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eBook readers & Kindle
https://www.beexcellenttoeachother.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4853
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Author:  Cras [ Fri Jul 23, 2010 9:17 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Well, the predicted lock-in cuntery has indeed occurred:

http://gizmodo.com/5594251/you-can-only ... until-2012

One publisher has locked itself into a two-year deal with Amazon, so their books will only be available on the Kindle. Wankers.

Author:  Grim... [ Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Craster wrote:
One publisher has locked itself into a two-year deal with Amazon, so their books will only be available on the Kindle. Wankers.

Not so - their books will only be availible on Kindle, not the Kindle. So you can still read them on an iPhone/iPad, PC, Mac, etc.

They are still wankers, however, but it would have been worse if they locked to, say, Apple or Sony. Or the Nook.

Author:  Cras [ Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Yes, true. They are locked to the Kindle if like a human you want to read them on a surface that's designed for reading books, rather than a lit screen.

Author:  Grim... [ Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:05 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Is there no hackery to get Kindle (or other) software onto other devices?

Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Y'know, as someone who owns both an iPad and a Kindle, I reach for the Kindle first -- but if I'm the other side of the house I read on the iPad rather than go fetch it. I don't think reading on the iPad (for example) is anywhere near as problematic as you think it is.

Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Grim... wrote:
Is there no hackery to get Kindle (or other) software onto other devices?
Crack the Kindle DRM and get a clean MOBI file out. Obv.

Author:  Grim... [ Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:16 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

No, I meant the actual Kindle software.

OT: Your MSN seems to be down.

Author:  Cras [ Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:23 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
Y'know, as someone who owns both an iPad and a Kindle, I reach for the Kindle first -- but if I'm the other side of the house I read on the iPad rather than go fetch it. I don't think reading on the iPad (for example) is anywhere near as problematic as you think it is.


I can't abide it. The reflection, even indoors, is awful.

The Sony is as close as I've ever seen to reading real words on a real page.

Author:  Malabelm [ Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:23 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

I've read four books on my iPhone now. My eyes get tired after about an hour*, but I find the rest of the experience largely brilliant. As long as you turn the brightness down, pick a decent typeface and turn it to sepia, it isn't bad at all.

*but they're shit. I really need to get them tested again.

Author:  Kern [ Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:35 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

I quite like reading the odd short story using Stanza on my Touch, if only to pass the time whilst waiting for someone in a pub with no wireless

Author:  DavPaz [ Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

There's a Kindle app for android, fyi

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?i ... =165849822

Author:  Mr Dave [ Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

I was rather impressed by Grim...s Kindle (although less so the quality of the book he was reading), although I still have doubts as to its usefulness for any kind of referenece work.

Meanwhile, I just can't properly read anything like that on a lit screen. Just no.

Author:  Zardoz [ Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

You need the smell of real books.

Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Fri Jul 23, 2010 13:20 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Craster wrote:
One publisher has locked itself into a two-year deal with Amazon, so their books will only be available on the Kindle. Wankers.
This is far, far more interesting that you suggested. Wylie aren't a publisher at all, they are an agent; they are cutting their publishers out of the loop for ebooks by making this deal. Publishers are not amused.

Author:  Cras [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Well, my Sony has died. A bit annoying, though it's been with me every day for the 18 months I've owned it, and has gone through a significant amount of reading time.

I've pre-ordered one of the new Kindles. Annoyingly, I also ordered a cover. The cover is available now, but they won't hold it and ship it together with the device. So I'm going to get a cover that I can sit and look at for three weeks while I wait for the device to arrive.

Author:  Zardoz [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Real books 1 - Ebooks 0

Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Craster wrote:
Well, my Sony has died. A bit annoying, though it's been with me every day for the 18 months I've owned it, and has gone through a significant amount of reading time.
I'd imagine, as you suggest, that you've basically just worn it out.

Quote:
I've pre-ordered one of the new Kindles. Annoyingly, I also ordered a cover. The cover is available now, but they won't hold it and ship it together with the device. So I'm going to get a cover that I can sit and look at for three weeks while I wait for the device to arrive.
Of course, if you already had a Kindle and were purchasing a replacement case, you'd be annoyed if it took three weeks to ship.

Also: one of us! One of us!

Author:  Cras [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

I've had many paper books that haven't lasted 18 months, and certainly wouldn't have lasted 18 months of solid reading.

Author:  Curiosity [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

I am considering getting a Kindle for Xmas, though I am concerned about the following:

1 - I like books that fit into the side pocket of my jacket. A Kindle will likely be too big for this, correct? I don't fancy carrying a bag with me everywhere I go.

2 - Are the prices for the eBooks on Amazon the same as for their normal books? They normally do good deals on normal books, but are special offers and reductions etc the same for the eBooks too? I don't want to suddenly have to pay full RRP for books, when I never normally do.

Author:  Cras [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:15 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

The new Kindle is about the same size as the Sony, and I've kept that in a jeans pocket with no difficulty. Suit pocked should be fine.

Prices aren't the same - some are cheaper, some are the same, some are pricier. Note that you don't have to buy books from the Kindle store to read them on the device.

Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:16 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Curiosity wrote:
1 - I like books that fit into the side pocket of my jacket. A Kindle will likely be too big for this, correct? I don't fancy carrying a bag with me everywhere I go.
If only someone had answered that question, perhaps with a full list of dimensions and weights across a number of Kindle models.

Quote:
2 - Are the prices for the eBooks on Amazon the same as for their normal books? They normally do good deals on normal books, but are special offers and reductions etc the same for the eBooks too? I don't want to suddenly have to pay full RRP for books, when I never normally do.
If only someone had answered that question, perhaps by letting you browse the full Kindle store on the web.

:D

Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Craster wrote:
The new Kindle is about the same size as the Sony, and I've kept that in a jeans pocket with no difficulty.
Isn't it a big bigger? The PRS300 (I think this is yours...?) is 107x158x10 and 220g. The Kindle is 190x123x9 and 240g. Remember when we put my Kindle against your eReader? The v3 Kindle is smaller than mine, but not by all that much.

Author:  Grim... [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Zardoz wrote:
Real books 1 - Ebooks 50

FTFY. And your 1 is dubious.

Author:  Cras [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:23 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
Craster wrote:
The new Kindle is about the same size as the Sony, and I've kept that in a jeans pocket with no difficulty.
Isn't it a big bigger? The PRS300 (I think this is yours...?) is 107x158x10 and 220g. The Kindle is 190x123x9 and 240g. Remember when we put my Kindle against your eReader? The v3 Kindle is smaller than mine, but not by all that much.


Nah, I have the 505. It's 175x122x8. So the Kindle is same width and thickness, but taller. And height doesn't really matter when looking at slipping it into a jacket pocket.

Author:  Kern [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:24 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

When you're trying to quietly impress house guests do you leave the Kindle on with the list of book titles showing, or does it just display a carefully-chosen passage as it sits there on the coffee table?

Author:  Grim... [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

It's return to the screensaver after a while, so there's no point.

Author:  Cras [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Uh - an eInk screensaver? Surely that's counterproductive?

Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Quote:
When you're trying to quietly impress house guests do you leave the Kindle on with the list of book titles showing, or does it just display a carefully-chosen passage as it sits there on the coffee table?
Ebook readers will never replace sumptuous coffee table books. Ebook readers replace paperbacks.

Quote:
Uh - an eInk screensaver? Surely that's counterproductive?
After a few minutes, or when you hit the off switch, the Kindle display changes to one of a couple of dozen images (mostly author portraits). As the "off" switch is mostly just there to put the wireless to sleep and lock the buttons, the "screensaver" is mostly just a visual clue that the buttons are locked.

Author:  Cras [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Oh, OK. And the coffee table is what the iPad's for.

Author:  Curiosity [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 14:36 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
Curiosity wrote:
1 - I like books that fit into the side pocket of my jacket. A Kindle will likely be too big for this, correct? I don't fancy carrying a bag with me everywhere I go.
If only someone had answered that question, perhaps with a full list of dimensions and weights across a number of Kindle models.

Quote:
2 - Are the prices for the eBooks on Amazon the same as for their normal books? They normally do good deals on normal books, but are special offers and reductions etc the same for the eBooks too? I don't want to suddenly have to pay full RRP for books, when I never normally do.
If only someone had answered that question, perhaps by letting you browse the full Kindle store on the web.

:D


Easier to just ask you though, to be fair.

:D

Author:  Cras [ Sat Aug 28, 2010 10:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Day four of being back to reading physical books. Apparently each book is an individual load of bits of paper glued together! I can't see it catching on.

Hurry up, Kindle.

Author:  lasermink [ Sat Aug 28, 2010 11:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

The new black Kindles look so much better than the old ones, I must say. I am feeling very tempted indeed.

Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Sat Aug 28, 2010 11:42 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

I'm tempted and I already own a v2 Kindle!

Author:  myp [ Mon Aug 30, 2010 17:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

After seeing iBooks on Ange's iPad, it makes me very much want to have an eReader of some kind.

Author:  Cras [ Tue Sep 14, 2010 14:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Fucking Amazon aren't shipping my Kindle until the 23/9. A month after ordering it.

Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Tue Sep 14, 2010 14:26 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

In other news, the new Kindle ad is ace.

Author:  Grim... [ Tue Sep 14, 2010 14:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Craster wrote:
Fucking Amazon aren't shipping my Kindle until the 23/9. A month after ordering it.

A guy at work ordered his last month, but he knew they weren't shipping it until late this month at the time. They can't make the buggers fast enough, apparently.

Author:  Cras [ Tue Sep 14, 2010 14:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

They said "If you order now, we'll be shipping it in the first week of September"

Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Tue Sep 14, 2010 14:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Grim... wrote:
They can't make the buggers fast enough, apparently.
Not surprised at all, this v3 is the breakthrough device I reckon.

Author:  Curiosity [ Tue Sep 14, 2010 14:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
Grim... wrote:
They can't make the buggers fast enough, apparently.
Not surprised at all, this v3 is the breakthrough device I reckon.


I best get the parental units to order one now. It's gonna be my Xmas pressie.

Author:  Malabelm [ Thu Sep 16, 2010 15:48 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Kindle 3 Thoughts

Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Thu Sep 16, 2010 15:52 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Mate in work has had his Kindle ship date pushed back again. Heard anything from Amazon, Cras?

Author:  Cras [ Thu Sep 16, 2010 15:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Yeah, 23rd now.

Author:  pupil [ Thu Sep 16, 2010 16:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

My friend Daniel recieved his last week; I got a play, it's bloody lovely! WANTWANTWANT!!

Author:  Curiosity [ Thu Sep 16, 2010 16:39 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Does the Kindle deal well with stuff that comes in odd fonts or has simple B&W pictures/diagrams in it? Or does it struggle with those?

Author:  Grim... [ Thu Sep 16, 2010 16:42 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

No, it deals with images quite well.

Author:  Curiosity [ Thu Sep 16, 2010 16:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Grim... wrote:
No, it deals with images quite well.


Excellent.

Author:  Cras [ Thu Sep 16, 2010 17:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Craster wrote:
Yeah, 23rd now.


Aaand now the 21st.

Author:  Cras [ Fri Sep 17, 2010 10:26 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

Craster wrote:
Craster wrote:
Yeah, 23rd now.


Aaand now the 21st.


Dispatched!

Author:  Sir Taxalot [ Mon Sep 20, 2010 2:37 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers

I've ordered a kindle 3 for Lady T's birthday, I'm hoping it arrives in time but think I might have left it a bit late.

I understand that different regions have wildly different e-book availability. How much of a fiddle is it to register accounts for the device for multiple regions?

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