To Kindle or Not to Kindle?

[tzikeh]

A poll for all, Kindle or no Kindle.



[Poll #1266451]

Anything else to say about Kindle? Please comment!

Comments

[txvoodoo.livejournal.com]

I have a Kindle, and:
I use the vast majority of the available functions (bookmarking, highlighting, etc.).
I use only the basic functions (downloading and reading).

I use DIFFERENT advanced features. I do highlight. Bookmarking happens automatically, so not much use.

I have a Kindle, and I use it for (check all that apply):
e-books from Amazon
e-books from elsewhere which I convert
fanfiction which I convert
magazine / newspaper subscriptions
browsing Wikipedia without a computer
something else I will mention in the comments.

• e-books from elsewhere which don't NEED converting - mobipocket.com and fictionwise.com both sell MOBI books, which Kindle reads natively.


• I browse more than just Wiki. Gmail, Greader, other Google things, Mobile LJ, Twitter, Google Maps.

I use my Kindle EVERYWHERE. In car,waiting in lines, at doctors, in my hospital bed (where EVERY SINGLE NURSE felt compelled to try it out, and 3 bought one while I was in the hospital)

[melina123.livejournal.com]

Just in case you hadn't heard about it: kindledfans

[grace-om.livejournal.com]

I don't have a kindle, but I do all of the above on my Palm Pilot (along with all the other uses it has).

[abbylee]

I'm anti-Kindle, but mostly for the lock in factor. They look very very cool. Plus, I can see how the size would be very appealing, and I know there are other alternatives worth keeping an eye on.

I've used a PDA for reading ebooks on and off for years and years. Great for while I'm walking to work, while in bed, and while caught in a queue for longer than expected. It's easy to tuck away.

I've also loved having a laptop, and it's great for reading in bed or at a coffee shop.

These days, I have books on my 9" laptop and on my phone. The eeepc is great for those times when I can put the computer on a surface (such as a lap), and the blackberry is great for when I'm moving around.

A dedicated book reader can be great. I haven't seen the screens but I hear they're great. But one thing that works best for me is that both machines have other functions, so I can choose my activities accordingly. I'm not trying to discourage, just give more information.

[txvoodoo.livejournal.com]

The thing about the Kindle? It's not as locked in as many would make it seem. I've got books on mine from many different sources.

[casirafics.livejournal.com]

My essential problem with ebook readers, particularly devices made for that and not much else: unless you're capable of burning through, say, twenty books in an hour, what good is it actually doing you to buy something just to cart around that many books at a time?

I've tinkered around with eReader (free iPhone app), which solved one Kindle problem for me right off the bat: no big pile of buttons at the bottom that I know I'd be hitting at inopportune times. The tinkering was as far as I got, since I'm still not won over by the concept of ebooks in general, but it's zippy, simple and gets the job done.

[bibliotech.livejournal.com]

I know that in my case, I spend a lot of time at my dad's (he's recovering from an illness), and I'm hyperlexic, which means I can read about 2 books an hour. So it's just not feasible for me to cart 10 books over to his place so I can have something to read while he's sleeping--but with the Kindle, I can put 10 or 20 books in my purse with no problem.

[chalcedony.livejournal.com]

This summer, I put my Kindle into my purse instead of the 10-15 books I usually pack in my suitcase for a 2-week vacation. Lighter, easier, and always there when I wanted it. :)

[casirafics.livejournal.com]

Last time I went on vacation, I bought so many books that I could barely shut the bags. Not packing books before I leave often doesn't help. ;)

[thisisbone.livejournal.com]

I love my Kindle!

I used it at the gym, where I can prop it up on the treadmill and read "hands-free" without worrying about holding the book open. I can also increase the font size if I'm walking fast so I can still see it, or make it smaller if someone's next to me and I don't want them reading SPN porn over my shoulder.

I used it during the NCAA tournament to get live scores and updates via ESPN's mobile site as we were driving from Ohio to North Carolina, and since LJ has a mobile version, I can post and check LJ from the road, too.

I'm reading LOTS more than I used to -- it's absolutely ideal for reading fanfic -- I've dumped 1.5 file drawers of paper fic and now only have a few sentimental zines left. The rest is all on my Kindle. I can store incredible amounts on an SD card, which I can remove if I'm going to be with family who might wander through my Kindle reading list.

I don't miss the paper books at all -- I'm all about the content, it seems.

I have never had a problem hitting buttons accidentally. I bought a different cover, which allows me to hold the Kindle without mashing buttons.

In conclusion, the only thing that would make me happier would be a color Kindle with broadband, so until that comes along, I'm very, very happy with my Kindle!

Oh! I've been using it since last Christmas, so I've had almost 10 months of use with it, and it continues to be one of the best things I've ever gotten!

[montanaharper]

Can you link to the cover you got for it? I'm looking at buying a Kindle, and I'd definitely want a cover that keeps me from hitting buttons accidentally. *g*

[thisisbone.livejournal.com]

I got the M-Edge Executive Case. The link takes you to the brown one, since the red one I got is currently out of stock. I looove it. It has a place to put a business card and an SD card, plus a pen loop, and the Kindle is held MUCH more securely in it than in the one that came with the Kindle. I never worry about it falling out, and I never mash buttons unexpectedly. It gets a big thumbs-up from me!

[txvoodoo.livejournal.com]

Out of curiousity, which cover did you buy? I'm still using the standard one.

[thisisbone.livejournal.com]

I got the M-Edge Executive Case. The link takes you to the brown one, since the red one I got is currently out of stock. I looove it. It has a place to put a business card and an SD card, plus a pen loop, and the Kindle is held MUCH more securely in it than in the one that came with the Kindle. I never worry about it falling out, and I never mash buttons unexpectedly. It gets a big thumbs-up from me!

[txvoodoo.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I dont have the wrong button problem anymore. I only had it really when I was moving it from room to room, but now I just put it in sleep mode, which saves battery AND deactivtes the other buttons :D

[tv-elf.livejournal.com]

I have the Sony reader and wish I had chosen Kindle...

[movies-michelle.livejournal.com]

I like a number of things about the Kindle, but especially how readable it is. The size is very comfortable to both read and carry, especially with the "bookcover" that comes with it. I like the fact that the text size is changeable; I prefer more text on the screen and can read the smallest font comfortably.

They really did a great job of designing this to where it's as much like reading words on paper as electronically possible; no problem with eyestrain. If I have a complaint about any of it, it's that I wish there was an option for backlighting, so that I could read it without a separate light source, but that's a small quibble.

For the question on where I use it: I've been reading in bed, and I've taken it with me to work and on the bus, but I'm really reading it a lot on the exercise bike. It fits perfectly in my reading stand, I can re-read lots of fanfic, I don't have to futz with the page holders, and it's easier to "turn" pages. I did buy it, at least in part, for the long trips I take, where I always take books, but don't like the hassle of taking a lot of different books with me.

For size, that was a major selling point to me. As I said, the screen is very readable, but since it is the size of a paperback, it's also very comfortable to hold for longer periods of time. It also fits into my bag just as well, if not better, than most books I own.

As for reading more, I'm trying to be veeeery careful of how much I actually buy with this, as it's so incredibly easy. I've definitely been having fun with the free sample chapters, which has made me realize I really don't want to buy some books, some I really want to find used hard copies (I'm still inclined towards actual, physical books when it comes to media studies texts, for instance), but there are some I'm just going to hold the sample chapters to remind me to get the actual books--once I've finished my initial purchases/the free books I have on there right now.

For the price... I said it was worth it, and honestly, I doubt I would have been any happier with any of the other options out there, either for readability or price. There's still a part of me that can't believe I spent so much money on such a completely frivolous item. But, you know, you can take the girl out of the Midwest, but....

[txvoodoo.livejournal.com]

I love sample chapters, for same reasons you state. It's like going into the boook store and going through a chapter.

[darthhellokitty.livejournal.com]

I need an option for "I'd love a Kindle, if someone would like to buy me one!"

Broke DHK is broke.

[redangel618.livejournal.com]

i like the idea of the kindle and am waiting for the second gen before even looking at the specs in person because i have no willpower when it comes to books. happens to also be why i want a kindle because then i would have many books and they would take up much less space.

[dorothy1901]

I like the fact that a Kindle is basically an Etch-A-Sketch with better software.

[lumenara.livejournal.com]

I decided against the Kindle for a few reasons.

1) No backlight. Boo.
2) *Stupid* DRM.
3) They charge you to email yourself stuff. (I think it's ten cents per.)

Those were enough to stop me from paying that price for that reader.

[melina123.livejournal.com]

Just FYI:

1) No backlight is part and parcel of eInk, which is meant to replicate reading a printed book. The resolution and clarity of eInk isn't possible with a backlit screen, though I can understand why many people expect it in an electronic device.

2) Can't argue with you there.

3) So far, it doesn't seem that anyone has actually been charged for wireless delivery. But if you want to avoid the issue altogether, you can just get the converted item emailed to your regular email account and then drag and drop it onto the Kindle. (It really is that easy.)

For anyone who might be interested: kindledfans.