Wednesday vacation day

[clevermanka]

I slept until 7:30 this morning. o_O What's up with that?

I'm getting just enough done on this vacation to feel good about it, but not so much that I am not able to relax (obviously, if I just wrapped up ten hours of solid sleep). I've found the perfect combination. Ahh. Now if I could just win the lottery so I could do this every day.

My only regret so far on my vacation is my choice to do a Whole30 at the same time. I would like to have a glass of wine with mckitterick once in a while. I didn't think this one out very well. Perhaps alas.

Yesterday I started re-reading The Castle of Otranto with the motivation of taking notes on it, watched the final episode of the BBC Life DVD set, did some soul-searching about a meaningful entry for the Life journal, ran some errands with mckitterick and very nearly got sucked into purchasing a Sony E-reader at Borders before the douche-bag sales clerk pissed me off so much that I had to either leave the store before making the purchase or punch him in the face.

Today is Moderate Intensity day of Tacfit Warrior, but I'm waiting to get going. Before bed last night, I expressed my anxiety over not doing some of the movements right (I am terrible at translating the motions of others into my own body movement). mckitterick said he'd watch it and show them to me, so I'm waiting for him to wake up and give me some assistance. I should have thought of this sooner. Ah, well. I am on vacation so it doesn't matter when I get my exercising in, as long as it gets done at some point. Which it shall!

In the meantime, I am considering doing a big old rip-off of one of bestill's carved stamp designs. Check out her 30 Days of Carving project! bestill, you are such an inspiration! Thank you.

Back to the E-reader thing, though: I know a precious few of you have similar things, and I'm curious what you bought, why, and if you're happy with it. I'm leaning toward the Sony because I know ericreynolds loves his, the Sony supports EPUB and PDF files, and it's the most compatible with the State of Kansas Library system's downloadable holdings. _luaineach mentioned that Sony is a bastard when it comes to DRM, but that is the opposite of what I've heard from others, so I'd love to hear a variety of opinions. Who else has one? Anyone? Anyone?

Comments

[normalcyispasse.livejournal.com]

I have a Nook Color. I do indeed like it rather a bit, and it does handle epub and pdf well.

The Color does video and the like, which is attractive for travel. However, in order to do so it has an LCD screen instead of the E-ink. This drops battery expectancy from several months to 8 hours.

I don't know about Kansas Library's system, but it seems like pretty much all e-readers support similar formats and will allow library/interpersonal loans.

Incidentally, it is worth noting that I'm currently enjoying Transcendence on the Nook!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the info! That's two votes for the Nook, which is a product I hadn't even looked at. Time for more research!

Hey, if you like Transcendence, maybe consider posting a review to Amazon.com? The only review that's up right now is a really crappy one. =(

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

I will also post one when I get done.

(see, I've made a written commitment now, so I have to do it)

[normalcyispasse.livejournal.com]

Check out the differences between the Nook and the Nook Color. You may find that one is much better suited to your needs.

I'm about halfway-ish through Transcendence (and wish I'd brought my damn Nook to work today, as it's slower than heck and I would love do some reading). I'll be sure to post a review when I finish!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Since I'm using this reader (whichever I get) as a way to facilitate easier reading during the Horror Project, I don't think I need the color right now.

[cmt2779.livejournal.com]

I have a Nook (not a color one because I wanted the e-ink) and I love it. You can definitely get library books on it (at least in the Dallas system) and it is the perfect size to fit in my purse like I used to do with mass market paperbacks.

The main reasons I decided on the Nook instead of other options were 1) it doesn't include Amazon's proprietary junk, 2) it uses e-ink, 3) it includes page numbers for the texts instead of just progress bars or percentages or whatever - page numbers are important to me, and 4) it's quite easy to get books onto it, either by buying through the online B&N store or by downloading from the library or other source (e.g., Google's new ebooks store) and then transferring with Adobe Digital Editions. I've heard that some other devices make it harder to get new books onto them.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

it includes page numbers for the texts instead of just progress bars or percentages or whatever

Oooo. Page numbers are important to me, too. I didn't even think about those not showing up. Wow. Thank you for pointing that out!

[mikalay.livejournal.com]

I'm loving the 30 days of carving too.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm tickled with being able to do all that on my phone, but I'm considering a tablet style reader/thingy for other options, so I'll put this on "tracking" to glom onto what everyone has to say...especially about being able to read outdoors, (hint, hint, folks)

[stuology.livejournal.com]

I'm holding off for a tablet as well. The scuttle is that you should be seeing more interesting Android tablet offerings later this year.

I still favor the Notion Ink Adam Android tablet--with a screen you can read outside ;)

I have no use for single-use devices such as e-readers. While I can read right now on my phone, it is just too small for comfortable reading. A tablet with Swype or a good add-on keyboard will replace taking my laptop with me when I don't need it for programming--taking notes in meetings, keeping track of my GTD tasks, entertaining my children when we are at places where they need to STFU, looking up recipes, checking mail,reading books and so on.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

That's what I'm wondering.. because I regret getting a netbook now when I could have held out for a jazzy tablet running Android instead.

[ericreynolds.livejournal.com]

My Sony is a couple of years old (and was an older model when I bought it) and I've only used it for reading manuscript subscriptions I receive, but I've never bought anything for it. So I'm not sure how it stacks up against a Kindle or Nook, etc. I might end up going to a Kindle or Nook because I want to be able to annotate, and I can't do that on my Sony. Maybe you can do that on the newer Sonys, but I haven't checked.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Can you underline/highlight with the model you have? You have the Pocket, right?

[ericreynolds.livejournal.com]

I have a PRS-505. I can't do anything but bookmark a page (and read).

[poincaraux.livejournal.com]

I know it makes me a heathen, but I actually enjoy reading books on my iPhone quite a bit.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Ha ha ha! No heathen recriminations from this corner.

Unlike Roya and Stu, I don't want an all-in-one item. While I understand why it appeals to them, I like having different items that do different things. That way, when one breaks....

[stuology.livejournal.com]

That way, when one breaks....

My other devices step in, such as my phone, laptop or desktop.

I don't subscribe to proprietary software, but rather software as a service. There is only one piece of software that will keep me tied to a platform, and that's Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop. Because I'm just can't re-write that beast.

For me, a tablet would just be a fun toy--a mid-sized hybrid between my laptop and phone. I can read all e-book formats using what I have. None of my current toys are as convenient as the size/shape of a tablet and all have problems with reading outside in the sun.

And because electronics are my jewelry :)

(Edit: Not that I'm trying to convince anybody out of using e-readers. Technology is an interesting topic for me, so I share my thoughts.)

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

And because electronics are my jewelry

Ha ha ha ha ha ha! That's awesome.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

:) Yes, we do differ in that, I don't wan't necessarily an all-in-one, but I do like a "while I'm at it, I can also..." item. If I went with a simple e-reader, I'd like one that has color, because being able to peruse a magazine one one also sounds delicious.

I found a forum (http://goodereader.com/forum/forumdisplay.php/198-What-E-Reader-Should-I-Buy)with tons of reviews that might be of interest to you, as well. The Sony is listed in the topics.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Ooo! Thank you for the link!

[frugurl27.livejournal.com]

I'll step in to be the lone Kindle advocate. While it doesn't support ePub format, it does do pdfs. I've found the interface to be really intuitive and the battery life is excellent (I have a tendency to accidentally leave it on sleep mode for weeks, but it has never been dead when I pick it up). Also, its e-ink screen is super clear, even in relatively low light.

Most importantly, the Kindle has lifetime free 3G connectivity (if you cough up the extra $50). This is kind of a big deal - basically, no matter where you are, you can still get books delivered to your Kindle. When there's not 3G available, it uses normal cell phone service, which is slow but functional. You can even browse the internet (in glorious black and white, but still).

My final pro-Kindle argument is one based on quality. I have several friends with other e-readers, but they have all felt exceptionally cheap when I've tried them out. Sorry, Kobo fans, but it was the worst one I've had the opportunity to try out. The Kindle feels like it will still be functional in 10 years; the Kobo feels like you'll need a replacement in 2-3.

Let the disagreement begin!

[the-themiscyran.livejournal.com]

Actually, I will chime in with total agreement, here. I'm very satisfied with the Kindle, too.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

_luaineach is a Kindle fan, too, so you're not alone in that aspect. Thanks for the detailed info!

[rorschachsix.livejournal.com]

The nooks have run rampant through the Tobia clan, culminating in Amy getting a color over the holidays. It's a nice bit of tech, great e-reader and enough tablet-esque features to check up on email or your social networking (FB, LJ, etc.) if you've got a wi-fi signal.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

How would you say the Nook performs if I don't care about internet stuff? I actually prefer to avoid having access to email for the ways I'm going to be using it.

[rorschachsix.livejournal.com]

I'd say very well. It's fast and battery life is good. The color screen lets you access more media like periodicals and other graphics heavy stuff. All the email and web stuff is in the background so you don't have to mess with it at all.

You'll probably want to talk to Amy to get a full rundown since it's her device and I only have a lowly Nook non-color.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Wow, I think the Nook (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/features/index.asp)just might have the features that *I'd* like as well, at half the price of a tablet.
Does that cross-devices feature work as well as it sounds? I read on my Android phone now, and if it will keep track of where I am on the Nook, that's really cool. Plus I like adding memory with a card that easily.

[rorschachsix.livejournal.com]

Yep, it does all that. SD card and it syncs with the Android and desktop apps.

And if you're looking for some tablet-like features it works quite well. Amy didn't once ask to use my laptop the whole two weeks we were on the road.

Still going to look at Motorola's XOOM and the other true Android tablets when they start coming out though. :)

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Keen, thanks!
I'm going to hold out for finding out more on the Adam that Stu mentioned above, although... this is looking mighty fine for a lot less.