The function of the Kindle system (as opposed to the hardware), is that one can obtain current books easily for a fee and read them on your computer. At least

The function of the Kindle system (as opposed to the hardware), is that one can obtain current books easily for a fee and read them on your computer. At least that's what it does for me. I am careful to only buy books that I am okay with not reading multiple times (ie, if Amazon yanks them or Amazon itself dies), though.