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windypops
Baiting Guru
Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Posts: 6059
Location: Planet X
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 8:44 am |
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I'm going abroad for a few months soon and have decided to invest in an e-reader instead of lugging books around. I've plumped for the Kindle but am wondering if it's worth paying the extra for the 3G version?
I can load it up with plenty of reading material before I go, but you never know. I believe there is limited access to news and current affairs sites too which might be of some use. Been eyeing these things up for a while since I got back into reading the classics and there are thousands of free titles. available
If you have one, how do you find it? I'll be putting an order in before the end of the week.
Ta for any opinions. |
_________________ "No amount of semen donation will save this situation" Sanny Sanny
"We must disagree to agree" Raji Musa
If it's LADS you want. GoTo: http://www.yopmail.com/
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pilgrim
Elite Baiter
Joined: 19 May 2004
Posts: 1789
Location: In the colonies
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 1:21 pm |
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We have two 3G units, both of the older generation, so they didn't work on a recent trip to England. You'll want the new graphite model, which works globally.
bottom line:
My wife has become an avid reader. Prepare to purchase a second Kindle, and prepare for large monthly Amazon fees.
I purchase only free books, of which there are many. I recommend everything by Mark Twain.
I've dropped mine twice. No harm the first time, but the second time I got dead pixels, which spread. I recommend a protective case and care.
I now have an iPad, an iMac, and a MacBook, all of which have access to the Kindle bookstore at the same price. 3G not required. You might consider an iPad instead of a Kindle, since it's marginally more expensive, but far more versatile.
In any case, good luck and enjoy! |
_________________ I know somebody in the wester union agent here, therefore i will not have any problem.
All the walfare of United States Citizen is my cosine.
x 140 x 45 x 2 x 9 x13 x 3 x 19 x 6 x 41 x 8 x 2 x 6 x 12 x 4 x 4 x 3 x 21 x 2 x 7 x 6 x 2 x 4 x 22 x 162+ |
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windypops
Baiting Guru
Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Posts: 6059
Location: Planet X
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 2:16 pm |
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Thanks Pilgrim,
I'll get a cover at the same time then. I've been using my netbook (Eee PC) for reading free books, but though small, is not the best for prolonged reading. I like the extremely long battery life offered by the Kindle.
I have a large list of books lined up already.
Though not the main reason for buying one, can you tell me what it's like as a browser? From what I've seen by watching youtube vids, it's possible to use Google so I can access BBC news and the like. Is it possible to read and send email? that would be simply stunning if it lets you do that. |
_________________ "No amount of semen donation will save this situation" Sanny Sanny
"We must disagree to agree" Raji Musa
If it's LADS you want. GoTo: http://www.yopmail.com/
and sign in with either ladmail or kentbrockman
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DoraTheExplorer
Baiting Guru
Joined: 18 Nov 2008
Posts: 9263
Location: Magnolia, Mississippi
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 2:49 pm |
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windy, I have the K2i (Kindle 2nd generation, International/Global) and absolutely adore it!
I have asked Santa for the newer K3 graphite because I love how much smaller it is and the better screen resolution, even compared to my K2.
Like pilgrim, I would definitely recommend the 3G + wifi model. Though a bit more expensive than the wifi-only model, there were some issues on release with the wifi-only models and registration/connectivity with Amazon's servers. While it was usually more user-related than actual Kindle-related, I still like the idea of of lifetime free 3G once you own the Kindle.
Make sure you check out the coverage map for the 3G. The K3 uses AT&T (and their partners). http://client0.cellmaps.com/viewer.html?cov=1 However, unless you are in an area without any coverage, most of the time, even very limited coverage will work just find in downloading your Kindle books, if needed.
As far as the browsing --
The older Kindles did browse too, so in a pinch, I can get on the interwebs, if needed. I actually signed onto my gmail account and sent an email to a lad just last week when my home internet was down. It wasn't a pleasant experience, but it worked. However, the newer K3s do have a better browers and for the most part, if you keep your expectations low, you will be happy with it. If you expect it to be a netbook or iPad, you will be very disappointed.
This blog owner did a couple really good in-depth reviews of the K3 before release and has some videos and photos posted: http://ireaderreview.com/2010/08/22/kindle-3-review-videos-kindle-3-review-photos-exclusive/
Hope this helps. |
_________________
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windypops
Baiting Guru
Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Posts: 6059
Location: Planet X
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 3:36 pm |
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Thanks Dora, You just sold it to me. Free G3 internet connection and email too. I can read and bait lads at the same time. Two of my favourite hobbies.
I'm really only buying it for it's main purpose but am amazed it can handle email even if it means a bit of effort. I'm in the UK, but have checked our coverage map and it looks pretty good. I'm going to get one now.
I'll do a bit of a review for you when it arrives. |
_________________ "No amount of semen donation will save this situation" Sanny Sanny
"We must disagree to agree" Raji Musa
If it's LADS you want. GoTo: http://www.yopmail.com/
and sign in with either ladmail or kentbrockman
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DoraTheExplorer
Baiting Guru
Joined: 18 Nov 2008
Posts: 9263
Location: Magnolia, Mississippi
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 4:13 pm |
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Cool, windy! I think you will enjoy it!
Sorry for being US-centric. In the UK (and some other places outside the US), the K3 with 3G +wifi ships with a Vodafone modem. The coverage map for them is almost the same with a few slight differences. I can barely tell the difference on first glance.
http://client0.cellmaps.com/viewer.html?cov=2&view=intl
Please tell me how you like the K3 when you get it. I sure hope Santa believes I was good this year! |
_________________
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Paga John Paga Willie Paga Kingsley James
The Dynamic Duo Travels! |
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Craig007
Baiting Guru
Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 3123
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 4:54 pm |
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I've been long considering a Kindle or similar myself - I can see the benefits, but so far I've not brought myself around to buying one.
Like Dora, I'll put it on my Christmas list I think - I hope they do Ayn Rand in e-book form! |
_________________ CAN VISA BE GIVING IN THE PLANE? YOUR QUEEN ELIZABETH CAN NOT TAKE VISA IN THE PLANE,TALKLESS OF YOU - WILLIAM PAUL
x7
Wulugu or Bust Safari- Lagos, Nigeria to Paga, Ghana and Tokwari, Ghana X2-3800mi. "I'm leaving this bullshit area"
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DoraTheExplorer
Baiting Guru
Joined: 18 Nov 2008
Posts: 9263
Location: Magnolia, Mississippi
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 5:36 pm |
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Craig007
Baiting Guru
Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 3123
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 5:57 pm |
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Thanks, Dora!
I've researched some other titles I'm interested in, and I'm disappointed to find a few not available in the UK - yet when I change my country on Amazon's site, that makes them available to me - but will simply doing this allow me to buy the book or will the transaction be stopped when they find out I'm in the UK?
Also, is there a way around this, using an alternative to the Kindle store, but in a format still compatable with the Kindle? |
_________________ CAN VISA BE GIVING IN THE PLANE? YOUR QUEEN ELIZABETH CAN NOT TAKE VISA IN THE PLANE,TALKLESS OF YOU - WILLIAM PAUL
x7
Wulugu or Bust Safari- Lagos, Nigeria to Paga, Ghana and Tokwari, Ghana X2-3800mi. "I'm leaving this bullshit area"
- Accra to Cotonou - 430 miles
100% RISK FREE TRANSACTION
CHERRIE MENTOR PROGRAM |
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windypops
Baiting Guru
Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Posts: 6059
Location: Planet X
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 5:58 pm |
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No excuses Craig,
You can use this free app for managing and converting e-books to any platform: Calibre
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_________________ "No amount of semen donation will save this situation" Sanny Sanny
"We must disagree to agree" Raji Musa
If it's LADS you want. GoTo: http://www.yopmail.com/
and sign in with either ladmail or kentbrockman
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Craig007
Baiting Guru
Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 3123
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 6:00 pm |
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Sold!
I'm amazed at how little this Kindle "3" is going for - I always had the view that e-readers were expensive per se.
Thanks for the link, Windy. |
_________________ CAN VISA BE GIVING IN THE PLANE? YOUR QUEEN ELIZABETH CAN NOT TAKE VISA IN THE PLANE,TALKLESS OF YOU - WILLIAM PAUL
x7
Wulugu or Bust Safari- Lagos, Nigeria to Paga, Ghana and Tokwari, Ghana X2-3800mi. "I'm leaving this bullshit area"
- Accra to Cotonou - 430 miles
100% RISK FREE TRANSACTION
CHERRIE MENTOR PROGRAM |
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windypops
Baiting Guru
Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Posts: 6059
Location: Planet X
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 6:08 pm |
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^ Heh!
From what I understand it's possible to add your own files to it and they should work no problems.
I get free e-books form here: Project Gutenberg at the moment.
Hopefully I'll receive mine before the end of the week. |
_________________ "No amount of semen donation will save this situation" Sanny Sanny
"We must disagree to agree" Raji Musa
If it's LADS you want. GoTo: http://www.yopmail.com/
and sign in with either ladmail or kentbrockman
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DoraTheExplorer
Baiting Guru
Joined: 18 Nov 2008
Posts: 9263
Location: Magnolia, Mississippi
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 6:08 pm |
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windy, Calibre is excellent but will not remove DRM to change the format of an ebook. So an ebook purchased from another ebook seller (such as B&N online) can not be converted to a Kindle-friendly format. (Unless you strip the DRM yourself and that's a whole other discussion. )
So if the book is in a non-Kindle format, and without DRM, Calibre is perfect. I use Calibre mainly for organizing my Kindle books - changing the metadata and the such to what I want (title, author, series order, etc). I currently have 509 Kindle books on the Amazon/Kindle account that I share with my mom and daughter (we each have our own Kindles and share the books we purchase).
Craig, the answer to your question is easy if you follow the rules: Ebook availability is limited to your country of residence. I could explain the reasons for this, but it is a hotly debated issue amongst ebook reader owners and I try to stay away from the argument.
It is possible to change your country of residence on Amazon, but you can get caught (people have) and Amazon will slap your hands. Nothing too serious, just can be a pain.
The best possible scenario is if you have access to a US-billing address for your charge card. IF you have this, just add it to your account, make that your billing address for Amazon account, and avail yourself to the US ebooks, which there are many more of. However, you do need to keep in mind that there are actually books in the UK or other countries that we can't get in the US Kindle Store -- so it works both ways.
There are a few other ways that might work -- but can be a PITA unless you really are determined. |
_________________
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Paga John Paga Willie Paga Kingsley James
The Dynamic Duo Travels! |
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Craig007
Baiting Guru
Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 3123
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 6:14 pm |
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Quote: |
There are a few other ways that might work -- but can be a PITA unless you really are determined. |
Surely you know me by now, Dora - I'm nothing if not determined.
I'm still mostly positive towards the Kindle, as for the few titles I can't get here, I suppose I could stretch to getting them as a physical copy should I want them that much.
I'll try as much as I can to get all of the titles I want in Kindle format (if and when I get one!), and when/if caught, I'll swallow my pride and make do like everyone else.
Thanks for the explaination, however it's slightly more complex than at face value. |
_________________ CAN VISA BE GIVING IN THE PLANE? YOUR QUEEN ELIZABETH CAN NOT TAKE VISA IN THE PLANE,TALKLESS OF YOU - WILLIAM PAUL
x7
Wulugu or Bust Safari- Lagos, Nigeria to Paga, Ghana and Tokwari, Ghana X2-3800mi. "I'm leaving this bullshit area"
- Accra to Cotonou - 430 miles
100% RISK FREE TRANSACTION
CHERRIE MENTOR PROGRAM |
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DoraTheExplorer
Baiting Guru
Joined: 18 Nov 2008
Posts: 9263
Location: Magnolia, Mississippi
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 6:25 pm |
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Yes, I know, Craig. Some might call it bull-headedness too.
Ok, my one tip for the titles you want to purchase from Amazon, but can't get because of the residency thingy:
1. Make a new Amazon account just for your Kindle.
2. Register using a different email address.
3. Put in reasonable US information, like Craig Whoever at such and such Rd, Such and Such City, State, etc. I am sure you know how to do this as a baiter. (Don't use the address of The White House, for example.) My family's account is registered with the name of MidWest Kindle Club (or something like that. ), but has a perfectly acceptable US address.
4. Don't have a credit card attached to the account. Instead, fund it entirely with Amazon Gift Cards. You can purchase those on Amazon directly, from your real Amazon account and send them to yourself. Once you get the GC info in your email, just apply it to your 'Kindle' Amazon account. Voila!
5. Now you can purchase Kindle books in the US. Just register your Kindle to that account, download the books to your Kindle, deregister, then register to your 'real' Amazon account.
6. You can do the deregister/register dance between accounts as much as you like, without a problem. And you only need to do it when you are downloading the book TO your Kindle. Once it is ON your Kindle, you can read the book no matter what account your Kindle is currently registered to.
Make any sense? If not, just PM me. |
_________________
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Paga John Paga Willie Paga Kingsley James
The Dynamic Duo Travels! |
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mr.scissorkick
Elite Baiter
Joined: 03 Feb 2009
Posts: 1973
Location: 50.299209,-3.650293
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 9:03 pm |
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Just a warning about kindles:
http://xkcd.com/750/ |
_________________ -MY DEAR SIR STOP THIS BULL SHIRT WHO IS MR.GOMER? ~Pual Williams
-This is why your wife divorced you! ~Melveille Turner (Hawaiian Punch)
x 67
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Accra-Lagos = "you made me and my people to wiat at the air port for nothing sake.and pay for hotel resavetion its not sound." -John Asamoha
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windypops
Baiting Guru
Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Posts: 6059
Location: Planet X
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 9:16 pm |
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^
Doing some more reading, Kindle DRM is quite an issue. Though as you hint Dora, not insoluble. I'm wondering why they even bother?
Most of the books I want to read are freely available in .txt format so I shouldn't have any problems. |
_________________ "No amount of semen donation will save this situation" Sanny Sanny
"We must disagree to agree" Raji Musa
If it's LADS you want. GoTo: http://www.yopmail.com/
and sign in with either ladmail or kentbrockman
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mr.scissorkick
Elite Baiter
Joined: 03 Feb 2009
Posts: 1973
Location: 50.299209,-3.650293
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Posted:
Tue Nov 02, 2010 9:40 pm |
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While I'm at it, here's a positive review:
http://xkcd.com/548 |
_________________ -MY DEAR SIR STOP THIS BULL SHIRT WHO IS MR.GOMER? ~Pual Williams
-This is why your wife divorced you! ~Melveille Turner (Hawaiian Punch)
x 67
x 34 (Hi, kids!)
Accra-Lagos = "you made me and my people to wiat at the air port for nothing sake.and pay for hotel resavetion its not sound." -John Asamoha
Hon. Martins 16 Jan 2009 - 7 May 2011
Reap / Sow |
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Gold Hat
*** BANNED ***
Joined: 18 Jul 2004
Posts: 2049
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Posted:
Wed Nov 03, 2010 1:47 am |
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Think carefully if you want to read in bed. You need to buy another light or keep the regular one on until all hours thereby continuing to ruin your mates sleep which was the whole reason for buying the god damn thing in the first place.
Buy an Ipad |
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Vampiremerchant
Baiting Guru
Joined: 01 Nov 2009
Posts: 3227
Location: Scotland
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Posted:
Wed Nov 03, 2010 8:43 am |
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Come to think of it what is wrong with buying an actual Book ?
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Mr Tambourine Man
Baiting Guru
Joined: 06 Jun 2008
Posts: 3398
Location: Magic swirlin' ship
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Posted:
Wed Nov 03, 2010 9:46 am |
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There are loads of out of copyright books here.
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/
Mobipocket/prc format will run on the Kindle, and are better quality than the Gutenberg ones.
I have a Cybook Gen 3; a bit old with no WiFi or 3G. I don't find it a problem, but I may buy myself something better for Christmas. |
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NOW AMBACK FOR YOU AGAIN STURBORN SHIT
you dont have a phone.that makes makes you joe butt
Fuck you and go find something to do man. Stop disturbing me please.
This is definitely why you will remain and die in poverty, ignorant of good things and easy acknowledgment of bad things and words. Shame on you, you wicked generation children.
i went you to no that this is not a cheld pray. i went you to get back to me
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pilgrim
Elite Baiter
Joined: 19 May 2004
Posts: 1789
Location: In the colonies
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Posted:
Wed Nov 03, 2010 1:21 pm |
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Windy,
Dora's way ahead of me. She has the best advice. Yes, i have sent/received email with my MK1 model, but it was neither easy nor fun. I haven't tried browsing. As for real books, the Kindle books are cheaper, as you'd expect. And you can't beat free - there are no free real books. The need for a light hasn't been a problem, since most reading takes place during hours we are both awake. The 3G function is handy in that you can download a book wherever you are and whenever you feel the need, even in the ER late at night. I have yet to find a "dead" area where Whispernet doesn't reach, even though the signal strength may be low. And if you care about such things, it's common for strangers to observe you reading and strike up a conversation to inquire about the device. |
_________________ I know somebody in the wester union agent here, therefore i will not have any problem.
All the walfare of United States Citizen is my cosine.
x 140 x 45 x 2 x 9 x13 x 3 x 19 x 6 x 41 x 8 x 2 x 6 x 12 x 4 x 4 x 3 x 21 x 2 x 7 x 6 x 2 x 4 x 22 x 162+ |
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windypops
Baiting Guru
Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Posts: 6059
Location: Planet X
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Posted:
Wed Nov 03, 2010 3:12 pm |
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Thanks,
The light won't be a problem for me. No different from reading a book anyway. I've not done too bad reading on my netbook for about a year, but for the reason I stated want to get as much reading matter in one place as I can. The Eee PC does get hot after an hour but still gets taken evrywhere.
I'm used to strangers telling me how small and cute it is. |
_________________ "No amount of semen donation will save this situation" Sanny Sanny
"We must disagree to agree" Raji Musa
If it's LADS you want. GoTo: http://www.yopmail.com/
and sign in with either ladmail or kentbrockman
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DoraTheExplorer
Baiting Guru
Joined: 18 Nov 2008
Posts: 9263
Location: Magnolia, Mississippi
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Posted:
Wed Nov 03, 2010 3:20 pm |
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pilgrim, I don't find the light an issue either. I mean, when you read a DTB (dead tree book), you need a light source, right? Either the sun, a lamp, or a reading light. A Kindle is suppose to replicate reading a paper book, so it just makes sense you would need a light.
And all the free books for any ebook reader can't be beat. And I am not talking about just the out-of-copyright books that are free. Amazon, B&N, and other ebook sellers offer many free books for their ereaders all the time. Some you might like, some you might not. It's all up to the publishers of those.
Out of the 509 books on my Kindle, all purchased from Amazon directly, over 200 are books that were offered for free at one time or another for Kindles by Amazon. None of those are out-of-copyright books.
In that way alone, my Kindle paid for itself. What book store can you go into and they are giving away their DTBs for you to read for free? |
_________________
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Paga John Paga Willie Paga Kingsley James
The Dynamic Duo Travels! |
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Newdonym
Elite Baiter
Joined: 19 Jan 2008
Posts: 1043
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Posted:
Wed Nov 03, 2010 10:18 pm |
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I'm glad I'm not the only person on Eater that loves my Kindle.
I got the Kindle 2 international version almost a year ago. I'd like to get the new one, and whilst it's pretty cheap, I can't justify spending the money on it.
I too would definitely get a case at the same time. There is a new one with a built in light powered by the kindle.
There are lots of handy tips out there, but my favourite is to search for -default in the kindle store. It brings most of the free and cheap books.
You can also download directly from Project Gutenberg if you pick a supported format (not .pdf). Saying that, a lot of the popular out of copyright books are now on the kindle store. Downloading form there gives you some added functionality, but means that your annotations and highlights are shown the Amazon. |
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