Husband left K2 on airplane - how do you mark kindles?

[Sydney's Mom]

I read without a cover, and have a Belkin sleeve I put my K3 in to cart it from place to place. I gave my K2 (with a cool purple skin) to my husband. Well, he put it in the pouch in front of his seat, and forgot it on Southwest. It was in a black Belkin, but there were no markings anywhere (aside from the distinctive purple skin). Anyway, I was able to get a K3 delivered today (it says it is out for delivery), so no harm, no foul - I was having problems thinking of a Christmas gift for him, anyway. But it got me thinking - how should I mark these K3's? If I tape a business card to the back, it will bother my as I read. I can tape a card inside the Belkin, but I would have to make sure to face the front of the kindle away from the card.

Some of you may remember I left my K1 on the train. I had a card taped to the inside of the Oberon cover, and one on the back of the kindle. I ultimately got it back - the finder riped off the card on the Oberon, but he tried to sell it to an honest man, who found my card when he took the kindle out of the cover. It took about 6 months, but I did get it back. So I realize how valuable some marking is.

Thanks for your suggestions, and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Joyful Reading in 2011. Debra

[KarenH]

I've been wondering about this too, and I think what I'm going to do is tape a small post-it note (1 1/2" x 2" I think, about 1/2 the size of a business card) on the back, right up at the top between the speaker holes. I plan on using clear packing tape and covering the paper completely so it won't wear, and being right up at the top it should be out of the way so I don't feel it when I'm reading without the cover.

Thanks for bringing this up - it's something I've considered, but it's been pretty low on my priority list since my Kindle doesn't leave home very often. It does occasionally though, and it only takes once for it to disappear!

[FF2]

I have installed the screen-hack which has allowed me to use my own photos. I have placed a text box in the upper left corner with an email address. Anytime my k3 goes to sleep, one of the photos shows and my email address is clearly visible.

[ATDrake]

I'd pick the medium-tech approach: screensaver hack with customized screensavers proclaiming ownership and contact info.

Set the containing folders to invisible, and any dishonest finder will have a more difficult time trying to undo and resell it, since they'll pop up every time the Kindle goes to sleep, unless that person happens to know exactly what's been done and is technically capable of undoing it.

Of course, if you never intend to sell or pass on your Kindle, there's always the laser-engraving on the back option.

Or maybe you could print out a customized sticker, which seems like it would be less intrusive than the business card, when it comes to daily use.

[mr ploppy]

Why not just create an ebook file with all your contact details and call it "if found please read this"?

[user_none]

If you're not planning on selling it at some point you could etch your info into the back of the device using an exacto knife.

[doreenjoy]

Originally Posted by user_none

If you're not planning on selling it at some point you could etch your info into the back of the device using an exacto knife.

...and hope you never change your phone number or e-mail address.

I never set my reader down in public (it goes in my bag) but if I did, I think I'd stick a business card to it with tape.

[DixieGal]

I used some of the millions of charity-sent return address labels on the back of the device and on the cover. In fact, I use them on just about everything. Back in olden times, I stuck them inside the covers of books befotr lending them.

[daffy4u]

I use the ScreenSaver hack. Each image has my name, cell phone number and an email address.

[Rick1971]

Originally Posted by ATDrake

I'd pick the medium-tech approach: screensaver hack with customized screensavers proclaiming ownership and contact info.

Set the containing folders to invisible, and any dishonest finder will have a more difficult time trying to undo and resell it, since they'll pop up every time the Kindle goes to sleep, unless that person happens to know exactly what's been done and is technically capable of undoing it.

Of course, if you never intend to sell or pass on your Kindle, there's always the laser-engraving on the back option.

Or maybe you could print out a customized sticker, which seems like it would be less intrusive than the business card, when it comes to daily use.

I don't have a Kindle but i did the screensaver thing

[kindlekitten]

according to one of the members that posts here, the people cleaning up the airplanes are not allowed to open anything they find, ie; wallets, books, reading devices. so this cancels out the most obvious solution of having your contact info inside the cover. I also use the freebie address stickers and put them front and back on my oberon cover where I am least likely to rub them off

[CandyDane]

Although you already have a replacement coming (with the bonus of filling a Christmas present dilemma, you should contact Southwest Airlines customer service and check their lost & found.

I'd guess they'd put the flight #, airport, and date on each item. Or you can list at least some of the books on the reader if they need you to "prove" it's yours.

Even if you'd have to pay postage, it'd be worth it. You can always sell the reader, gift it, or keep it as a spare.

[Maggie Leung]

I fly frequently enough that I bought a jacket with pockets big enough for a Kindle or iPad, so I can pocket 'em instead of forgetting my gadgets.

On the back of my iPad and Kindle, I have contact info punched out with an electric label-maker. I include my cell number, so I can reclaim quickly, say if I leave a gadget at an airport. (I want my stuff back asap, so I don't have to wait days or weeks and go without while traveling.) My info says, "Reward if found: (my cell number)."

I changed my Kindle's name to that as well.

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

I read without a cover, and have a Belkin sleeve I put my K3 in to cart it from place to place. I gave my K2 (with a cool purple skin) to my husband. Well, he put it in the pouch in front of his seat, and forgot it on Southwest. It was in a black Belkin, but there were no markings anywhere (aside from the distinctive purple skin). Anyway, I was able to get a K3 delivered today (it says it is out for delivery), so no harm, no foul - I was having problems thinking of a Christmas gift for him, anyway. But it got me thinking - how should I mark these K3's? If I tape a business card to the back, it will bother my as I read. I can tape a card inside the Belkin, but I would have to make sure to face the front of the kindle away from the card.

Some of you may remember I left my K1 on the train. I had a card taped to the inside of the Oberon cover, and one on the back of the kindle. I ultimately got it back - the finder riped off the card on the Oberon, but he tried to sell it to an honest man, who found my card when he took the kindle out of the cover. It took about 6 months, but I did get it back. So I realize how valuable some marking is.

Thanks for your suggestions, and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Joyful Reading in 2011. Debra

Debra, I did remember about you leaving it on the train, but I never knew (apparently I missed that post) that you got it back! That's great.

I need to figure out something about marking my Sony. I would be heartbroken if it was left somewhere.

[coolbreeze]

I have a Brother labeler and put labels on all my stuff. Sure it can be removed, but if someone is going to remove it, they surely aren't going to ever return it.