So what is up with the Amazon Kindle?

[Solon]

My FIL and BIL have them and they love them. It does what they would do on a higher priced tablet.

I read a lot of WORD and .pdf documents on mine. The "fake ink" system is easier on the eyes than a computer-screen.

But the search-feature sucks and there are no page-numbers. This makes it really hard to use for anything other than casual reading. The unicode compatibility is sketchy, which means that really only English-language letters look right (forget about reading a non-Latin script). Also, it's nearly impossible to consult the index or to find the homework assignment on page 38, etc.

I had a student try out the kindle-version of our textbook last fall. Huge Fail. They refunded his money after 6 weeks of valiant effort.

[Mormon Red Death]

I read a lot of WORD and .pdf documents on mine. The "fake ink" system is easier on the eyes than a computer-screen.

But the search-feature sucks and there are no page-numbers. This makes it really hard to use for anything other than casual reading. The unicode compatibility is sketchy, which means that really only English-language letters look right (forget about reading a non-Latin script). Also, it's nearly impossible to consult the index or to find the homework assignment on page 38, etc.

I had a student try out the kindle-version of our textbook last fall. Huge Fail. They refunded his money after 6 weeks of valiant effort.

Is it because the textbook was not written/formatted for the e-reader? As time goes by more textbooks will be written/formatted for the e-reader and actual hardcover books will go away. I can see a future where an e-reader or Ipad will be required for University (and maybe high school) attendance.

[Mormon Red Death]

Actually I think a really cool business venture would be to make an interactive book/class. As the person reads the book on their tablet/e-reader parts are broken into video and audio and even interactive (tests/quizzes/problems). When you finish the book/class you get a grade.

[TripletDaddy]

Actually I think a really cool business venture would be to make an interactive book/class. As the person reads the book on their tablet/e-reader parts are broken into video and audio and even interactive (tests/quizzes/problems). When you finish the book/class you get a grade.

interactive business models are already in effect. One local example is utah-based iSchool.

http://www.cultofmac.com/114789/what-a-million-dollar-ischool-looks-like/

[Surfah]

I read a lot of WORD and .pdf documents on mine. The "fake ink" system is easier on the eyes than a computer-screen.

But the search-feature sucks and there are no page-numbers. This makes it really hard to use for anything other than casual reading. The unicode compatibility is sketchy, which means that really only English-language letters look right (forget about reading a non-Latin script). Also, it's nearly impossible to consult the index or to find the homework assignment on page 38, etc.

I had a student try out the kindle-version of our textbook last fall. Huge Fail. They refunded his money after 6 weeks of valiant effort.

I have to agree with MRD that the books don't seem like they're properly formatted for it. My guess like him, is that they will get there as some are. The Church for example has updated several manuals like the GAS manual to reflect page numbers which is nice now. Before so many times a teacher would say something like look at the top of page so and so and I'd have to skim through it until I could pick up where someone was reading.

[Solon]

I have to agree with MRD that the books don't seem like they're properly formatted for it. My guess like him, is that they will get there as some are. The Church for example has updated several manuals like the GAS manual to reflect page numbers which is nice now. Before so many times a teacher would say something like look at the top of page so and so and I'd have to skim through it until I could pick up where someone was reading.

Clearly you're right and that's encouraging. My textbook example, though, was a 2011 publication and the company was marketing the hell out of the electronic-version. I'm glad things are improving somewhere.

[wuapinmon]

It's foolish to believe that e-books will lower prices on print versions. You cannot buy them used, and that usually helps drive down the prices. As people switch to ebooks, they will keep paying retail pricing far longer than any print version ever. Life of the artist +70 years means that my children's children could be dead before Harry Potter is in the public domain.

I'm not getting an e-book reader. I like to write in the margins and underline my books. My memory is visual (not photographic), and I can find things better that way.

The industry's claim that printing and shipping costs inflate book prices is bunk.

[Pelado]

Amazon just came out with the Kindle2, lighter, more memeory, and now with the ability to read text to you. Battery life, with the 3G feature turned off, is about week for a heavy reader (2 weeks for causal reading). Text size is adjustable, for some of our more mature readers.

Everything about it sounds really cool except for the price. At $350, that is a LOT of traditional books to buy in its place... still there is something nice about the idea of packing this for a solo camping trip, hiking into the heart of some wilderness and catching up on all of the lagging reading for a few days.

No one has seen one of these in person? I have been curious about legibility in different lighting conditions ever since the first version came out, but haven't been able to see one in person.

My kids seem to like their Kindle Touch devices.

[BigPiney]

My kids seem to like their Kindle Touch devices.

My Kindle Paperwhite is awesome. Love it.

[Mormon Red Death]

So to all above who didnt like the Ereader and such do you still feel that way? Does having the feel of the book still trump the kindle?

[happyone]

yes - much prefer a "real" book. I will read an Ereader if I have to