for your weekend chatter: the ebook referral forum is open

[lagilman]

Although I am still a fan of the printed word, the reality is that I need to go digital -- and reading off my phone is not a long-term solution (I can do about seven pages before my eyes hurt). So the plan in 2010 is to choose, finally, an e-reader. Consider this an open thread to discuss/evangelize about your favorites...and what you don't like, too.

The availability of more than one shopping option (yeah, I'm looking at you, Kindle) is of major importance to me -- I don't like proprietary hardware. I want something that can handle a variety of formats, allows me to make notes, and has a bookmark. Other than that, I'm flexible. Less expensive is better than high-end, but I have room to maneuver on this.

Suggestions? Warnings? Prognistications about what's to come?

But keep it friendly, folks. No techwars, here!

Comments

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

THe Economist had a good article this week about this. I'll try to see if I can find a link.

Aha! It's on-line. http://www.economist.com/sciencetechnology/tq/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15048695

Further Edit (sorry) The above is about new models in the earliest stages. THe Register also covered 2009 models today, it seems.
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/12/11/koy_2009_e_book_readers/
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/11/18/sony_3g_reader_launch_us/

(They know a lot more than I do.)

[stef94.livejournal.com]

I looked into the ereader thing earlier this year and settled on the Sony Reader Touch.
It supports the most common, non-proprietary formats (ePub, PDF both protected and unprotected, and a whole slew of others), it has expandable memory (Memory Stick -and- Secure Digital), and the touch screen makes for easy navigation and allows handwritten notes. It should also have bookmarking functionality, although it may not be the most intuitive.
The software that comes with the Sony Reader is =very= poor, judging from the fact that even the raving positive reviews note that the software is =really= bad, but there are plenty of free alternatives available (Calibre gets the best reviews and is available for Mac and Windows). Not sure if they let you shop in the Sony eBookstore, but since the reader supports so many formats, there's really no reason why you should limit yourself to the Sony store.
I don't mind the fact that the Sony Reader has no wifi, no Whispernet and no option to buy ebooks directly from the reader. I can buy, download and upload books to my reader, thanks muchly. I've managed to live like that with my iPod for years now too ;-)

Of course, I never got around to actually buying a reader, due to a few unforeseen and rather substantial expenses related to my home, so it's still on my Gadgets I Really Want list.
So I'm keeping an eye on the threads in this post ;-)

[mtlawson.livejournal.com]

The availability of more than one shopping option (yeah, I'm looking at you, Kindle) is of major importance to me -- I don't like proprietary hardware.

Proprietary tech is annoying; being locked in to just a B&N or Amazon is a major hassle for someone who would prefer to support an independent. (A big reason why I refuse an iPod but use a Sandisk Sansa is because I of the proprietary nature of how Apple does things.) Another annoying thing about how Amazon's Kindle works is the nature of the "purchase": you don't own the electronic copy, but the rights to use it. Being able to have the doc show up on either an e-reader or have it stored on your PC is a nice thing.

I have no idea if such a solution is out there that would suit me, since I also love the feel that you get from reading from the printed page. It's a thrill to pick up a book and leaf through it or, even better, carry a stack around from a bookstore or a library. With an e-reader your other senses don't get engaged; the e-reader still smells and feels the same no matter if you've got your trusty old copy of Robert Frost poems or a brand new hardcover from your favorite author.

Good luck in your search, Laura Anne.

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

Well, it sounds like you're already against the kindle, which is fine. It's just the only one I have any extensive experience with.

I will say this, which I think would apply to all e-ink readers: I love and adore my Kindle. I can read for longer without my eyes getting tired. It's easier to read in bed than holding open a book, especially a hardcover. I cannot stress enough how awesome it is to have your entire "to be read" pile with you at all times. Or the convenience of being able to beta read a friend's manuscript on it.

I really thought I would only use it about half the time when I got it, but the fact is, I'd reach for my kindle over a "real" book 99 times out of a hundred. If something catastrophic happened to it tomorrow, I would replace it the next day.

Also, the new Kindles have global instant download support, and native pdf support, so it doesn't all have to be amazon's drm, or mobipocket books (which it has always been able to read, and is a standard ebook format most ebook retailers offer.)

Although I haven't personally used any of them, the screens on Sony's ereader, and the new B&N Nook are the exact same screen as the Kindle - same size, e-ink, provided by the same supplier. I would say this screen is THE screen to have. If it isn't e-ink, I wouldn't buy it. I spend enough of my time staring at a computer screen, I don't need to stress my eyes any more than that.

[shana.livejournal.com]

I haven't found one I like enough to replace my poor orphaned Rockets yet.

I tried the Nook, and definitely found it not intuitive enough. If I can't figure out how to turn a page in 30 seconds -- it's too hard.

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

I tried all but the Nook before I got a Kindle. I know you are not thrilled with Amazon's policies and exclusivity (I'm not either), but there was one factor in my selection that applies to your choice.

Of all the e-ink (and you DO want e-ink both for eyestrain and battery life) readers, the Kindle is considered one of the more durable and has a good reputation for customer service. I called to complain about a single white pixel and they swapped out my device no charge. Sony readers (at least back when I was looking) seemed to have issues with droppage, etc.
Given the money invested, its something to consider (again, I have no experience with the Nook).

Goven your profession, I will also point out one other feature of the Kindle - Sync. One nice feature is that you can install the Kindle software on your Iphone and your PC, and the Kindle can synchronize so that where you leave off on one version you can pick up on another. I think annotations might transfer too, but not sure on that..

[ramblin-phyl.livejournal.com]

DAW is using the Sony to edit by.

I'm holding off.

[terri-osborne.livejournal.com]

There's a Sony reader on display at the Borders at 57th Street and Park Ave. I saw it when I went in at lunch today.

I have a Kindle, and can bring it over if you want a look at one.

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

I have a Sony eReader 505. I love the display for reading ease, it's very easy on the eyes. For travel, and especially for reading mss, it is fabulous.

I got the Sony because I wanted to be able to transfer rtf files of manuscripts onto it, and at that time the Kindle did not, I think, allow that. The downside is that until recently (and maybe not at all for the 505, I dunno), Sony's ebook store did not support Macs, so I only made one laborious purchase from them (on my spouses's PC) and otherwise mostly use it to read mss I am sent by my friends for pre-pub reading, or by editors for potential quotes.

There is a new generation of Sony out there, a bit smaller (the 300?) that is more streamlined and is Mac-able, I understand. I have heard that a slightly larger Sony ebook is coming out in a few weeks with more capabilities, including wireless downloading.

I, of course, await the Holy Grail. Oh, I mean, the iTablet. or else Plastic Logic's high end tablet. But who knows when those will ever come out?

If I were to purchase something today, it would likely be the Sony 300. However, I did see one of the new Kindles at Starbucks the other day, and it looked fab.

[lianneb.livejournal.com]

BTW, the new desktop software does have a Mac version, and that software *does* work with the 505 (according to a co-worker who has a Mac and bought a Sony Reader after playing with mine)

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Will have to check this out.

Kindle experience

[(Anonymous)]

While I agree about the proprietary tech issues, I was an early adopter of the Kindle 1 (7 day houseboat trip - previous year I took a shopping bag with 35+ books - and had nothing new to read on day 5 - it called for desperate measures). PROS: The screen is great to read on for hours on end, battery life is amazing if you're not using the wireless (houseboat with limited electricity access tested :-) and I've been loading .prc and pdf format files both directly via USB and through Amazon since day one. The one has an SD memory card, so its expandable, and is synched with my computer for back-up and iPhone for those 5-10 minutes stuck with time to kill moments. CONS: 1) no organizational capability - I've currently got over 500 books loaded, so this is a pain, but not a non-starter. 2) Occasionally have to re-set due to a screen freeze, but it's always reset with no issues (it is a computer of sorts). 3) Reading to me is a social experience, where you share and trade your favorites - till now, that hasn't been possible (very interested to see how Nook's ability works in real life). All this said, I wouldn't purchase a Kindle 2 or 3 due to the memory and synch issues. I'm hoping mine holds on for another year or two... it travels a lot, and gets fairly beat up but its still going.

Re: Kindle experience

[mtlawson.livejournal.com]

7 day houseboat trip - previous year I took a shopping bag with 35+ books - and had nothing new to read on day 5 - it called for desperate measures.

Wow. Averaging slightly over 8 books a day is amazing.

::bows in respect::

[havocthecat]

I have a friend who swears by her Sony e-reader. :) And I hear they have a touchscreen version now, though battery life is lower for that one, of course.

[blitheringpooks.livejournal.com]

David Pogue savaged the Nook:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/10/technology/personaltech/10pogue.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1

A friend had ordered one and after a lot of debate, I sent her that link. She cancelled her order and went with the Kindle and loves it so far.

[fatbaldguy60.livejournal.com]

I have a Nook and am having no issues at all. Easy to use, easy to shop at BN, easy to download books purchased at other sites like Fictionwise, or free books from ManyBooks, or PDF files I have on my computer.

I find the review cited above a bit silly. Most of his quibbles are just that. It takes only a second or so to turn pages, and software updates are apparently going to improve that. It does take 5-10 seconds to format the book when you open it.

Ymmv, but some people are looking for that perfect device instead of enjoying the imperfect devices that are out there now. Pick one, learn to use it [a very easy process] and get started NOW. You will likely not regret it.

[lagilman]

I'm looking less for a "perfect" device than I am for one that suits my needs and quirks. Hence my asking actual users, rather than relying on reviews.

[blitheringpooks.livejournal.com]

I think that some of this is a matter of experience. If you already have ereaders, a new one that makes you wait longer for the page to refresh might be a real irritant. If it's your first, you are less likely to notice or care.

I agree about the idea of "perfect." I have a feeling that any ereader will be satisfactory and even a pleasure to somebody who is getting their first, because you're comparing it to not having one at all. I don't know anybody who has bought one--any of them--who has regretted it. OTOH, I know people who already had older versions, who posted regrets (or perhaps quibbles) when they bought new ones.

I've now seen, held and used a Kindle and liked it a lot. And it did turn pages very quickly. For me, it would be the choice today, since it also takes audible downloads and that would combine the best of both worlds for me, as I listen to a lot of audiobooks.

If my iPod keeps acting up, I may be in the market for one!

[lagilman]

Well, I got my hands on a Nook yesterday and while there's a lot that I LOVE about it (the "cover display" thing may be silly, but I'm visually-oriented, and that works well for me) but the hesitation in page turning was really noticeable to me, as I was ready to keep reading, and had to wait, often mid-sentence. My brain got impatient -- not good.

Still have to test-drive the Sony, which seems like it might be the best compromise. I don't shell out multiple hundred dollars for tech I haven't gotten hands- and eye-on with, nope.

[spiziks.livejournal.com]

I like my Kindle quite a lot, and the fact that it has apps for my iPhone and my computer which sync (allowing me to pick up where I left off no matter which machine I'm reading at) is a major, major plus that overcomes my problems with proprietary software.

Of course, Kindle can =read= several non-Amazon formats--you just have to buy these on your computer and download them to your Kindle over the USB instead of buying them wirelessly straight to Kindle.

[lagilman]

ah, but I don't have an iPhone. It is not the smartphone default, despite what Apple wants you to think. ;-)

[blitheringpooks.livejournal.com]

After doing a little more digging around tonight, I'd say that I personally am leaning toward the Kindle because it evidently also plays audiobooks from audible.com, and I listen to a lot of audiobooks and have had an account there for years. As long as my iPod is still working I'll hold back from an eReader, hoping that Apple eventually comes out with its multi-tasking e-reading device, but if I were going to get one today, it would be the Kindle.

[romsfuulynn.livejournal.com]

I'm going to the Nook, but that is because it will read my large existing collection of eReader encrypted books, as well as some open formats. I can buy those from Fictionwise and other sources. I'm not expecting to buy much by wireless from B&N. (only emergency purchases...)

But this is based on my existing investment.

[nerinedorman.livejournal.com]

While I'd LOVE to own either a Kindle or Sony ereader, I have to look at practicalities. The nature of my work requires me to invest in a netbook this year, which I can use for both reading and editing, so ja... my hard-earned savings are headed in that direction this year. Also, I'd like to wait a bit to see which way the wind is going to blow here in South Africa. I just found out that Amazon has made Kindle available in my country but I'm just not ready to shell out the clams yet.

[lagilman]

I love my netbook, to the point where I don't miss my old laptop at all, and use it to read pdf files all the time. Almost exactly the size of a trade paperback -- but the keyboard makes for slightly awkward reading facility, vs a Kindle or Nook.

[karen-w-newton.livejournal.com]

If you can hold out for six months, a few things should shake out. Competition is a wonderful thing in the technology field and improvements are happening every day. Some things to look for:

Amazon has promised to deliver a way to organize content on the Kindle. Also, Kindle for Mac should be here soon.

Most of the flaws in the Nook seem to be software-related, i.e., things that could be fixed by uploading patches. Also, by then the Nook should have some apps, including a browser.

The Sony Daily Edition should be out very soon. Sony was first in the e-ink field, even if they didn't twig to the importance of wireless early on. (No matter what anyone says, wireless is the reason eReaders took off suddenly; you want it) Sony should be able to produce a decent eReader. You don't want a first-gen touch screen e-ink reader because the coating applied to make the touch screen work makes it murky. Tallk to Ashley Grayson. We compared screens at WFC, his Sony and my Kindle, and the difference was clear. The Nook solved this by using touch screen only for the menu and virtual keyboard. Wait to see what review says about the Daily Edition.

Spring Design's Alex should be out. It's a lot like the Nook (in fact they're suing B&N) and since they didn't rush it out for Christmas, they might launch with decent software.

But if you can't wait, the Kindle is a good eReader (you can put other content on their, BTW. Fictionwise just added a way to send to Kindles). Or go ahead and order a Nook and wait for the software patches to roll out. In the long run, it should be fine.

But no matter what, be prepared for a surge in book buying.

[blitheringpooks.livejournal.com]

Is there a way to download google books (public domain stuff) and read on the Kindle? That has been my biggest hold-out, the idea that the Kindle limits my choices to Amazon. I don't mind buying from Amazon at all, but would like to be able to read pdfs, etc. on an ereader.

[karen-w-newton.livejournal.com]

Actually, there is a ton of free public domain stuff right in the Kindle store. All you do is either search the Kindle store by author or title, or browse by genre, and then do Sort by price, lowest to highest. You can also get other PD books onto Kindle as long as they are available in either PDF, Mobi (unsecure), HTML, txt, or RTF.

PDFs don't need to be converted but unless they are created from very small pages they are hard to read on the Kindle screen. You can usually convert text PDFs just fine.

[blitheringpooks.livejournal.com]

I received my Kindle on Christmas Eve so thought I'd report in.

So far, I like it bunches. A friend with a Sony mentioned the long four-hour wait while it charged the first time, and I have a feeling she just wasn't as impatient as my friend and I, because my friend and I each plugged our Kindles in and started using them immediately while it was charging. I'm not sure if that's possible on the Sony and Nook (and it's hardly a deal-breaker if it's not) but I just thought I'd mention it.

I went online hoping to buy a book or two so I'd have something on it for people to see when I took it to Christmas dinner with the family. Made my first purchase, and after the book showed up, got a message that there was a problem with my credit card, to please call. So I did. Got a warning that I might have to wait for a representative, thanking me for my patient, then the message that said my wait would be less than one minute. Sure enough, the nice lady came on immediately. It was a minor detail that we quickly ironed out. She was clearly Indian but I had no problems with that call and didn't mind that it was out-sourced. (I mention this because there have been times when the out-sourcing issues were so bad that I bought a new computer to avoid dealing with them again.)

One it was charged, it disappeared overnight (because it was a gift for me to "open" the next morning). I went online to look at book prices, found a couple that I was interested in but wasn't quite sure about... and then saw the "sample chapter" ability and sent about ten sample chapters to my Kindle (even though it was wrapped and I hadn't received it yet, which was fun).

At Christmas dinner several people checked it out, and two people found books they wanted to buy from reading my sample chapters.

Last night I was having trouble getting public domain google books onto it, found out I needed to upgrade and had a little difficulty which led to another call to kindle support. The same thing happened--even on Christmas Day Mohammed answered in less than a minute (and the fact that he said his name was Mohammed and not something Anglicized pleased me to no end). As soon as it became clear that my issue was technical, he transferred me to Pete, an American. We had a nice long chatty session where he not only helped me with my update issues, but answered a few more questions I had.

And THIS is absolutely the icing on the cake for me with the Kindle. Two calls to support, one on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas, both answered promptly, with people who communicate well, who know what they're talking about, and who took care of my issues w/o stress or confusion.

I then found about ten public domain books on the kindle site that I can use to research my novel, and now can import the others I have on my computer, and after 24 hours, I'm a very happy camper.

Didn't intend to write so much, but since it was this thread that kind of pushed me over the edge into wanting one, I thought I'd let you know how it turned out!

[lianneb.livejournal.com]

I bought a Sony Reader, since in Canada, at the time, the Kindle wasn't an option (it is now). Also, I like the fact that it supports more formats, and has even switched its store format to the open source ePub instead of a proprietary format, so if I switch readers in the future, I should still have access. I have a number of bought books for my old Rocket eBook, which are no longer readable, since that device is dead. (Literally, since the battery doesn't hold a charge).

I love my Sony Reader. And I have tons of free books on it, downloaded from sites like ManyBooks.net. Plus Baen books, the PDFs from Tor.com, books bought through FictionWise in the 'multiformat' category, and fanfiction I downloaded and formatted at RTF.

[blitheringpooks.livejournal.com]

I've converted pdf to mobi using calibre, a free program, and uploaded to Kindle. In fact, my current WIP is now on Kindle. I'm beginning to think the differences between the ereaders are fewer than we suspect.

Oh, a question about the Rocket eBooks. Are you saying you can read them on Sony? I am on a list where they've been discussed and people are thinking they can't, so I'd like to give them correct info if they're wrong!

[lianneb.livejournal.com]

No, you can't. That's my problem. I have DRM-encoded RB books that I can't read on anything anymore, so they become useless, unless I find some way to (illegally) unlock them.

[blitheringpooks.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's what I'm seeing others say. Maybe somebody will crack it.