Kindles & e-readers

[sandman67]

The Sony is pretty much sand and dust proof as it is a sealed unit. The only "points" of access are the card slots and headphone/USBmicro slots - and all of them are just sockets. I wouldnt recc dropping it in water tho

If you are getting someone to bring one out you may as well go the whole hog and get yourself the cover with a built in reading light, a modest memory card to expand the onboard memory, and maybe some screen protector film.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sony-E-Reader-Cov ... 3f09b71f69

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/8-x-PACK-SCREEN-P ... 230c2bf18e

A hefty memory card is useful if like me you like listening to radio plays or audio books. I use a 14gig after market card.

The Sony comes with its own software for indexing and stuff, but I also use Calibre and Sigil to convert odd format documents into epub formats and correct document properties. With PDF files you just check the document properties (title and author) and use Adobe to change them, or PrimoPDF. For audio file property formatting I use MP3Tag. All the stuff I use is freeware.

If you do get one and hit any problems or need authoring software to ammend doc properties or tags just PM me.

Once you get it I recc http://www.ebook30.com as a great source for books, both novels and reference books. Audio books and radio plays I source from www.abook.ws

[BaaBaa.]

Do you get free books on it SM?

I've just had a new phone that's got an inbuilt reader with loads of free books from the market.

It's pretty smart.

[adammike]

The problem was not getting sand in the unit but scratching the screen,I have a cover that has a light and that is messed up totally because of sand.and a few minor scratches on the screen so take care.

[pharvey]

Have the Kindle (WiFi version) myself and really have had zero problems - similar to the guys with the Sony(s), I feel it's some of the best money I've spent......... despite having doubts initially

Not great with graphics, but when it's being used for novels or audio books, that's hardly a concern. Generally books are loaded via my laptop, but are also occasionally done so via WiFi networks, again with zero hassle.

I've downloaded numerous E-Books and Audio Books through Vuze, but another pretty good site is http://ntemp.com/ebook

[migrant]

Have the Kindle (WiFi version) myself and really have had zero problems - similar to the guys with the Sony(s), I feel it's some of the best money I've spent......... despite having doubts initially

Not great with graphics, but when it's being used for novels or audio books, that's hardly a concern. Generally books are loaded via my laptop, but are also occasionally done so via WiFi networks, again with zero hassle.

I've downloaded numerous E-Books and Audio Books through Vuze, but another pretty good site is http://ntemp.com/ebook

I looked at the site and it has a good collection, thanks!

But I'm always wary of the download systems that ask for phone numbers, etc. Did it take you there?

Thanks!

[pharvey]

Have the Kindle (WiFi version) myself and really have had zero problems - similar to the guys with the Sony(s), I feel it's some of the best money I've spent......... despite having doubts initially

Not great with graphics, but when it's being used for novels or audio books, that's hardly a concern. Generally books are loaded via my laptop, but are also occasionally done so via WiFi networks, again with zero hassle.

I've downloaded numerous E-Books and Audio Books through Vuze, but another pretty good site is http://ntemp.com/ebook

I looked at the site and it has a good collection, thanks!

But I'm always wary of the download systems that ask for phone numbers, etc. Did it take you there?

Thanks!

Have to say I've only recently found the site and used just once or twice and it looked good. I've certainly not been asked for my phone number - as you say, I'd be a little dubious on that one!!

[sandman67]

comes with a small selection of onboard books, all of which I deleted within 5 mins of turning it on. There are freeby downloads from the Sony reader site, but again I already had all the ones I want.

Between www.ebook30.com, Guttenberg, 4Shared, and a few bulletin boards I surf theres little I want and cant find.

The Sony handles graphics like detailed maps, photographs, technical drawings and star charts pretty well, albeit in black n white only. They do a colour version for online newsfeeds but to me thats just fecking gadgety cack, and the battery life on colour units is much lower.

Three things put me off Kindle - its plastic, the keypad, and the fact that Amazon can hack into your content without your knowing every time you go online with it (or did so in the past - see further the great G Orwell 1984 autowipe scandal and reports from the US of them deleting naughty pirate copies of books).

Im just a luddite and prefer walls of separation between gadgets... if I want to surf I use a laptop or PC, not my e-reader. These multi task gadgets dont work on me. The less complex the machine the more reliable it is IMHO. The Sony is perfect for me - classy alloy chassy, simple clean lines, easy to use, reliable and does exactly what it says on the tin.

[buksida]

Three things put me off Kindle - its plastic, the keypad, and the fact that Amazon can hack into your content without your knowing every time you go online with it (or did so in the past - see further the great G Orwell 1984 autowipe scandal and reports from the US of them deleting naughty pirate copies of books).

You've convinced me, its the same reason I would never buy an Apple product, I don't like them (or any commercial company) having control over MY data. The Sony looks like it will do the job, don't want to spend too much so would one of the lesser models such as the 350SC be as good?

[migrant]

Three things put me off Kindle - its plastic, the keypad, and the fact that Amazon can hack into your content without your knowing every time you go online with it (or did so in the past - see further the great G Orwell 1984 autowipe scandal and reports from the US of them deleting naughty pirate copies of books).

You've convinced me, its the same reason I would never buy an Apple product, I don't like them (or any commercial company) having control over MY data. The Sony looks like it will do the job, don't want to spend too much so would one of the lesser models such as the 350SC be as good?

I don't know the model, but I haven't read any negatives on the Sony's, other than the features it doesn't have.

[migrant]

Have the Kindle (WiFi version) myself and really have had zero problems - similar to the guys with the Sony(s), I feel it's some of the best money I've spent......... despite having doubts initially

Not great with graphics, but when it's being used for novels or audio books, that's hardly a concern. Generally books are loaded via my laptop, but are also occasionally done so via WiFi networks, again with zero hassle.

I've downloaded numerous E-Books and Audio Books through Vuze, but another pretty good site is http://ntemp.com/ebook

I looked at the site and it has a good collection, thanks!

But I'm always wary of the download systems that ask for phone numbers, etc. Did it take you there?

Thanks!

Have to say I've only recently found the site and used just once or twice and it looked good. I've certainly not been asked for my phone number - as you say, I'd be a little dubious on that one!!

Went back on and it worked great! Downloaded 10 books in 10 minutes, no phone number asked, or given!!

[pharvey]

Went back on and it worked great! Downloaded 10 books in 10 minutes, no phone number asked, or given!!

Good stuff - will be back looking tomorrow as I've got a fair trip coming up again Wednesday

[adammike]

I was gonna put up some links but i do not have enough posts
so check out"Calibre"
mobileread.

[oakdale160]

Most of the posts about Kindles are froma few years back. It is always so confusing when buying electronics, there are so many models around.
My needs are a book reader with enough Wifi to do simple things, Email etc, so it would be great for travel. I don't understand the talk about lightinig as I have never had one, so cant make comparisons
I have read reviews, some reviewes are big on the Buttons to turn pages, others like the touch screen method.
So, to Kindlers__What would you buy now?? Would you buy in Thai ??
Thank you.

[Dannie Boy]

Most of the posts about Kindles are froma few years back. It is always so confusing when buying electronics, there are so many models around.
My needs are a book reader with enough Wifi to do simple things, Email etc, so it would be great for travel. I don't understand the talk about lightinig as I have never had one, so cant make comparisons
I have read reviews, some reviewes are big on the Buttons to turn pages, others like the touch screen method.
So, to Kindlers__What would you buy now?? Would you buy in Thai ??
Thank you.

Take a look at the Kindle Fire HD - I don't have one but it looks like it may be what you need - maybe somebody who has one will post. Edit - Just noticed that you're looking for an e-reader so on reflection I don't think the Fire is the one for you.

[PeteC]

When this thread first started some were keen on the Sony ereader. I'm not sure they make them any longer? Sony's book store has closed in many place to be replaced by Kobobooks.com. I don't know anything about them but google has info. Another was the Barnes & Nobel "Nook". Again....I think on life support. Pete