Comments on: eBooks and eReaders–a Short Overview http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/ Everyone can understand technology; sometimes it just takes a little translating. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:16:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ladybeetlehttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-88397 ladybeetle Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:26:00 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-88397 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">@machielg http://tinyurl.com/akxtof Look at the comments too. Does it help?</span></span> @machielg http://tinyurl.com/akxtof Look at the comments too. Does it help?

]]> By: End User Services » Blog Archive » Carry your Library in your Pocket?http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-34521 End User Services » Blog Archive » Carry your Library in your Pocket? Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:09:49 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-34521 [...] Regardless of your perspective, taking a look at eReaders is worth your time.  In addition to allowing you to carry multiple books in a single space-efficient device,  you can procure books as easily as you download music.  Many of these books are not just electronic duplication of your favorite printed copy, but rather incorporate rich media such as audio, video, and simulations.  That, coupled with the ability to highlight text and add notes, can make for a richer learning experience in the textbook arena. Read a review of eReaders [...] [...] Regardless of your perspective, taking a look at eReaders is worth your time.  In addition to allowing you to carry multiple books in a single space-efficient device,  you can procure books as easily as you download music.  Many of these books are not just electronic duplication of your favorite printed copy, but rather incorporate rich media such as audio, video, and simulations.  That, coupled with the ability to highlight text and add notes, can make for a richer learning experience in the textbook arena. Read a review of eReaders [...]

]]> By: EREADERS - Dogpile Web Searchhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-24289 EREADERS - Dogpile Web Search Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:11:17 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-24289 <!--%kramer-ref-pre%-->[...] Results) 1|2|3|4|5 Next > Are you looking for? Pokemon Readers 1. eBooks and eReaders–a Short Overview at Gear Diary And before I foist my opinions of the Sony Reader on you (and hopefully other eReaders, like the [...]<!--%kramer-ref-post%--> [...] Results) 1|2|3|4|5 Next > Are you looking for? Pokemon Readers 1. eBooks and eReaders–a Short Overview at Gear Diary And before I foist my opinions of the Sony Reader on you (and hopefully other eReaders, like the [...]

]]> By: pradleyhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5845 pradley Fri, 09 Mar 2007 16:45:56 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5845 Douglas, I agree. In fact, on my T/X and now my Q I have a dozen or more books and could put on many more. Sony thinks that's a selling point and Travel&Leisure Magazine (I think) just listed the Sony reader as its gadget of the moment because you could go off somewhere with all those books on one device. But, as you say, that's not new for an edevice. Remember that self-contained ereaders have been marketed before (remember the "Rocket") without much success. Why should Sony succeed this time? The answer is not obvious to me. Douglas, I agree. In fact, on my T/X and now my Q I have a dozen or more books and could put on many more. Sony thinks that’s a selling point and Travel&Leisure Magazine (I think) just listed the Sony reader as its gadget of the moment because you could go off somewhere with all those books on one device. But, as you say, that’s not new for an edevice. Remember that self-contained ereaders have been marketed before (remember the “Rocket”) without much success. Why should Sony succeed this time? The answer is not obvious to me.

]]> By: Douglas Moranhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5790 Douglas Moran Thu, 08 Mar 2007 23:13:10 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5790 pradley: I would have to believe that any decent eReader, or a personal media player (PMP) or PDA with decent eBook reading capability (not that I've found a PMP that has *that* yet, but never mind) will have either a decent amount of available space--all PMPs I've tested so far have a minimum of 30GB of HDD space--or an SD card or other card slot. And with the prices of 2GB cards so low these days (what, $50/card?), that's an *enormous* amount of books. "Cryptonomicon" is 1.6MB; that means you can fit something like 175 books *that big* on your 2GB card. I mean, c'mon! So their argument about 80 books, well, it's kind of silly. I have something like 75 books on my PDA, which has a 4GB card in it, and it's not even close to being full. Not to mention a ton of music, some film clips, a bunch of games (including Myst and Riven, for cryin' out loud!) . . . crowing over "80 books!" is just silly. In my opinion. pradley: I would have to believe that any decent eReader, or a personal media player (PMP) or PDA with decent eBook reading capability (not that I’ve found a PMP that has *that* yet, but never mind) will have either a decent amount of available space–all PMPs I’ve tested so far have a minimum of 30GB of HDD space–or an SD card or other card slot. And with the prices of 2GB cards so low these days (what, $50/card?), that’s an *enormous* amount of books. “Cryptonomicon” is 1.6MB; that means you can fit something like 175 books *that big* on your 2GB card. I mean, c’mon!

So their argument about 80 books, well, it’s kind of silly. I have something like 75 books on my PDA, which has a 4GB card in it, and it’s not even close to being full. Not to mention a ton of music, some film clips, a bunch of games (including Myst and Riven, for cryin’ out loud!) . . . crowing over “80 books!” is just silly. In my opinion.

]]> By: pradleyhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5779 pradley Thu, 08 Mar 2007 20:19:25 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5779 The folks over at Mobileread - Bob Russell is one of them - have made of the Sony reader almost an object of devotion, and their views make a nice contrast to yours. I am more with you than them, in great part because of the display, which frankly struck me as only marginally better than existing displays. What amazes me, though, is how much is made of the ability of the Sony to hold 80 books, to which I say, so what! If you are going to a desert island for many moons that may be significant, but who needs, on a trip, to bring more than a handful (5-10)? And I agree that the physical balance of the Sony is such that holding in a right hand is difficult and uncomfortable. The DRM problem is serious and is the main reason I will not fork over the dough. Even more unbelievable to me, however, are the statements made by the Mobileread crew: many say they no longer read what they refer to as "dead tree" books, and read only ebooks. IOW, if you want to read a book, but you can get only a print edition, you don't read it. That's just absurd! The folks over at Mobileread – Bob Russell is one of them – have made of the Sony reader almost an object of devotion, and their views make a nice contrast to yours. I am more with you than them, in great part because of the display, which frankly struck me as only marginally better than existing displays. What amazes me, though, is how much is made of the ability of the Sony to hold 80 books, to which I say, so what! If you are going to a desert island for many moons that may be significant, but who needs, on a trip, to bring more than a handful (5-10)? And I agree that the physical balance of the Sony is such that holding in a right hand is difficult and uncomfortable. The DRM problem is serious and is the main reason I will not fork over the dough. Even more unbelievable to me, however, are the statements made by the Mobileread crew: many say they no longer read what they refer to as “dead tree” books, and read only ebooks. IOW, if you want to read a book, but you can get only a print edition, you don’t read it. That’s just absurd!

]]> By: Douglas Moranhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5541 Douglas Moran Wed, 07 Mar 2007 00:26:27 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5541 Bob: I'm glad you posted your perspectives on the Reader. That's why I wanted to go into so much detail; because I'm convinced that things that bugged me will be *perfectly fine* with other folks. I honestly encourage people to go into their local Frys and hold it in their hands and see what they think. I personally think it's not there yet, and that we should wait for release 2 or 3, but that's just my opinion, of course. Two notes: I tried to hold the device by the bottom with my right hand, but because of the thinness of it, the way it is balanced, and it's size (about 6" tall), it felt very awkward to me to hold that way. I think that the Panasonic Wordsgear, with their reversable spine thingee, is probably a better way to go. Although of course I won't know until I get a chance to try it. If ever. Second, you are probably right about the page turn delay, but I am reasonably sure that I would not get used to the time-lag when it comes to navigation, both inside of menus, and searching for bookmarks, pages, books, and so on. The lag-time was really, really annoying to me, and while yes, when I was just reading it wasn't so bad, when scrolling through menus or selecting bookmarks, it was stupendously frustrating. Thanks for the kind words; I hope I get a chance to review more eBook devices as well. As an online doc guy (it's my "real job"), it's a passion. That, and personal media players, as you may have noticed. [laughter] Bob: I’m glad you posted your perspectives on the Reader. That’s why I wanted to go into so much detail; because I’m convinced that things that bugged me will be *perfectly fine* with other folks. I honestly encourage people to go into their local Frys and hold it in their hands and see what they think. I personally think it’s not there yet, and that we should wait for release 2 or 3, but that’s just my opinion, of course.

Two notes: I tried to hold the device by the bottom with my right hand, but because of the thinness of it, the way it is balanced, and it’s size (about 6″ tall), it felt very awkward to me to hold that way. I think that the Panasonic Wordsgear, with their reversable spine thingee, is probably a better way to go. Although of course I won’t know until I get a chance to try it. If ever.

Second, you are probably right about the page turn delay, but I am reasonably sure that I would not get used to the time-lag when it comes to navigation, both inside of menus, and searching for bookmarks, pages, books, and so on. The lag-time was really, really annoying to me, and while yes, when I was just reading it wasn’t so bad, when scrolling through menus or selecting bookmarks, it was stupendously frustrating.

Thanks for the kind words; I hope I get a chance to review more eBook devices as well. As an online doc guy (it’s my “real job”), it’s a passion. That, and personal media players, as you may have noticed. [laughter]

]]> By: hair cuts » eBooks and eReaders–a Short Overviewhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5499 hair cuts » eBooks and eReaders–a Short Overview Tue, 06 Mar 2007 22:27:12 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5499 [...] Original post by Douglas Moran [...] [...] Original post by Douglas Moran [...]

]]> By: BobRussellhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5497 BobRussell Tue, 06 Mar 2007 22:22:26 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5497 I'd like to share a slightly different perspective on the Reader, if I might. As always, you guys do great reviews. Nice job, Doug, of touring the device and giving a flavor of what it's like. That shot of the side gave a great look at how thin it is also. Besides, I enjoy e-book coverage in all its forms! What was most surprising to me is that you didn't like the display. Almost unanimously, people like it except for no backlight. I think your wife may have the more common view about that! As for reading on it, I bet you probably wouldn't even notice the page turn flash or delay anymore if you read a full book on it. You might even occassionally forget and reach as if your are turning a paper page! Or even crazier, you might get so used to it that it becomes comforting, like for me now. And you really can hold it in its cover like a paperback and your right thumb falls naturally on the page button. So it surprised me that you didn't think you could use your right hand to hold it. In fact, that was most certainly the reason for the location - designers felt that if you hold it with your right hand, the thumb falls just at that spot. It was part of mimicking a regular book. Oh well. I also wish that there was a RHS button. :) But, like I said, great review. It gives a nice feel for what it's all about. Hope to hear more about e-books from you! I’d like to share a slightly different perspective on the Reader, if I might.

As always, you guys do great reviews. Nice job, Doug, of touring the device and giving a flavor of what it’s like. That shot of the side gave a great look at how thin it is also. Besides, I enjoy e-book coverage in all its forms!

What was most surprising to me is that you didn’t like the display.
Almost unanimously, people like it except for no backlight. I think your wife may have the more common view about that!

As for reading on it, I bet you probably wouldn’t even notice the page turn flash or delay anymore if you read a full book on it. You might even occassionally forget and reach as if your are turning a paper page! Or even crazier, you might get so used to it that it becomes comforting, like for me now.

And you really can hold it in its cover like a paperback and your right thumb falls naturally on the page button. So it surprised me that you didn’t think you could use your right hand to hold it. In fact, that was most certainly the reason for the location – designers felt that if you hold it with your right hand, the thumb falls just at that spot. It was part of mimicking a regular book. Oh well. I also wish that there was a RHS button. :)

But, like I said, great review. It gives a nice feel for what it’s all about. Hope to hear more about e-books from you!

]]> By: Keepboxhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5345 Keepbox Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:20:37 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5345 I like the e-books. At work I have to wait for some processes to complete and my waiting time is to short to start anything and is to long to twiddle my thumbs so I can read a few pages while I wait. Also some of the books I like to read are arriving in a e-book form before they come out in a print version. I have seen the Sony e-book and was not impressed. I use Palm TX in landscape mode and work really well. I like the e-books. At work I have to wait for some processes to complete and my waiting time is to short to start anything and is to long to twiddle my thumbs so I can read a few pages while I wait. Also some of the books I like to read are arriving in a e-book form before they come out in a print version. I have seen the Sony e-book and was not impressed. I use Palm TX in landscape mode and work really well.

]]> By: JDTagishhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5302 JDTagish Tue, 06 Mar 2007 02:42:50 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5302 I'm an ebook geek too...I read more on my PDA's than anything else I do on them. I loved my Toshiba e800 for ebook reading with UBook - the jog dial was perfect to page down. Unfortunately, it suffered from a mystery ailment and expired on me, and I switched to the iPaq 4700, which is probably the worst PDA to read on, since it does not have a d-pad at all, just that stupid touchpad, which either doesn't register my finger tap, or jumps ahead 12 pages. I ultimately switched the function of the record button, but in the Innopocket Magnesium case, that little button is hard to press holding one handed. Then, I put a book on my Samsung i600 smartphone, and tried Tiny Ebook Reader. Not bad, but TBR has few customization options, and can only read a couple of formats. Then I switched to MobiPocket Reader - not bad, more customization. The only problem I have is that it loses it's place even after I attempt to bookmark a page if I switch batteries. Kind of annoying overall, but manageable I suppose. I try to write down the page number before I switch batteries, but for some reason, the pagination changes each time I switch batteries. For instance, I may have left off on page 2045 of 5000, but when I go back, the pagination shows 5500 pages, so my page number is way off and I have to guess to get back to where I left off. Weird... Looking forward to reading the review of the new reader devices! I’m an ebook geek too…I read more on my PDA’s than anything else I do on them. I loved my Toshiba e800 for ebook reading with UBook – the jog dial was perfect to page down. Unfortunately, it suffered from a mystery ailment and expired on me, and I switched to the iPaq 4700, which is probably the worst PDA to read on, since it does not have a d-pad at all, just that stupid touchpad, which either doesn’t register my finger tap, or jumps ahead 12 pages.

I ultimately switched the function of the record button, but in the Innopocket Magnesium case, that little button is hard to press holding one handed.

Then, I put a book on my Samsung i600 smartphone, and tried Tiny Ebook Reader. Not bad, but TBR has few customization options, and can only read a couple of formats. Then I switched to MobiPocket Reader – not bad, more customization. The only problem I have is that it loses it’s place even after I attempt to bookmark a page if I switch batteries.

Kind of annoying overall, but manageable I suppose. I try to write down the page number before I switch batteries, but for some reason, the pagination changes each time I switch batteries. For instance, I may have left off on page 2045 of 5000, but when I go back, the pagination shows 5500 pages, so my page number is way off and I have to guess to get back to where I left off. Weird…

Looking forward to reading the review of the new reader devices!

]]> By: Cheap Hand Bags » eBooks and eReaders–a Short Overviewhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5295 Cheap Hand Bags » eBooks and eReaders–a Short Overview Tue, 06 Mar 2007 01:09:10 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/05/ebooks-and-ereaders-a-short-overview/#comment-5295 [...] Original post by Douglas Moran and software by Elliott   [...] [...] Original post by Douglas Moran and software by Elliott   [...]

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