Be Excellent To Each Other
https://www.beexcellenttoeachother.com/forum/

eBook readers & Kindle
https://www.beexcellenttoeachother.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4853		 Page 8 of 22
Author:  itsallwater [ Thu Oct 07, 2010 16:11 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
ha! I'd like one that just sync's with my Amazon cloud account and just updates with what ever is on that. Then some simple ipod type wheel to page and make changes, simple stuff. The keypad makes me want to buy a book.
Author:  Dr Lave [ Thu Oct 07, 2010 16:16 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Craster wrote:
Nope. I'm not all that convinced about the keyboard myself - but we've thoroughly dissed the touchscreen requirement and if you want one, you're wrongfaced.


In the kingdom of the wrong bodied the wrong faced man is king.
Author:  Grim... [ Thu Oct 07, 2010 16:23 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
DavPaz wrote:
Well it resizes the page text. Say on 'S' (the smallest text size) you had 1000 words on a page, 'M' maybe 500 and 'L' maybe 250. That makes page numbers easy to keep track of. You stay on page, say 44 until you've read all the text on that page.

So when you change the text size, does it recalculate the entire book? It'd have to, I suspect.
The Kindle, as said, doesn't really do pages. This is most obvious when you get to the end of a chapter and there is only the last bit of the chapter on the screen. Hit 'next page' and you'll get the start of the next chapter. Hit 'prev page' and you'll get a whole screen of text, with the little bit of text that was a the top now at the bottom.
Author:  DavPaz [ Thu Oct 07, 2010 16:41 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
That's pretty much how the Sony works, with chapters and whatnot. I have spoiled my experience somewhat by using mainly downloaded files, mostly not optimised for the device.
Author:  Dr Lave [ Thu Oct 07, 2010 19:32 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
There should be a references button, and when you press each paragraph gets a number placed in front of it. So references can easily be given as chapter 4, paragraph 14.
Author:  devilman [ Thu Oct 07, 2010 19:36 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Grim... wrote:
Kindles don't have pages, as you can change the text size.


Grim... wrote:
The Kindle works from locations, which is basically 'you are this far through the book'. You can jump to locations, but they aren't pages.


Do they have pre-defined locations? The above two posts got me wondering if a 'Choose Your Own Adventure' type thing would be possible.
Author:  Dr Lave [ Thu Oct 07, 2010 19:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
devilman wrote:
Do they have pre-defined locations? The above two posts got me wondering if a 'Choose Your Own Adventure' type thing would be possible.


From metafilter yesterday:

Quote:
The web browser on the Kindle may not be the slickest piece of software in the world, barely sufficing for checking email and basic surfing, but there's one thing it excels at: web-based text adventures. Turn on your wireless connection, peck out PortableQuest.com on those tiny little keys and prepare for a game of adventure, danger, and low cunning. (You can play without a kindle as well.


(Ignore the over the top and harsh criticism of the free mobile internet)
Author:  zaphod79 [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 15:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
I havent seen this posted before "Black Library" Friday Free Books - mainly warhammer based :

http://www.blacklibrary.com/Getting-Sta ... loads.html
Author:  Cras [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 15:48 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
I posted it in the nerdlinger thread, but I can see why that would be overlooked :p

I'm more interested in knowing when they'll let me buy their fucking books, forget giving out selected ones I've already read for free.
Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 15:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Kindle is getting a clone of Nook's "lend books to friends" functionality, by the way.
Author:  Cras [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 15:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
But with the option for publishers to say "but not on my books you don't!".
Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 16:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Pretty sure Nook has that too, though. It's a shame but it's not unexpected on a platform that allows the publishers to also opt out of autogenerated audiobook readings.
Author:  Cras [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 16:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Yeah, I can't say I'm surprised that they're throwing the publishers a bone on that one.
Author:  Grim... [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 17:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Ooh, free books. Is .epub or .mobi best for the Kindle?
Author:  Cras [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 17:05 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
.mobi. Kindle doesn't support ePub.
Author:  Trooper [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 17:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Oh FFS, I've converted from sony reader format, to ePub format for the iPad and now i'm going to have to convert again for the Kindle?

joy.
Author:  Cras [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 17:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Yup.
Author:  zaphod79 [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 17:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Trooper wrote:
Oh FFS, I've converted from sony reader format, to ePub format for the iPad and now i'm going to have to convert again for the Kindle?

joy.


Calibre is your friend : http://calibre-ebook.com/
Author:  Trooper [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 19:06 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Hardly a friend, more a person I have to tolerate coming round everytime I move house...
Author:  GovernmentYard [ Tue Oct 26, 2010 14:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
:this:

Is there a cheap ebook reader that's not shit and does all the formats? I've got 2500 sci-fi books here in epub I think it is format that I'd like to read but I'm not buying one of these machines until it does the lot and/or you can stick the codec you need on them in future.
Author:  Cras [ Tue Oct 26, 2010 14:52 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
The best for format support is the Sony, I think.

But to be honest, you can pretty easily set Calibre to just churn through your library for a bit and convert the lot. I wouldn't use format as your prime motivator, unless you're doing a lot of reading across different devices.
Author:  Grim... [ Tue Oct 26, 2010 14:52 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
GovernmentYard wrote:
:this:

Is there a cheap ebook reader that's not shit and does all the formats?

Yeah, a PC.
Author:  GovernmentYard [ Tue Oct 26, 2010 14:54 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
I'm using Aldiko on my HTC Desire at the moment but I can do about a chapter a night before my eyes give in.
Author:  Cras [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 11:07 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Fuck you, Stephen King, and fuck your publisher too.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Tower-I-Gu ... gital-text
Author:  Cras [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 11:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
!!!!!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003 ... s-os-doi_0

Kindle eBook: £17.99
Paperback: £4.99
Author:  kalmar [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 11:11 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Is it possible to "legally buy" ebooks for these readers then?
Author:  Curiosity [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 11:13 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Craster wrote:
!!!!!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003 ... s-os-doi_0

Kindle eBook: £17.99
Paperback: £4.99


:facepalm:
Author:  Cras [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 11:13 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Oh, goodness yes. There's a highly variable quality factor though - if a book is never released as an eBook at all, most of what you find is OCRd self-scans.
Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 11:15 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Craster wrote:
Fuck you, Stephen King, and fuck your publisher too.
I bought that for $8.26 on 29th April. Part II was $11.74 and part III the same.
Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 11:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Craster wrote:
Oh, goodness yes. There's a highly variable quality factor though - if a book is never released as an eBook at all, most of what you find is OCRd self-scans.
This is also true of stuff you buy on Kindle, of course. You still can't buy jPod for Kindle because of me.
Author:  Cras [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 11:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
True - but yarred stuff has a much worse hit rate.
Author:  Grim... [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 12:05 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
I can "lend" them to you when they make that possible, Cras.
Author:  Cras [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 12:07 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
I'd be surprised if the 'Agency model' publishers, such as the above example, don't opt out of the lending functionality.
Author:  Mr Dave [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 15:48 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Craster wrote:
!!!!!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003 ... s-os-doi_0

Kindle eBook: £17.99
Paperback: £4.99

Eh? I get Kindle price as £4.49
Author:  kalmar [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 15:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Oh yeah! They must have seen this thread.
Author:  Cras [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 15:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Yeah, that's changed in the last couple of hours. The other link (Dark Tower Book 1) hasn't though - still twice the price of the paperback.
Author:  Mr Dave [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 15:54 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Craster wrote:
Yeah, that's changed in the last couple of hours. The other link (Dark Tower Book 1) hasn't though - still twice the price of the paperback.

But why get that when you can get alternate (More expensive) Vampire book "The Hunger"

It features Bratwursts and everything.
Author:  Grim... [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 18:48 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
THEY FUCK ALL THE TIME
Author:  Mr Dave [ Tue Nov 02, 2010 19:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Grim... wrote:
ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
THEY POUND ALL THE TIME


FeeX.
Author:  Grim... [ Wed Nov 03, 2010 10:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Hahahah!

In other news, I've just got the Stephen King book* UR. It's about a man that has a Kindle.

*It's the first thing Kindle has suggested that I buy that wasn't "The Girl With The dragon Tattoo".
Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Wed Nov 03, 2010 10:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Ooooh.
Quote:
The books industry could lose out on millions of pounds because publishers have failed to sign up the digital rights to authors, who are expected to bypass traditional publishing houses in favour of Amazon or Google.

The fears were raised after the estate of Ian Fleming announced that all the Bond novels are to be made available as e-books in the UK for the first time this week. But they are not being released by the author's print publisher Penguin.
Author:  Cras [ Wed Nov 03, 2010 10:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Yeah, interesting one that. I saw an estimate somewhere that 60% of top-selling authors had contracts with publishers that didn't cover rights to digital works.
Author:  Mr Dave [ Wed Nov 03, 2010 13:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Is this good for people like me who want cheap books? I'd guess so.

-
In other news, I'm quite liking my kindle so far. Although I feel the need for a forward button to counter accidental presses of back losing my place in a book
Author:  sdg [ Mon Dec 27, 2010 12:37 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
So, I finally have a Kindle! Turns out Jen read this thread to see if I wanted one :)
I've not bought myself a book for ages which is a situation I'd very much like to change as I used to read tons. Has anyone got good recommendations? I like sci-fi, fantasy and enjoy a good series. I have so far bought 'the Painted Man'.
Author:  kalmar [ Mon Dec 27, 2010 12:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
:this: oddly enough. Except the Painted Man.

Also are there any other clever tricks it can do? Already painfully replied to an email with it :D
Author:  Mimi [ Mon Dec 27, 2010 12:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. is my favourite book. Pure, wonderful fantasy realism

I'd also recommend Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. It's a novel about English magic, set mostly in London (though the action travels to other parts of the UK, Spain, Italy, and other places entirely) around the time of the Napoleonic war.

It's almost like an alternative history of Britain if there were 'still' practising magicians in the country. It's a fantasy, but also an interesting historic novel, if you can be accepting of the alternative.

Arthur & George is another great book. It's about the lives of two men - Arthur Conan Doyle and George Edaligi, and how their lives cross and influence each other. Arthur Conan Doyle you know, but George is a vicar's son of Indian descent accused of crimes and sent away to prison. Arthur picks up the investigation...
Author:  Wullie [ Mon Dec 27, 2010 12:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Completely unrelated to what you asked for, here's the one I was on about the other night. It's funny/sad & can be a bit ranty but then it's mostly from his blog & it's free anyway.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Sweat-Tea ... 73-3051541
Author:  Mr Dave [ Mon Dec 27, 2010 13:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
kalmyrrh wrote:
:this: oddly enough. Except the Painted Man.

Has Jen been buying Kindles for everyone?

Except me :'(
Author:  kalmar [ Mon Dec 27, 2010 13:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
What did she buy for you?
Author:  Mimi [ Mon Dec 27, 2010 13:21 ]
Post subject:  Re: eBook readers
Oh, yes, don't forget that there are loads of free books available for the Kindle from Amazon, especially classic works.
Page 8 of 22 All times are UTC [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/