Author Topic: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle  (Read 13012 times)

Bogstandard

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Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« on: September 21, 2012, 10:15:23 AM »
As you may well know, my life is going through a bit of a change, and soon I will be spending more time upstairs in my house, away from my computer. I am an avid reader, and normally I read lots of books in PDF format, but taking my desktop computer to bed with me isn't an option, so a solution had to be found, and the cheapest Kindle on the market came to my rescue.

This is it, with it's leather protection case fitted (a separately purchased item)



The PDF files are easy to load, just drag and drop on the desktop, and because my eyesight isn't all that brilliant, I set it up so that it splits the page into two and goes the full width of the display screen (only takes seconds to do). There are all sorts of combinations you can use to get it just right for your type of reading, different sized fonts, magnified text etc, again, all very easy to set up.



And even drawings and photos are very well reproduced, but unfortunately, unless you buy the one that is released in a couple of months, a lot more expensive, they all come out in B&W, but with a very good rendition and crystal clear. In fact, unlike most screens like this, when in a darkened room, it benefits from a light being shone on the screen, so no need to worry about your bedside light causing reflections, it works almost exactly the same as a real paper book does.



This little gadget most probably does hundreds of different things that really I am not interested in, like WI-fi downloading from the net etc, but for what I need, and I think a lot of other people as well, it reads PDF books just perfectly.

So here are a couple of UK links to show where and what I purchased.

The Kindle itself.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazon-D01100-Kindle-Wi-Fi-Display/dp/B0051QVF7A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1348218440&sr=8-3

The third party faux leather cover, about 1/4 the price of a genuine one.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SD-Clip-On-Reading-Amazon-Kindle/dp/B005QDM798/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_cp_17


John

Offline Jo

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2012, 10:22:10 AM »
If you are going to have to spend more time up stairs I would recommend a "House Lathe" and converting a spare bedroom into a second workshop ;D

Jo
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Offline Jo

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2012, 10:35:12 AM »
Forgot to mention: The other thing you need is a netbook so that when you are in bed you can still wirelessly access the web to enable you to continue to contribute to MEM and see what all your friends have been up to in their workshops ;D.

I think my little 10" Dell cost about ?169 and it is briliant I can use it in bed, on the dining room table etc.

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline ProdEng

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2012, 10:39:26 AM »
Best thing about using a Kindle or iPad is being able to read anywhere without having to find light.

Jan
Jan in Perth

Offline Jo

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2012, 10:52:46 AM »
I also keep thinking about a Kindle but most of the documents I want to read are in PDF format rather than one of these wizzy Ebook formats.

I think you brought the best value for money one. Those touch screen ones annoy me no end,  :old: it is much easier to press the button to turn the page.

I see your cover came with a LED reading light..... I can see uses for that in the workshop ;D.

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline tel

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2012, 11:24:13 AM »
Thanks for the review John - I've been threatening to get one for a while now, you might have just pushed me over the edge.
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Offline Maryak

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2012, 01:53:29 PM »
I also keep thinking about a Kindle but most of the documents I want to read are in PDF format rather than one of these wizzy Ebook formats.

Jo

Galina's E reader reads both formats PDF and FB2 but anyway it's easy enough to convert from one to tuther.

Best Regards
Bob
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Offline sshire

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2012, 02:25:18 PM »
John
You'll love it.
Where did you get Lautard in PDF format? I can't seem to find it anywhere. I'd want to buy all three even though I have them on real paper.
Best
Stan
Best,
Stan

Offline rleete

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2012, 02:41:15 PM »
I bought one about a year ago.  The wife was using it so much, that I ended up getting her another one so I could have mine back.  Best money I have spent in a long time.  If it were to die tomorrow, I still would have gotten my money's worth out of it.

Loads of free books out there, too.  A quick search will reveal hundreds of titles, from the classics to modern stuff.  My personal favorite, The Count of Monte Cristo didn't cost me a dime.

Offline steamboatmodel

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #9 on: September 21, 2012, 03:02:53 PM »
My wife picked up one of the Sony Ebook readers and I think it is great. Our library system has ebooks that you can borrow just like regular books.
Regards,
Gerald.
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Offline Ken I

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #10 on: September 21, 2012, 03:28:43 PM »
Bogs,
         My family are determined to drag me into the 21st century as well and bought me a Kindle for my birthday a week ago and I still haven't turned it on.

I suppose now I'd better get onto it this weekend - thanks for the push.

Ken
Never look up at the mountain - just keep digging !

Offline Don1966

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #11 on: September 21, 2012, 04:15:32 PM »
John I am sure you will enjoy it, I had a kindle three years back and loved it. I also like to read, but the best thing about the kindle is it can read to you. On long trips for work I would have it read to me....in female voice of coarse.
Now my wife and I both have IPADS. And she's on Facebook and I am on the Forums. This year she wants a new IPAD. These are over two years old and will be giving them to the grand kids. Enjoy you new toy, technology is wonderful isn't it?

Don

Offline gmac

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #12 on: September 21, 2012, 07:56:54 PM »
+1 on this technology. I waffled on buying one due to the whining about the ability to read pdf's in the general press, claiming you needed the 8x10 Kindle to even consider it. Then I tried them in the store and found that for most pdf's I plan to read (old machining books, tech documents etc) if I wore the glasses I usually wear for machining I was good to go without using the zoom function for all but small drawings. I went with the Kobo Touch (at the time cheaper than the Kindle) and don't regret getting the touch screen. The new models of Kobo are out (smaller screen version, new backlit version etc.) and the Kindle Fire is out. My main concern about the newer stuff was that battery life was shorter, and prices seemed to have doubled, creeping up into tablet price territory. I'm amazed that all the data stored on my computer was loaded on a single MicroSD card, with plenty of room to spare. Like John I wanted simple and it's turned out great - no regrets. I'd encourage people to load their pdf's on a MicroSD card and wander into the stores to roadtest these eReaders (all brands). The one downfall I've found with the Kobo Touch is a poor filing system - alphabetical filing only. Not sure how the Kindle does that.

Cheers Garry

Offline Alan Haisley

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #13 on: September 21, 2012, 11:20:09 PM »
I also keep thinking about a Kindle but most of the documents I want to read are in PDF format rather than one of these wizzy Ebook formats.
I got a Kindle Fire some time back. It turns out that you can download PDF files to it and read them; I have to believe that John's newer, more expensive model can do the same.
In addition you can USB connect the Kindle as a "file system" to a PC and read/write/etc. files. Turns out that the Kindle also supports Microsoft Word files for reading.
I found a ton of PDF files in places like Project Gutenburg. Some are scanned image books but some are text plus image books.
Only trouble with the Kindle Fire is my eyes don't like it in bright light but in the shade it's just fine.
Alan

Offline AussieJimG

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #14 on: September 22, 2012, 01:05:39 AM »
We bought Kindles to read on a European River Cruise early last year. The great thing was that when we had finished a book, we could purchase another one and have it in hand in minutes. Sometimes we read the same book at the same time which was good for conversation.

I bought the large Kindle because I had a great heap of magazines in multi-column pdf format and I wanted to display the whole page rather than trying to read it through a small "keyhole". But it really didn't have the resolution to make reading comfortable and  it was too hard to read when "zoomed in" so that didn't work very well.

But I am amazed when I look at our Amazon archive to discover that we have purchased over 90 books since we got the Kindles.

I found the big Kindle too heavy and awkward for general reading and carrying around to read in the doctor's waiting room and so on so I was given a small Kindle for Xmas. Thus we have three Kindles between the two of us.

And then everybody else seemed to have an iPad or similar so I bought an android - a small one about the same size as a small Kindle. So now I can read my book on either the Kindle or the android. And the android reads lots of different formats so I am not stuck with Amazon (Gutenberg is great) and I can keep an eye on you blokes from my bed, or my car or in the doctor's waiting room!! :happyreader:

My wife borrowed my android to use Skype and check emails when she went away for a few days but found it a bit small. Now she has her own 10" android.

So now between the two of us we have three Kindles (two small and one large) and two androids (one small, one large) in addition to the plethora of desktops, laptops and notebooks scattered around the house.

Questions seldom remain unanswered for long with Google so close to hand. :noidea:

Jim

Bogstandard

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #15 on: September 22, 2012, 08:14:13 AM »
This is turning out to be a nice discussion post, with everyone chirping in with their own experiences, which is good.

I actually bought the cheapest one you can buy, very limited in what it can and can't do, unlike some of the more expensive ones, and it has turned out wonderful for me, others might find it a bit limited on the size of screen, but that is what I wanted.
I have a laptop, but it is no use to me when laying in bed on my side and falling asleep whilst reading, just like you do when reading a paperback.

So this little bit of kit will do me perfectly for now.

John

Offline NickG

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #16 on: September 22, 2012, 08:29:40 AM »
Nice 1 John, I've been thinking about one of these for my wife as she's into reading. I always thought it strange to have a touch screen for a book, it's just going to get grubby finger prints all over the screen - esp if on holiday or something, so I was looking at the same version I think. Simpler is sometimes better!

Offline spuddevans

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #17 on: September 22, 2012, 09:56:26 AM »
I too have a kindle, I got it a couple of years ago. The battery life is unbelievable!

When I got mine, someone gave me a link that lists most, if not all, the free books ( this is the amazon.co.uk site , so may not be any use to those outside of the UK )

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D341689031&field-keywords=-domain&x=0&y=0

This should list out all the amazon books that are currently available for ?0.00 ( ie free ) There are some stinkers, but keep an eye on it, they change what's on there and there can be a few gems to be found.

I have just bought my wife an android tablet, 1st thing I did was to install Kindle software app on it, now got all my books in colour  :whoohoo: But the Kindle reader is much easier on the eyes for reading text, much more like reading a printed page, but horses for courses.


Tim
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Bogstandard

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #18 on: September 22, 2012, 10:21:29 AM »
Mine doesn't have a touch screen, just buttons on two edges.

John

Offline grayone

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #19 on: September 22, 2012, 10:35:34 AM »
I bought one for my wife for Christmas and my daughter and her husband bought each other one also.  As all three are registered to my Amazon account they can share books between them which is what thye used to do with the paperbacks.  So now we have less clutter in the house. :happyreader: Now maybe I will just have to put one on my Christmas whish  :Jester:
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Offline Jack

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #20 on: September 22, 2012, 12:27:44 PM »
I just bought an IPad to replace my old tired and failing MacBook and I love it especially when I am in bed its just the right size to have on my stomach and surf especially the machinist sites.
It never occurred to me to be able to use it to read old books, I am going to have to check out the book thing. One thing that I do have on it is an electronic gold fish aquarium, I know that's silly for an old man to have but I find it very therapeutic.


Jack🐳🐬🐋🐟🐠

Offline sshire

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #21 on: September 22, 2012, 01:11:22 PM »
I'm sure you know this, but, there are free Kindle and Nook reader apps for the iPad.

Best
Stan
Best,
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Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #22 on: September 22, 2012, 02:06:58 PM »
I have a Kindle. Great for reading. Only problem in traveling by air is that you have to turn it off when taking off or landing. But that's a small price. Watch out for the screen. They may have improved things but early ones had a problem where the screen went bad...lines, blank spots, etc. It's well a well known problem if you search for it. But Amazon was good about it and replaced it for free.

Not much else you can do with it but I hear later models may/do provide ability to surf the net.

Also have a Kindle Fire. I use that one now whenever I travel. Many good apps and as was mentioned earlier, you can use it as storage and transfer pictures to it from a PC so you can show relatives and friends. You can also download movies.

Only issue I have is that the screen is a bit small for surfing or staying in touch with the forum.

Wife has an iPad and I'm thinking of getting one too. A bit bigger and solves the issue of seeing things easier but a bit more difficult (for me) in traveling.

If you travel with a laptop, some countries consider the iPad a 2nd computer and will/may charge tax to bring it in. Keep the receipts/forms if that happens. Once paid you don't/shouldn't have to pay again. I've had no problem (so far) with the Kindle in that respect.

Battery doesn't last as long on the Fire but long enough. I like the little wall wart that I got with the Kindle's. No bigger than a standard (US) two-prong plug and smaller than Apple's.
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Offline NickG

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #23 on: September 22, 2012, 05:11:26 PM »
Yeah you can read the books on smart phones and tablets but the screens make them not that easy to see sometimes, also the battery life is pretty poor. It would be nice to have one gadget that did everything but I reckon if you just want to read books you probably can't beat the kindle - still thinking of getting one for her Birthday!

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #24 on: September 22, 2012, 08:24:05 PM »
Just a note on connecting to wi-fi (I just switched cable services and had this enjoyable experience)...

This is about using a secure (WEP protected) connection...

Kindle Fire...easy. Having a keyboard similar to the phone was helpful.

Kindle...painful (as it has always been)...
For one...the keyboard is difficult. Especially when you have to switch between alpha and the symbol table.
Although it saw the router...after trying to enter the key several times I had to give up.
Went upstairs...got a stronger signal...and got it done on first try. Don't know why.
I did all my other wireless devices in the basement too.

I've only used the keyboard for entering the WEP. Otherwise it's not needed unless you search for books on it as well. I use my PC to select books and have them downloaded to the Kindle.

They've been experimenting with web browsing on the Kindle. I haven't tried it. Again, use of keyboard would preclude it for me. Besides...I only want to read on it. Otherwise I'll use the Fire or something else.

Now if I can just get my XP box with USB wireless to obtain an IP address  :cussing:

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Offline AussieJimG

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Re: Dragging myself into the 21st century, The Kindle
« Reply #25 on: September 23, 2012, 07:46:41 AM »
Amazon books synchronise on my Kindle and android. The Kindle is easier to read in sunlight (lunchtime) and the android in poor light.

I agree that the Kindle keyboard is the pits but then I rarely use it.

I dreaded the android keyboard since it is "hunt and peck" instead of touch typing. Then I found a spare bluetooth keyboard and I use that on the rare occasions that I need to type anything more than a couple of words.

And I also found a Bluetooth headset that I purchased for some other reason and connected that to the android. It works well for Skype. And of course the android comes with a pair of earpods with microphone for stereo Skype and listening to music.

I am resigned to the need to upgrade at regular intervals. And it is not good offering the old ones to the grandchildren, they already have the latest gear.  Maybe I should find a bunch of old folk who are later adopters than I am  :Lol:

Jim

 

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