Electronic book readers.

[richardPB1]

Is anybody using an electronic book reader? I am asking for recommendations. I am considering amazons KINDLE, and Sony has a good one too. Others ? Are books and libraries about to go the way of the vinyl record? Seems so.

 

[Kigan2006]

My friend was going to buy me a kindle for christmas. I politely thanked him and asked him to not get me anything or if he insisted to at least donate the money to charity... I would personally NEVER read a book on one of these things.

Nothing can compare to the stiffness of a brand new book's spine. The sensation of peeling each new page from the right side of the book and keeping it held in place with your left thumb. The smell of the crisp new pages wafting up.

And a book well read. The familiar pages obeying you complacently as you revisit a magical far away land you hadn't visited in such a while. the smile that creeps across your face as you are reunited with characters who come to life from between the pages right into your imagination.

*breathes deeply* Books are divine. Books are worthy of worship and veneration. From books we learn, and adventure, and grow. Books are the epitome of the human condition. No other animal that has ever walked this earth has ever accomplished the feat of the written word. Taking a thought, an idea, something abstract and incorporeal, making some figures on paper or rock or any media and giving it meaning.

Books ARE human.

Wow, I don't know if I could put it better myself. I find electronic book readers a bit...upsetting. Curl up with a good electronic device? Just doesn't quite have the same ring as "Curl up with a good book".

Books are part of my life, a different world in the pages of each, a place I can visit whenever I want, a journey I can take over and over if I wish.

Sometimes I just run my fingers along the spines of my book, remeniscing...

But I suppose, if you are going to get an electronic reader, Kindle is the extent of my knowledge but it seems good for the purpose intended.

 

[richardPB1]

I agree completely with Orion and Kigan. however I can no longer curl up with a book. Much of my vision has been lost due to a stroke, and I need the magnification that the Kindle machine promises. Was hoping that someone out in Jub land has used these devices. Thanks for your replies.

 

[FrankLeeMyDear]

I don't own a Kindle or any kind of electronic book reader. I don't know yet if I would be comfortable with one. However I have a friend who purchased one recently and she really likes it. She travels a lot and finds the concept of having a number of books loaded into the Kindle attractive since she doesn't have to lug around a number of books while traveling.

The cost factor of getting a Kindle ($350-$400) is easily offset by the cost of new books ($10) downloads. It wouldn't take you too many book purchases to compensate for the money you put out for the Kindle.

You might already know this, but a new version of the Kindle is soon available.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/01/kindle-2-coming-out-february-9.php

 

[onewriter17]

I love my Kindle. I'll admit I still buy some used books from time to time, especially the classics (Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, ect.) But now and days the books don't have that book smell anymore. And I still become a part of the story and characters even though I'm reading on an electronic device and not a book.

But it isn't for everyone. It just depends on what you like.

 

[BearBoi]

I have hundreds of eBooks on my computer, waiting for me to get an eReader.

But I'm going to bite the bullet and wait another few months-year until colour eReaders come out, and the prices drop a lot. Even $250 is a lot for one, IMO.

As for brands, I'd go with a Sony over the Kindle. I like the expansion slots, the fact that you can share books with friends, the fact that you can access over 500,000 free public domain books via their partnership with Google (the same books cost $1-2 on a Kindle), you can use many ebook formats including standard Word, you can rent eBooks from the library online, etc.

The Kindle's use of DRM up the wazoo is not my cup of tea. I'll leave it at that because I don't want to sound like I'm 'bashing' anybody's prized possession, and I'm sure they are perfectly fine to use for a lot of people. It is really up to you.

However, if I had to pick my "dream eReader," than I would absolutely go with The Skiff.

It has gotten a lot of press, and word is the other eReaders are worried. ;P

PS: My bookshelves are absolutely full -- no more room at the inn -- and I can't fit any more elsewhere. An eReader will be a huge lifesaver. If you've not actually used one, don't poo-poo them too quickly! =)

 

[fhirinne]

I have a serious problem with those things.. they are basically severely limited pdf readers. tablet PCs can do the same thing and more. Adobe even has auto-scrolling and such built in. Amazon wants to control the rights to the Intellectual property so they are selling you a device they can control.

Also, as someone who does alot of reading online, I suggest not to. Paper is better on the eyes.