Author Topic: E-Readers or whatever (Read 1231 times)

my78k · « **on:** October 27, 2010, 06:22:10 PM »

Looking for some info from some of the literate amongst us (assuming there are some!)

Looking at buying an E-reader or e-book or whatever for the wife for Christmas. Anybody have one or any real feedback to help in my choice as to which one?

Also, any ideas in regards to spots I can download books etc?

I don't really know much about them...

TIA,
Dennis

Stev-o · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2010, 06:36:54 PM »

The one you want is the Kindle. Although I am not into it, both of my sisters are, and they love 'em.
For $139, you can't go wrong.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Y27P3M/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=6565995216&ref=pd_sl_1aem4eussc_e

The_Crippler · « **Reply #2 on:** October 27, 2010, 06:39:45 PM »

Been debating the same gift for my wife (and for me to use as well.) For me, I've found the Nook from Barnes and Nobel to be the best fit. Allows more formats than the Kindle, allows you to "loan" books to your friends and those types of things.

As for purchases, you can buy from B&Ns directly. Free books are available through the Google library (Basically private authors and public domain books) and with the Nook, you can also sign books out from a number of libraries. I don't have the link handy, but you can search the internet for participating libraries.

Hopefully, this helps you out a bit.

EDIT: Just saw Steve-O's post. Heh...thus, the argument between the two begins. But, this is why I said the Nook was the best fit for me me and not just the best period.

Stev-o · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2010, 06:50:34 PM »

Hey Crip - no argument from me! I don't know anything about the Nook, so can't knock it.

my78k · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2010, 06:55:13 PM »

I should mention that being north of the border things might be different. First of all our download laws are way different...

I was looking at the Kobo from Chapters. That is where she buys all her paper books....

Not sure if that makes a difference....

Dennis

The_Crippler · « **Reply #5 on:** October 27, 2010, 07:10:16 PM »

Well, the laws shouldn't be too much different - public domain is public domain. Dunno about libraries, though.

For me, the ability to read epub format files is the major point in favor of the Nook. In a world of VHS/BETA, HD/BLU-RAY, etc - if there is a format to back, it's Epub right now - and Kindle doesn't accept it.

Never heard of the Kobo or Chapters, so I can't help you there.

Honestly, for you, one leg is probably both the same - but I'd stick to one of the main two: Kndle or Nook. Either will get the job done for you, and both are backed by huge retailers with large selections and won't be going anywhere any time soon. I have friends with both, and I've bought both as gifts - everyone has been happy with the one they have.

CaféElite · « **Reply #6 on:** October 27, 2010, 08:08:36 PM »

iPad... Going to close my browser now and open GoodReader to read my book

Stev-o · « **Reply #7 on:** October 27, 2010, 08:09:55 PM »

Quote from: CaféElite on October 27, 2010, 08:08:36 PM

iPad... Going to close my browser now and open GoodReader to read my book

Would like one, but kinda pricey. Plus I have two laptops that work great, so can't justify.

The_Crippler · « **Reply #8 on:** October 27, 2010, 08:16:33 PM »

Quote from: Stev-O on October 27, 2010, 08:09:55 PM

Would like one, but kinda pricey. Plus I have two laptops that work great, so can't justify.

Wanna get rid of one? Mine's on its last legs.

Stev-o · « **Reply #9 on:** October 27, 2010, 08:23:54 PM »

Quote from: The_Crippler on October 27, 2010, 08:16:33 PM

Quote from: Stev-O on October 27, 2010, 08:09:55 PM
Would like one, but kinda pricey. Plus I have two laptops that work great, so can't justify.

Wanna get rid of one? Mine's on its last legs.

Sorry, no. I like having a back up, just in case.
Been very happy with my HP:

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/631122/HP-620-C-T1600-166-GHz/

The_Crippler · « **Reply #10 on:** October 27, 2010, 08:39:45 PM »

I really need to change my name to thread-jackin' magee...

Peterbylt · « **Reply #11 on:** October 28, 2010, 02:36:57 AM »

The reason I went with the nook is its ability to read different formats.
I bought most of my books from Barnes & Noble anyway.
I had four paperbacks to read before I bought the Nook and I still haven't read them and actually ended up rebuying one of them in Ebook format, It just makes reading to easy.
I have the 3G version so if I am reading a book with a sequel and I finish it and it's a cliff hanger (aren’t they all) I can download the sequel instantly anywhere, and be reading it in moments, which is very nice.
They now offer a less expensive version the uses WIFI only, If available when I got mine, being the cheap bastard that I am I would probably have bought that one.

You can also bring it into any B&N store and read any book free while in the store, they also offer free books for download only in the store, as well as Starbucks Ecoupons for free stuff in the store and special free for Friday books. All B&N stores have free WIFI.

With all that said, they just came out with the new color Nook a couple of days ago. I’m not sure I would have bought that one. It has some cool features but the readability and eye strain of the backlight color LCD screen would not be as good for marathon reading as the eInk screen on my current nook and it uses up the battery quicker. The battery life is awesome I read a lot and only need to charge it once a week.
I don't need all the internet browsing and game features that are included, what I do want and the nook does very well is a device that allows me to read books.

You can also get EPUB books from almost anywhere and there are programs like Calibre that are free that allow you to translate almost anything into a format read by Nook and then you sideload it, by plugging your nook into the USB port on your computer. http://calibre-ebook.com/

Once you have your nook you will have to accessorize it with reading lights and covers (kind of like adding chrome to your bike) I bought my cover from Oberon http://www.oberondesign.com/nook.php

B&N has lots of free books and most new release best seller books cost less than half of the DT (Dead Tree) Version. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?r=1

Gutenberg has something like 100,000 free books. http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

Smashwords has lots of free books and books released by Independent authors, Authors that the publishing houses did not deem worthy of publishing and yet have produced some awesome books. This is where I have been reading most of my books from recently.http://www.smashwords.com/

Hope this helps.

Peter

syth82 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 28, 2010, 06:19:15 AM »

Kindle will pretty much only let you read books from amazon. I'd vote for the nook, but it's not available in canuk land. the kobo looks to have pretty much the same features.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #13 on:** October 28, 2010, 06:26:18 AM »

Timely thread. I'm planning on getting an eReader for my wife. In looking at all the reviews (both Consumer's Report and independent techy reviews) the Kindle 3G+WiFi seems to be the hands-down winner, with one exception, that being the lack of EPub support. I guess if the mult. format capability is important, Kindle is not the one to pick. I don't see that as a problem for my wife, so I will likely be getting her the 3G+WiFi.

flybox1 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 28, 2010, 06:46:38 AM »

i bought the kindle for my mom last x-mas. she's 68 and reads 1+ books a week.
she loves it.

my78k · « **Reply #15 on:** October 28, 2010, 08:21:38 PM »

Thanks guys! I still have some researching to do but this is definitely a good start!

The reason I brought up copyright laws is, things (for now) are a little freer up here. So the ability to torrent etc might be an option but I had just assumed any PDF would work and hadn't thought about formats.

Dennis

The_Crippler · « **Reply #16 on:** October 28, 2010, 08:34:26 PM »

Quote from: my78k on October 28, 2010, 08:21:38 PM

...and hadn't thought about formats.

...And that's why it's good to have geeks around.

Anti-Johnny · « **Reply #17 on:** October 29, 2010, 08:42:04 AM »

Quote from: Peterbylt on October 28, 2010, 02:36:57 AM

The reason I went with the nook is its ability to read different formats.
I bought most of my books from Barnes & Noble anyway.
I had four paperbacks to read before I bought the Nook and I still haven't read them and actually ended up rebuying one of them in Ebook format, It just makes reading to easy.
I have the 3G version so if I am reading a book with a sequel and I finish it and it's a cliff hanger (aren’t they all) I can download the sequel instantly anywhere, and be reading it in moments, which is very nice.
They now offer a less expensive version the uses WIFI only, If available when I got mine, being the cheap bastard that I am I would probably have bought that one.

You can also bring it into any B&N store and read any book free while in the store, they also offer free books for download only in the store, as well as Starbucks Ecoupons for free stuff in the store and special free for Friday books. All B&N stores have free WIFI.

With all that said, they just came out with the new color Nook a couple of days ago. I’m not sure I would have bought that one. It has some cool features but the readability and eye strain of the backlight color LCD screen would not be as good for marathon reading as the eInk screen on my current nook and it uses up the battery quicker. The battery life is awesome I read a lot and only need to charge it once a week.
I don't need all the internet browsing and game features that are included, what I do want and the nook does very well is a device that allows me to read books.

You can also get EPUB books from almost anywhere and there are programs like Calibre that are free that allow you to translate almost anything into a format read by Nook and then you sideload it, by plugging your nook into the USB port on your computer. http://calibre-ebook.com/

Once you have your nook you will have to accessorize it with reading lights and covers (kind of like adding chrome to your bike) I bought my cover from Oberon http://www.oberondesign.com/nook.php

B&N has lots of free books and most new release best seller books cost less than half of the DT (Dead Tree) Version. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?r=1

Gutenberg has something like 100,000 free books. http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

Smashwords has lots of free books and books released by Independent authors, Authors that the publishing houses did not deem worthy of publishing and yet have produced some awesome books. This is where I have been reading most of my books from recently.http://www.smashwords.com/

Hope this helps.

Peter

These are the reasons I went with the nook wifi. Calibre makes loading books very easy.

Glenn Stauffer · « **Reply #18 on:** November 25, 2010, 04:23:15 PM »

I bought a kindle in September and like it a lot. There are tons of free books on Amazon. For old titles, you'll find free versions, and some $1-$2 versions; the pay versions usually have better formatted and navigable indexes as far as I can tell (haven't bought any since the free versions are fine with me).

This is a great source for free e-books for all devices: http://manybooks.net/

There are 20+ download formats for the Kindle. You can use software like calibre to manage your books and send them to your kindle or there is a manybooks site that allows you to browse from your kindle and download directly from the web.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #19 on:** November 26, 2010, 04:29:13 AM »

Thanks for those sources Glenn. My wife loves her Kindle. It is pretty slick. I've even loaded a couple of books on it for myself.

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Author Topic: E-Readers or whatever (Read 1231 times)