eReader, do you use one?

[fos]

// The drawback to any e-reader for purposes beyond entertainment reading, is that there is no way to quote an e-book in an academic paper

I received an email from Amazon this morning. There is an upgrade to the Kindle that displays real page number that coincide with the real book and an enhancement to the notes, comments, and bookmark features. You can now share them with specific friends or anyone via the Kindle network. It looks very interesting. You can download the upgrade or wait for Amazon to install it automatically over the next few days.

Unfortunately, it is only available on the newest Kindle. It is not yet available for the older models. Maybe I will upgrade, the increased contrast would be nice.

Jeff

PS.. You are not totally locked into Amazon books. You can load several different formats to the Kindle. I have numerous ebook versions of textbooks uploaded to mine. (For textbooks, I still prefer real paper but it is handy rather than having to lug the real book to class or on airplanes.)

 

[Peggy]

I have a Kindle as well. For me, it's the perfect thing for books, it's easy on the eyes, and while it isn't backlit, they have things like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Lighte...UTF8&coliid=I1O2Y22CEYZ6LQ&colid=R6LNMRG5VE34

For me, the Kindle does exactly what I want it to do.

yeeeesh... I can't afford $60 for that lighted cover, so purchased a regular cover for $10 off of eBay, and purchased a clip on light at WalMart for $6.
Works just as well.

 

[Peggy]

// The drawback to any e-reader for purposes beyond entertainment reading, is that there is no way to quote an e-book in an academic paper

I received an email from Amazon this morning. There is an upgrade to the Kindle that displays real page number that coincide with the real book and an enhancement to the notes, comments, and bookmark features. You can now share them with specific friends or anyone via the Kindle network. It looks very interesting. You can download the upgrade or wait for Amazon to install it automatically over the next few days.

Unfortunately, it is only available on the newest Kindle. It is not yet available for the older models. Maybe I will upgrade, the increased contrast would be nice.

Jeff

Yep that's on my Kindle.

 

[Pope Viper]

yeeeesh... I can't afford $60 for that lighted cover, so purchased a regular cover for $10 off of eBay, and purchased a clip on light at WalMart for $6.
Works just as well.

True, what I like about it is that the light works off of the Kindle itself, and rather than just strapping in, it is locked into the cover via the latches.

Of course, my kids like to play with "Daddy's book", when I'm not around.

 

[tmb]

They are now requiring Florida schools to put all text books on the kindle and provide one for each student instead of the regular books to save tons of money. Not sure what year that will in place be but think that will lead to some improvements in that area for kindle and the like.

 

[Peggy]

They are now requiring Florida schools to put all text books on the kindle and provide one for each student instead of the regular books to save tons of money. Not sure what year that will in place be but think that will lead to some improvements in that area for kindle and the like.

imo that is good news.

 

[Onimua]

They are now requiring Florida schools to put all text books on the kindle and provide one for each student instead of the regular books to save tons of money. Not sure what year that will in place be but think that will lead to some improvements in that area for kindle and the like.

I wish they had that when I was in school... Unfortunately a lot of schools waste money too (Not getting too much into that) but it was the kids who suffered when there was one set of books and had to be taken from home to school and back every day. I was grateful for the teachers who managed to get 2 sets: one for home, and one for the classroom. Made life (and walking) a lot easier.

 

[fos]

You should see my class sets of books.

When students are directly accountable for things they really take a beating!

It is a good thing I was a sailor years ago.

Even with the Kindle, it will be hard to get the kids to actually study the books.

Jeff

 

[Peggy]

Well in an odd turn of events........ I've returned my Kindle to Best Buy. I had no idea that I could get the Kindle app for my pc/laptop.
So I've decided to go that route instead.

 

[Onimua]

Well in an odd turn of events........ I've returned my Kindle to Best Buy. I had no idea that I could get the Kindle app for my pc/laptop.
So I've decided to go that route instead.

I assume you're not using it on the go then?


I can't seem to being myself to use an ereader. I really like the look and feel of books, and yes, I even am not bothered by carrying them around (I don't read multiple books at one time anyway–did that once and boy did I get confused in characters).

 

[Peggy]

I assume you're not using it on the go then?


I can't seem to being myself to use an ereader. I really like the look and feel of books, and yes, I even am not bothered by carrying them around (I don't read multiple books at one time anyway–did that once and boy did I get confused in characters).

lol. I will be when I get a smaller laptop. Actually I have a smaller laptop, 14" that I gave to my son when I got the monster 17" that I have now. But he doesn't use it, hasn't touched it, so I'll probably take it back and use it. That one I can tote around with me. So Kindle will go on that one and I can read in bed, and take it to work at night.

 

[whitetigergrowl]

True but it is much easier to hold one of those than a laptop which also puts out a lot of heat if your say sitting in bed with it on your lap...kindle ipad and all of those devices are light and put out way less heat...use less power and therefor have a WAY longer battery life and most can be charged off of usb which can with an adapter be plugged into pretty much anything. Also remember a lot of people who use these devices are probably not as computer savvy as yourself. One click installs goes a long way. No setup. It is a great selling point for your average person.

If a person has to think they need to be computer savvy to run even a cheap laptop (The small $300 and down ones), then something is horribly wrong. Especially if it means trying to justify an extremely overpriced price tag for something like an IPad or even e-readers. And all of their extremely overpriced accessories.

If people feel like blowing money on things that do less, that's their choice. Get an IPod Touch. At least then it doesn't feel like you're always carrying around a huge thick clipboard, it's more portable, has tons of things it's compatible with, and can do pretty much all the same things an IPad or e-reader can, at a fraction of the cost. lol

 

[Peggy]

If people feel like blowing money on things that do less, that's their choice. Get an IPod Touch. At least then it doesn't feel like you're always carrying around a huge thick clipboard, it's more portable, has tons of things it's compatible with, and can do pretty much all the same things an IPad or e-reader can, at a fraction of the cost. lol

I have both an iPhone and an iPod touch. I could read on both of them - if I wanted to squint all the time. But then that's just as bad as reading a regular book, which I can't because of my eyesight, which is what prompted this thread in the first place.

 

[EQnoble]

If a person has to think they need to be computer savvy to run even a cheap laptop (The small $300 and down ones), then something is horribly wrong. Especially if it means trying to justify an extremely overpriced price tag for something like an IPad or even e-readers. And all of their extremely overpriced accessories.

If people feel like blowing money on things that do less, that's their choice. Get an IPod Touch. At least then it doesn't feel like you're always carrying around a huge thick clipboard, it's more portable, has tons of things it's compatible with, and can do pretty much all the same things an IPad or e-reader can, at a fraction of the cost. lol

I agree with you device of choice....but

My mother can run a laptop....she can read her email, play on pogo.com, and use word. That's it...everything else is an ordeal. You shouldn't reflect your abilities on the rest of the world.....jussayin. My mother wouldn't know where to begin to read a book on a laptop and would get flustered and not want to do it anymore. I think you take your skill level for granted and have forgotten what it is like to be a noob. I understand what you are saying completely. I really do.

A revelation if you will.......I watch live tv with friends using video chat as a Vfeed on skype. On the other hand... my mothers laptop came with skype and a webcam and she had no clue what it was and thought it was crapware. Two completely different point of views completely correct and sound in their own right. As is the same with our view I suppose. Answers fit a situation specifically, formulas define dynamic interests...such as varying skill levels amongst users of modern electronic devices. It is all about perspective.

 

[whitetigergrowl]

I have both an iPhone and an iPod touch. I could read on both of them - if I wanted to squint all the time. But then that's just as bad as reading a regular book, which I can't because of my eyesight, which is what prompted this thread in the first place.

Zoom in on the IPod Touch.

I agree with you device of choice....but

My mother can run a laptop....she can read her email, play on pogo.com, and use word. That's it...everything else is an ordeal. You shouldn't reflect your abilities on the rest of the world.....jussayin. My mother wouldn't know where to begin to read a book on a laptop and would get flustered and not want to do it anymore. I think you take your skill level for granted and have forgotten what it is like to be a noob. I understand what you are saying completely. I really do.

A revelation if you will.......I watch live tv with friends using video chat as a Vfeed on skype. On the other hand... my mothers laptop came with skype and a webcam and she had no clue what it was and thought it was crapware. Two completely different point of views completely correct and sound in their own right. As is the same with our view I suppose. Answers fit a situation specifically, formulas define dynamic interests...such as varying skill levels amongst users of modern electronic devices. It is all about perspective.

But I fail to understand how using something like an IPad is somehow less confusing. Tons of apps they have no clue what they are about. PLUS you have to hunt them down on ITunes AND figure out how to be able to install and uninstall them. Let alone hope those apps are good that are downloaded. An e-reader is primarily for books and doesn't use much brain power to figure out. Especially since it's primarily for reading books and newspapers.

However, when it comes to the IPad, if people find it generally easier to figure out than a computer, then something is wrong. Those that generally have no clue what half the stuff on a laptop is for, also generally have no clue what half the stuff on an IPad does or is for either. Likely missing many features or components or options in it's various menus. Or not fully understanding what they are for or do. Let alone how to sync things up with a computer. Or realize the sheer amount of $$ needed to be spent on something like an IPad to make it work with other things.

I've seen people buy the IPad just because of the name. It's essentially just a giant IPod Touch. I hate how limited it is. How overpriced it is and how much it costs for things to even work on it. And how bulky it is. I understand some situations may prefer it, but for most people it really is just a monumental waste of money. Especially knowing the IPad 2 comes out in about a few weeks anyways. And unless that offers something ground breaking, is likely a waste of money too. It's like paying twice as much for something that does half as much. Makes no sense unless something about it is required for a person. To each their own though.

 

[andret]

Zoom in on the IPod Touch.
It's like paying twice as much for something that does half as much. Makes no sense unless something about it is required for a person. To each their own though.

In my opinion it is better to pay twice as much for something that does half as much, as long as it does what it does WAY better.

 

[EQnoble]

on that note that is my point ...it is one less thing to have to learn....all she has to do is open her book reader and read a book....I AGREE with whitetigergrowl though in the way that it really isn't much to open another app but there is a good amount of people who really really can't get the hang of a new electronic toy that easy and it is worth putting up the cash for a specific device. I tried to give her one of my old ipones and she said it was too confusing...and stuck with her what I call crap phone. Like you said to each their own