Does anybody who reads my blog have a Kindle eBook reader?
It looks like it might be a great way to read books. The new version 2 that just came out is supposed to improve on most of the problems with the first one.
On the other hand, it’s very expensive. Though you can download books for about half the cost of a printed book, you would have to download a lot to make up for the cost of the reader.
It seems like it would be ideal for someone who traveled a lot; easer to bring one slim reader filled with 10 books than actually lugging 10 books along.
Or should I just download books to my Blackberry? The screen is much smaller and I don’t have access to Amazon’s huge library; that’s one problem with that idea.
My birthday is coming up next month; should I treat myself with this? Can anybody speak from personal experience?
I don’t have personal experience but several people on the forum I frequent do. You could do a search on Kindle and read their comments. Since this is an RV’ing forum their comments are likely to be unbiased.
http://rvnetwork.com/
Comment by Richard — February 28, 2009 @ 7:31 am
Actually I had already thought about you and Dianna, and that an eBook reader might be very handy when you live in limited space and weight.
Thanks for the tip — RV’er’s comments should be relevant.
Comment by Daryl — February 28, 2009 @ 9:10 am
I asked a friend of mine who just got one as a gift from his wife. Here’s the conversation.
http://screencast.com/t/EFW9bH4ld
Comment by Don — February 28, 2009 @ 10:32 am
I wonder if you can download eBooks from the library to a Kindle?
Comment by Donna — March 1, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
Thanks Don.
Donna — You can download eBooks from the library? Which library? Free?
Comment by Daryl — March 1, 2009 @ 3:41 pm
I use my iPhone to read books, using the App Stanza. I do agree though that your Blackberry screen may be too small to read books comfortably, but that Kindle looks mighty expensive.
Comment by Devon — March 2, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
chandlerlibrary.org
The Mesa library has e-audiobooks, but not ebooks.
Comment by Donna — March 2, 2009 @ 5:40 pm
You do know the text to speech feature is now being hobbled right?
Comment by Don — March 2, 2009 @ 11:25 pm
No, I didn’t know that, but I just read about it. Apparently they are allowing publishers to request disabling of the text-to-speech feature on a book by book basis. That changes things some; makes it a little less desirable.
That seems like a really protectionist move, and shouldn’t be legal. They charge so much for audio books that they make a lot of their profit off them and they want to preserve that golden goose. Reminds me of the RIAA fighting digital music sales and transfers. It’s horse breeders and buggy dealers making laws against cars.
Comment by Daryl — March 3, 2009 @ 9:18 am
Just found out there is a Kindle app for the iPhone, and it’s free.
Comment by Don — March 4, 2009 @ 2:37 pm
As I read it, the iPhone app is meant to be a companion to your Kindle. You have to download the book to your Kindle first, then you can synchronize it with, and read it on, your iPhone.
I don’t think you can use your iPhone only. You have to buy a Kindle first.
Comment by Daryl — March 4, 2009 @ 2:54 pm
Devon pointed out that I’m wrong. You can buy and download books directly to the iPhone. There were complaints that it isn’t quite as easy as on the Kindle, but it works.
Maybe it’s getting close to the point where I have to get an iPhone. I really like the idea of having everything on one, easy to carry unit that’s always with me. I can read books on my Blackberry Flip, but the screen is a little small. I’m turning pages almost as fast as I can.
Hmmm.
Comment by Daryl — March 4, 2009 @ 8:58 pm
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Comment by Don — March 4, 2009 @ 9:26 pm
“You can barely read an iPhone on a beach” I don’t think that’s the place to read an iPhone but it is quite readable outside.
Comment by Don — March 4, 2009 @ 9:29 pm
Happy Birthday! Did you get your Kindle?
Comment by Don — March 9, 2009 @ 11:11 pm
Happy birthday, Daryl! For 17 days you’re two years older than me. 😛
Comment by Donna — March 10, 2009 @ 8:47 am
Thank you, everyone. Two more years and I enter into middle age.
I still haven’t decided if I want one (at the price). For $100, sure, I wouldn’t think twice. At $360 I have thought twice, thrice, many times and still haven’t decided.
Comment by Daryl — March 10, 2009 @ 3:38 pm
So… Do I get to see you next week?? I’m interested in talking with a like minded individual. I think there’s a possibility we’ll be going to the phoenix zoo on Saturday. But, I’ll have bunches of time during the week too 🙂 especially if my daddy is staying by you.
Comment by Jocelyn — March 12, 2009 @ 6:28 pm
I will be staying with Daryl for the first 2 nights I’m there(18th and 19th) but if you want me around you might want to refrain from talking about that which we do not talk about. 😉
Comment by Don — March 13, 2009 @ 11:24 am
Hey, it’s my house and if we want to talk pinko by darn we’ll do it!
(Always keeping in mind the sensibilities of the resident bourgeois, of course.)
Comment by Daryl — March 13, 2009 @ 7:46 pm
Commies. 😛
Comment by Don — March 13, 2009 @ 11:33 pm
we called you yesterday.. Our area code is 262… we’ll call again today.
Comment by jocelyn — March 18, 2009 @ 7:37 am
I finally broke down and ordered a Kindle. When I looked at the reviews, everyone who owns one loves it. The reviews and comments that dislike it, that say “I like the feel of a real book”, etc. are invariably from people who have never had one.
They are in stock, and it should arrive next week. I will post here after I’ve had it a while on how I like it.
Comment by Daryl — March 20, 2009 @ 2:35 pm