Red Mosquito
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E-Readers
http://archive.theskyiscrape.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=100098
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Author:  washing machine [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 8:30 pm ]
Post subject:  E-Readers

Sure, there's a Kindle thread and a Nook thread, but there's no basic e-reader thread. In the short time we have left here on this incarnation of RM, let's talk e-readers.

I compared a few of the basic models from various brands recently, and I think I've settled on the Kobo Glo for my Christmas list. The thing that's so great about the Kobo, if, like me, you actually care about indie bookstores, is that the marketplace is sourced from indie stores around the country. I (or santa) can actually walk in to an independent bookstore, buy a Kobo, then program it to purchase e-books from that same indie store. I honestly never knew that until I started researching these things.

Plus, the Glo has a great backlight. I'm sold.

Author:  malice [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

what kind of price range they in, reed?
everyone in my family has kindles, and raves about them but I don't know that I want to throw down $119 for it - what're the lesser know readers like in pricing?

Author:  durdencommatyler [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 8:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

I love my Kindle.

Author:  turned2black [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

I use my Nexus 7 for an e-reader. Love it.

Author:  washing machine [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

*reid

The Kobo Touch is around $99, but if you want a backlight (and I do), the Glo is more like $129. There is also a newly developed product called the Arc, which I think is for those who want an alternative to the Kindle Fire HD. I think that one goes for $179, but I've never seen one in a store.

It's going to come down to the Kindle Paperwhite or the Kobo Glo for me, I think. I like the idea of Amazon's lending library, but not having books offered in EPUB format is really lame, if you ask me.

Author:  washing machine [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

For some reason, I've never even considered a Nook. Anyone have one of those?

Author:  durdencommatyler [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

washing machine wrote:
For some reason, I've never even considered a Nook. Anyone have one of those?

No. But an obnoxious 10 year old hopped up on goofballs at the B&N downtown the other night wouldn't shut up about much she loved the Nook and "the Nook section."

I assume she meant the part of the store devoted to the Nook, and not a new version of the e-reader.

Author:  malice [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

one of the software engineers at work got his daughter the kindle fire - he thinks it's great.
I'll probably break down and buy something sooner or later - regardless of the price - let me know what you decide on, Reid. :!:
(I'm pretty sure it's been years since I used the right spelling AND the capital R for you, pal)

Author:  washing machine [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

That was very fulfilling, Mary. Sort of like a television show applying a special touch to a common gag during it's final season. Wow.

Author:  washing machine [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

I'm staying away from things like the Fire, though. That's just me. You might love and crave the connectability Fire provides, but I suspect you're more like me than, say, Zeb (no offense to Zeb, of course, and I am just assuming he's be into the Fire here. I mean, he internets the shit out of the internet, after all.)

Author:  spenno [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

I've had a Kindle Paperwhite for about a month or so.

Long story short, I'm probably never going to buy a physical book again.

Author:  washing machine [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

I anticipate falling in love with whatever I get. A year ago, I never would have said that. What is it that you liked about the Paperwhite compared to others, Spenno?

When I was at Brazos playing around with their display Glo, I made the joke that I'll just have to bring it in for signings now when authors come through to do readings. The clerk told me that people actually do that, using stickers and such. Shut me right up.

Author:  malice [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

washing machine wrote:
That was very fulfilling, Mary. Sort of like a television show applying a special touch to a common gag during it's final season. Wow.

I do what I can, it being the internet and all

Author:  durdencommatyler [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

The Paperwhite doesn't have a video display, right? But it has a touchscreen?

Author:  washing machine [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

No video display, and yes a touch screen.

Is it safe to assume that I can download illegal PDFs of periodicals on any e-reader that I receive for Christmas?

Author:  spenno [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

washing machine wrote:
What is it that you liked about the Paperwhite compared to others, Spenno?

Well, I had two considerations when I chose the Paperwhite: I wanted a dedicated e-reader (not a tablet that does other things) and I wanted it to have a lit screen so I could read in bed and anywhere else I might not have sufficient light to use an unlit screen.

From what I've seen, there really isn't much between the Glo and the Paperwhite - they both do similar things very well. I ended up picking the Paperwhite as I liked it aesthetically, I liked the purpose-built cover that puts the reader automatically to sleep when closed and I'm already pretty familiar with Amazon.

The battery life isn't quite as outstanding as I'd been led to believe, but it's not a big deal.

Author:  washing machine [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

That puts a lot of my worries to rest. Thank you, spenno. I've been concerned with the library of both, but I haven't come across a title yet that Amazon or Brazos Bookstore doesn't have. Like you, the back light is very important to me.

Author:  spenno [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

Get Calibre, your library worries will be over (if you ever run into any, that is). It's an e-book management program that allows you to convert any ebook into whatever format you need to, it interfaces with my Paperwhite with no hassles at all.

http://calibre-ebook.com/

Author:  durdencommatyler [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

spenno, what's been your experience with the Paperwhite's battery life? How long before you usually have to recharge?

The original Kindle's battery is insane.

Author:  spenno [ Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: E-Readers

durdencommatyler wrote:
spenno, what's been your experience with the Paperwhite's battery life? How long before you usually have to recharge?

The original Kindle's battery is insane.

It seems to drain quite a bit when it's sleeping, which doesn't make much sense to me. If I'm actually reading it seems to last very well, yet if I leave it untouched for a day or two it's frequently completely run down when I open it up.

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