I just bought an ebook reader

43 replies
I'm finally going to be able to read all those ebooks that I've acquired and purchased over the years.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's ever bought a product and never read it.

Now I simply transfer the PDF to my ebook reader and take it with me. I've read three ebooks, in the last two days!

If you are struggling with actually reading the products that your purchased, you should consider one of these devices. Now I only have about 197 more ebooks to go.
#bought #ebook #reader
  • Profile picture of the author dre94114
    What kind did you buy? A Kindle or Sony Reader or Nook? I've been thinking about getting one of those since I read quite a bit.
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    • Profile picture of the author FriendlyRob
      Originally Posted by dre94114 View Post

      What kind did you buy? A Kindle or Sony Reader or Nook? I've been thinking about getting one of those since I read quite a bit.
      Actually, it is none of those. Admittedly, it is a lower end reader, but all I need is a screen and words.
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  • Profile picture of the author Benjamin Ehinger
    Do not overload yourself because if you do, then you will end up not learning much. Start with one and try to use it if it is good first, then move on to the next.
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  • Profile picture of the author cypherslock
    Got the Kindle 2 for Christmas and I LOVE it.
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    • Profile picture of the author FriendlyRob
      Originally Posted by cypherslock View Post

      Got the Kindle 2 for Christmas and I LOVE it.
      This one is not as nice as a Kindle, but it is still cool.
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      • Profile picture of the author xiaophil
        I've had an IREX iLiad for a couple of years now, and still carry it everywhere.

        Really great for travelling.

        I only wish the battery would last longer - lucky to get a day out of the thing without a recharge - and need to carry a 'dongle' as well as a charger. I thought the whole point of e-ink was that it didn't use power when the screen is static, and yet it seems to quickly run down either way. What's the battery life like on the other ones?

        Apart from that though - it's great, I originally bought it to carry electronic datasheets and specs, which can easily be hundreds of pages long. Although the font is tiny on a full-page pdf, it's still useable and much better than not having the info on hand.

        I miss the search function of the desktop too. What would be great would be an app that builds an index of all the content on the device offline, and then just syncs the index, but I haven't found an app to do that, and last time I looked it seemed that development for the platform had stagnated.

        Pluses are that it has high resolution (768 x 1024 x 16 grey), handles standard pdfs natively, is hackable (can build your own firmware), and takes standard memory cards (SD, CF, and USB).

        Minuses are battery life and dongle thingy for charging and network, and the price was a bit steep as I recall.

        Overall though a great piece of kit that has seen continuous use since I bought it.

        Phil
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      • Profile picture of the author cypherslock
        Originally Posted by FriendlyRob View Post

        This one is not as nice as a Kindle, but it is still cool.

        Wait....What?! It is slimmer and more ergonomic...Better design and faster...We talking about the same?
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  • Profile picture of the author GMHouse
    I just bought my wife a Kindle2 for Xmas and it's is fantasic for her. Books, music, magazines and PDF's. But you can't change the font size on the PDF's. The print is really tiny! I personaly use my IPhone 3GS for PDF's and that works great, especially with the auto scroll. I get tired of changing the pages with my finger so auto is perfect for me and I can change the font size for my tired old eyes.

    Gary
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    • Profile picture of the author kristinecpa
      Just got a Kindle 2 for Christmas and have already downloaded some of those ebooks I bought and never read (or didn't finish reading). That was one of the main reasons I wanted an ebook reader. Love that I can read while waiting at red lights, or while standing in line at the store, etc. Now time that used to be wasted can be productive, gotta love technology...
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    • Profile picture of the author william007
      Originally Posted by GMHouse View Post

      I just bought my wife a Kindle2 for Xmas and it's is fantasic for her. Books, music, magazines and PDF's. But you can't change the font size on the PDF's. The print is really tiny! I personaly use my IPhone 3GS for PDF's and that works great, especially with the auto scroll. I get tired of changing the pages with my finger so auto is perfect for me and I can change the font size for my tired old eyes.

      Gary
      You could actually change the font size of PDF's on Kindle 2. Just convert the PDF into MOBI format. One of the best PDF converters that I've tried is Calibre. Calibre can input and output into the following formats:

      Input Formats: CBZ, CBR, CBC, EPUB, FB2, HTML, LIT, LRF, MOBI, ODT, PDF, PRC**, PDB, PML, RB, RTF, TCR, TXT

      Output Formats: EPUB, FB2, OEB, LIT, LRF, MOBI, PDB, PML, RB, PDF, TCR, TXT

      Calibre is free and is available for both PC's and Macs.
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      • Profile picture of the author cypherslock
        Originally Posted by william007 View Post

        You could actually change the font size of PDF's on Kindle 2. Just convert the PDF into MOBI format. One of the best PDF converters that I've tried is Calibre. Calibre can input and output into the following formats:

        Input Formats: CBZ, CBR, CBC, EPUB, FB2, HTML, LIT, LRF, MOBI, ODT, PDF, PRC**, PDB, PML, RB, RTF, TCR, TXT

        Output Formats: EPUB, FB2, OEB, LIT, LRF, MOBI, PDB, PML, RB, PDF, TCR, TXT

        Calibre is free and is available for both PC's and Macs.
        Add to that the fact that you can get content such as Forbes, Scientific American, CNN, ArsTechnica (to name a few) completely free and it is a goldmine.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lambert Klein
    They need a "senoir friendly: reader. LOL

    Lambert
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  • Profile picture of the author rondo
    Looks like a lot of people got an ebook reader for Christmas:
    Amazon Kindle Christmas e-book sales beat print | News.com.au
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Taylor
    I'm holding out for the Apple tablet.
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  • Profile picture of the author nyrsimon
    My in-laws bought me the Sony for Christmas. I was skeptical at first (probably wouldn't have bought it myself) but so far I love it.

    Like the OP I have loaded tons of PDF's that I have bought/acquired and am plowing thru them. The sony DOES let you resize PDF's which is great as I have the pocket edition...

    I'm actually thinking about publishing some of my stiff for the Kindle, seems like a rabid market to hit right now

    Simon
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Got a question about the Kindle. I live in the country. Will the wireless still work to download books that I buy or will I need to connect to the computer to do that?
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    • Profile picture of the author AmyBrown
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      Got a question about the Kindle. I live in the country. Will the wireless still work to download books that I buy or will I need to connect to the computer to do that?
      Coverage map: Nationwide Coverage

      Info from Amazon: Amazon.com Help: Wireless, Whispernet, and Whispersync

      I've been able to download content in areas where I could only get sporadic cell phone coverage.

      Double-check the return policy for Kindles but don't think you'd have a problem returning if it didn't work in your area.
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      "Test fast, fail fast, adjust fast."
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      • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
        Banned
        Originally Posted by AmyBrown View Post

        Coverage map: Nationwide Coverage

        Info from Amazon: Amazon.com Help: Wireless, Whispernet, and Whispersync

        I've been able to download content in areas where I could only get sporadic cell phone coverage.

        Double-check the return policy for Kindles but don't think you'd have a problem returning if it didn't work in your area.
        The map says I'm covered. I was looking at the help page and the difference between US and Global Kindles. Correct me if I'm wrong. If I buy a Global Kindle but only use it in the US, there is a download fee, but not with the US Kindle?
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        • Profile picture of the author AmyBrown
          Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

          The map says I'm covered. I was looking at the help page and the difference between US and Global Kindles. Correct me if I'm wrong. If I buy a Global Kindle but only use it in the US, there is a download fee, but not with the US Kindle?
          My understanding is that all of the current Kindles (not DX) being sold are global. I gave them as gifts this Christmas and as I remember there was only one option.
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          Tom Peters

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          • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
            Banned
            Originally Posted by AmyBrown View Post

            My understanding is that all of the current Kindles (not DX) being sold are global. I gave them as gifts this Christmas and as I remember there was only one option.
            This is what I'm talking about: What is a Personal Document?

            Personal Document Service

            * Kindle (U.S. Wireless) users: We'll send personal documents to your Kindle via Whispernet while inside the U.S. wireless coverage area for a fee of $.15 per megabyte.

            * Kindle (Global Wireless) user living in the United States: If you transfer personal documents to your Kindle via Whispernet while inside the U.S., the fee is $ .15 per megabyte. When traveling outside the United States, a fee of $.99 per megabyte will apply.
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  • Profile picture of the author ckbank
    Are these pretty convenient and do they weigh a lot?
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  • Profile picture of the author Justin Quick
    They are neat but I love owning the book. Kind of like a trophy, I guess. Glad it's working for you though. Have a great new year and the best of luck and fortune to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author cashcow
    I got a Kindle For Christmas and I LOVE it! The best gift I ever got. I read a LOT so it will really come in handy.

    Plus, I published my first book over at Amazon for the kindle so I got to search on my kindle and see my name in lights. Of course it would be a lot more fun if someone actually bought the book...

    I'm not sure though, how to read ebooks that I have purchased and downloaded to my computer (not ones in the kindle store) on it?


    Lee
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    Gone Fishing
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Ellis
    I own Kindle DX and love it... saves me a ton on printing costs.
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  • Profile picture of the author AmyBrown
    Amazon phased out the US only models: "Due to strong customer demand for the newest Kindle, we are consolidating our family of 6" Kindles." http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reading-Device-Display/dp/B00154JDAI

    The transfer fee is the same for both devices while in the US. The download fees only apply if you're using Whispernet to transfer ebooks/pdfs from sources other than Amazon and can be avoided entirely by transferring the files from a computer using USB.
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    "Test fast, fail fast, adjust fast."
    Tom Peters

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  • Profile picture of the author Martin Roch
    I love my Sony e-reader, it's the bottom of the range model but it does everything I want.
    Cheers
    Martin
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  • Profile picture of the author Brad Lindsay
    I'm looking forward to Apple releasing the much rumoured Apple Tablet (may be called iSlate) which will be much more than an ebook reader. It's tipped to be announced on January 26th.
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  • Profile picture of the author viscomica3
    I just sale it................. )
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    I just bought the Kindle. Thanks for answering my questions that were keeping me on the fence.
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    • Profile picture of the author Eric Boo
      I'm still wondering if I should get the Kindle. Currently I'm using the iPhone to do my reading and I have the fonts up really big, but after reading a few books I find that everything I see in the real world becomes blurry.

      So it must be that my eyes are not suited to the small screen?
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      • Profile picture of the author AffiliateKungfu
        I still prefer paper right now, as I am no novel reader.

        I can't stand the thought of reading a standard pdfdoc on that tiny thing.

        But I'll be the first to grab it if they come up with an a4 size Super Kindle.
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      • Profile picture of the author cypherslock
        Originally Posted by Eric Boo View Post

        I'm still wondering if I should get the Kindle. Currently I'm using the iPhone to do my reading and I have the fonts up really big, but after reading a few books I find that everything I see in the real world becomes blurry.

        So it must be that my eyes are not suited to the small screen?
        Has to do with the backlighting. The Kindle (And indeed all e-readers) have what is known as e-ink that mimics the printed page and is actually easier on the eyes. No backlighting and you can resize the fonts for easier reading. Put it this way: I ground through the Lord of the Rings and barely made it not because it was bad, but because after a while I found the print quite small in the paperback. On the kindle it is perfect and the tech just melts away. No eye strain either.
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    • Profile picture of the author AmyBrown
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      I just bought the Kindle. Thanks for answering my questions that were keeping me on the fence.
      Let me know how you like it! Stranded on a desert island I'd choose the Kindle over any other device.
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      "Test fast, fail fast, adjust fast."
      Tom Peters

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      • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
        Banned
        Originally Posted by AmyBrown View Post

        Let me know how you like it! Stranded on a desert island I'd choose the Kindle over any other device.
        I love it ... it arrived already and I've already subscribed to two blogs and bought 3 books and loaded up some pdfs from my computer that I've been meaning to read. Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author cypherslock
    Sbucciarel, get yourself Calibre! Tons of news and what not to subscrive to AND when you load a pdf into the software you can change the font so that you can resize it on your kindle. And it is free.
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by cypherslock View Post

      Sbucciarel, get yourself Calibre! Tons of news and what not to subscrive to AND when you load a pdf into the software you can change the font so that you can resize it on your kindle. And it is free.

      Thanks for this tip. Downloaded it and converted a 200 page pdf that I've been wanting to just sit back away from the computer and read to MOBI. Tried reading it via pdf but fonts were way too small. The MOBI version is excellent. Calibre is free and works incredibly well. Will make a donation to their development. Finally, I don't have to sit at the computer for hours to read my pdfs.

      @paulie888 - Too late. Arrived yesterday. I don't need a lot of bells and whistles. I'm not a technophobe. I just wanted to read my pdfs away from the computer but I'm also loving reading books on it.
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    sbucciarel, hold your horses and don't buy anything until the Barnes & Noble Nook becomes widely available for sale! I think it one-ups the Kindle as it has built-in wifi, AND it has an expandable SD (I think) memory card slot, whereas the $279 Kindle doesn't. Furthermore, it's got that really cool color multi-touch screen at the bottom of the reader that changes functions according to what you need it to do.

    I plan on getting one once they get over their supply issues; I plan on copying ALL my IM ebooks onto it, and finally catching up on the hundreds that I have gathering up dust on my hard drive currently!
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  • Profile picture of the author wolfields
    Wow I want one .. Amy can I get on your Christmas list ... just kidding ... what a great gift idea. I read tons, probably 20-30 books a month (when I am in my reading mode and about 10 a month when I am not) and like someone said earlier, I love my books, I love how they feel ... not so sure about the trophy part, cause I have to recycle them ... both my husband and I love books and we have two rooms with large book shelves ... and just have no more room

    I do have poor vision and I wonder how hard it would be for me, I have trouble with my wide screen monitor, so my husband bought me a 20 inch flat screen, but certain lights make it very difficult for me ... so I am not sure I would like the Kindle or its ilk
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    wolfields, I think you'll like the kindle and its ilk then. This is because the kindle and other e-book readers have e-ink screens, which aren't reflective like many regular monitors and have very high contrast, just like printed words on paper! It is just like reading printed words on paper, and the background is very white, not gray or some off-color shade of white. It is a reading experience that practically emulates that of a book, in my opinion.
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