Kindle I just ordered a Kindle - am I gonna like it?

[Big_Brian 179]

LOL. I've been there, and I came back.

 

Re Big_Brian's post, he gave an explanation why loading up a ton of books without complaint from the Kindle, and then the initial battery short life occurred.

 

Now, whenever I open a book, I get a message that I don't have enough storage.

 

It's that damned indexing. I cursor down a page and it gives me a definition of "the".

 

At 1,500 books you probably mostly filled the memory, it's only 2Gb on that Kindle and not all is available for storage, operating system, etc. needs some. Then indexing needed 50Kb a book. 50Kb x 1,500 = 75Mb just of indexes, which could be why you saw the "full" message.

 

You can check to see if indexing is done. On my version, it's;

menu,

search,

then type a random nonsense word (something like "aasdffgfdasa" that WON'T be found) and hit search,

you'll get "items not yet indexed" and a number.

That's the books still to be indexed, you can click on it to see which books.

 

Of course, if your Kindle is full, this may not have space to work.

 

I'd advise deleting a lot of books and keeping them on your PC until you want to read them. I read a lot, but 1,500 books is the best part of 10 years reading even for me. It's nice to carry your whole library with you, but do you really need access to all those books today? Personally, I worry when any computer memory gets even half full.

 

Oh, and if you can, avoid pdf's and image-intensive books like the plague. They won't display properly, are hard to read or convert and have huge file sizes which will fill your memory up quickly.

[yorta2 693]

As somebody else said earlier, buy a cover for it, but buy the Amazon one. It has a light that is powered by the Kindle and makes reading in bed with the bedroom light off possible. I know that most of you probably have other things to do when the light is off, but it is a great asset when the time requires it.

[nutosf 49]

I just got the Kindle Fire last week. Still learning how to use it. The color screen it great. I was looking through the online book store and accidently purchased a book. They do have a button to cancel if order by mistake so no problem. Later that day I had an email from Amazon thanking me for my purchase. ($12.99) Further down on the email showed a credit for the same amount. Seems they are quick to charge your account and just a quick to credit your account.

[VPI78 11,516]

I just got the Kindle Fire last week. Still learning how to use it. The color screen it great. I was looking through the online book store and accidently purchased a book. They do have a button to cancel if order by mistake so no problem. Later that day I had an email from Amazon thanking me for my purchase. ($12.99) Further down on the email showed a credit for the same amount. Seems they are quick to charge your account and just a quick to credit your account.

 

I love my Kindle Fire. Cheap browsing device and sturdier than the iPad. Amazon supposedly makes no money on it and rather sells it at a loss to get folks into the Amazon.com store.

[losgrad 264]

 

 

I love my Kindle Fire. Cheap browsing device and sturdier than the iPad. Amazon supposedly makes no money on it and rather sells it at a loss to get folks into the Amazon.com store.

 

I also have the Kindle Fire and use it along with my original iPad to browse the web, email and read books. With the Amazon Prime I am also able to download free books and some shows (some of my downloads are blocked while overseas where I spend the majority of the year).

 

 

P.s. I was trying to hit the "+" button for your post, but with my iPad touchscreen, I sometimes miss as the "+" and accidentally tap the "-" as they are too small and too close together. Sorry, about that

 

 

[brotherbuzz 3,206]

P.s. I was trying to hit the "+" button for your post, but with my iPad touchscreen, I sometimes miss as the "+" and accidentally tap the "-" as they are too small and too close together. Sorry, about that

Fixed it for ya. Was wondering what he said that drew a minus. .

 

 

MM, don't own a Kindle but have a Nook Color and recently got a Galaxy Tab. Just for reading, I think you made a great choice.

 

FWIW, there's an E-book newsgroup that's a great source for material(s).

[VPI78 11,516]

Fixed it for ya. Was wondering what he said that drew a minus. .

.

 

Thanks to you both. The small and sensitive touch screens do take some getting used to so I've taken to expanding the screen before I lob my greenies.

[aussiechic 209]

A little of topic but I am down loading free talking books and putting them in my tiny MP3 player 16 gb and going walking it cost me $5au came all the way from China so much be good.

[Keen Punter 272]

Maybe I am just old fashioned but I still like the look and feel of a book.

 

Reading off a kindle just wouldn't be the same.

[jacko 8,815]

Maybe I am just old fashioned but I still like the look and feel of a book.

 

Reading off a kindle just wouldn't be the same.

Well I suppose the battery can't run out, but they can both be left behind on a seat or table.

 

Sounds interesting though, I would like to know more of the deals you get from Amazon regarding book downloads. MM acquiring a library of 1500 titles so quickly sounds easy, how much does that all cost? I recall the book clubs of years gone buy where it was their aim to get you into a long term commitment. I.E. get 5 books free if you buy 2 every month for a year! I still have a book I downloaded to my computer 5 years ago that I haven't read!

[Big_Brian 179]

When I got mine, I downloaded a torrent of 15,000 free books. Not all to my taste, but enough were to keep me going for a while.

[MM 6,562]

Maybe I am just old fashioned but I still like the look and feel of a book.

 

Reading off a kindle just wouldn't be the same.

 

The main advantage of ebooks is that for those of us without access to libraries and English language bookstores, virtually all books one would read are available.

The Kindle is just a convenient way too access them, you Luddite!

You can continue to enjoy paper books in your English speaking country without worry.

[jacko 8,815]

When I got mine, I downloaded a torrent of 15,000 free books. Not all to my taste, but enough were to keep me going for a while.

Blimey, if a few of those were Tolstoy tomes it must weigh a ton.

[teelack 9,640]

The other night I just could not sleep so I turned the Kindle on in bed. I just down loaded a couple of boof reviews and some soft core porn and before i know it the times past 3.00 AM. It serves it propose well and whilst I also prefer books I am now of the opinion that I will take it on my next travels and I will never be without something to read. Its almost perfect for airport lounges, long bus trips and sleepless nights.

[nkped 1,208]

Fixed it for ya. Was wondering what he said that drew a minus. .

 

 

MM, don't own a Kindle but have a Nook Color

Some of the Nook directions suggests you can't shop Barnes & Noble for e-books while outside the U.S. Not so, or at least not last November. Downloaded an e-book using the wi-fi at the RG just fine.

Maybe I am just old fashioned but I still like the look and feel of a book.

 

Reading off a kindle just wouldn't be the same.

I understand the thought and I feel guilt about liking my Nook so much, but I do. If nothing else, it's a matter of weight and volume. Being able to read in bed without having to position a light is a neat thing as well.

[jacko 8,815]

 

I understand the thought and I feel guilt about liking my Nook so much, but I do. If nothing else, it's a matter of weight and volume. Being able to read in bed without having to position a light is a neat thing as well.

And strangely enough that little statement shifted my opinion a bit.

I often awake when a mouse farts and struggle to get back to sleep, and a little read would surely help. Always reluctant to pop the light on and have a read when she is soundly asleep nearby.

[LasRobos 270]

I do a tremendous amount of book reading all the time. When I travel overseas for more than 2 or 3 weeks at a time I cannot carry all the books I will need and keep my check in baggage to just one. This was originally my motivation for buying the iPad2. I could easily carry hundreds of books in the same amount of space as would be taken by just one small book.

 

I also thought it could never replace the enjoyment of reading a real book. Now that I have been using the iPad for about a year, I could care less if I ever crack a real book again. I also enjoy using it for web browsing and writing Emails more than a laptop computer.

[jacko 8,815]

I do a tremendous amount of book reading all the time. When I travel overseas for more than 2 or 3 weeks at a time I cannot carry all the books I will need and keep my check in baggage to just one. This was originally my motivation for buying the iPad2. I could easily carry hundreds of books in the same amount of space as would be taken by just one small book.

 

I also thought it could never replace the enjoyment of reading a real book. Now that I have been using the iPad for about a year, I could care less if I ever crack a real book again. I also enjoy using it for web browsing and writing Emails more than a laptop computer.

Does the IPAD work for video chatting? Has it got an integrated web-cam and how do you position it?

[MM 6,562]

As I understand it, IPads, Kindle Fires, and other tablet devices that use your typical screens found on mobiles and tablets are not easily readable in the sunlit conditions (not that I sit in the sun that much).

 

The thing that convinced me to go with the Kindle was its single purpose of looking like the printed page. It cannot be read in the dark because it has no backlight (just like a book), and it is perfectly readable in sunny conditions (just like a book). I was convinced to get the basic model by its midrange size...bigger than a mobile and smaller than a tablet. The fact that it was cheaper than a multi-functional tablet was also a plus.

 

The lack of a backlit screen means the battery life is superb as well. Once Big Brian clued me into the "indexing" issue, and I reduced the number of books to be indexed, the battery indicator hasn't moved off full for two days, and I've been reading 5-6 hours a day (insomnia or just the story I'm reading makes me too alert to sleep).

 

In answer to my OP, I'm happy!

[laffnliv 78]

I have had my Kindle for about a year and a half. Enjoy it VERY much! Finished my 80th book last night. My Kindle has a small keyboard at the bottom which works well. I also puchased a cover that has a built-in light. Runs off the Kindle battery and uses very little juice. Not sure if the cover is still available, but it is a real plus when you don't want to awaken your lady, or you want to use it on an airplane when the lights are off and a really stupid movie is being shown. It fits in a pocket in my travel jacket. No problems with downloading books while in Thailand.

 

Little Roy

[Big_Brian 179]

And strangely enough that little statement shifted my opinion a bit.

I often awake when a mouse farts and struggle to get back to sleep, and a little read would surely help. Always reluctant to pop the light on and have a read when she is soundly asleep nearby.

You can buy a clip-on book light for the price of a couple of beers. Works on screen or paper.

[MM 6,562]

I just don't get you guys who are worried about your live-in/wife being awakened by a reading light. Thai women can sleep in the daytime without aircon during a heat wave. You think a light at night in an air-conditioned room is going to make them stir? If it does, they'll just turn on the fucking TV anyway.

[Keen Punter 272]

The main advantage of ebooks is that for those of us without access to libraries and English language bookstores, virtually all books one would read are available.

The Kindle is just a convenient way too access them, you Luddite!

You can continue to enjoy paper books in your English speaking country without worry.

True, I suppose if I was living abroad I would have to get one. Obvious advantages are that books are cheaper and it saves on space if you are travelling.I generally only read on holiday so I can't really justify the cost and I can easily carry 4/5 paperbacks for my trip.

 

This trip I shall have :

 

Stan Collymore - Tackling my Demons

Major Dick Winters - Beyond Band of Brothers

Ed Macy - Hellfire

Karl Pilkington - The Travel Diaries of Karl Pilkington

Tony Cascarino - Full Time The Secret Life of Tony Cascarino

Geraint Anderson - City Boy

 

Should keep me busy in the quiet moments amongst the madness !!!!!

[MM 6,562]

True, I suppose if I was living abroad I would have to get one. Obvious advantages are that books are cheaper and it saves on space if you are travelling.I generally only read on holiday so I can't really justify the cost and I can easily carry 4/5 paperbacks for my trip.

 

 

Books are not cheaper. Even buying second hand, 20 ebooks read would pay for the cost of the Kindle I purchased (I pay about 160 baht per second hand book).

 

Ok, if I return them, I get 50% credit, so make that 40 books. Easily done in a few months.

[jacko 8,815]

I just don't get you guys who are worried about your live-in/wife being awakened by a reading light. Thai women can sleep in the daytime without aircon during a heat wave. You think a light at night in an air-conditioned room is going to make them stir? If it does, they'll just turn on the fucking TV anyway.

Well mine nearly always stirs when I do put on the light, and I don't have a TV in the main bedroom.