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Ok so Im very near pulling trigger on the new Kindle. But, I have some questions / concers.
First, our Library has ebooks now but it sounds like the Kindle and ipad dont support the DRM they use. In looking deeper, I'm reading you cant use the Kindle for the free Google Books stuff either?? Is that true? I found a bunch of the old clasic SiFi I love to be free on Google. Asimov, Heinlein, Clarke, etc. All free. Can you read these from Kindle / Ipad? If not...
For you sony ereader and nook owners, You can do the library stuff, and Google books. But what about selections that arent released yet free, that you would buy from Amazon. Is the Sony / Nook availability as good as Kindle?
Maul, the Bashing Shamie
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The only peice of info I can tell you is that iPad's ibooks app can import PDFs. So if you can get your free book to PDF, you can import it to the iPad via iTunes (and I have done that).
"Hamilton is really a Colossus to the anti republican party. Without numbers he is an host within himself. They have got themselves into a defile where they might be finished but too much security on the republican part will give time to his talents and indefatigableness to extricate them. We have had only middling performances to oppose to him. In truth when he comes forward there is nobody but yourself who can meet him. His adversaries having begun the attack he has the advantage of answering them and remains unanswered himself. For God's sake take up your pen and give a fundamental reply to Curtius and Camillas" - Thomas Jefferson to James Madison
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Interesting news...
Regular Kindles now support PDF (or at least, gen 2 does). I have no idea when this happened. My Kindle already had the software update required. I guess I don't pay much attention.
I went to Google Books and selected a free book at random, downloaded it in PDF, copied it to the Kindle, disconnected, then opened it up.
If your eyesight is good, you can read it as-is. 1 PDF page = 1 Kindle page, shrunk to fit. The resolution is quite good, it's just that the letters are awfully small when 1 page of PDF is shrunk to a 6" Kindle screen. (If you got the Kindle DX, which is much bigger, this wouldn't be an issue.)
So I set the Kindle to view sideways, then set it to "fit to width" and that's much better. That gives me about 1/3rd of a PDF page at a time and hitting "next page" gives me the next chunk. I can "go to" a page number, as well.
Getting the PDF to the Kindle involved this:
1) Plug in Kindle via USB
2) Kindle comes up as a hard drive (like a thumb drive)
3) Copy the file into the "Documents" folder
4) Safely Remove Hardware
5) Done -- the PDF will show up in your book listing off the main menu like everything else
To change the view settings, just hit the regular Kindle "font resize" button, which is the button that says "Aa" and all the zoom and tilt and fitting options are in there.
Apparently I also could have wirelessly transferred the PDF but I think there's a fee for that if I'm using the 3G network. Not sure what the fee would have been.
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P.S.
Transferring docs wirelessly is 15 cents per MB. The PDF I got was 300some pages and 7 MB, so it would have been $1.05. That's inside the US. Outside the US, you'd best just have a USB cable cause it's $1 per MB.
Also, this:
Quote:Built-in PDF Reader for Kindle (Free 3G) and Kindle (U.S. Wireless) devices
Your Kindle can now display PDF documents without losing the formatting of the original file. Send PDF documents directly to your Kindle (via your @Kindle address) or drag and drop PDF files from your computer to your Kindle (when connected via USB). You can also magnify PDFs by viewing them in landscape mode.
Some features are not currently supported, including annotations and Text-to-Speech. The only Kindle devices supported for PDFs are the Kindle and Kindle DX.
Option to Convert PDF Files to Kindle Format
If you prefer to have your personal PDF documents converted to the Kindle format so you can take advantage of Kindle functionality such as variable font size, annotation, Text-to-Speech, etc., type "Convert" in the subject of the e-mail when you submit your personal document to your @kindle.com address.
Image-heavy PDF files are presented in landscape orientation and don't work with devices that have auto-rotation, so those will be delivered in the Kindle format.
So I guess if I said "Convert" and mailed it to my Kindle and paid the $1.05, it would convert it to Kindle format for me. I would bet there's some way to do the same thing and not pay the fee, though -- maybe a 3rd party PDF-to-text or PDF-to-Kindle program.
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The conversion seems worth it.
Kindle doesn't do DRM like libraries ebooks though?
Anyone have a nook or sony that can comment on this?
Maul, the Bashing Shamie
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You can read anything on a kindle, it just requires a little converting for some files. There are numerous programs that can get the shit onto your device. I downloaded a torrent with all the asomav books, and when i googled the format I found out quickly how to put them to epub files and then they read fine.
No clue about google books, but most of those files are freeware books anywhere and available on the gutenberg project and easy to get on your kindle.
Honestly, how much I have read on this fucking thing, even after the mrs. bought an ipad, I cant imagine not having one...
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I know it's more money, but get an iPad, and then download the free Kindle and Nook apps. That way, you can shop around for wherever a book is cheapest (Apple, Amazon, or B&N) and buy it from there. I have a bunch of books in iBook, and a bunch in Kindle. Sometimes I'll buy something for iBook even though it's more money because it has color and/or interactive features.
I've yet to find an eBook or PDF I can't read on the iPad. Lots of eReader apps, most of which are free.
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Only thing that turns me off on the ipad is battery life. I mean its not really a ebook reader, but you can load software for it to read the formats. Like a PC or phone. But 10 hours of battery life is not a book. A month is more like it. I always thought I would buy a kindle, but the lack of DRM support for Libraries is kinda crappy.
Maul, the Bashing Shamie
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Are you really going to read for 10+ hours in one sitting? Just stick it on a charger each night and you're fine. I actually only need to charge mine once every 2-3 days.
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Vanraw Wrote:Kindle doesn't do DRM like libraries ebooks though? I dunno, I see people on the net posting about the conversion tools to do it, so apparently it's doable if a little convoluted. Posts are from 2009 so I dunno if anything has changed to make it easier. I didn't even know the library loaned out eBooks so I've never looked into it before.
Amazon says this, though:
Quote:Files Kindle Recognizes
You can purchase and wirelessly download Kindle books, newspapers, magazines and blogs from the Kindle Store as well as download and read other types of non-DRM text-based content on your Kindle. You can also play Audible audiobooks or MP3 files. When your Kindle is connected to a computer and mounted as a USB drive, you will see three default directories or folders. Here's a list of the directories and the file types recognized by Kindle:
Documents: Kindle (.AZW, .AZW1). Text (.TXT), Unprotected Mobipocket (.MOBI, .PRC)
Audible: Audible (.AA, .AAX)
Music: MP3 (.MP3)
Tip: [bg=Yellow]Mobipocket files must have no Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection applied to be readable on your Kindle[/bg]. If you purchased a Mobipocket file from a Mobipocket retailer, you will not be able to open the file on your Kindle.
I think library files are the MOBI format with DRM.
I'm guessing the program people are using to view them strips the DRM or something.
Kind of curious that Amazon doesn't support DRM, but then, that seems to be their business model. No DRM on books or music, or they just won't support it.
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The kindle is so much lighter than the ipad that reading on it is much better during long reading sessions. (The new one is even lighter). And the eink is better on your eyes too. I guess if you must see animated pages turning the ipads a better reader. Me and the Mrs. have both, and when we're both reading the first string device is always the kindle, whoever is left is stuck with the expensive toy.
Ipad is a servicable ereader and if you think you'll actually use it then you might as well not buy a kindle, but if you just want an ereader no reason to spend 5 times as much for one that isn't as good.
Unless you read textbooks or periodicals or comics, all of which would be better on the ipad. Or if you are a Chilaen miner and need the backlight
Grieve Wrote:Sometimes I'll buy something for iBook even though it's more money because it has color and/or interactive features.
Color a deciding factor in your reading? You read lots of Dr. Seuss?
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Slamz Wrote:I'm guessing the program people are using to view them strips the DRM or somethingt.
*cough* <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-strip-mobi-and-prc-ebooks-of-encryption/">http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-str ... ncryption/</a><!-- m --> *cough*
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Slamz Wrote:Kind of curious that Amazon doesn't support DRM, but then, that seems to be their business model. No DRM on books or music, or they just won't support it.
Yes I thought about this as well. I think they dont want to support a library book because they are not in the business of selling Kindles but selling books.
Maul, the Bashing Shamie
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Grieve Wrote:Are you really going to read for 10+ hours in one sitting? Just stick it on a charger each night and you're fine. I actually only need to charge mine once every 2-3 days.
I really thing this is a huge issue for me. When I by a book, I dont need technology to enjoy it. Paper needs no batteries. 10 hours is a very short period. For instance driving on a vacation can easily take way over 10 hours. Train rides.... Flights to europe or the UK....
Not to mention my spacey tendency to forget to charge the dam thing. Hell my blackberry will go a week with out a charge, and I still run out of juice because I didnt plug in.
I still think that iPad is a different product focus then ebook readers like kindle. I may own one in the future, but it will be a coffee table internet magazine device more then a ebook. I think they are 2 different spaces.
Maul, the Bashing Shamie
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Jakensama Wrote:Color a deciding factor in your reading? You read lots of Dr. Seuss? Actually, since I have three kids of 7 or less, the answer to that is yes. 
I also read textbooks, periodicals, and occasionally comics.
This is the future of textbooks:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRGOakwu1qg[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPUWbVLzVZI[/youtube]
And this is the future of kids books:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gew68Qj5kxw&feature=related[/youtube]
And this is a good example of some of the interactive reference books being produced right now (skip the begininning part):
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdExukJVUGI[/youtube]
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Vanraw Wrote:I really thing this is a huge issue for me. When I by a book, I dont need technology to enjoy it. Paper needs no batteries. 10 hours is a very short period. For instance driving on a vacation can easily take way over 10 hours. Train rides.... Flights to europe or the UK.... I understand...it can be a pain to remember to charge, or have the charge with you. Our kids are especially bad about remembering to charge their iDevices.
For me it's really not a problem, though. I have a charger at work, a charger in my car, and several at home. When flying, I try to always get the seats that include electrical outlets. Running out of power just isn't an issue for me these days.
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I'd be more likely to buy these gadgets once we have a widely adopted induction charging standard, so that I can put large charging mats in convenient locations and charge many devices from many manufacturers by simply laying them down on the same mats.
-ken
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Snowreap Wrote:I'd be more likely to buy these gadgets once we have a widely adopted induction charging standard, so that I can put large charging mats in convenient locations and charge many devices from many manufacturers by simply laying them down on the same mats.
-ken
QFT
There is no technological reason for this not to be the standard.
Maul, the Bashing Shamie
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Gonna be an uphill battle to get kids to buy textbooks on tablets, though... you can't sell your e-text 2 weeks into the semester for booze money like I did with several books of mine.
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Well, all i can say is that i am very happy with my method of reading. I own a Palm.....its like three years old now. I Download books in PDF, Word, whatever and covert it all to Word. Ive said it before, i will not be burned by any one reader again. I have over 6 Gig of books now and i will never ever lose my library again (backed up beatches!).
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You can back up your kindle library and read it on pretty much any device out there. Format doesn't really matter unless you wanna read a barnes and noble book on kindle (and even that could be managed if you got creative). Its all about the medium you want to use to read.
I do on my blackberry sometimes too with the kindle program there when I dont have my kindle with me.
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Ive decided that the Apple iPickadevice is Grieves latest PVP game. He scores faction for any and every recruit.
Maul, the Bashing Shamie
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I also win epic PvP gear when people predict the stock will tank, only for it to hit new all-time highs... 
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Yeah, we all know which device I favor, so I'll spare you the argument. All I know is that it's time to bring out the tried and true favorite end to the argument....
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/3/9/">http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/3/9/</a><!-- m -->
Bless them...
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It distresses me greatly to find myself in the company of Grieve and Riz, and yet, here I am.
"Hamilton is really a Colossus to the anti republican party. Without numbers he is an host within himself. They have got themselves into a defile where they might be finished but too much security on the republican part will give time to his talents and indefatigableness to extricate them. We have had only middling performances to oppose to him. In truth when he comes forward there is nobody but yourself who can meet him. His adversaries having begun the attack he has the advantage of answering them and remains unanswered himself. For God's sake take up your pen and give a fundamental reply to Curtius and Camillas" - Thomas Jefferson to James Madison
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