Comments on: Electronic Readers (updated x 2) http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/05/05/electronic-readers/ writing, reading, eating, drinking, sport Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:42:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Justine http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/05/05/electronic-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-79793 Justine Tue, 05 May 2009 18:32:16 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=4036#comment-79793 Jim: Kindle is now in the moderation file. No more comments about it will appear. But to repeat: I do not want a device that can have its contents remotely turned off by someone else. Phiala: I'd love to hear from an Iliad user. Yes, I know what <a href="http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/02/23/the-story-of-my-boots/" rel="nofollow">my surname</a> means! Jim: Kindle is now in the moderation file. No more comments about it will appear. But to repeat: I do not want a device that can have its contents remotely turned off by someone else.

Phiala: I’d love to hear from an Iliad user.

Yes, I know what my surname means!

]]> By: Phiala http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/05/05/electronic-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-79792 Phiala Tue, 05 May 2009 18:30:19 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=4036#comment-79792 Ack! It spontaneously posted my incomplete comment. mobileread.com is a good place for reviews and discussion as well. Justine, do you know why I asked about the crossbow? I sort of assumed you'd know, but I _do_ realize that not everyone lives with a medieval weapons geek... Ack! It spontaneously posted my incomplete comment. mobileread.com is a good place for reviews and discussion as well.

Justine, do you know why I asked about the crossbow? I sort of assumed you’d know, but I _do_ realize that not everyone lives with a medieval weapons geek…

]]> By: Phiala http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/05/05/electronic-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-79791 Phiala Tue, 05 May 2009 18:28:20 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=4036#comment-79791 Real-people reviews say that the Iliad is close, but not there yet as a research tool (what I want, for reading my ridiculously large collection of science journal articles). Real-people reviews say that the Iliad is close, but not there yet as a research tool (what I want, for reading my ridiculously large collection of science journal articles).

]]> By: Jim Reardon http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/05/05/electronic-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-79790 Jim Reardon Tue, 05 May 2009 18:23:53 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=4036#comment-79790 Ooop well upon reload my reply was poorly timed! (Not all Kindle docs are DRMed, it's up to the publisher). Ooop well upon reload my reply was poorly timed!

(Not all Kindle docs are DRMed, it’s up to the publisher).

]]> By: Jim Reardon http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/05/05/electronic-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-79789 Jim Reardon Tue, 05 May 2009 18:22:18 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=4036#comment-79789 There's a bit of mis-information on the kindle's handling of other document types. Just like any other e-reader you can put your own documents on the kindle via USB for free (and it works fine with the Mac, it's what I use). They only charge if you want to WIRELESSLY transmit documents to the kindle; something that's not even an option on other e-readers. You don't have to do that, though. If it's not in a natively supported format, you can convert it yourself (calibre is a nice ebook manager that will sync your ebooks, manage them, and convert them to kindle-friendly format) and then load them over USB. That's free. Or you can email the document to kindlename@free.kindle.com and Amazon will convert them and email them back to your email as an attachment. Then you load it up via USB and you're set. Completely free. The bit that they charge for is if you email to kindlename@kindle.com it converts the file then transmits it over the air to your kindle. So you don't have to be at home, or near a computer. Just inside the USA (I think). They charge $.15 for this convenience, per document. You're also not tied into one retailer. Amazon kindle supports standard Mobipocket books. I believe it does not support DRMed (locked) books from other vendors, though, without extreme fiddling. But if the books are DRM free, you can buy them anywhere. Again though, the pro with the kindle is if you *DO* purchase from amazon the books just automatically appear on your device in seconds (you can also shop from the device). It also supports snagging free samples of any ebook they sell. [Again, auto-delivery I believe is only in the USA]. Sorry if that sounded like a huge commercial. Surprisingly I don't work at Amazon, I just really like my Kindle. There’s a bit of mis-information on the kindle’s handling of other document types. Just like any other e-reader you can put your own documents on the kindle via USB for free (and it works fine with the Mac, it’s what I use).

They only charge if you want to WIRELESSLY transmit documents to the kindle; something that’s not even an option on other e-readers. You don’t have to do that, though.

If it’s not in a natively supported format, you can convert it yourself (calibre is a nice ebook manager that will sync your ebooks, manage them, and convert them to kindle-friendly format) and then load them over USB. That’s free.

Or you can email the document to kindlename@free.kindle.com and Amazon will convert them and email them back to your email as an attachment. Then you load it up via USB and you’re set. Completely free.

The bit that they charge for is if you email to kindlename@kindle.com it converts the file then transmits it over the air to your kindle. So you don’t have to be at home, or near a computer. Just inside the USA (I think). They charge $.15 for this convenience, per document.

You’re also not tied into one retailer. Amazon kindle supports standard Mobipocket books. I believe it does not support DRMed (locked) books from other vendors, though, without extreme fiddling. But if the books are DRM free, you can buy them anywhere.

Again though, the pro with the kindle is if you *DO* purchase from amazon the books just automatically appear on your device in seconds (you can also shop from the device). It also supports snagging free samples of any ebook they sell. [Again, auto-delivery I believe is only in the USA].

Sorry if that sounded like a huge commercial. Surprisingly I don’t work at Amazon, I just really like my Kindle.

]]> By: Justine http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/05/05/electronic-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-79788 Justine Tue, 05 May 2009 18:21:10 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=4036#comment-79788 Thanks so much for all the really informative responses. But could you please stop defending Kindle. Is a waste of your time and mine. I'm not going to buy a device that has DRM files. Phiala: Thanks for the mobileread.com suggestion. (No, I own no weapons. And have never fired a crossbow.) Julia: I shall investigate the Iliad. First glance it looks a bit chunky. Yes, I am shallow. I want a reader that's pretty! Thanks so much for all the really informative responses.

But could you please stop defending Kindle. Is a waste of your time and mine. I’m not going to buy a device that has DRM files.

Phiala: Thanks for the mobileread.com suggestion.

(No, I own no weapons. And have never fired a crossbow.)

Julia: I shall investigate the Iliad. First glance it looks a bit chunky. Yes, I am shallow. I want a reader that’s pretty!

]]> By: Regina Doublemint http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/05/05/electronic-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-79786 Regina Doublemint Tue, 05 May 2009 18:05:39 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=4036#comment-79786 Wait, do other Kindle users actually get charged for the .doc downloads? I've never been charged and I've done hundreds! Wait, do other Kindle users actually get charged for the .doc downloads? I’ve never been charged and I’ve done hundreds!

]]> By: Julia Rios http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/05/05/electronic-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-79784 Julia Rios Tue, 05 May 2009 17:41:50 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=4036#comment-79784 I followed <a href="http://theswivet.blogspot.com/search/label/Sony%20Reader" rel="nofollow">Colleen Lindsay's Sony e-reader saga</a>, and decided that even if I wasn't a Mac user, ultimately I needed to wait for something a bit different. The Kindle doesn't meet my needs because, like you, I read a lot of .doc and .rtf files from friends, etc. I've heard that Amazon will be upping the cost of downloads on those soon from 10 cents per document to 15 cents per megabyte, and honestly, I can't see paying hundred of dollars for a device that charges me extra to put my own documents on it. The <a href="http://www.irextechnologies.com/products/iliad" rel="nofollow">Iliad is what all my geek friends are drooling over, but I don't know anyone who actually has one, so I can't say how good it is in practice.</a> I followed Colleen Lindsay’s Sony e-reader saga, and decided that even if I wasn’t a Mac user, ultimately I needed to wait for something a bit different.

The Kindle doesn’t meet my needs because, like you, I read a lot of .doc and .rtf files from friends, etc. I’ve heard that Amazon will be upping the cost of downloads on those soon from 10 cents per document to 15 cents per megabyte, and honestly, I can’t see paying hundred of dollars for a device that charges me extra to put my own documents on it.

The Iliad is what all my geek friends are drooling over, but I don’t know anyone who actually has one, so I can’t say how good it is in practice.

]]> By: Yanni Kuznia http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/05/05/electronic-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-79783 Yanni Kuznia Tue, 05 May 2009 17:41:31 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=4036#comment-79783 I <i>love</i> my Sony eReader! I was a skeptic at the beginning because I love the feeling of pages in my hand and because if it was anything like reading on a computer, my eyes would get buggy and burn. However, the screen they use (it's call eInk or something, but don't quote me) is <i>very</i> readable, much like reading a physical book. It's quite easy for me to upload .rtf files , which are what we use for manuscripts at SubPress, and although they don't render great, .pdfs as well, with the USB cable that comes with the reader. The .pdf rendering is going to be an issue no matter what ereader you have, as it is a proprietary software issue. And as I travel a not insignificant amount (although nowhere near as much as you!) the fact that I can carry 100+ books with me and they take up a fraction of the space of a hardcover is very very appealing to me. It also has a very nice leather cover for the style-conscious. Supposedly, the newest model allows you to do text mark-up with is also very appealing as well as other bells and whistles that I'm not terribly knowledgeable with since I have the two-year old model. I've also read smaller files on my Blackberry Storm. Not my preferred way of doing things, but it works in a pinch. I love my Sony eReader! I was a skeptic at the beginning because I love the feeling of pages in my hand and because if it was anything like reading on a computer, my eyes would get buggy and burn. However, the screen they use (it’s call eInk or something, but don’t quote me) is very readable, much like reading a physical book. It’s quite easy for me to upload .rtf files , which are what we use for manuscripts at SubPress, and although they don’t render great, .pdfs as well, with the USB cable that comes with the reader. The .pdf rendering is going to be an issue no matter what ereader you have, as it is a proprietary software issue.

And as I travel a not insignificant amount (although nowhere near as much as you!) the fact that I can carry 100+ books with me and they take up a fraction of the space of a hardcover is very very appealing to me. It also has a very nice leather cover for the style-conscious.

Supposedly, the newest model allows you to do text mark-up with is also very appealing as well as other bells and whistles that I’m not terribly knowledgeable with since I have the two-year old model.

I’ve also read smaller files on my Blackberry Storm. Not my preferred way of doing things, but it works in a pinch.

]]> By: Sarah Olson http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/05/05/electronic-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-79782 Sarah Olson Tue, 05 May 2009 17:28:22 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=4036#comment-79782 "The main problem with the Kindle is that they charge you to download your own documents." This is only true if Amazon sends the document to your Kindle email address. It's free if they send it to your regular email, after which you can use USB to transfer it to your Kindle. Or, you can use the free Mobipocket Creator app to convert them yourself (from PDF or Word). I convert all my documents using that app, and for the most part it works great. “The main problem with the Kindle is that they charge you to download your own documents.” This is only true if Amazon sends the document to your Kindle email address. It’s free if they send it to your regular email, after which you can use USB to transfer it to your Kindle. Or, you can use the free Mobipocket Creator app to convert them yourself (from PDF or Word). I convert all my documents using that app, and for the most part it works great.

]]> By: Phiala http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/05/05/electronic-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-79781 Phiala Tue, 05 May 2009 17:27:40 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=4036#comment-79781 Oh... completely unrelated to eBooks, or to much else either: Every time I mention you, Nick asks if you own a crossbow, and I have to admit that I do not know. So: Do you own a crossbow? Or have at least fired one a few times? (And do other people ever ask you that???) Oh… completely unrelated to eBooks, or to much else either:

Every time I mention you, Nick asks if you own a crossbow, and I have to admit that I do not know.

So: Do you own a crossbow? Or have at least fired one a few times?

(And do other people ever ask you that???)

]]> By: Phiala http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/05/05/electronic-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-79780 Phiala Tue, 05 May 2009 17:19:57 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=4036#comment-79780 I have an eBookwise. For fiction, it's great. No (or minimal) problems getting txt, html, and such on it, including on a Mac. It's an older reader, so LCD instead of eInk, but only $120 or so. And I like the LCD, since I can read it in the dark. (Under the covers, camping, etc.) NONE of the available readers work well for technical PDFs. If you can't just extract the text from a PDF, you need to turn it into images, chop it into chunks that fit on the small screen. A pain, and doesn't work well anyway. The Irex Illiad has a larger screen, and is the only one of the current crop that is even marginally acceptable for PDFs, but is $700 or thereabouts. Several different 10" readers are anticipated for later this year. Those will finally be big enough to read full-page PDF files. Features are still a bit speculative at the moment. mobileread.com is a great place for the latest news on readers. If one of these larger models actually appears, and does anything like what the manufacturers are claiming, and is even marginally affordable, I'll be buying one. I have an eBookwise. For fiction, it’s great. No (or minimal) problems getting txt, html, and such on it, including on a Mac. It’s an older reader, so LCD instead of eInk, but only $120 or so. And I like the LCD, since I can read it in the dark. (Under the covers, camping, etc.)

NONE of the available readers work well for technical PDFs. If you can’t just extract the text from a PDF, you need to turn it into images, chop it into chunks that fit on the small screen. A pain, and doesn’t work well anyway. The Irex Illiad has a larger screen, and is the only one of the current crop that is even marginally acceptable for PDFs, but is $700 or thereabouts.

Several different 10″ readers are anticipated for later this year. Those will finally be big enough to read full-page PDF files. Features are still a bit speculative at the moment. mobileread.com is a great place for the latest news on readers. If one of these larger models actually appears, and does anything like what the manufacturers are claiming, and is even marginally affordable, I’ll be buying one.

]]> By: Maureen Johnson http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/05/05/electronic-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-79779 Maureen Johnson Tue, 05 May 2009 17:09:56 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=4036#comment-79779 I have someone sitting here RIGHT NOW with a Sony Reader. He says: "It's got no wifi, unlike the Kindle, so it relies on USB. But that isn't really a big problem. The screen is good, the battery life is good. It's incredibly slow at formatting things with pictures in. One of my books sometimes takes two minutes to turn the page because of the formatting and picutres, so basically it's unreadable. Overall, though, it's been really positive. It's easy to buy books and get them on to the device, it can play MP3s. To save shelf space and trees, I've decided to buy only ebooks now (apart from books with lots of pictures in)." I have someone sitting here RIGHT NOW with a Sony Reader. He says: “It’s got no wifi, unlike the Kindle, so it relies on USB. But that isn’t really a big problem. The screen is good, the battery life is good. It’s incredibly slow at formatting things with pictures in. One of my books sometimes takes two minutes to turn the page because of the formatting and picutres, so basically it’s unreadable. Overall, though, it’s been really positive. It’s easy to buy books and get them on to the device, it can play MP3s. To save shelf space and trees, I’ve decided to buy only ebooks now (apart from books with lots of pictures in).”

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