eBook Reading Atheists

My eBook is computer-based at the moment. I've been debating which reader (Kindle, Nook, etc) to pick up.

I'm using Kindle on the iPhone. (Living Without God, by Ronald Aronson was I think the first ebook I finished on the iPhone Kindle reader)

Anyway, I probably will be getting the Kindle or the Nook sometimes in January, but I'm trying to hold out to see what else comes along or if the prices go down some more.

My main concern (which applies to all eBook readers) is the DRM lockin. I rather despise the whole 'we can delete your books at any time' attitude of Amazon, etc.

Everything I have heard about the Kindle I like, except for the 'you are just leasing the books and we can delete them', the 'you can download the books as many times as you want, unless you can't', and the disabling of the text-to-speech on the flimsiest of whines from the completely-without-a-case Author's Guild (who does NOT speak for all authors).

eBooks are still being hamstrung by publishers who range from wanting the eBook market to be the same as the regular book market, to wanting to kill it, fast. Only a few (such as Baen) seem to have a clue.

I'm not an eBook reader...yet.

Does anyone know which one best lends itself to allowing you to put ebooks from your computer on it?

Amazon has a computer-based reader which I believe syncs with the Kindle. Not sure about the Nook, but the Nook does have the option of adding SD cards so you have more than 2GB worth of data.

Yeah, I had heard some of them had an SD card slot, but I wasn't sure if that just expanded the storage to increase the number of ebooks you can buy from their service, or allowed you to put the card in your computer to put some books on it and then read them on the reader.

I'm a long-time Amazon customer, but the Nook is looking a lot more attractive to me than the Kindle. B&N does have a desktop reader as well, and I believe Amazon has it for the PC, with the Mac version coming on board later.

What I wish for with booth readers, though, is touch screen capabilities. Someone showed me their Kindle and it looks as though you have to use button to do the highlighting of text, whereas with the Kindle for the iPhone, it is touch screen. I do a lot of highlighting with non-fiction books.

The SD card sounds pretty good for the Nook, but having your books on the B&N or Amazon server should be enough, right?

The problem with just relying on a certain service for books and not being able to put your own on your device (through means such as an SD card) is that while they may have every mainstream title you are looking for, they certainly won't have everything. I regularly download white papers that apply to my field and some can be quite lengthy and it would be nice to be able to read them on such a device. Even if a service did have things such as white papers, it would be silly to pay for something that you can get for free on your PC.

True, Coeus. Not to mention the fact that if, at some point, their server goes down, you'll have lost your books unless you have a backup copy.

Yeah, good point, having backups would be really nice. Not that Amazon is probably going anywhere any time soon, but could come in handy if you were in an area where you couldn't get a signal. It relies on a cell phone network doesn't it? I can think of quite a few places that cell phone reception is dodgy at best.

Cool, just hook it up via USB cord then?

Nice, thanks for the info!

Anyone else have any other reviews about a e reader they picked up?

I've had an Amazon Kindle 2 since November (when it became internationally available) and I love it to death. I take it with me everywhere I go. For Kindlers with Audible accounts, did you know that you can get a complimentary audio digest of either the New York Times or Wall Street Journal? I enjoy listening to the paper while I drive. I can't praise the Kindle highly enough. If you're interested in purchasing one, feel free to ask me anything. You can also join www.kindleboards.com for a wealth of information and answers to your questions.

I'm die hard against Kindles! They are evil! And I am scared I might really, really like it.

The secret is to skin them. Nothing with a fluffy pink bunny on it can be evil.

Prazzie, you are an evil temptress! ;-)

I'm only trying to help, I promise :)

I have far too many ebooks on my pc and I didn't enjoy reading on a monitor for extended periods of time. The easy on the eyes e-ink screen coupled with the mobility of an ereader was a huge attraction for me. I read much more now, since I can read anywhere. I even look forward to long queues and traffic jams.

The only person I've shown my Kindle to who didn't want one immediately was my gran. She doesn't even own a computer, so I think it's her fear of buttons holding her back.

Damn. Well, the wife will probably get one if she ever has time to read again and then it will enchant me.

"...if she ever has time to read again..."

Hence the Audible account and text-to-speech function. I'm on the road for at least two hours per day. My biggest wish was to be able to read and drive. Now I can, either by listening to an audiobook or asking the kind robot man inside the Kindle to read to me. I feel so much more productive!

The other day I took my mother shopping. She had some issues with her store card and I waited at the cash register while she sorted it out at Customer Service. I whipped out my Kindle and was immediately absored in my book. It took them a good 15 minutes to sort out the card. Without my Kindle, I would have started chewing on the side of the counter out of sheer boredom. You'd be surprised at how often you can find time to read if you have hundreds of books with you at all times.

ooh ooh! OOOH! I have a Kindle, too!

Terrific Stop-Motion Amazon Kindle Commercial 2

Second in the series of stop-motion TV commercials for Amazon Kindle created by photographers Angela Kohler and Ithyle Griffiths, starring actress Annie Little and model Ryan Curry. Original song "Stole Your Heart" written and performed by Marcus Ashley and Annie Little.

Check out the Kindle at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015T963C/r...

Kindle Firmware update 2.5 coming in late May. The update includes the ability to organise your books into collections, PDF pan and zoom, password protection, more fonts & improved clarity, Facebook & Twitter posts and Popular Highlights, where you can see what other people highlighted in the book you're reading.

The update has already been sent out wirelessly to some Kindles (so jealous!), but will be available for download in late May.

Very cool! Thanks for keeping us in the loop Prazzie :]

I WANT one.... Will I get it for Mother's Day??? NOT likely, my daughter is broke. So if I really want it, I'll have to open my own wallet. sigh....

Screenshots of what the new update does here. The additional font sizes seem like overkill to me.

Sydni, buy it for yourself and let your daughter buy you some Kindle books as a Mother's Day gift :)

Good idea Pazzie, that is if I wasn't 'broke' myself.. boo hoo.... Soon maybe.

15 Green Apps For Your New Apple iPad

by Jaymi Heimbuch - TreeHugger
05.10.10

If you know us here at TreeHugger, you know how we feel about smart phone apps. We love them. They're often just so darn handy for living a greener life, from helping out with transportation to shopping to home energy management. And so, you'll probably guess that we're excited to watch iPad apps slowly roll out so that this new gadget has a green purpose. There are already a good handful we like, and they're listed here, including the best apps for catching the news, movies, and even some green-themed games.

Check Out These New Applications HERE:

Adriana, I know several people who are happy with their Sony ereaders. You can visit this forum to read reviews about the model you're interested in, as well as other ereaders currently on the market. Let us know when you get yours!

I spend an hour a day on the treadmill with my Sony Reader. I used to listen to music. But, I find reading while walking more fun then listening to music. I like, late 1800 and early 1900 detective stories. And, they're free at the estore.

Congratulations, now you're officially cool, unlike the e-readerless Reggie :P

You can find lots of free books atManybooks. For Sony books, Inkmesh will keep you up to date on free books as well. Hmm, I'm going to create a discussion with more links, will be far easier.