Thread: To Kindle or Not to Kindle?

^Not really, in this case. Wealthy Filipinos who have things sent to them from abroad, including a couple of my neighbors who use Amazon US, encounter the same random charges.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

^Not really, in this case. Wealthy Filipinos who have things sent to them from abroad, including a couple of my neighbors who use Amazon US, encounter the same random charges.

Obviously have no wasta.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

^Not really, in this case. Wealthy Filipinos who have things sent to them from abroad, including a couple of my neighbors who use Amazon US, encounter the same random charges.

Obviously have no wasta.

Even my wife gets hit with these post office charges, and she's about as connected as you can get in this town. The beauty of it is that the charges usually aren't worth waging war over - easier just to pay. But, for the Post Office guys a few $$ from loads of people adds up quite nicely.

^On the other hand, if they were paid a decent wage, they wouldn't have to resort to this shit. Reading that, I've probably been here too long.............

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

On the other hand, if they were paid a decent wage, they wouldn't have to resort to this shit. Reading that, I've probably been here too long.............

Rather seems to me not long enough yet.

But I have a question to make double sure. I understand this thread that the kindle can load any file from your PC that has the kindle format, for example converted by calibre. Is that correct?

I have downloaded the amazon kindle reader for PC and installed it. I was not able to load any files into it. That button was greyed out. I would have to get books from amazon. I don't want to find out that is true for the device after I have purchased it.

I do know that there are other readers available. Calibre comes with a reader too. But I really don't fancy reading off my PC screen. It was just for a test.

you can load any file on your kindle dont worry, also pdfs, just like on a smartphone. the software version is restricted, the hardware isnt
forget reading on pc, use a kindle or a tablet computer, i use both and just love it

Originally Posted by Takeovers

But I have a question to make double sure. I understand this thread that the kindle can load any file from your PC that has the kindle format, for example converted by calibre. Is that correct?

I have downloaded the amazon kindle reader for PC and installed it. I was not able to load any files into it. That button was greyed out. I would have to get books from amazon. I don't want to find out that is true for the device after I have purchased it.

I do know that there are other readers available. Calibre comes with a reader too. But I really don't fancy reading off my PC screen. It was just for a test.

Yes the Kindle can take any file, all long it's in the kindle format ie Mobi ,
even if its a pirate copy converted from another format by calibre.

Don't know anything about about Amazons pc reader

but you can store your books on calibre
eg books you downloaded from a bit torrents site
and send them from there to your kindle
the kindle will be recognised by calibre when you plug it in via USB,
at the end of the row of icons >> 'connect and share'
you just highlight the books you want and send them .

Another similar place where you can store books is

Mobipocket ebook Reader

free and has a nice virtual bookcase
and you can send the books to kindle in a similar way.

Both good place to store books especially if your library is bigger than the kindles memory

One thing though when sending a book this way to the kindle ,at least on mine,
it puts them in a separate side folder ,
you have to open the kindle files and move the books to the main folder on the Kindle so it can then see them .

Thanks for the advice. Yes I would not consider reading on the PC, it is not comfortable. I just tried the gadget and found it did not accept mobi files from my PC. That got me worried about the eBook.

I now need to decide for the kindle or one I have just found. It is a trekstore eBook with 7" color display and only 60€ against the 100€ for the kindle. It has ePub and PDF and handles Adobe DRM. I could get almost everything for that device too.

Both have their advantages, the Trekstore device can show photos too. I will have a look at it in a shop. But for reading the eInk display is top.

Are there any shops in Bangkok where you can actually look at them? Seems you mostly have to buy them online. I like to see and play with something for a minute or two before I actually buy it.

Yes the Kindle can take any file, all long it's in the kindle format ie Mobi ,
even if its a pirate copy converted from another format by calibre.

Rubbish.

Your Kindle can natively read the following file types: documents in text (.txt), and Amazon Kindle (.azw), and unprotected Mobipocket books (.prc, .mobi), Audible Audio books (.aa), MP3 Music files (.mp3).

It also has PDF support, although that's still not 100%.

Originally Posted by Takeovers

Thanks for the advice. Yes I would not consider reading on the PC, it is not comfortable. I just tried the gadget and found it did not accept mobi files from my PC. That got me worried about the eBook.

I now need to decide for the kindle or one I have just found. It is a trekstore eBook with 7" color display and only 60€ against the 100€ for the kindle. It has ePub and PDF and handles Adobe DRM. I could get almost everything for that device too.

Both have their advantages, the Trekstore device can show photos too. I will have a look at it in a shop. But for reading the eInk display is top.

dont know about the trekstore but can recommend the kindle. if you are reading for leisure its just great. i think if its just 60 euro the risk that the hardware is crap is quire high.

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

Are there any shops in Bangkok where you can actually look at them? Seems you mostly have to buy them online. I like to see and play with something for a minute or two before I actually buy it.

not that i know, the kindle is not sold in thailand, normally u need to find a friend who buys it for u and brings it.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

^ I feel ill now...

I'd be interested in how you find the Kindle though; I use books for research so have lots of paper tags and notes hanging out - I'm sure Kindle has functionality to manage that, and I'd be interested in how well it works.

maybe a tablet would be better for u, i switched also from kindle to tablet when reading, kindle is imho only good for leisure reading. there are some functions u mentioned but its not fun to use it that way (ebook not kindle fire)

^ thanks; it is hard to see how a Kindle (or tablet) could be used in a similar way to a desk with a dozen books and articels spread out with coloured tabs and notes; but then I just don't know.

Quote: Yes the Kindle can take any file, all long it's in the kindle format ie Mobi , even if its a pirate copy converted from another format by calibre.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Rubbish.

Are you saying the kindle cannot load mobi files from other sources? I am aware that the conversion is not possible for copyrighted material with DRM.

Originally Posted by mikesch4ever

dont know about the trekstore but can recommend the kindle. if you are reading for leisure its just great. i think if its just 60 euro the risk that the hardware is crap is quire high.

I have now looked up the data, the screen is slightly larger but the resolution only half of the kindle. I think you are right, but I will have a look at the Trekstore device in a local shop anyway. Will see what the upscaled text looks like and also a jpg.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

^ thanks; it is hard to see how a Kindle (or tablet) could be used in a similar way to a desk with a dozen books and articels spread out with coloured tabs and notes; but then I just don't know.

i use an ipad and it works quite well, of course it takes some time to adapt, but as u said, kindle is great for reading a novel, but not good for selective reading. btw we are working on the same subject, i am educational researcher, so if u are interested we can exchange our experiences a little bit.
btw: the ipad also got a kindle app so u can read the mobi books also on it.

Originally Posted by Takeovers

Quote: Yes the Kindle can take any file, all long it's in the kindle format ie Mobi , even if its a pirate copy converted from another format by calibre.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Rubbish.

Are you saying the kindle cannot load mobi files from other sources? I am aware that the conversion is not possible for copyrighted material with DRM.

No, I SAID the Kindle can take PDF's, txt, prc, etc. It doesn't HAVE to be Amazon content, and it doesn't HAVE to be in Kindle's MOBI format (which is not stand Mobi, see below).

Which bit of this couldn't you understand?

Your Kindle can natively read the following file types: documents in text (.txt), and Amazon Kindle (.azw), and unprotected Mobipocket books (.prc, .mobi), Audible Audio books (.aa), MP3 Music files (.mp3). It also has PDF support, although that's still not 100%.

You might also want to know that Kindle format is .azw, which is their DRM protected version of Mobi.

Is that clear enough for you? Or are you going to reply saying:

"Are you saying.....?".

the bottom line is that u can store any format on it, read some, but practically only mobi files are really fun to read, the rest is more or less crappy. but u can also cobvert pdfs to mobi, which works not always good but it works.

i think almost every tablet or ebook reader except the kindle can.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

You might also want to know that Kindle format is .azw, which is their DRM protected version of Mobi. Is that clear enough for you?

Or are you going to reply saying: "Are you saying.....?".

Clear enough, thanks.

I just find books in .mobi format from the torrent sites. Files in .pdf don't look good on my Kindle, 'cos you have to scroll from side to side, which is crap. But .mobi all seem to be fine, and I've got 700 so far.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

I'll take care to have a look thanks. Many though are quite new collections of research or hardbacks that are not available for free. Also, I'm happy to pay the researchers/authors for their time/efforts because: 1) the university pays; 2) I might be in a similar position to them one day...

You cannot legally transfer those files into the mobi format to read them on a kindle if they are in a copyrighted version with DRM. However it seems there is software that can remove the DRM. After that you can convert them. You may want to check that out before you buy a kindle. As you have paid it might not be strictly legal but still seems fair to do.

Amazon might not agree as it is said they sell the kindle below cost and make their profits from selling their books. So if you want to be fair to Amazon too, buy books from them if available.

^ I'd prefer to be decent and honest. I'll cost out the books/Kindle/ebooks, etc, and see what's available - I might be able to have a Kindle thrown into the research budget if it makes financial sense, but would have to consider how that would then be available to the department/faculty, etc... May be better to just get one meself - if they did a hardback/kindle version package, that'd be perfect (maybe not for them...). I'll go onto the site and check it out...