jim65wagon
Well-known member
Technically, they( the e-readers) are still working perfectly, it's your eyes that aren't working because there is no light for the retina to perceive
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e-books and e-readers: post here
- Thread starter haven
- Start date
:sombrero:
Viggen
Just here...
Fireman78;1022367My wife just found out something totally awesome with the Fire. Renting FOR FREE EBooks from the local library.. all you need is WiFi in the house and a library card!
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Microsoft holds a bunch of patents related to the touchscreen interface. MS has successfully negotiated royalty payments from several Android OEMs, including HTC, Samsung and Huawei.
Now Barnes and Noble has agreed to MS terms, and in an unusual way. B&N will pay MS based on future Nook tablet sales. And B&N has agreed to develop Nook software for Windows 8. In return, MS has made a $300 million investment in a new B&N subsidiary that will include the Nook e-reader, online bookstore, and college book sales programs.
This sounds like a win for both B&N and MS. B&N is currently trailing Amazon in the e-book business, and Apple is coming up fast. The tie to MS will give added publicity for the B&N brand, and joint development of the Nook. In the future, I see Microsoft's ARM version of Windows 8 supplanting Android as the OS used by the Nook.
The college bookstore part of this deal is significant. B&N and MS were partners in the past in the higher Ed market, with little success. Microsoft can leverage e-books and online course materials into increased sales of Windows 8 laptops and tablets. Students have little reason to buy an Amazon Kindle, since its ability as a general computing device is limited. This deal puts MS back in competition with Apple for higher ed hearts and minds.
Now Barnes and Noble has agreed to MS terms, and in an unusual way. B&N will pay MS based on future Nook tablet sales. And B&N has agreed to develop Nook software for Windows 8. In return, MS has made a $300 million investment in a new B&N subsidiary that will include the Nook e-reader, online bookstore, and college book sales programs.
This sounds like a win for both B&N and MS. B&N is currently trailing Amazon in the e-book business, and Apple is coming up fast. The tie to MS will give added publicity for the B&N brand, and joint development of the Nook. In the future, I see Microsoft's ARM version of Windows 8 supplanting Android as the OS used by the Nook.
The college bookstore part of this deal is significant. B&N and MS were partners in the past in the higher Ed market, with little success. Microsoft can leverage e-books and online course materials into increased sales of Windows 8 laptops and tablets. Students have little reason to buy an Amazon Kindle, since its ability as a general computing device is limited. This deal puts MS back in competition with Apple for higher ed hearts and minds.
Barnes &Noble just lowered the price of their original 7" color tablet, the Nook Color, from $169 to $149. This is the lowest price I've seen for new, with factory warranty, 7 inch Android tablet from a major manufacturer. The Nook Color has a slot for a microSD card, which makes it simple to boot the tablet with custom versions of Android in place of the Nook version.
The Nook Color lacks a GPS chip, but by booting into a full version of Android, it's possible to attach an external GPS receiver for navigation.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-color-barnes-noble/1100437663
The Nook Color lacks a GPS chip, but by booting into a full version of Android, it's possible to attach an external GPS receiver for navigation.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-color-barnes-noble/1100437663
Here's a pretty good review of the new $250 Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.0 7 inch Android tablet, including comments about and comparisons with the Nook and the Kindle Fire.
http://liliputing.com/2012/05/samsung-galaxy-tab-2-7-0-review.html
The Samsung tablet seems to do most everything that the Nook can do. The Kindle Fire has advantages in Amazon Prime streaming movies, and Kindle Owners book sharing. The Samsung tablet has full access to the Google Play store, which is not available to the other two without rooting and substituting a custom ROM. However, Amazon's app store is quite complete. And refurbished Kindle Fire tablets can be purchased for less than $150.
Amazon is rumored to be working on a replacement for the Kindle Fire, due this Fall in time for holiday gift-giving. It will be interesting to see if the next Fire holds the line on pricing ($200).
http://liliputing.com/2012/05/samsung-galaxy-tab-2-7-0-review.html
The Samsung tablet seems to do most everything that the Nook can do. The Kindle Fire has advantages in Amazon Prime streaming movies, and Kindle Owners book sharing. The Samsung tablet has full access to the Google Play store, which is not available to the other two without rooting and substituting a custom ROM. However, Amazon's app store is quite complete. And refurbished Kindle Fire tablets can be purchased for less than $150.
Amazon is rumored to be working on a replacement for the Kindle Fire, due this Fall in time for holiday gift-giving. It will be interesting to see if the next Fire holds the line on pricing ($200).
A refurbished model of Amazon's basic Kindle reader is available for only $49 with this coupon
http://local.amazon.com/sf-peninsula/B00847GICK
Offer good only until midnight Pacific time, Tuesday, 5/22
http://local.amazon.com/sf-peninsula/B00847GICK
Offer good only until midnight Pacific time, Tuesday, 5/22
Who Needs One?
HI All,
First off, I am a reader. I always have been. I always will be. Those of you who are readers will understand this statement.
I'm the exact person the readers are aimed at. A few months ago I became interested and started to research the usual readers. A co-worker had nothing but good to say about Kindle. It turns out that the real Kindle fan in his world was his wife. The co-worker does not read much at all (typical engineer!). I pointed this out to him. He is also cheap (again, typical engineer). For him, the major advantage to the Kindle is free books. At least he is consistent. I pointed out that the free editions, after researching the issue, are typically the worst editions (and translations) available. Who needs THAT? I could not make the Kindle make sense.
First, I have a large collection of books. My primary current reading project is getting through the Great Books Of The Western World by Britannica. I will never live long enough to finish. But, by picking and choosing, I'm making progress. I just finished Volume 1 of The Decline And Fall of the Roman Empire by Gibbon. One more volume to go! Hence, I don't need more books either electronic or paper whether free or not. The point is I have plenty of reading material already in my library, most it great. Who needs a Kindle?
Next, who would steal a book? No one! Books repel thieves. When traveling if you accidentally leave your Kindle on your seat for a bathroom break it will be gone when you return. Guaranteed. Ease of use? Books by far are better. Readability? Books, no question. Graphics? Books again. It's good that color is coming to e-books. But the graphics are definitely inferior to books. And I will mention battery life. With paper books, batteries are not included.
In short, I think e-books are a gimmick. I see no advantages. I did not buy one and I won't.
Sparky
HI All,
First off, I am a reader. I always have been. I always will be. Those of you who are readers will understand this statement.
I'm the exact person the readers are aimed at. A few months ago I became interested and started to research the usual readers. A co-worker had nothing but good to say about Kindle. It turns out that the real Kindle fan in his world was his wife. The co-worker does not read much at all (typical engineer!). I pointed this out to him. He is also cheap (again, typical engineer). For him, the major advantage to the Kindle is free books. At least he is consistent. I pointed out that the free editions, after researching the issue, are typically the worst editions (and translations) available. Who needs THAT? I could not make the Kindle make sense.
First, I have a large collection of books. My primary current reading project is getting through the Great Books Of The Western World by Britannica. I will never live long enough to finish. But, by picking and choosing, I'm making progress. I just finished Volume 1 of The Decline And Fall of the Roman Empire by Gibbon. One more volume to go! Hence, I don't need more books either electronic or paper whether free or not. The point is I have plenty of reading material already in my library, most it great. Who needs a Kindle?
Next, who would steal a book? No one! Books repel thieves. When traveling if you accidentally leave your Kindle on your seat for a bathroom break it will be gone when you return. Guaranteed. Ease of use? Books by far are better. Readability? Books, no question. Graphics? Books again. It's good that color is coming to e-books. But the graphics are definitely inferior to books. And I will mention battery life. With paper books, batteries are not included.
In short, I think e-books are a gimmick. I see no advantages. I did not buy one and I won't.
Sparky
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nwoods
Expedition Leader
Good points Sparky, except that you are wrong on a few accounts. I am also a reader, consuming a few books a week on average throughout each year.
The biggest issue I have with your statements is about the reading quality. The screen on the Kindle is much more enjoyable to read with, and less fatiguing to read on than a book, particularly under incandescent light such as in your bedroom or favorite chair.
The free books or low cost books come in several categories, the classics are very enjoyable and are of good quality and don't have any typos or miss prints or things like that. The low-cost science fiction that I read a lot of, not so much... there are a lot of good books under $3, but admittedly, not all of them are. However, it is a real joy to be able to explore new authors for very little cost.
Your comment about theft is a valid one although I haven't heard of anybody losing their Kindle in that way. I personally have lost a Kindle once, and that was a real drag. I actually went through withdrawal symptoms that's how much I missed it.
What turned me on the Kindle in the first place, was the reduction in books on my shelves. My wife made me thin out my library, and take up less room in the house. The Kindle has been very effective at that. It is fantastic to be able to download a book in under a minute, and have dozens if not hundreds of books available wherever I go. There are now close to 1 million books available online through Amazon. Despite that, not everything that I read is available yet. However Amazon has a tool on each book's website to tell the publisher that you want it on e-books and I have seen this put into effect where several series that I favor have been made available by e-books shortly thereafter.
Another thing to study or look into more detail is the availability of library books available on Kindle format. This is something I have not yet done, but intended do this summer. This should open up an entire new world of high-quality extremely low-cost reading material. I am currently using e-book fling to exchange borrowed e-books on a regular basis. And that seems to work pretty well.
My point in all this is, don't give up on the idea quite yet. I think you still have more research to do, and I suggest getting your hands on one even for just a day. The difference in reading quality with less eye fatigue cannot be underestimated.
Cheers!
The biggest issue I have with your statements is about the reading quality. The screen on the Kindle is much more enjoyable to read with, and less fatiguing to read on than a book, particularly under incandescent light such as in your bedroom or favorite chair.
The free books or low cost books come in several categories, the classics are very enjoyable and are of good quality and don't have any typos or miss prints or things like that. The low-cost science fiction that I read a lot of, not so much... there are a lot of good books under $3, but admittedly, not all of them are. However, it is a real joy to be able to explore new authors for very little cost.
Your comment about theft is a valid one although I haven't heard of anybody losing their Kindle in that way. I personally have lost a Kindle once, and that was a real drag. I actually went through withdrawal symptoms that's how much I missed it.
What turned me on the Kindle in the first place, was the reduction in books on my shelves. My wife made me thin out my library, and take up less room in the house. The Kindle has been very effective at that. It is fantastic to be able to download a book in under a minute, and have dozens if not hundreds of books available wherever I go. There are now close to 1 million books available online through Amazon. Despite that, not everything that I read is available yet. However Amazon has a tool on each book's website to tell the publisher that you want it on e-books and I have seen this put into effect where several series that I favor have been made available by e-books shortly thereafter.
Another thing to study or look into more detail is the availability of library books available on Kindle format. This is something I have not yet done, but intended do this summer. This should open up an entire new world of high-quality extremely low-cost reading material. I am currently using e-book fling to exchange borrowed e-books on a regular basis. And that seems to work pretty well.
My point in all this is, don't give up on the idea quite yet. I think you still have more research to do, and I suggest getting your hands on one even for just a day. The difference in reading quality with less eye fatigue cannot be underestimated.
Cheers!
HI nwoods,
I guess to a degree how we choose our reading material is a factor. I very seldom choose randomly. Almost always I read according to a planned program. In my youth I was more of a random reader. It sounds like random selections is your mode. I think this difference makes a big difference.
If you are reading several books a week, I guarantee the books are not like War and Peace or The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire. Or a study of the tactics and politics of WW2. I like novels but I typically read non-fiction. Except Stephen King for whom I am a complete nut. I've read all his books. But he is the exception. But these are the types of books I read on a regular basis. They are projects that require a plan. Thus, e-books do not fit the agenda. I feel e-books cater to more casual readers, not saying that you are. Why would I care about having 1 million books available if I am only interested in one? Which I already have.
Free books mean nothing to me. It's not that I enjoy spending money. No. It's that I want the specific edition and it is not usually available in the e-book library. For example, the gazillion translations of Homer, most of which are pretty bad but are in the public domain and, thus, available on e-books. Who cares if the are free? I'm willing to pay for what I want. What's the point of reading a version that I don't want to read even if it is free?
Don't dismiss my knowledge. That insults me. By the same token I don't wish to insult you. We clearly have different needs.
And, I don't need e-books with an entire library available to me on my shelves. Do I?
BTW, I have excellent reading lamps. Why would a Reader put up with less?
Sparky
I guess to a degree how we choose our reading material is a factor. I very seldom choose randomly. Almost always I read according to a planned program. In my youth I was more of a random reader. It sounds like random selections is your mode. I think this difference makes a big difference.
If you are reading several books a week, I guarantee the books are not like War and Peace or The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire. Or a study of the tactics and politics of WW2. I like novels but I typically read non-fiction. Except Stephen King for whom I am a complete nut. I've read all his books. But he is the exception. But these are the types of books I read on a regular basis. They are projects that require a plan. Thus, e-books do not fit the agenda. I feel e-books cater to more casual readers, not saying that you are. Why would I care about having 1 million books available if I am only interested in one? Which I already have.
Free books mean nothing to me. It's not that I enjoy spending money. No. It's that I want the specific edition and it is not usually available in the e-book library. For example, the gazillion translations of Homer, most of which are pretty bad but are in the public domain and, thus, available on e-books. Who cares if the are free? I'm willing to pay for what I want. What's the point of reading a version that I don't want to read even if it is free?
Don't dismiss my knowledge. That insults me. By the same token I don't wish to insult you. We clearly have different needs.
And, I don't need e-books with an entire library available to me on my shelves. Do I?
BTW, I have excellent reading lamps. Why would a Reader put up with less?
Sparky
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cnynrat
Expedition Leader
So, Sparky, if you are so convinced that e-readers are not your cup of tea why bother participating in a discussion with folks who are by and large sold on the technology??? Just trying to stir the hornets nest perhaps???
Also, I don't appreciate your derragatory comments about engineers. We most definitely are not all cheap, and many have much more wide ranging tastes in reading than your friend.
Further I am not convinced a Kindle is an attractive target for theft. They are registered to the individual user, and I would expect Amazon would not download books to a device reported stolen.
nwoods
Expedition Leader
I think that is an excellent assessment.
Well, I typically have one book like that going on, while I consume a few other lighter ones in the interium. I have not found reading a weighty tomb via Kindle to be disadvantageous. In fact, because it is so portable, I find it easier and more available to do so, and with the previously mentioned reduction in eye fatigue, I can engross myself in one of those types of books for longer stretches at a time. Now, will they have the "right version"? Most likely not. It seems you are reading perhaps equally for the experience in addition to the content. It is a little different on an e-reader.
Yes, sorry. I regretted that as soon as I reviewed my post...after posting it.
My wife has a controlling vote on home decorations... ;-)
HI cnynrat,
To a degree, yes, I wanted to stir up a little reaction. I also wanted to find out why you make the choices you have made. I see no reason to not question the technology all in the quest for a good debate.
As for my comments about engineers, I believe I qualified my statement by using the word "typically". That is not the same as saying that ALL engineers are poorly read and cheap. As a matter of fact, I'll bet you basically agree with me in your quiet times. It's no different than saying that the typical engineer can't spell well. For example, the word "derragatory" (sic) is a tough one. I sympathize. I'm an engineer myself and have worked in engineering departments for about 50 years. I've known many engineers in many disciplines. So I think I have the credentials to make general statements about engineers. I have always found it interesting and dumbfounding that some of the smartest people I know are also the most intellectually isolated due to their reading habits (or lack of).
I once took a poll in our engineering department to find out what engineers believed concerning evolution. I found opinions all over the map, many very tightly held. I also found that not one of the 37 people I talked to had ever read Darwin! But this fact did not prevent most from talking as though they were experts. It was very disheartening. I felt like I was in an intellectual desert. In fact, I was.
And, how long do you think a thief would ponder snatching something that looks like an iPad simply because he may not be able to use it? I doubt the thought would enter their mind. I give thieves very little credit for rational thought. I'll bet you would never leave your Kindle unattended in an airport. But, it does happen by accident and e-books are stolen. Books, almost never! Books don't have the Gee Whiz factor.
Sparky
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nwoods
Expedition Leader
Ah...the Kindle Fire is what you are referring to. That does change things. I have no positive opinions on that device, and no personal experience with one. The "Kindle" to me is one of the e-ink versions that are dedicated reading devices, not some multi-disfunctional "forked" blend of an isolated OS with a glossy screen.
Also, I'm an architect, so I'm not sure where I fit into your scenario
Finally, I have read Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" and have concluded he is wrong. Explain the valves in a giraffe's neck please? Not the why, but the how. Just add more millions of years to draw the same illogical conclusion?
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