Books - How to improve them?

[deldaisy]

YES! I am geeking out!!!!!

So why would you use a Kindle instead of something like an ipad that you could do other things on?

(Actually my library is having a Kindle Night tomorrow to teach and explain all things Kindle to members; they will be having a facility to put books on your Kindle from the library just like you borrow books from them). I can't go.

Fess up... are they hugely expensive? And do you then spend a fortune in accessories like chargers and covers and spare batteries and replaceable screen covers and 3D glasses.....

 

[Quatermass]

Fess up... are they hugely expensive? And do you then spend a fortune in accessories like chargers and covers and spare batteries and replaceable screen covers and 3D glasses.....

According to this website, they range from anything from $139 to $379 Australian. Not sure what the bona fides of the site are, though.

 

[Jan Van Quirm]

You know how I hate Kindles....

It's a book with thin paper and print - if it was printed the usual way it would still have the same amount of print on it and as many pages because the characters take up exactly the same amount of space on the paper no matter how it's oriented? Note that it has margins and header and footer space - same as the usual book format? How is it not taking up the same amount of space as the same text printed the traditional way? You're not reading it any differently are you? Just holding it differently....?

Maybe it'd be best suited to Danish fairy tales - like the Emperor's New Clothes perhaps?

It's a gimmick and it's nothing 'new', just a different layout approach that may be more suitable for people who like lying on their bellies and consequentlly don't need a hand free to have a drink when they're reading...

 

[BatrickPatrick]

It'll probably never catch on...even sensible things don't...People are resistant to change

I think I prefer the usual way up.

 

[deldaisy]

You know how I hate Kindles....

It's a book with thin paper and print - if it was printed the usual way it would still have the same amount of print on it and as many pages because the characters take up exactly the same amount of space on the paper no matter how it's oriented? Note that it has margins and header and footer space - same as the usual book format? How is it not taking up the same amount of space as the same text printed the traditional way? You're not reading it any differently are you? Just holding it differently....?

Maybe it'd be best suited to Danish fairy tales - like the Emperor's New Clothes perhaps?

It's a gimmick and it's nothing 'new', just a different layout approach that may be more suitable for people who like lying on their bellies and consequentlly don't need a hand free to have a drink when they're reading...

On under the doona on thier sides. I can't lie on my back and hold a book up for hours.

Sadly it wont catch on.

 

[Dotsie]

(Actually my library is having a Kindle Night tomorrow to teach and explain all things Kindle to members; they will be having a facility to put books on your Kindle from the library just like you borrow books from them). I can't go.

Is it definitely kindle they will be using? Libraries in the UK and US seem to all use overdrive, which isn't supported by kindle, so there's no point in me getting one for Mr Dotsie (well, that and the fact that I've spent all my money on sweets). Although I did here that they will be able to use kindle libraries in the US at some point in the year, so you never know. I'm going to hang on - paper isn't that much of an inconvenience.

 

[Bouncy Castle]

Coming soon: Kindle 4.

http://www.squidoo.com/kindle4


I'll get the bucket for Del.

 

[deldaisy]

So if some don't support this or that.... why would you not just buy something like an ipad and download each programme so you can use any e-reading programme.

.....and yes I drooled Bouncy. I heard someone mention a backlight one day. Can you not read it in the dark then?

....and yes it is Kindle Dots. Since we are connected to the library on the net (don't actually have to GO to the library to go to the library; I go because its an outing for the kid as it has so much more for kids with groups etc) I presume they would just send you the file and you could download it to any reader. No idea how this is working.

 

[Bouncy Castle]

Well, if I'd won the £161million Euro Lotto last night, I'd have sent you a Kindle!

 

[deldaisy]

Well, if I'd won the £161million Euro Lotto last night, I'd have sent you a Kindle!

which reminds me..... I should google the lotto results here.

Nah......... I like to leave it until I see the lead news story being "Mystery Lotto Winner Still Not Claimed $30 million!"... then I get the ticket scanned.

Bouncy if I have won Lotto I will fly over and bring back your empty Kindle box personally ... though IF we are to "have a visit" you MAY have to stay at the Ritz with me for a week or two (your place being so small and all).... if that wouldn't put you out too much. After all I am NOT driving back and forth to your place time after time for afternoon tea!

 

[Bouncy Castle]

I could manage the Ritz, though travelling to work from there would be a bit difficult!

 

[deldaisy]

I could manage the Ritz, though travelling to work from there would be a bit difficult!

.... In a chaffeur driven limosine????? Would you prefer I hire you your won personal London Double Decker to drive you to work Bouncy?

 

[SpideyGirl]

The screen on a kindle is very much like a real life book page in terms of how it looks, so if you are someone who can't read off a computer screen for any big length of time, its a great alternative. An IPad etc... will have a bright computer screen.

Now for me the ultimate would be one that could switch mode, so if I wanted to look at images or video, websites etc and in colour.. I could use the normal mode but if I wanted to read a book (for pleasure or for study) I could use the Kindle mode.

(i know i'm a have my cake and eat it kind of spidey).

 

[Dotsie]

So if some don't support this or that.... why would you not just buy something like an ipad and download each programme so you can use any e-reading programme.

Oooo listen to you, Miss Moneybags! I'll get Mr Dotsie an iPad when I win the lottery

The difference is about 300 quid

 

[Doughnut Jimmy]

Like Spidey said the kindle screen is very different, you can read it outside unlike a computer style screen. It is also smaller than an Ipad and so a bit easier to carry with you

I'm all for books being smaller and lighter, but why not just use a smaller typeface and thinner paper like they used to do - the edition of LOTR in three volumes that my parents had you could easily fit one of the books into the back pocket of a pair of jeans but my newish copies are twice as thick. I've got a book that looks to be a similar size to that flipbook but normal way up, text is small but still perfectly legible, paper's thin but the book's old so its obvioulsly lasted well.

There's a simple way to make books smaller but no the publishers are always trying to make them bigger so we'll pay more for them

 

[Bouncy Castle]

By the way, Del.

On a Kindle you can also change the orientation, ie read with the device in landscape mode.

 

[pip]

You can also throw a kindle much further than a book and get a satisfying cracking noise

 

[Bouncy Castle]

Temper temper!!

 

[pip]

no i do it even in a good mood

 

[poohcarrot]

I wonder how Japanese books in this format would work.

My wife says they'd be pants!