Cheap e-book readers discussion

StumpyPumpy

Just wanted to add a comment about PDFs and eReaders, as it appears that stphnstevey particularly is interested in this format. Unless I had a stockpile of PDFs already, or needed books only available in that format, I would try to stay away from them as the results can be variable to say the least.
This is because (in part) that an individual PDF has a specific layout defined - normally US Letter or A4, but can be any paper size - and is really meant to be used to print out documents. Unless you have an A4 sized eReader, the PDF will be scaled to fit the screen and in the case of a kindle (6") or my PRS350 (5") they become impossible to read without zooming - which is like trying to read a book through a telescope. To get around this some eReaders "reflow" the text so that they can create a more appropriate page size. This can work but often fails with documents that have illustrations or use multiple columns. Also, not all readers take notice of embedded fonts which can mess up the formatting as well.
I bought some Lonely Planet guides in PDF thinking they would be ideal to carry with me on my Sony rather than humping the books around on my travels. Sadly, they are next to impossible to read on it and I ended up printing out the relevant pages instead.

buyitall

StumpyPumpy wrote: »

As far as I am aware, you can only register with libraries in the borough in which you are resident.

This is not true, I am registered with Bexley and Hertfordshire e-libraries, both allow e-registration for addresses outside the borough.
There is a thread about e-libraries here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/search.php?searchid=99282510
It is the 5th thread down but I have copied the whole list of threads because there are many kindle/e-reader threads on the Techie forum if anyone is interested.

StumpyPumpy

buyitall wrote: »

This is not true, I am registered with Bexley and Hertfordshire e-libraries, both allow e-registration for addresses outside the borough.

I stand corrected. My library only allows registrants whose address is within the borough, but obviously some are open to all. :T All in need now is a list of all the public library websites in the country

stphnstevey

StumpyPumpy wrote: »

Just wanted to add a comment about PDFs and eReaders, as it appears that stphnstevey particularly is interested in this format. Unless I had a stockpile of PDFs already, or needed books only available in that format, I would try to stay away from them as the results can be variable to say the least.
This is because (in part) that an individual PDF has a specific layout defined - normally US Letter or A4, but can be any paper size - and is really meant to be used to print out documents. Unless you have an A4 sized eReader, the PDF will be scaled to fit the screen and in the case of a kindle (6") or my PRS350 (5") they become impossible to read without zooming - which is like trying to read a book through a telescope. To get around this some eReaders "reflow" the text so that they can create a more appropriate page size. This can work but often fails with documents that have illustrations or use multiple columns. Also, not all readers take notice of embedded fonts which can mess up the formatting as well.
I bought some Lonely Planet guides in PDF thinking they would be ideal to carry with me on my Sony rather than humping the books around on my travels. Sadly, they are next to impossible to read on it and I ended up printing out the relevant pages instead.

Not having an ebook reader I wasn't aware of this and was going by the format of all the free books I have collected. But I have only read these on a laptop, so not had these problems.

What is the best format?

StumpyPumpy

stphnstevey wrote: »

Not having an ebook reader I wasn't aware of this and was going by the format of all the free books I have collected. But I have only read these on a laptop, so not had these problems.

What is the best format?

You'll get almost as many answers as there are formats to that question
Personally, I prefer ePub both because my Sony supports it and because I know how to take them apart and repair them if necessary, so it's the best for me. But most formats have their fans even PDF. I think you should choose on circumstance. If you envisage buying all your eBooks from Amazon, then you should lean toward .AZW (But not Topaz(.TPZ). Topaz is a horrible format). The potential problem with .AZW is that it ties you into the Amazon Kindle format for any subsequent devices you might wish to buy. I say potential problem because it isn't a problem if you like Kindles. If you are going to get them elsewhere then ePub or Mobi would be my recommendation, depending on what your device of choice supports. I would steer clear of propriety formats such as LIT(MSReader) or LRC(Sony) although Calibre does do a good job of converting these if you have no other options and of themselves they seem OK, they just have limited potential.
In the final analysis, I think it is more important to balance what you want in a device with where you want to source your books from than to pick a format first.

random80

I bought a Sony eReader a couple of years ago now so it's getting out of date but found it really easy to get hold of free books via Google Booksearch.

Also what about wh smith? They have an eBook store too and it's usually quite competitive...

I think there's so much going on with this it will be hard to keep up over the next few years

stphnstevey

StumpyPumpy wrote: »

You'll get almost as many answers as there are formats to that question
Personally, I prefer ePub both because my Sony supports it and because I know how to take them apart and repair them if necessary, so it's the best for me. But most formats have their fans even PDF. I think you should choose on circumstance. If you envisage buying all your eBooks from Amazon, then you should lean toward .AZW (But not Topaz(.TPZ). Topaz is a horrible format). The potential problem with .AZW is that it ties you into the Amazon Kindle format for any subsequent devices you might wish to buy. I say potential problem because it isn't a problem if you like Kindles. If you are going to get them elsewhere then ePub or Mobi would be my recommendation, depending on what your device of choice supports. I would steer clear of propriety formats such as LIT(MSReader) or LRC(Sony) although Calibre does do a good job of converting these if you have no other options and of themselves they seem OK, they just have limited potential.
In the final analysis, I think it is more important to balance what you want in a device with where you want to source your books from than to pick a format first.

To be honest, the thought of actually buying a book repells me as much as actually purchasing music , so my choice would probably be what ever format I can get for free!!

To be honest I was thinking of these for travel, but most of it is business travel and I have my laptop with me (although battery life can be a pain). I also drive alot, so talking books better suit me (which I can play from my phone)

I can see their benefit for others, but with netbooks falling in price and size and with more applications, I can't help wonder if that would be a better choice

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

I would elect for the Kindle 3G one in time. I want as much connectivity as possible, but I dislike the way Amazon thinks it can delete books from YOUR device cos of some spurious reasons.

ksh123

aria21 wrote: »

• E-ink technology which provides realistic page texture
• 1GB memory.
• Stores between 500 and 5000 books depending on their size.
• 6in screen with easy to use menu system.
• Battery life with up to 7,000 page turns on one charge.
• Protective case.
• MP3 music player with headphones.
• Supported formats TXT, EBX, EBM (TBC).
• Other formats include MP3/AAC/MID/AMR and JPG/BMP/GIF/TIF/PNG.
• UK adaptor and charger.
• Rotation key to make text read in either landscape or portrait formats.
• Built in speakers.
• Sleek aluminium outer skin.
• Slim and light.
• Weight 245g (excluding case).
• Colour: Black.


is this the cheapest? Found in Makro

Do you actually use this aria 21 ? does the small screen work for you (anyone else who has one)?

Thanks.

Syman

aria21 wrote: »

• E-ink technology which provides realistic page texture
• 1GB memory.
• Stores between 500 and 5000 books depending on their size.
• 6in screen with easy to use menu system.
• Battery life with up to 7,000 page turns on one charge.
• Protective case.
• MP3 music player with headphones.
• Supported formats TXT, EBX, EBM (TBC).
• Other formats include MP3/AAC/MID/AMR and JPG/BMP/GIF/TIF/PNG.
• UK adaptor and charger.
• Rotation key to make text read in either landscape or portrait formats.
• Built in speakers.
• Sleek aluminium outer skin.
• Slim and light.
• Weight 245g (excluding case).
• Colour: Black.


is this the cheapest? Found in Makro

The main problem i can see with this is the lack of support for the major ebook formats, particularly EPUB, MOBI and LIT.