h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

yes - I'd like to see this one move up the list a bit more please

Agreed, and with it

Entry: Amazon Kindle - A85746009
Author: redshirt42 - U14183423

"I just looked up for a friend how she could get some free ebooks (which she downloaded from a website) to her kindle from the PC.

Answer: not without major hassle and having to pay a fee to Amazon.

I really think this should be mentioned in the entry. For me, this *having* to do everything through Amazon was a real -kock-out criterion when I compared ebook readers. "

Bel > there is a free open source program called "Calibre" that does this easily. I use it all the time

FB

Must read to end of thread before repsonding to posts.

FB

Thanks FB. I had a look there but couldn't find out how to use it.

Where did you get stuck? I use Calibre *all* the time so if oyu need any help at a specific point I can probably help!

FB

Typo: In the last section it reads
Disadvantages: Nook models tend to be more expensive than Kindle models, although the price gap is closing. Barnes ad Noble's 3G network...
I believe you meant Barnes and Noble.

In terms of some constructive actual feedback i'd say this article has rather been wrong-footed by recent announcements that have substantionally changed the Kindle product range.

Also i'd say the stuff about competitors is now a little out of date given there are a whole load of new e-ink reader being released before xmas. Certianly here in blighty Smiths and Waterstones either have, or are about to, release their own eBook readers.

Not to mention what is clearly going to be an absolute explosion of tablet computers sold this xmas.

FB

WHile the new versions and competitors are of course related, tablets are not direct competitors, as the whole point of kindles is that they do not cause eye strain - something that tablets do if you try and read books on them

True Dat.

But, given how tablet are often marketed as e-Readers, and people use them as such I think it surely ought to be mentioned in an article about the kindle.

Also the Kindle Fire, part of the new range, is a tablet AND a Kindle. I can't see how this oculd be ready for the guide without at least touching on that.

I am not meaning to be critical to the author here, there world (in Kindle terms ) has changed in the last few weeks.

FB

Tablets should be mentioned, if only to remove them from the category due to their inability to function as books, despite an ability to display text.

I have never seen a Kindle fire, so i can't comment on its use as either a tablet or as an e-book, do we have anyone with personal experience?

I would agree that this is not ready for submission, not because of the writer's fault, but because of their misfortune in timing of certain devices being published,

The basis of a good informational article but the prices and models are changing SO quickly, also with different models being released in various countries including an advert -supported US model and the new keyboard-less model...

Has Redshirt made it across to the all new H2G2?

I can't comment on his technical state, but he hasn't posted in a fair while looking at his PS

Please keep commenting on the Entry - I can see this being a very useful source for people wanting to decide between various types of ebook readers. It's that time of year when people start to think of special gifts.


If redshirt is about, that would be excellent, but we could take this forward further, on his behalf.

If any reviewers want to assist, they could post amended paragraphs here, in Peer Review - and possibly get a research credit if we get this finally Edited.


Lanzababy

I could point out that the kindles are annoyingly easy to break - i've not broken mine but i've known quite a few others who have dropped their kindles, sometimes from just a foot and still managed to break them
On the plus side, the amazon kindle at least comes with good warranties - either one year, or three
Most importantly all your books are backed up on amazon so losing/breaking your kindle doesnt lose the books

Mrs Zen pushed me off the bed and onto my kindle, and I easily got a replacement under the warrently - with all my books back on it.

I have a nice padded leather covering for my kindle and it's been dropped a number of times (usually when I've fallen asleep reading), and it's still going strong.

Yes i have a similar cover, and that is probably why my kindle is still intact.

>>>Mrs Zen pushed me off the bed and onto my kindle, and I easily got a replacement under the warrently - with all my books back on it.
<<<


Either that goes under the heading of TMI or a necessary quote to be included in the Entry.

yes...i do like those weird warranties