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[dclark]

Hi all,
Does any own, or have used one of the electronic readers such as Kindle, Nook, or anything similar? If so, what is your impression/opinion.

Thanks tons,
deb in Maine

[Pat]

Margi has one.. I'll ping her to answer

[Margi is here!]

Deb, I have the Sony Reader (got it for Christmas last year) and I love, love, love, love it!  The main difference between my Sony Reader and the Amazon Kindle is the Sony isn't wireless (it is now with the new version out) and the Kindle has a backlight feature that my reader doesn't (it does now with the new version).
I will never not have a reader of some type ever again.  I love its compactness and the number of books I can put on it.  It has SD card slots to expand the number of books but haven't even gone there yet as I haven't filled its own memory yet (I have 29 full novels on the Reader now).  Also love the fact that I don't have to go out to get a book or wait on one to be delivered.  If it is in the e-book store then it's mine within seconds.  The only down side is there are books that aren't available in digital format.  Only found a few so far as most are being digitally done due to the popularity of the readers.
I also love the fact that the Sony Reader reads a ton of formats, pdf, Word docs, etc.
I've looked at all 3 - Nook, Reader, Kindle and opted for the Reader because of its bang for the buck.  The Nook and Kindle were just too much money in my mind for the "extra features" that I could easily live without especially since I am always near or with a computer to download books if necessary.
Hope this answers your question.
Margi

[Sharon]

I don't get it. Are the readers just books on screen? They don't read out loud, right? Then what is the deal? Why not just get a book? You can carry a book around, read in bed. Can you do that with these electronic screens? How big are they I have vision problems the older I get can you change the font size? Just curious. I get books free a the library. What is the advantage?

[Pat]

Sharon for people who travel alot or carry books around alot.. the reader is awesome as you only have to take ONE SLIM item.  When I travel I can speed through 3 books and I don't want to carry hardcover library books on airplanes or take up precious luggage weight with them.. and what if I lose them???

And if you are a gadget person they are DAMN cool!!! Seriously on my list. Less clutter... get them any time.. etc.  I know Margi's library has limited hours and is not often open when she can go as she is working. Many people don't have large libraries either.

And of course we that are impatient want them now... and the library and book stores are not open at 1am.. LOL! Plus when you buy the books you support the authors who write them so they continue to have a job writing.. it's good thing. 

Not for everyone but it's a HUGE draw for many

oh yeah.. you can put newspapers on there too.. and only the sections you want! Very 'green' and frugal

[Sharon]

Sounds interesting, Pat. How much do the books cost and do you need to get them through the computer like the camera uploads? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Pat]

yeps it's downloads on your computer.. and you can get some for free and some you pay ... I'm sure it varies wildly on how how much.  I don't own one but might if I continue with a lot of air travel.

[TheaM1]

this might be a good option for my sci fi dh who has stacks of his books all over the place - and then tells me I have too many quilting books!!! (could there be such a thing?) I'm going to check and see if his fav authors have downloads..... of course, I might be tempted allowed to 'borrow' it occasionally - right?

[Pat]

that sounds really good!

[Candy]

I discovered e-books and LOVE them. I had an old Dell Axim 30 PDA already so I was ready to go.  You can no longer buy PDA's in a store.  I tried. They are available for around $30 on Ebay and has everything I need, including a backlight.  Reading on my cell was just to small.  Since I mainly read in bed at night I found I can lay in any position and read comfortably.  The font size is adjustable.  You can also adjust the light brighter or dimmer.  Right now I have over 100 novels on the SD card.  Downloading the reading app takes a bit of time but I am sure you can find a kid to help you do that.  You can probably download different reading apps to expand the types of books you can read; mobipocket, pdf, etc. The rest is easy.

Sound confusing?  It really is simple but a kid could probably help you very quickly in getting set up. 

[Pat]

cool!  I've not looked into them as I do more reading at websites than in books.. but people do love them!

[Sparker]

I've had so many mixed feelings about the electronic readers...on one hand I think they are the coolest things around!  I, like you Pat, am a computer gadget geek as I program and do database work for a living.  And when I actually get the time to read, I fly through books like crazy.  However...then it makes me sad to think I won't be holding that paper in my hands!!     And then I think...but what about taking it to the beach?!  Surely taking it down on the sand isn't a great idea--my cell phone HATES it when I get sand in all its little nooks and crannies.  I can't see the e-readers liking it any better...can anyone comment on that?

[Pat]

i doubt the reader will enjoy sand!  although I was envious of the gal in line for airport security reading on a kindle.. it was a LONG LINE and it looked much easier to use than having a book open! Same on the ship... saw lots of people reading them

[HeyJudee]

Something I've always wondered about with the readers.  Will they display images or do they only show text?  I have a digital quilting magazine subscription which I download PDF files.  I would love to be able to put them on a reader so that I could look at them when I'm riding the bus to work, etc.  Would I be able to read them on a reader?