4 ms·

An ebook reader. Both the cheapest version of the Kobo and the Kindle cost around USD60-70. I've gone from reading ~10 books per year to reading ~80 books per

An ebook reader. Both the cheapest version of the Kobo and the Kindle cost around USD60-70. I've gone from reading ~10 books per year to reading ~80 books per year, just because I always carry that thing with me since it's so small and light. I also save a ton of money since printed books are so expensive in Australia, and out-of-copyright books are free. The formatting of technical non-fiction books for e-readers has come a long way, too.

toomuchtodo 13y ago
Seconded. I love that I can backup my entire library to S3 as a zip file, and that I can carry my entire collection of books with me in my Kindle (vs the mammoth bookcase full of hundreds of books I used to have).
crystalmace 13y ago
I agree a ton with this. I liked to read before getting an ereader, but since then my reading has grown exponentially simply because it is so easy to put new books on it. Now I am rereading a lot of books that I used to love but couldn't make it to a library to borrow. I've also started reading new books too, simply because it is less of a commiment to get them now.
yelnatz 13y ago
You got my attention. Which reader do you recommend?
- a_bonobo 13y ago
  I have a third-generation Kindle 3G (edit: [2]), and I'm happy with it - since I never used a cover I got a few broken "pixels" on the display, but these are not very annoying, they look more like ink smudges. I'll probably get the new Paperwhite next (and definitely with a cover!). For software I use Calibre, I have never used Amazon's own thing. If I buy from Amazon I use the USB cable and Calibre to transfer it, the WLAN/whispernet is always off. That way battery lasts for about a month and I don't get any "unexpected surprises" from Amazon [1] I have held the Kobo in store and it's pretty much identical in terms of dimensions/clarity/weight. Not sure about the rest. [1] Like this one: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/technology/companies/18amazon.html http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/technology/companies/18ama... [2] Here's one on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Kindle-3rd-Generation-WI-FI-with-Keyboard-and-Leather-Case-/281292469021 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Kindle-3rd-Generation-WI-FI-w...
- bebna 13y ago
  I recommend you an used Sony PRS-350. Smaller than others and best contrast yet I have seen on any ebook reader to date. But no WIFI, if you want that, go with the kindle.
stevekemp 13y ago
I read a hell of a lot, and I really enjoy walking around charity shops to buy "random" paperbacks (about 50p each, or 15 for £5) I didn't want a kindle for the longest time, because the process of browsing and choosing books was part of the fun, along with the smell and feel of paper. That said I've bought one, and acquired a lot of material, and I've grown to like it an awful lot more than I ever expected I would. Currently I'm planning a holiday to Helsinki, and I know that I'll be taking it with me because it is so very small, and contains a whole bunch of material. But I'll hate myself a little for it.
alok-g 13y ago
I do a lot of online reading, plus PDFs and books. How easy is it to transfer something to Kindle for reading at the moment of finding it online on a computer? We can take Wikipedia articles and PDFs as examples. (PS: A non-cloud based transfer solution where they cannot track what I am reading is more preferable to me.)
- matt_s 13y ago
  You can literally email the PDF or other formats to a unique address for you and your Kindle after you set up the account. http://www.amazon.com/gp/sendtokindle/email http://www.amazon.com/gp/sendtokindle/email

toomuchtodo 13y ago

Seconded. I love that I can backup my entire library to S3 as a zip file, and that I can carry my entire collection of books with me in my Kindle (vs the mammoth bookcase full of hundreds of books I used to have).

crystalmace 13y ago

I agree a ton with this. I liked to read before getting an ereader, but since then my reading has grown exponentially simply because it is so easy to put new books on it. Now I am rereading a lot of books that I used to love but couldn't make it to a library to borrow. I've also started reading new books too, simply because it is less of a commiment to get them now.

yelnatz 13y ago

You got my attention. Which reader do you recommend?

a_bonobo 13y ago
I have a third-generation Kindle 3G (edit: [2]), and I'm happy with it - since I never used a cover I got a few broken "pixels" on the display, but these are not very annoying, they look more like ink smudges. I'll probably get the new Paperwhite next (and definitely with a cover!). For software I use Calibre, I have never used Amazon's own thing. If I buy from Amazon I use the USB cable and Calibre to transfer it, the WLAN/whispernet is always off. That way battery lasts for about a month and I don't get any "unexpected surprises" from Amazon [1] I have held the Kobo in store and it's pretty much identical in terms of dimensions/clarity/weight. Not sure about the rest. [1] Like this one: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/technology/companies/18amazon.html http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/technology/companies/18ama... [2] Here's one on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Kindle-3rd-Generation-WI-FI-with-Keyboard-and-Leather-Case-/281292469021 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Kindle-3rd-Generation-WI-FI-w...
bebna 13y ago
I recommend you an used Sony PRS-350. Smaller than others and best contrast yet I have seen on any ebook reader to date. But no WIFI, if you want that, go with the kindle.

stevekemp 13y ago

I read a hell of a lot, and I really enjoy walking around charity shops to buy "random" paperbacks (about 50p each, or 15 for £5) I didn't want a kindle for the longest time, because the process of browsing and choosing books was part of the fun, along with the smell and feel of paper. That said I've bought one, and acquired a lot of material, and I've grown to like it an awful lot more than I ever expected I would. Currently I'm planning a holiday to Helsinki, and I know that I'll be taking it with me because it is so very small, and contains a whole bunch of material. But I'll hate myself a little for it.

alok-g 13y ago

I do a lot of online reading, plus PDFs and books. How easy is it to transfer something to Kindle for reading at the moment of finding it online on a computer? We can take Wikipedia articles and PDFs as examples. (PS: A non-cloud based transfer solution where they cannot track what I am reading is more preferable to me.)

matt_s 13y ago
You can literally email the PDF or other formats to a unique address for you and your Kindle after you set up the account. http://www.amazon.com/gp/sendtokindle/email http://www.amazon.com/gp/sendtokindle/email