Decided to jump on the e-ink bandwagon with a couple of refurb Nooks from Overstock.com for my dad and myself. I've heard that PDF support is pretty crappy, is that true? Is there a way to convert PDF files to a more e-ink friendly format with something like Calibre?
Just got my Kindle, my first eReader and I love it!! Was reading yesterday and suddenly realised that I hadn’t noticed page turns for a few hours. It is much more comfortable when lying down and reading than a book.
I do feel that the button interface is very well done but a really good touch screen would make it the perfect device. Not for turning pages, but I was working my way through small gods and with all the little notes and things Terry likes to put in a touch screen would be quicker. Same for the menus. There may be a quicker way; I haven’t worked through the manual yet.
I got the standard Kindle case (non light one) and while costing just over 25% of the kindle cost I am impressed with it. It looks and feels good while protecting the body of the device. Just costs a fair bit.
To be less snarky, no, the kindle uses an e-ink screen, not an LCD, so it isn't backlit, but there is a nice official case that has a light that works off the battery.
And you can import books that aren't in mobi, txt, or html by using a program called Calibre to convert it with only a few button presses
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Mostlyjoe13Evil, Evil, Jump for joy!Registered Userregular
edited November 2010
So far I've been loving my NookColor. The pdf reading is working out more or less what I expected. Getting a taste of ebooks is very adicting. I've been picking up hard sci-fi left and right. Slowly working my way through the Culture series. I'm curious. Is there an established book lending circle for the Nook and Kindle on here?
Probably a question I could find myself once my machine arrives tomorrow - but since I don't get real quality time with my Nook until Christmas I doubt I'll get to try this...how are the Google books integrated into the Nook? I know they include them in their total number of books available figures - but are they right in the storefront or do you need to sideload them by downloading to a pc and usb/memory carding them over?
They're in the store along with the rest of the books. You just look for what you want and "buy" the one that's $0.00. You can also side-load them quite easily if you prefer to find them through Google or Project Gutenberg or whatever your preferred method is.
How do you sideload them? Not sure I see how to download the books available through Google Books... I'd definitely like to be able to load some of the books available through Google Books to my Kindle.
How do you sideload them? Not sure I see how to download the books available through Google Books... I'd definitely like to be able to load some of the books available through Google Books to my Kindle.
Download the books to your PC, then connect your Kindle to the PC with your USB cable. It detects your Kindle as USB storage so open it up, then drag the books into the "documents" folder on your Kindle, and that's all there is!
question for calibre users. Can it handle two different kindles? I bought my wife one for christmas and wanted to load it up full of books and for some reason i wasn't given an option of sending it to the device since i don't think it was recognized. granted they have changed calibre so much that i don't know what button i have to click anymore so maybe i just didn't see it.
I can still copy them via USB but it is easier to just do it throught he program i think.
How do you sideload them? Not sure I see how to download the books available through Google Books... I'd definitely like to be able to load some of the books available through Google Books to my Kindle.
Download the books to your PC, then connect your Kindle to the PC with your USB cable. It detects your Kindle as USB storage so open it up, then drag the books into the "documents" folder on your Kindle, and that's all there is!
Works exactly the same way with the Nook, if that's what you have.
How do you sideload them? Not sure I see how to download the books available through Google Books... I'd definitely like to be able to load some of the books available through Google Books to my Kindle.
Download the books to your PC, then connect your Kindle to the PC with your USB cable. It detects your Kindle as USB storage so open it up, then drag the books into the "documents" folder on your Kindle, and that's all there is!
i go naked with mine and its fine, i usually just tuck it into my laptop case if traveling, but i bought my wife a kindle and case and bought the basic leather one amazon pimps and it seems pretty nice. their clip in system is slick.
I managed to guess correctly that I'm getting a Kindle for Christmas. Any recommendations on a case?
I'll mostly be toting it around in my bag with me, and I know there's a pretty cheap/functional solution out there
Mostly looking to see what's out there. Preferably a reporter's style case, to reduce the thickness when it's being held.
I have the second gen Kindle and am using just the timbuk2 sleeve. I really like not having anything attached to the kindle itself for when I am reading it, mainly just use the sleeve when I am traveling.
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Librarian's ghostLibrarian, Ghostbuster, and TimSporkRegistered Userregular
I managed to guess correctly that I'm getting a Kindle for Christmas. Any recommendations on a case?
I'll mostly be toting it around in my bag with me, and I know there's a pretty cheap/functional solution out there
Mostly looking to see what's out there. Preferably a reporter's style case, to reduce the thickness when it's being held.
I have the official case from Amazon with the built in light. It's a tad expensive, but it is built super well, the light running off the Kindle's power is awesome, the strap that keeps the cover secure can be used to keep the cover open when you double the cover back on itself when reading. Lastly, it adds very little to the thickness of size of the unit. It disconnects really easily, which I do whenever I'm reading in one place for a while.
So i was cruising thru barnes and nobles picking up my supply of books for the month when my wife told me "Why dont u get one of those nook things? Then u don't have to leave ur books all over the house."
And here i am 2 days later. So i talked to a nook rep and got really excited for the nook color. Even tho i know e-ink is what i should get both for the strain on the eyes and the insane battery life, but its got color damnit!
SO anyone with a nook color able to tell me how it is? it seems to butt in on the ipad territory with its. internet browsing and video watching capabilities. are the big competitors gearing up for a color screen(amazaon, Sony)?
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Mr_Rose83 Blue Ridge Protects the HolyRegistered Userregular
edited December 2010
Oh!
I just remembered, I got to play with a bunch of e-readers the other day and was most impressed by the new iRiver one. A couple of interface issues that are probably covered in the manual, but overall I preferred the size and layout, and the four-way button on the side, to either of the Sonys there, or the other, very terrible*, colour LCD one.
Anyone have comparative experience between the iRiver Cover Story and the Kindle 3?
*Not a word of a lie; there is an e-book reader out there that, when asked to increase text size, zooms in like a fricking software magnifier tool, leaving you with text that overlaps the screen and needs to be scrolled around to read. I can't recall the name; I seem to have burned it out of my memory for some reason.
So i was cruising thru barnes and nobles picking up my supply of books for the month when my wife told me "Why dont u get one of those nook things? Then u don't have to leave ur books all over the house."
And here i am 2 days later. So i talked to a nook rep and got really excited for the nook color. Even tho i know e-ink is what i should get both for the strain on the eyes and the insane battery life, but its got color damnit!
SO anyone with a nook color able to tell me how it is? it seems to butt in on the ipad territory with its. internet browsing and video watching capabilities. are the big competitors gearing up for a color screen(amazaon, Sony)?
I think one or two people in here have gotten them. If you read back a few pages, you should find what they thought of them.
Google now has their own eBookstore up and running here.
Note, prices appear to be pretty reasonable in comparison to other suppliers, but they are primarily in .epub format. As I am reasonably assuming that DRM is on most of the non-public domain books, Kindle owners are probably out of luck.
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BobCescaIs a girlBirmingham, UKRegistered Userregular
edited December 2010
I'm really looking forward to when the Google eBookstore is available in the UK.
Google now has their own eBookstore up and running here.
Note, prices appear to be pretty reasonable in comparison to other suppliers, but they are primarily in .epub format. As I am reasonably assuming that DRM is on most of the non-public domain books, Kindle owners are probably out of luck.
Certainly seems that way. Buzzkill. Was reallly hoping the google store would offer both formats.
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Librarian's ghostLibrarian, Ghostbuster, and TimSporkRegistered Userregular
Google now has their own eBookstore up and running here.
Note, prices appear to be pretty reasonable in comparison to other suppliers, but they are primarily in .epub format. As I am reasonably assuming that DRM is on most of the non-public domain books, Kindle owners are probably out of luck.
Actually there is a website that will automatically convert the google books to Kindle format and email them to you for free. This only works on the free google books which have no DRM. Which is fine because amazon's stash of payed books is still better, but google has those millions of no-copyright books.
Google now has their own eBookstore up and running here.
Note, prices appear to be pretty reasonable in comparison to other suppliers, but they are primarily in .epub format. As I am reasonably assuming that DRM is on most of the non-public domain books, Kindle owners are probably out of luck.
Actually there is a website that will automatically convert the google books to Kindle format and email them to you for free. This only works on the free google books which have no DRM. Which is fine because amazon's stash of payed books is still better, but google has those millions of no-copyright books.
Calibre will do the same thing for you with the non-DRM books.
Google now has their own eBookstore up and running here.
Note, prices appear to be pretty reasonable in comparison to other suppliers, but they are primarily in .epub format. As I am reasonably assuming that DRM is on most of the non-public domain books, Kindle owners are probably out of luck.
Actually there is a website that will automatically convert the google books to Kindle format and email them to you for free. This only works on the free google books which have no DRM. Which is fine because amazon's stash of payed books is still better, but google has those millions of no-copyright books.
Calibre will do the same thing for you with the non-DRM books.
True, but books that were originally encoded into the mobi format are always better than books that were encoded into ePub and then converted.
I guess I can live with a few misplaced italics, incorrect spacing, and fragmented paragraphs, I'd just rather not have to. But such is life.
So I'm getting a Kindle for Christmas. I told my mom I want the cheap one, with no 3g. She's pretty clearly (based on a conversation I just had with her) leaning toward buying the ridiculously pricy Kindle DX for me. It just seems... big. I like to lay down (usually on my side) and hold books one handed when I read. Is the DX too big for that to be comfortable? Is the regular Kindle really that small? Any advice here?
EDIT: Is there another brand that uses the same format (I want to be able to get my e-books from Amazon.com) that falls in the middle?
For casual reading, the DX really does seem to be too big. It's really more ideal if you read tech manuals or a lot of PDFs. It's also more than twice the weight, which could get uncomfortable for extended reading. The regular size is really not that small, and the reading area is about the size of a paperback.
Unless you have a specific use for the DX, I'd really recommend against your mom getting it.
For casual reading, the DX really does seem to be too big. It's really more ideal if you read tech manuals or a lot of PDFs. It's also more than twice the weight, which could get uncomfortable for extended reading. The regular size is really not that small, and the reading area is about the size of a paperback.
Unless you have a specific use for the DX, I'd really recommend against your mom getting it.
Your mom.
Also, thanks. I was leaning the same way, and I shall tell her as much.
Posts
I do feel that the button interface is very well done but a really good touch screen would make it the perfect device. Not for turning pages, but I was working my way through small gods and with all the little notes and things Terry likes to put in a touch screen would be quicker. Same for the menus. There may be a quicker way; I haven’t worked through the manual yet.
I got the standard Kindle case (non light one) and while costing just over 25% of the kindle cost I am impressed with it. It looks and feels good while protecting the body of the device. Just costs a fair bit.
And you can import books that aren't in mobi, txt, or html by using a program called Calibre to convert it with only a few button presses
I think he's referring to the lending feature on the Nook that lets you (legally) lend a book to another nook user for two weeks.
Assuming that's what he was asking about, the answer is still no, as far as I know.
Download the books to your PC, then connect your Kindle to the PC with your USB cable. It detects your Kindle as USB storage so open it up, then drag the books into the "documents" folder on your Kindle, and that's all there is!
I can still copy them via USB but it is easier to just do it throught he program i think.
Works exactly the same way with the Nook, if that's what you have.
Aha. Many thanks the quick tutorial! 8-)
What about a case? Or should I just pick one up on my own so I know I'll like it?
I managed to guess correctly that I'm getting a Kindle for Christmas. Any recommendations on a case?
I'll mostly be toting it around in my bag with me, and I know there's a pretty cheap/functional solution out there
Mostly looking to see what's out there. Preferably a reporter's style case, to reduce the thickness when it's being held.
I have the second gen Kindle and am using just the timbuk2 sleeve. I really like not having anything attached to the kindle itself for when I am reading it, mainly just use the sleeve when I am traveling.
I have the official case from Amazon with the built in light. It's a tad expensive, but it is built super well, the light running off the Kindle's power is awesome, the strap that keeps the cover secure can be used to keep the cover open when you double the cover back on itself when reading. Lastly, it adds very little to the thickness of size of the unit. It disconnects really easily, which I do whenever I'm reading in one place for a while.
If you're looking for something cheap;
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.49301
And here i am 2 days later. So i talked to a nook rep and got really excited for the nook color. Even tho i know e-ink is what i should get both for the strain on the eyes and the insane battery life, but its got color damnit!
SO anyone with a nook color able to tell me how it is? it seems to butt in on the ipad territory with its. internet browsing and video watching capabilities. are the big competitors gearing up for a color screen(amazaon, Sony)?
Crovax.436 Steam: Crovaxan
I just remembered, I got to play with a bunch of e-readers the other day and was most impressed by the new iRiver one. A couple of interface issues that are probably covered in the manual, but overall I preferred the size and layout, and the four-way button on the side, to either of the Sonys there, or the other, very terrible*, colour LCD one.
Anyone have comparative experience between the iRiver Cover Story and the Kindle 3?
*Not a word of a lie; there is an e-book reader out there that, when asked to increase text size, zooms in like a fricking software magnifier tool, leaving you with text that overlaps the screen and needs to be scrolled around to read. I can't recall the name; I seem to have burned it out of my memory for some reason.
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I think one or two people in here have gotten them. If you read back a few pages, you should find what they thought of them.
Google now has their own eBookstore up and running here.
Note, prices appear to be pretty reasonable in comparison to other suppliers, but they are primarily in .epub format. As I am reasonably assuming that DRM is on most of the non-public domain books, Kindle owners are probably out of luck.
Certainly seems that way. Buzzkill. Was reallly hoping the google store would offer both formats.
Actually there is a website that will automatically convert the google books to Kindle format and email them to you for free. This only works on the free google books which have no DRM. Which is fine because amazon's stash of payed books is still better, but google has those millions of no-copyright books.
Calibre will do the same thing for you with the non-DRM books.
True, but books that were originally encoded into the mobi format are always better than books that were encoded into ePub and then converted.
I guess I can live with a few misplaced italics, incorrect spacing, and fragmented paragraphs, I'd just rather not have to. But such is life.
EDIT: Is there another brand that uses the same format (I want to be able to get my e-books from Amazon.com) that falls in the middle?
Unless you have a specific use for the DX, I'd really recommend against your mom getting it.
Your mom.
Also, thanks. I was leaning the same way, and I shall tell her as much.