eReader - what's the point?

[Nancyg56]

These things might not matter to some consumers and if that is the case the eReader isn't for them but they are the things that are used to determine whether or not they are a fit for you.

You summed it up so well. I am not a person who uses many electronic gadgets but when my DS showed me his Nook I was in Love! Next thing you know I was gifted with one for Mother's day and have been using it ever since. I think that the thing that bothers me most about some of the comments some people make is the underlying note of disdain for those of us who have chosen to forgo "real" books for digital. I am not saying here on this thread but I have gotten my share of snide remarks about my Nook from people who have never even held one. People choose what works for them, paper or digital, it is all good as long as you read

Wow - where to start? It always puzzles me that people who are not interested in a certain technology seem to need to prove that their way is better, with thinly veiled snipes at those who choose to invest in the technology. I have several friends who are "what's the point" types, too - it's as unpleasant to hear in person as it is to read online.


For the record, at least two of my most die-hard "never, ever read from an electronic device" friends now have their own Kindles and you would think they were invented specifically for them lol.

I know! My DH thought that it was "lazy" that I did not need to turn pages....just slide my finger. Until I showed him how many books were stored on my Nook and asked him how much room that would take up in the house Not to mention we were flying at the time and I would have typacally taken at least 6 books in place of that slim little gadget

I see nothing wrong with eReaders but I LOVE to poke around in bookstores and as long as I get such pleasure out of that I see no need for an eReader. For ME.

Oh, I love book stores too!!!!!!!!!!!! How else do you get to look at book covers, see what is new, sit and read a little bit to determine if you want the book? Barnes and Noble gives you incentives to go into their stores with promotions from time to time. Free coffee or chocolates and of course that leads to my buying new books

 

[FireDancer]

You have to turn them off when the plane pushes back from the gate until the FA announces after takeoff that "approved electronics" can be used. I've NEVER had that take less than 20 minutes. Depending on the queue to takeoff, it's taken as long as 35 minutes.

Then, when the plane begins its initial descent into the destination, they have to be turned off again. In my experience this, also, is at least 20 minutes. Sometimes as long as 35 minutes depending on how long it takes them to get into the approach pattern.

It depends on the eReader and how knowledgeable the flight attendants are of how it works. If it one of the eInk readers you can turn it off and the last page you were on would still be displayed on the screen. I have heard a lot of tech journalists (Leo Laporte, Molly Wood, etc) who explained to the flight attendant how it works and that it is only on for page turns and not on in between and have then kept them out while other electronics were not permitted.

Generally speaking an eInk reader only uses power while it is changing pages, not while displaying them.

 

[klmall]

I got my Kindle Fire last weekend from DH and I love it! DS and I gave him a Kindle more than a year ago and we weren't sure that he would 'take' to it since most of the books he reads are a particular type of science-fiction/fantasy but he now does almost all his reading on his Kindle. We both are avid readers who literally read books constantly and take books with us everywhere we go: to work, on trips to appointments etc. and the Kindle is a lifesaver.

Is our house filled with books? Of course it is! Will we continue to buy hardbound and paperback books? Definitely, especially since I like photography books and he likes to pass classic anthology sets on to DS.

And since neither DH nor I have smartphones my Kindle Fire is perfect for web browsing and travel guide referencing. I can now search in Frommer or Fodor or Lonely Planet for specifics rather than carrying or ripping apart travel guides when we're off on a drive!

I too, read a lot in bed and I love not holding a heavy book in my hand. One of my ways for judging a fiction book to buy in a bookstore is always its' length. By that I mean I didn't buy a book under 250 pages or so; it had to be at least that to get my money but then the weight could bother me when reading on my side in bed! Guess that's meaningless now!

And I love the idea of games e.g. solitaire etc. on an e-reader as well!

 

[mariamouse]

Can any of you recommend a good no-frills e-reader for a man with bad eyes who is not really tech-savvy and just wants to read books on it? I am not looking for anything too fancy... just something that will not strain my dad's eyes and is compatible with libraries since that is mostly where he gets his books as of now. Quality is obviously important too.

Are there any particular e-readers that also permit you to do the NYT crossword puzzles on them? He loves these in addition to books.

Thoughts?

 

[elgerber]

I, personally, have absolutely no interest in owning one. I am an avid reader - usually in the middle of 2 books at a time. Reading is how I decompress at night.

However, after 9 hours of staring at a computer screen, I just CAN.NOT.DO.IT.ANYMORE. Going home and staring at another computer screen would send me over the edge.

Also, replacing a book is what - $20 or so MAX. Replacing an e-Reader with 1000's of books on it is.....a lot more.

I just love the feel of a paper book in my hand. And like a pp said - going to a store and coming home with a new stack - nothing like it, IMO.

In addition the e-ink that another poster pointed out, if your Kindle books are downloaded from Amazon, they store them for you, so if you get a new Kindle you can download them again. You don't have to rebuy them.

If people want to read actual books or if they prefer Kindle books, makes no difference to me. Everyone is different. I just wanted to clear up a misconception.

 

[DMRick]

I came on the Dis declaring my love for 'real' books and no way woudl I change my mind. I loved the feel of a real book, loved to turn pages, loved to re-read them, could get them second hand.

Fast forward after my first year (dragged in screaming) with my Kindle. No way would I go back to only books..in fact I still like going into book stores and browsing, but I seldom buy now. I go on Amazon's free book section a few times a week, and 'modern' books are often listed for a night or two...at no cost. Our library now lends us books for two weeks (and many books can be loaned to me from friends)..it takes seconds to get them. When a recent book that I wanted came out, I was out of town, in the middle of the ocean..I went online and had it on my Kindle and read within two days...before we even hit a port where I could have bought it.

In the year since I've had my Kindle, I have only purchased two books..and the cost of those are less than what I would have spend on garage sale books.

I can adjust the size of the font, and it's much lighter to hold. I can't find a downfall, other than having to put it in a ziploc when I read in the tub (cause I fall asleep and it might slip in!).

I also have the 3G version, and I've gotten on line all over the world for free, while cruising to check my email. A bit clunky..but free is good.

All that said, I don't care what other people do..if they want to continue to buy paper books, that's fine. However, most (I realize not all) people who have told me they would never use a kindle, haven't even tried one for a month or so. I never thought I would write that I loved mine. But I sure do!!

Also, looking at a Kindle screen is not the same as looking at a computer screen. Much easier on your eyes, and it's like looking at a 'real' book.

 

[AKL_Megs]

When I was a flight attendant, I used to get a kick out of asking people to, "Please, turn off your book."

I like everything about a paper book; the feel of the book in my hand, the smell of the paper... At the same time, I see the benefits of the eReader, but it's not for me.

 

[acejka]

I read a ton. I'm talking a book every 2 days. With my nook, I can carry several books at once, I always have a few favorites that I will read over and over if I finish one. I can get books from the library. I can change the font size if my eyes are tired. I do not fly so that is not a problem for me-we take a lot of roadtrips and it's much easier to carry my nook with several books than several books.

I live in the boonies part of orlando so it takes forever to drive over to the overly crowded shopping areas to go browse a bookstore and I just get annoyed with the traffic and crowds, so if i want to read something right that second, I can.

Also, I can toss it in a big ziplock and read it at the pool, bath, hot tub or beach without worrying about water damage.

And when I was laying on the beach not too long ago and said uggghh I really want to read the third hunger games book instead of the books i had on my nook i just turned the internet on and bam I had the third hunger games at my finger tips.

I still love regular books and buy them but usually only signed. And I still use my library delivery service-in fact i got 4 books dropped off this week.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I read a lot, and love books!

I downloaded the kindle app on my iPad, and I was surprised with how much I like that app. As already mentioned, book storage isn't an issue and I can carry hundreds of books in my iPad. I've been getting a lot of free kindle books through Pixel of Ink.

The only disadvantage I will say I've encountered with an ereader is that if you're in a public place it isn't great for pool side reading. When I go to WDW, I always relax with a paperback at the pool. When I get hot, I'll go into the pool for 10 minutes or so to cool off and then will resume reading. I can leave a paperback on a lounge chair unattended for 10 minutes and no one steals it. I wouldn't leave my iPad unguarded for 2 minutes.

My dd has a kindle and loves it. The Fire looks great, but the kindle iPad app works well enough that I don't need to buy another tablet.

 

[snykymom]

I have a Sony eReader that doesn't have wifi or 3G capacity - I have to load books from my computer. But I don't find that to be a big deal; I just load several books at a time and I'm never really away from my computer for all that long.

I bought it for one reason: a 2 week vacation in Europe, in a country whose predominant language is not English. In my entire 2 week stay, I saw 1 bookstore that had English books. I read 4 books while there that I didn't have to pack, whose weight I didn't have to worry about, and still had about 35 on my reader so I didn't have to worry about running out of reading material in English. I loved it.

And then I used it during my public transportation commute. I read The Help shortly after it came out in hardcover. I never would have tried to carry it on the plane! And I can reread it at will.

But at night in bed, or curled up on the couch in front of the fire? DTBs for me.

I love choices!

 

[JennMouse32]

I read a lot. There is always a book I'm in the process of reading. You would think that an eReader would be perfect for me but I don't see the point.

I buy most of my books at the half price book store. On occasion, I'll buy a new one if it is by one of my favorite authors and it has just been released. I did a quick look at the Amazon Kindle and looked at the eBooks that are available and the price of the books in electronic form are generally twice as much as what I pay at half price books. Sometimes, if it is old enough, the book is the SAME price as what I pay at half price books. It seems that very few are less than $3.99 or so. AND, I can sell my books back to the half price book store when I'm done. So, saving money on books doesn't seem to be a reason to get one.

Also, the eReader is an electronic device. It has to be turned off for airplane takeoff and landing. This is generally the first 30 minutes and last 30 minutes of a flight. I like to keep reading during these times.

So, why do people get eReaders?

i have an ipad not an e-reader.. but the answer is easy. so you dont have to lug around 20 books... one light weight tiny thing and you can carry your whole book collection with you... i have about 50 books on my ipad.. lot easier carrying the ipad than 50 books

 

[bookgirl]

Can any of you recommend a good no-frills e-reader for a man with bad eyes who is not really tech-savvy and just wants to read books on it? I am not looking for anything too fancy... just something that will not strain my dad's eyes and is compatible with libraries since that is mostly where he gets his books as of now. Quality is obviously important too.

Are there any particular e-readers that also permit you to do the NYT crossword puzzles on them? He loves these in addition to books.

Thoughts?

Just a word of caution. Most ereaders do not download directly from the library. You have to load it on your home computer and transfer (flash requirments).

Itouch, Ipad, and the new Fire and Nook Tablets (along with most android or apple phones and off name tablets) will do a wireless transfer but there is still things that have to be done on the home computer or that involve steps that you need to be tech savvey enought to understand.


Solo readers like Nook, Kindle, Sony etc has to have a computer with flash to interface with Overdrive Media which supplies most public libraries with thier emedia.

We get a lot of older folks, not all of them by any means but a pretty big number, who's well meaning kids buy them tech but don't realize that there is no 'real simple' way to use the technology. The set up is the hardest part but even the day to day use does require a certain amount of tech know how.

Once they learn they really enjoy it but the unless you are able to sit at home with them and help them intially and help with follow up it's not a great present. We do as much as we can to help them but even wireless access is not enough for the basic models, they have to be able to do the home computer administration as well.

 

[bookgirl]

As far as simple-ish

The original Kindle and original Nook both use a arrow system (either buttons or a touch pad that is very small) and it's hard to navigate for those with poor eyesight, clumsy fingers or low patience. (I have an original nook it can be a pain)

Try to get a reader with a full touchscreen, much much easier to use, but unfortunalty not under $100.

I think Kindle has talked about a touch screen, but I don't know if it's out yet and Nook has one now. Nook also has the Color which I believe is a full touchscreen, or either of the new tablets they put out this christmas, but you're looking at $200-$250 at least.

 

[mariamouse]

Just a word of caution. Most ereaders do not download directly from the library. You have to load it on your home computer and transfer (flash requirments).

Itouch, Ipad, and the new Fire and Nook Tablets (along with most android or apple phones and off name tablets) will do a wireless transfer but there is still things that have to be done on the home computer or that involve steps that you need to be tech savvey enought to understand.


Solo readers like Nook, Kindle, Sony etc has to have a computer with flash to interface with Overdrive Media which supplies most public libraries with thier emedia.

We get a lot of older folks, not all of them by any means but a pretty big number, who's well meaning kids buy them tech but don't realize that there is no 'real simple' way to use the technology. The set up is the hardest part but even the day to day use does require a certain amount of tech know how.

Once they learn they really enjoy it but the unless you are able to sit at home with them and help them intially and help with follow up it's not a great present. We do as much as we can to help them but even wireless access is not enough for the basic models, they have to be able to do the home computer administration as well.

Thanks so much for your advice! I am 22 and live at home, so I would definitely be able to help him out. He is also not that old yet (60), so I am sure that he could figure it out fairly quickly. I just call him non-tech savvy since he is always really lazy about making me do anything technology-related for him. He uses a MacBook, though, and uses that to compose music, surf the internet, upload pictures, etc, so he should be able to figure out how to use the e-reader. He just does not have any interest in anything super "complicated" with lots of apps, wi-fi, etc.

I am leaning toward the Kindle. Do any of you have a recommendation as to which Kindle works best? Touch screen versus keyboard? Does the Kindle Fire also use e-ink or is it an LCD screen? I am worried that the LCD screen might strain his eyes more than the e-ink.

 

[mariamouse]

As far as simple-ish

The original Kindle and original Nook both use a arrow system (either buttons or a touch pad that is very small) and it's hard to navigate for those with poor eyesight, clumsy fingers or low patience. (I have an original nook it can be a pain)

Try to get a reader with a full touchscreen, much much easier to use, but unfortunalty not under $100.

I think Kindle has talked about a touch screen, but I don't know if it's out yet and Nook has one now. Nook also has the Color which I believe is a full touchscreen, or either of the new tablets they put out this christmas, but you're looking at $200-$250 at least.

Thanks again! Sounds like touch-screen may be the way to go.

I see here that Amazon offers both a regular version and a 3G version:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005890G8Y/ref=famstripe_kt

I apologize if I sound totally clueless, but what does the 3G actually enable you to do that the other does not? Is it completely free after you've purchased the Kindle? It's only $50 more, so seems compelling...

Sorry for hijacking this thread, OP.

 

[tlbwriter]

I apologize if I sound totally clueless, but what does the 3G actually enable you to do that the other does not? Is it completely free after you've purchased the Kindle? It's only $50 more, so seems compelling...

The 3G version allows you to download content without having a wifi connection. It's good if your purchases tend to be spontaneous.

 

[bookgirl]

Thanks so much for your advice! I am 22 and live at home, so I would definitely be able to help him out. He is also not that old yet (60), so I am sure that he could figure it out fairly quickly. I just call him non-tech savvy since he is always really lazy about making me do anything technology-related for him. He uses a MacBook, though, and uses that to compose music, surf the internet, upload pictures, etc, so he should be able to figure out how to use the e-reader. He just does not have any interest in anything super "complicated" with lots of apps, wi-fi, etc.

I am leaning toward the Kindle. Do any of you have a recommendation as to which Kindle works best? Touch screen versus keyboard? Does the Kindle Fire also use e-ink or is it an LCD screen? I am worried that the LCD screen might strain his eyes more than the e-ink.

I kind of answered this in the post right above. I believe all the tablets are back lit so if you're there to help and he does have some e-skills then you probably want to get either the nook simple touch or the kindle ereader. They both have non backlit pages. With nook you have to get an Adobe Id and a B&N account and with Kindle you need an Amazon account (even for free library books).

I will say that the Amazon does send library books to the kindle wirelessly but you have to do all the checkout and maintenance on your computer, Nook everything at the library is on the home computer including the transfer of the book.

This is of course my system's requirments but Overdrive is pretty standard in it's use so check with your dad's branch library to see what they require.

 

[mariamouse]

The 3G version allows you to download content without having a wifi connection. It's good if your purchases tend to be spontaneous.

Gotcha. Thanks! It might be worth it just to have that ease of mind wherever he goes.

I kind of answered this in the post right above. I believe all the tablets are back lit so if you're there to help and he does have some e-skills then you probably want to get either the nook simple touch or the kindle ereader. They both have non backlit pages. With nook you have to get an Adobe Id and a B&N account and with Kindle you need an Amazon account (even for free library books).

I will say that the Amazon does send library books to the kindle wirelessly but you have to do all the checkout and maintenance on your computer, Nook everything at the library is on the home computer including the transfer of the book.

This is of course my system's requirments but Overdrive is pretty standard in it's use so check with your dad's branch library to see what they require.

Sorry- I did not see your second reply prior to posting that. Our local library is fantastic and does use Overdrive. The library website seems to mention Kindle more, so I may go for the Kindle ereader. Thanks again!


Any other opinions on which Kindle is best?

 

[DMRick]

The 3G version allows you to download content without having a wifi connection. It's good if your purchases tend to be spontaneous.

It also allows you to be online without wifi, most anyplace a cell phone works...you can read your email, check the dis, etc. Like I said, it's clunky, but it's free and it lets me stay in touch.

 

[DMRick]

Thanks so much for your advice! I am 22 and live at home, so I would definitely be able to help him out. He is also not that old yet (60), so I am sure that he could figure it out fairly quickly. .

I'm older than him and had no problems figuring it out. I thougth we were talking about a much older man LOL. On one of our cruises, there was a 93 year old and his wife (she was younger, in her 80's) using theirs, and my DH taught them how to use the internet on it. She said it was faster than the ship's computers (which are painfully slow). Everywhere we looked on the ship, people had their Kindles..very few paper books, now that it costs so much to bring more and heavier luggage.