praise.

Seriously, I meant absolutely no harshness towards any people who post about any problems/issues.

The great minority of those that have zero issues with whatever product/service they've received rarely voice their praise.

I do apologize that you took my message as being harsh to those with questions/issues/problems/what-have-you.

All the best,
--Alex

I certainly didn't take your post as 'berating' or in any other way chastising people who are asking for help about problems; to me it just read as a love letter to the 505. =) And since I love mine too, I liked it.

sayhello · 07-02-2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pendragginp

I certainly didn't take your post as 'berating' or in any other way chastising people who are asking for help about problems; to me it just read as a love letter to the 505. =) And since I love mine too, I liked it.

I have to agree with this.

Sayhello

Mike_73 · 07-02-2010, 06:28 PM

I still own my 505, allthough I passed it on to my wife. That was when I bought my 600. I do like the 600's capabilities, but the 505's screen is just superior.
I got my 600 now for reading novels and similar stuff only. Although I'm not an an apple fan (my ipod didn't connect to my pc at the time, so I returned it and bought a zune later) I added an ipad to my collection. I wouldn't use it for novels, but it's cool for technical stuff. And hey, it's plain awesome to sit on the balcony writing this post. Wouldn't have done that with my laptop.

I'd say I go with a modifcation of apples app-slogan: There's a device for that, and that...

07-01-2010, 09:07 AM	#1
xanlexian Connoisseur Posts: 50 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: PRS-505 / Nook GL / Kindle 3	Nobody ever hears the good things... I'd say a good 70-90% of vocal folks have a problem with a product. Not necessarily conclusive to ebook readers. Anyway, just wanted to say that I haven't been on this site in quite some time. I use my PRS-505 daily, and absolutely still love it. I originally sold a Uniden BCT-396T radio scanner to buy the PRS-505 (and some ham radio gear). Got the dark blue one, and haven't looked back. Recently, I was thinking of selling my 505 to get a Nook (just the WiFi, have zero need for 3G). I even had my 505 listed on Craigslist. So, again I'm finding myself on these forums. After reading quite a bit on the "Nook vs. PRS-505". Took my ad down, and am quite pleased I made the right decision a couple of years ago on the 505. I saw there is new firmware available (PRS+ and the other one... the name escapes me at the moment). How pleased I am there is still active development on this thing!! Anyway, I absolutely love my 505! I REALLY love that it can handle most formats I throw at it. I don't use it for pictures, music, games, or anything other than READING!! My original idea to get a ebook reader a couple of years ago was when I had two experiences. I should note at this point that I visited my local library about 2 to 3 times a week. Anyway, I'm sitting on the couch, reading a book I checked out at the library. I'm really into the story, my surroundings have vanished and I'm entirely engrossed in the book. Following the characters, deep in the plot, waiting to turn the page... what happens next??? Read faster... faster... get to the next page... OH MY GOD A BOOGER!!! Then, the second experience was reading another book I checked out. I'm sitting on the porcelain throne. I started thinking, "this is where a LOT of people read... in the can... in the 'ol stink lodge..." I started obsessing over it. Really obsessing over the fart-infused paper pages. It got to the point where I just turned in all of my other library books and went on the hunt for an ebook reader. Something that I KNOW where its been. When I mentioned this to my librarian, she showed me her red PRS-505 and said something along the lines of, "yeah... I've had those thoughts as well. Try being the librarian!!" I picked up a second silver PRS-505 from Target for the ungodly price of $40, and two Sony lightwedge covers for $3 each. Thought about keeping them, but sold the silver PRS-505 and lightwedge for near $200. Not a bad investment. However, I no longer have the spare parts -- if I ever need them. This is turning out to be a long, rambling post -- but I just wanted to throw in to anybody considering getting a PRS-505 (I have no experience with any other reader) -- you just can't go wrong. I absolutely love mine and it has gone on many trips, and survived many many many page turns. I never have used the memory card slots (except for flashing firmware a year and a half ago). The internal memory is plenty sufficient for holding a good 80+ complete books. Perfect for me. Well, there you go. Absolutely no problems out of my reader. Ever. (knocks on wood) --Alex EDIT -- I should also note that I have never used the Sony Library software. I've never even seen it (other than screenshots). Calibre is the way to go. Kovid (I believe that's his name) has done a magnificent job and it marries up to the PRS-505 beautifully. It just works. It handles everything I throw at it. Last edited by xanlexian; 07-01-2010 at 09:13 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Seriously thoughtful Three good things that happened today	SneakySnake	Lounge	346	04-02-2011 06:13 PM
Need a reader that does these things:	noneother	Which one should I buy?	3	05-25-2007 10:12 PM

07-01-2010, 10:52 AM	#2
spideyak Member Posts: 21 Karma: 64 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: PocketBook 301+, Sony PRS-300	Alex, I loved my PRS-505, as well. I handed that down to my daughter & bought a Pocketbook 301+; you can see my review in the Pocketbook forum for my thoughts on that (I didn't like it). So, I bought a PRS-300 & have loved it. I didn't want to take back a gift to my daughter & my wife was loving her 300, so I thought I would try the little one, too. I need to write a review here, but, I agree with you on the PRS-505: I've traveled to remote villages in the Amazon Jungle to small Arctic Villages in Alaska & Canada, and it has survived and worked flawlessly. Had I not given it as a gift to my daughter, I'd still be using it.

07-01-2010, 10:54 AM	#3
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	There are a lot of people who are very happy with their readers -- I'm one of them. Silver 505, by the way. But most of the people posting here, like most people who post in tech support forums anywhere, are posting because they have a specific problem they're trying to solve. Their battery won't charge, their collections are borked, their screen has a wicked big line across it ... whatever it is, it's something that needs to be taken care of. So they ask us. That's kind of the point of it. The answers to those questions help other people. I don't think it would be reasonable to discourage them from asking those questions just so that our little pieces of silicon and steel can feel better about themselves, nor to flood them out with paeans of praise that, really, help no one. Of course the Sony Reader is a great device; everyone in this section owns at least one, and most of us say how much we love them at every opportunity. But saying so isn't the purpose of this forum, and helping people who are having problems is, so naturally you'll see more of the latter.

07-01-2010, 11:01 AM	#4
spideyak Member Posts: 21 Karma: 64 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: PocketBook 301+, Sony PRS-300	Worldwalker, I'm new to the forum (this is my 12th post), is this a support forum, then, or just for general discussion? If this isn't for general discussion, where can we go for that? I don't want to hijack any threads or forums...

07-01-2010, 12:12 PM	#5
xanlexian Connoisseur Posts: 50 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: PRS-505 / Nook GL / Kindle 3	I'm pretty sure this is a "general discussion" forum. The last time I was here, there were a number of sub-forums. Looks like a lot of stuff got consolidated to just this main forum and the dev forum (which I think is a great idea!) I just wanted to give some kudos to the PRS-505 if anybody is searching/researching one. Before I buy anything, I typically do a search -- especially for the negative aspects. This way I'll know what to possibly expect as well as possibly fix. Anyway -- just something positive amongst the myriad of issues some folks are having.

07-01-2010, 12:41 PM	#6
ShellShock Wizard Posts: 1,176 Karma: 2431850 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: IPad Mini 2 Retina	xanlexian, pay Worldwalker no heed--I really enjoyed your post and couldn't agree more (sliver 505).

07-01-2010, 04:35 PM	#7
sayhello Addict Posts: 208 Karma: 373 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505 (Blue!), PRS-650 (Black), iPad, iPod Touch	Where be this new firmware? I haven't gotten any notices about it when I plug my PRS-505 into the Sony Library ... Must I go to the Sony Store? Sayhello

07-01-2010, 04:54 PM	#8
laitsabr Daily Learner Posts: 36 Karma: 174 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-950, 350, 300, 600(sold), 505(dead), Coby 7024	If I too could find a $40 505, I would suffer little hesitation to claim it I do like my 600, but the 505 was ahead of its time in form and functionality. It had all I needed in a quality well-designed straight reader with good battery life. Never used the audio functionality, but I have great memories of having gone through a few hundred books on my 505 before its premature demise... Thanks for the opportunity to reminisce!

07-02-2010, 06:28 PM	#15
Mike_73 Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 1323 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-505, PRS-600, iPad 16GB Wifi, Kindle Voyage, Nexus 6, Razr HD	I still own my 505, allthough I passed it on to my wife. That was when I bought my 600. I do like the 600's capabilities, but the 505's screen is just superior. I got my 600 now for reading novels and similar stuff only. Although I'm not an an apple fan (my ipod didn't connect to my pc at the time, so I returned it and bought a zune later) I added an ipad to my collection. I wouldn't use it for novels, but it's cool for technical stuff. And hey, it's plain awesome to sit on the balcony writing this post. Wouldn't have done that with my laptop. I'd say I go with a modifcation of apples app-slogan: There's a device for that, and that...

Advert

Advert