Monday, September 28, 2009

Happy E-Reading

Recently I had a birthday, and received a gift from my fiancé Alex. He presented me with a nicely wrapped box, which I thought was chocolate, Godiva, yeah! I was surprised when I read the gift card, “Happy Birthday, Someplace to put all your books.” Could this be? I ripped it open, yes; it was an Amazon Kindle 2. I was both thrilled and a bit taken off guard. I wanted an electronic book reader, but had been recently torn between the Kindle2 and the new Sony Pocket Reader. I had told Alex weeks ago, “I want a Kindle,” and being the great guy he is, he listened. It comes in a really cool package that’s like opening a treasure. In my spare time I’ve been getting to know my Kindle. Of course you can download all the free public domain books with the Kindle. And since I enjoy reading e-published material, I’m looking forward to downloading the electronic books right on my Kindle and reading them anywhere I want instead of having to sit at my computer and read them, or print out pages causing more clutter and using up ink. Of course you can purchase e-books and stories directly to the Kindle from the publisher’s site or you can download it from other formats like PDF and Microsoft Word and electronically send them to the Kindle and access them. The Kindle2 is thin and comes without a cover, so one of the first things I did was pick out and order a cover to protect it. I read the reviews of the covers as thoroughly as I did for the book readers, wanting the choose the most comfortable and practical one for my use. I chose the M-Edge which has flip top cover that can stand up. This is great if you like to read while you’re eating. You don’t to hold it, and only have to press "next page" to turn the page. I ‘m also happy to learn the Kindle can do some other things as well. I downloaded a guidebook for 99 cents to Kindle Shortcuts, Hidden Features, and Kindle-friendly websites which explains how to search and download things from Internet, like all the e-publishers you’ll be able to purchase from with the push of the converter button; it’s like the enter key on a computer. You can also download calendars and planners for the Kindle and use it as a PDA. Boy do I miss my Sony Clie - I loved my PDA. You can also play games with the Kindle and it comes with Mine Sweeper. While playing around I looked up Lady Leo Publishing and saw the confession story I wrote for them. Of course, I have to get used to typing with my thumbs - I don’t have a Blackberry and have not ventured into texting. I’m a touch typist and using my thumbs seems somewhat insane, since my left thumb has never hit a key before. But I’m ready for the next wave in the electronic revolution, as long as I don’t develop carpel thumb syndrome or whatever they’re calling it. I can only handle so many new things at a time. Before I received the Kindle, I was looking into the Sony Pocket Reader, mostly because you can also take out library books electronically with the device. I think that’s a really cool feature and hope Kindle will pick this up as well. There are experimental features with the Kindle2 which include a basic web browser, playing MP3 files and text to speech (where allowed by the rights holder). I read recently that in Japan there is a market for authors writing books that are read on cell phones, and that people read entire books on their cell phones. Wow, I would like something a bit smaller than the Kindle, but I cannot fathom the thought of reading Pride and Prejudice on my tiny Samsung’s screen. Just thinking of that hurts my eyes. Well, whether you chose the Kindle or the Sony they both have their pros and cons. It reminds me of dilemma I had deciding between buying a Honda or Toyota when I was car shopping a few years back. I read countless information on both cars, test drove them, and I took months to decide. I’m glad I was given the Kindle, because I would still be comparing instead of enjoying my newest toy. C. Gibbs, My Holiday House Guest, LadyLeoPublishing.org by Chloe J. Daniels

5 comments:

  1. Belated Happy Birthday, Caroline and congrats on your new techno-toy. I hadn't realized all the things you can do with a Kindle (because I am, of course, a proud Luddite). I was particularly intrigued about the ability to down-load library books. Despite a lot of reading on the subject I hadn't come across that one! It is very cool that all those old "classics" are available for free and I will admit it tempts me - I'm holding out, though, until next year when Sony is apparently going to launch the new Reader that will allow automatic downloads without the tiresome process of going through your computer to save, then download.

    Have fun and read happy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Carolyn. I hope you are enjoying your new toy. It sounds like fun. I have been looking at a Kindle too, and even had Katrina bring hers in to a meeting so I could "play" with it. However, I am still hesitant. I'm waiting for my fiance to give it to me for my birthday in November. Oh wait, I don't have one of those. Oh, well, I'll have to get it for myself. I do love the size of the Kindle -- trade paperback size so it "feels" like a real book. But wait....I just got a notice from iTunes that I can get the Kindle software for my iTouch. Woo hoo. My iTouch is my entertainment center -- music, movies, TV dramas, games and now books!! I think I'll try the "kindle" on my iTouch first. I'll let you know how that goes. Happy belated birthday.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Belated Happy Birthday! What a wonderful gift. Enjoy it. I have the Sony 505 and love it way too much. I think they both are just great.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy Belated Carolyn,

    Two things: what a great romance you have--I must probe you for your love story! And thanks for opening up my eyes to all the things a Kindle can do. I did not know you could play games!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just love new toys. I didn't realize how much Kindle was able to do. I love that you can download music too. A wonderful informative post!

    ReplyDelete