• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

E-Book Readers

formerroadie

DP Veteran
Joined
May 13, 2009
Messages
2,014
Reaction score
590
Location
Texas
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Liberal
Hello all,

I am looking to get an e-reader. My main reason is I read a lot of pdf journal articles but I have to print them out due to computer screen and my eyes. It would save ink, paper, and a whole lot of space to have the reader for sure.

I'm curious, what do you all have? I'm thinking of getting the PRS-600 when it comes out at the end of the month. It's a Sony E-Reader. I need the availability of a SD slot so I can expand the memory.

What do you use? Do you like it? Pros? Cons?

Thanks
FR
 
Nobody? wow. I figured someone on here would have an e-reader.
 
Hello all,

I am looking to get an e-reader. My main reason is I read a lot of pdf journal articles but I have to print them out due to computer screen and my eyes. It would save ink, paper, and a whole lot of space to have the reader for sure.

I'm curious, what do you all have? I'm thinking of getting the PRS-600 when it comes out at the end of the month. It's a Sony E-Reader. I need the availability of a SD slot so I can expand the memory.

What do you use? Do you like it? Pros? Cons?

Thanks
FR

There are ways to make the text bigger if your using adobe. I dont have it to hand but its easy to figure out if you play around a bit. Failing that theres always the zoom function.
 
I use my pc to read the equivalent of e-books/pdf's whatever you want to call them.

Maybe get a laptop with a bigger screen?
It would serve you with multiple functions other than just an e-book reader.

Yeah, but the computer screen kills my eyes. Since I read 1000's of pages of articles, it's easier with e-ink screens. Saves the eyes. :). I have a laptop already and I ended up buying the PRS-600 from Sony. Should be shipping out Aug. 31st. It's an amazing little piece of equipment. You can get one for $199 with the discount at Sony when you sign up for the CC. I will only buy the reader, so I pay the card off and then not use it :).

Thanks for the comments :)
 
Yeah, but the computer screen kills my eyes. Since I read 1000's of pages of articles, it's easier with e-ink screens. Saves the eyes. :). I have a laptop already and I ended up buying the PRS-600 from Sony. Should be shipping out Aug. 31st. It's an amazing little piece of equipment. You can get one for $199 with the discount at Sony when you sign up for the CC. I will only buy the reader, so I pay the card off and then not use it :).

Thanks for the comments :)

I usually don't have that problem with reading computer screens unless I've been doing it all day.

I prefer to old standard books if I can help it.
 
I usually don't have that problem with reading computer screens unless I've been doing it all day.

I prefer to old standard books if I can help it.

Yeah, me too, but printing tons of articles has gotten to be a burden. I have a four drawer filing cabinet with articles in them and would like never to have to move that again :).
 
My e-reader gets here tomorrow. I'm pretty stoked. Me likey new toys!
 
Everyone I know who has an e-book has the kindle and they all seem to love it. That being said, they love it for the screen and the utility, so I'm sure that will carry over into the sony e-reader.

Let us know how you like it.
 
Everyone I know who has an e-book has the kindle and they all seem to love it. That being said, they love it for the screen and the utility, so I'm sure that will carry over into the sony e-reader.

Let us know how you like it.

You bet. I'll give a little review :).
 
Hello all,

I am looking to get an e-reader. My main reason is I read a lot of pdf journal articles but I have to print them out due to computer screen and my eyes. It would save ink, paper, and a whole lot of space to have the reader for sure.

I'm curious, what do you all have? I'm thinking of getting the PRS-600 when it comes out at the end of the month. It's a Sony E-Reader. I need the availability of a SD slot so I can expand the memory.

What do you use? Do you like it? Pros? Cons?

Thanks
FR

Here is what I did. I went on Ebay and got a tablet computer for $268.00. I like it much better than the Ebook reader I used to have. You can get a good tablet computer and install software that reads all formats, and on top of it, you get a wireless internet connection. I have a library right now of more than 10,000 Ebooks, or I can surf the web too, or I can do a number of other things that I can't do with an Ebook reader. My tablet computer is larger than an Ebook reader, but it is not cumbersome at all. IMHO, when you can have a tablet PC, a machine dedicated only to reading Ebooks is a waste of money.

EDIT: I noticed that, after posting, that you have gotten a Kindle. There are plenty of free Ebooks at Project Gutenberg you can obtain, and they are enjoyable.
 
Last edited:
Here is what I did. I went on Ebay and got a tablet computer for $268.00. I like it much better than the Ebook reader I used to have. You can get a good tablet computer and install software that reads all formats, and on top of it, you get a wireless internet connection. I have a library right now of more than 10,000 Ebooks, or I can surf the web too, or I can do a number of other things that I can't do with an Ebook reader. My tablet computer is larger than an Ebook reader, but it is not cumbersome at all. IMHO, when you can have a tablet PC, a machine dedicated only to reading Ebooks is a waste of money.

EDIT: I noticed that, after posting, that you have gotten a Kindle. There are plenty of free Ebooks at Project Gutenberg you can obtain, and they are enjoyable.

I actually bought a sony :). I can't read on computer screens. They drive my eyes bonkers. I have a tablet pc as well :). Love it.
 
Here is what I did. I went on Ebay and got a tablet computer for $268.00. I like it much better than the Ebook reader I used to have. You can get a good tablet computer and install software that reads all formats, and on top of it, you get a wireless internet connection. I have a library right now of more than 10,000 Ebooks, or I can surf the web too, or I can do a number of other things that I can't do with an Ebook reader. My tablet computer is larger than an Ebook reader, but it is not cumbersome at all. IMHO, when you can have a tablet PC, a machine dedicated only to reading Ebooks is a waste of money.

EDIT: I noticed that, after posting, that you have gotten a Kindle. There are plenty of free Ebooks at Project Gutenberg you can obtain, and they are enjoyable.

By the way, that's an impressive ebook collection.
 
i think E-Book readers are only for people who are completely brain dead. you know the kinds that ready every single Harry Potter novel

i can read New York Times on my iPhone quite comfortably.

apple is working on a tablet computer which will probably include an E-Book reader that will be as good as any dedicated one on the market.

the only advantage of an E-Book over a computer is battery life. but its not like we live in the desert. just have a charger handy.

i don't understand people who are always crying about their cell phone battery life. oh noes ! my cell phone only lasts 3 days ! well how hard is it to plug it in when you go to sleep ? retards ...
 
i think E-Book readers are only for people who are completely brain dead. you know the kinds that ready every single Harry Potter novel

i can read New York Times on my iPhone quite comfortably.

apple is working on a tablet computer which will probably include an E-Book reader that will be as good as any dedicated one on the market.

the only advantage of an E-Book over a computer is battery life. but its not like we live in the desert. just have a charger handy.

i don't understand people who are always crying about their cell phone battery life. oh noes ! my cell phone only lasts 3 days ! well how hard is it to plug it in when you go to sleep ? retards ...

Um thanks..... I can't read on a computer. It gives me eye strain to read long pieces of information on a computer.... There are more advantages than you think.
 
Here is a review I posted at Mobile Read

Ok folks, here goes:

The PRS-600 is my first e-reader and actually the first one I have actually used. Well, I did look at a 500 once in an airport, but that was many moons ago. I ordered the Red model and it’s perfect (meaning the color). The reader feels great in my hands. I think that if it were any thinner, I wouldn’t like it. I have owned it for about 4-5 days.

Ok, now to specifics: To begin with, the screen is fabulous. I don’t know what people are talking about. There is going to be some glare at certain angles, but I just shift slightly and the glare is gone. I have read for a few consistent hours on it and my eyes were just fine. No fatigue. I will say this: I enjoy the reader more than a book. Weird, I know, but the reader seems to help me move quicker through the reading. Maybe it’s all in my head because you end up turning the page more when enlarging the fonts.
The font is great and I generally use the “L” setting while reading. I have used mostly PDF’s and have yet to buy anything in another format. It converts most of the PDF’s fine and they look very nice when the text is blown up. The letters are all crisp and clean and entirely readable. No complaints. My only issue has been some French language PDF’s I have loaded up and they came out all messed up. Not sure why. I have to see what is going on.

The page turning function is great. I have a tendency to use the buttons, but I also use my finger. Both work fabulously. I have everything on an SD card and the response is fast. I have no complaints. The screen is responsive and the menus easy to use and practical. I need to try something that is actually saved on the device itself. I will do that soon.
Ok, highlighting and notes. I have highlighted text and attempted to export said text to the RTF formatted document. Well, that doesn’t work apparently although the literature intimates that it is supposed to. Rather, it gives you like the first line of your highlighted text as a reference point and then you can type or hand write your own notes into a box. Given the fact that I have always had to type out my quotes in my papers, I’m not too disappointed. I am hoping someone can come up with a hack that will bypass this very problem in the future. For now, I am happy. The notes are stored in a list on your reader and you can look at them in the software on your comp as well as export them. You can jump from highlight to highlight with ease as well. Very nice function.

In terms of drawing or handwriting, the device is very responsive and almost keeps up with your hand. I have used the keyboard more times than just writing simply because I am an A type personality when it comes to that and I’m not one to want my scribbles everywhere ;). But, the notepad is great for lists and there is a blank page for drawing pictures or doing some free form brainstorming, etc. It’s a great tool for writers in all genres.
I have also received the red Sony cover for the device. It’s nice red leather and, while flexible, seems to get the job done of protecting the device. Also, if I were to set the device up on my shelf amongst my books, it would look like another book in this case. It’s rather appealing and nice looking. I will be posting some pictures of the device and the cover soon.

Please, ask any questions and I will see what I can answer.
 
i think E-Book readers are only for people who are completely brain dead.

There are people (many of them) who don't like the headaches that come with reading text on an LCD screen for more than half an hour or so. You'll also find that some people don't want half a ton of paper clogging up their house and for them digital books make sense.

Anyhow - I remember that the One Laptop Per Child people where developing a brand new screen technology that would offer laptop and desktop screen manufacturers dual technology - and cheaply at that.

A couple years ago some people were saying cheap OLPCs were only poor african kids and western "people who are completely brain dead" but the netbook market and EeePCs are now here to stay....
 
i think E-Book readers are only for people who are completely brain dead. you know the kinds that ready every single Harry Potter novel

i can read New York Times on my iPhone quite comfortably.

apple is working on a tablet computer which will probably include an E-Book reader that will be as good as any dedicated one on the market.

the only advantage of an E-Book over a computer is battery life. but its not like we live in the desert. just have a charger handy.

i don't understand people who are always crying about their cell phone battery life. oh noes ! my cell phone only lasts 3 days ! well how hard is it to plug it in when you go to sleep ? retards ...

The size and portability of e-book readers is quite nice in comparison to netbooks and notebooks. I'm not interested in reading from a screen the size of the iPhone/iPod Touch. I'm also hesitant about reading from a computer. What I like about the computer is easy access to any format I like, and a bit more of a search function. However, there will indeed come a time where I am tired of lugging around my primary source documents in PDF files (and I'm getting far too many of them recently) and just want an e-book reader to lug them around in a product the size of either a paperback or a normal hardcover. Products that try to do a jack-of-all trades sort of thing usually end up pissing me off, which is why a tablet pc would not suffice for me. Like, the iPod...I only wanted it to be a music player, with absolutely no video. Now it has turned into the iPod Touch and the iPhone.

It will never satisfy me in comparison with a regular book, but it is going to be excellent for me to carry thousands of articles and essays.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom