Do you have an e-reader? Tell us about it

Jim Wynne

Staff member
Admin
#1
There's been some discussion here on and off about e-readers, and not long ago I broke down and bought a
Nook Simple Touch. I chose the Nook for after playing around with my daughter's a bit, and for the fact that the equivalent Amazon Kindle was, at the time, cheaper unless you agreed to having ads built in. Even at the current prices the no-ads Kindle is still $10 more than the Nook. Another reason for my choice was the the Kindle won't do Wikipedia reference-linkEPUB books without some hacking, and there are a lot of free public-domain books in that format.

I haven't found anything yet that I don't like about the thing. It's battery life is excellent, the e-ink Pearl display is very easy on the eyes (but not backlit, which means that the Nook can be easily read in bright sunlight) and navigation is very simple. Because the Nook is Wi-Fi connected (and can't be used without Wi-Fi) it's possible to endlessly browse Barnes and Noble's extensive library, and for most books it's possible to download a sample of 30 pages or so without cost.

I've got about twenty books on mine at present, including the complete works of Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe and O Henry (all three of which were either free or less than US$5.00) without putting a significant dent in its strorage capacity.

For my own purposes, I don't see the Nook being replaced by a tablet (which is also available from B&N in the form of the Nook Color), mainly because I like the display of the Simple Touch, and don't want or need for it to do additional things. The Simple Touch is Android-based and through a process called "rooting" Wikipedia reference-linkRooting (Android OS) it's possible to extend the capability to web browsing and app-running, but I think I'll leave well enough alone.

I'm interested to see how many other Covers have e-readers, and what they like and dislike about them.
 
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Marc

Hunkered Down for the Duration with a Mask on...
Staff member
Admin
#2
Well, I'm waiting for my iPad and can't speak to e-book tablets. But - I hate the thought of paper going away. I in part will probably try some e-books when I get my iPad, but up to this point I have no experience in e-books.

I don't know if an iPad or any e-book reader will replace this....

 

Miner

Forum Moderator
Staff member
Admin
#3
I have one of the first Nooks, the one with a small touch bar at the bottom. I have used it for almost 2 years and love it. I bought a Nook Color for my wife and she can't put it down.

Like you, I researched and found that the Nook could handle virtually all ebook formats while the Kindle was very limited. I am amazed at the number of websites where you can download public domain classics at no cost. There are also websites like Baen publishing that offer free (and complete) ebooks of popular authors. Their business model is to get you hooked on an author, and then you will buy their other works. Note: the model works. They hooked me on Eric Flint.

But, I also agree with Marc. There is something about actually holding a book in your hands. However, if the book is a large tome and you are reading in bed, I'll opt for the Nook.
 

Jim Wynne

Staff member
Admin
#4
I have one of the first Nooks, the one with a small touch bar at the bottom. I have used it for almost 2 years and love it. I bought a Nook Color for my wife and she can't put it down.

Like you, I researched and found that the Nook could handle virtually all ebook formats while the Kindle was very limited. I am amazed at the number of websites where you can download public domain classics at no cost. There are also websites like Baen publishing that offer free (and complete) ebooks of popular authors. Their business model is to get you hooked on an author, and then you will buy their other works. Note: the model works. They hooked me on Eric Flint.

But, I also agree with Marc. There is something about actually holding a book in your hands. However, if the book is a large tome and you are reading in bed, I'll opt for the Nook.
I don't see myself ever giving up on real books, but the convenience of the Nook is great. Last night I had to pick my wife up at O'Hare and her flight was delayed, and I had to sit in my car in the cell phone lot for an hour longer than I had thought, but I had brought the Nook with me. That means I hadt 20+ books with me and could choose what I felt like reading at the time.

One thing the Nook doesn't do well is graphics. If a book has photos, for example, they don't render very well in most cases. An LCD screen would be better for those sorts of things.
 

Colin

Quite Involved in Discussions
#5
I bought my wife a Kindle for Christmas - she doesn't do computers at all but I was sure she would be OK with an e-reader :D Wrong! :mg: She didn't even take it out of the box - took it back and got a refund.

I had a play with one prior to buying it for her and it looked great, especially the point Jim makes about having lots of choice available in 1 neat package.
 
#6
I recently obtained an iPad, which I really enjoy! Apart from anything else, not having to lug a pc and power cords etc around is great! I can run presentations from it (with Slide Shark) and it's good for the odd video/tv show downloaded while, like Jim, killing some time in airports etc.

Back to the plot, I too enjoy a good book and have a subscription to 'Car' magazine (since 1964!). I'm not sure I'm about to give up that in favor of the iPad. However, the fact that you can zoom in has made reading better for my Dad (who has an iPad) at 90+ years old, since he was only using big print books, which is a bit limiting on his variety of reading matter!
 
S

somerqc

#7
We originally had an e-reader then we got an iPad. For our needs, we are an iPad only family now for e-books. I am almost done the 5th book of the Game of Thrones series.

As we don't have a lot of lights on at home and I don't read a lot outside, I prefer using the iPad to read.
 

Crusader

Trusted Information Resource
#8
Hubby started out with a Kindle (the first large original Kindle)! He has upgraded just about each time one comes out. He has the Fire now. Loves it.

I broke down and said I liked his kindle reader (previous gen, ink display, wifi)...so I was given one as a gift unexpectedly. Sold that one and I now have a Kindle Fire (Christmas gift). It's great, love the fact that I can store all my books and play games, and web surf... rarely.

We also have a 2nd gen iPad (mine) and a new iPad(hubby's) coming in the mail on the 16th. Guaranteed delivery according to Apple. :)

Now, I am considering selling my iPad 2, 32gb, wifi....so I can get the new iPad. I love the iPad as much but I do not use it for reading books. I use the iPad for my music practice and recording, etc, web surfing, gaming, etc...in that order.

Funny, different devices for specific uses. Even my Apple MacBook Pro....ONLY for music recording. Nothing else. The only software installed is my music recording stuff and the OS itself.
 

Mikishots

Trusted Information Resource
#9
I use a Kindle 4 and I do like it very much. One of the things about it that I like is the ability to download certain classics for free, as they are now public domain (copyrights are over and done with due to age).
 
#10
I have had a Kindle of some kind since they first came out. I am an avid reader. I now have a Kindle Fire and love it. There is nothing like traveling without have to haul a lot of books with you.
 
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