New Kindle, first thoughts....

[Flibb]

I tried Calibre but wasnt impressed, so google this :

Kindle Collections Manager v0.4.1 Adrian Colegate

Its a free download and manages collections by drag and drop, superb.

Just trying this bit of software, and once you load a few books on its a godsend, thanks for recommending it.

[neonplanet40]

I just bought the Kindle . . . . had to pay £111 because of VAT grrrrrr

[Saracen]

I've had that discussion a few times and I'd absolutely hate to use an iPad as an ebook reader. Only 1 iPad owner I've had the discussion with can see my point of view, the others all point out that the iPad is much better. Sigh.

Yeah, like a power angle grinder is "much better" than a decent coffee grinder .... unless you're trying to grind coffee beans, which is a bit tricky with an angle grinder.

What many people don't seem to get is that a decent ebook reader is a specialised tool, and is very good at doing a narrow range of things, but there are devices that are much better at doing a wide range, and nowhere near as good at doing specialised jobs. There's a reason why farmers use a tractor for ploughing fields, and (probably) a 4x4 and not the tractor for most of their getting around, carrying stuff and going to the opera. You just won't (often) see them ploughing a field with a Range Rover. Just because you can use an iphone to take pictures doesn't mean it'll replace a high-end (or indeed, any) DSLR, and while you can read books on an iphone (if your eyes are good enough) or an iPad, doesn't mean it does as good a job of it as a Kindle.

I wonder if those recommending iPads for this actually spend much time reading books?

[Biscuit]

I have never been a big reader but i have recently thought it would be a much better use of my time than my xbox or all the television i watch. I really cant be bothered with having loads of actual books (although it would look good on my shelves ) and after seeing a colleague using one its been in my mind for a while now.

Im also against using an iPad as a reader, like staring into a bloody lightbulb all day! What i am curious of though, in your opinion, how does reading on the kindle compare to actual pages?

Is it an easy comfortable transition or is it a case of the convenience outways the discomfort?

[g8ina]

Biscuit, visit any John Lewis store, they stock them and u can try it out.

[Lucio]

I wonder if those recommending iPads for this actually spend much time reading books?

Personally I use my HTC Desire for reading books (on the Kindle app mind you) and mostly because of one reason, it has a backlit screen so I can see it in the dark.

As for how much I spend reading, about 1 to 2 hours per night.

[neonplanet40]

Well I paid for express delivery on Amazon and was meant to be getting it today. However Schittylink only have it as being in Milton Keynes in England. When trying to ring them up they say they are too busy to accept any calls. . . . .

Knew there was a reason I never used citylink. So who knows when ill get it. A day off wasted for nothing.

[Moby-Dick]

Yeah, like a power angle grinder is "much better" than a decent coffee grinder .... unless you're trying to grind coffee beans, which is a bit tricky with an angle grinder.

If all you have is a hammer , everything looks like a nail....

[mycarsavw]

A colleague has the Kindle 3 Wifi (?) and I've only briefly played with it today. Another colleague wants one for her mother who has poor eyesight - the ability to make the font larger is a huge plus, but the screen seems a little too dim.

Those of you who have one;

Can you adjust the contrast?

and/or

Can you invert the screen/font colours - they appear to invert as a page turns but there's no (obvious) option to set it permanently.

[burble]

Can you adjust the contrast?

and/or

Can you invert the screen/font colours - they appear to invert as a page turns but there's no (obvious) option to set it permanently.

No to both I'm afraid.

[cookie365]

A colleague has the Kindle 3 Wifi (?) and I've only briefly played with it today. Another colleague wants one for her mother who has poor eyesight - the ability to make the font larger is a huge plus, but the screen seems a little too dim.

Those of you who have one;

Can you adjust the contrast?

and/or

Can you invert the screen/font colours - they appear to invert as a page turns but there's no (obvious) option to set it permanently.

The screen is very dim. In fact, completely dim. It's not backlit at all. That's what makes it so readable.

The 'brightness' and 'contrast' are dependent on what you're using to light it - just like a paper book.

[g8ina]

Yeah, you need a decent light source, Im getting a clip on LED lamp soon.

Now Ive had it a few days more, Ive decided to reduce the font and line spacing, so my page turns have decreased dramatically. Battery looking good.

Had one book rejected as "owned by another" - this is a 25 language phrasebook I fancied, but obviously the place I got it from was not a valid source ! No great loss really.

Im still after a bible, reckon I'll have to pay for the one I want tho.

[crazy]

People with a Kindle, try out Instapaper, it's pretty awesome for formatting web article to view on the Kindle.

[Saracen]

Personally I use my HTC Desire for reading books (on the Kindle app mind you) and mostly because of one reason, it has a backlit screen so I can see it in the dark.

As for how much I spend reading, about 1 to 2 hours per night.

I'm surprised you don't get eye strain from it. Then again, maybe it depends on age... and eyes. I get eye strain after a couple of hours of watching TV, let alone reading a book on a phone.

[Saracen]

If all you have is a hammer , everything looks like a nail....

Or in my case, looks like my thumb. My DIY skills aren't exactly ninja elite.

[mycarsavw]

No to both I'm afraid.

Thanks

The screen is very dim. In fact, completely dim. It's not backlit at all. That's what makes it so readable.

The 'brightness' and 'contrast' are dependent on what you're using to light it - just like a paper book.

Yup, I gathered the USP was the screen, but, while it's fine for me and for the owner, it's not that great for someone with poor eyesight - hence my question.

Yeah, you need a decent light source, Im getting a clip on LED lamp soon.

Good idea, I'll suggest that, thanks