E-Books!

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dianel
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E-Books!

Post by dianel »

I've just discovered them! (Cos Santa brought me an iPad :grin: ) And there's all these free ones on the Net!
I can't stop downloading them. Not reading, just downloading ... More and more and more! I'm obsessed... help!
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Re: E-Books!

Post by snoopysue »

dianel wrote:I've just discovered them! (Cos Santa brought me an iPad :grin: ) And there's all these free ones on the Net!
I can't stop downloading them. Not reading, just downloading ... More and more and more! I'm obsessed... help!


I know what you mean - I got a kindle form santa - ther'e loads of books there too! Trouble is I got Ken Follet's latest in hardback too, and the thourght of reading that brick of a book!!!
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Re: E-Books!

Post by Teifi »

Three members of the family had Kindles for Christmas, and I was amazed at the number of free books available.

However - not to be outdone I downloaded the (free) software from Amazon onto my laptop - it was surprising easy
to set up and then started downloading.

So many of the classics that I've always promised myself I will read (some day) are there as free downloads, and
even many recent paperbacks only cost £1. I still find it strange to receive invoices for each ebook downloaded to the
value of £0.00.

I have found this new "hobby" so successful and my very own Kindle should be on the way now. It should also solve
the problem of what to do when the shelf space starts running out. I shall miss my hours of browsing at Waterstones
though!

A prospective 3,500 books - heaven!
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Re: E-Books!

Post by Teifi »

Sue said ...........

Trouble is I got Ken Follet's latest in hardback too, and the thourght of reading that brick of a book!!!

Ha ha Sue - I bought myself a copy (hardback) and looking forward to reading it - bet it's more enjoyable than Wolf Hall
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Re: E-Books!

Post by snoopysue »

Teifi wrote:Sue said ...........

Trouble is I got Ken Follet's latest in hardback too, and the thourght of reading that brick of a book!!!

Ha ha Sue - I bought myself a copy (hardback) and looking forward to reading it - bet it's more enjoyable than Wolf Hall


It's not the book that's the problem , more the fact that I love my kindle, I love the fact that it's so easy reading in bed when I'm lying on my side, and that it doesn't weigh a ton in my bag.
I've downloaded a load of classics too, in fact seeing as "santa" (otherwise known as my husband) asked me to order it myself, I'd actually ordered some freebies, so that when I unwrapped my present I could download straight away! :P
I've been using it now for since Christmas, and the battery's holding out well. I can even check the forum using the web browser!
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Re: E-Books!

Post by Annie »

snoopysue wrote:
dianel wrote:I've just discovered them! (Cos Santa brought me an iPad :grin: ) And there's all these free ones on the Net!
I can't stop downloading them. Not reading, just downloading ... More and more and more! I'm obsessed... help!


I know what you mean - I got a kindle form santa - ther'e loads of books there too! Trouble is I got Ken Follet's latest in hardback too, and the thourght of reading that brick of a book!!!



I like the sound of these but wonder how they work :? is it sound or print that you read, and if it's print is it large enough to read, I have to get the large print books from the library. :-)

Annie
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snoopysue
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Re: E-Books!

Post by snoopysue »

Annie wrote:
snoopysue wrote:
dianel wrote:I've just discovered them! (Cos Santa brought me an iPad :grin: ) And there's all these free ones on the Net!
I can't stop downloading them. Not reading, just downloading ... More and more and more! I'm obsessed... help!


I know what you mean - I got a kindle form santa - ther'e loads of books there too! Trouble is I got Ken Follet's latest in hardback too, and the thourght of reading that brick of a book!!!



I like the sound of these but wonder how they work :? is it sound or print that you read, and if it's print is it large enough to read, I have to get the large print books from the library. :-)

Annie


If you're using one soley to read from, then I'd recomend a kindle or similar - they use a special screen called e-ink, that is mat and not backlit. An i-pad is more of a mini computer.

As far as print size goes, you can choose how big it is, so I wouldn't think it'd be a problem. Kindle has an experimental function where, for some books, it'll read aloud. It's not as bad as I would have thourght - it's a male american voice, and of course there's no emmotion to it. You can also use it for audio books, and mp3 files. Some people moan about the lack of a light, but you can by a cover with a light, and I think it's an advantage as it's easy to read in bright light due to the screen.

For a kindle you can only buy books through Amazon - this is not a problem as they want to be market leader, so most new books are available, at competitive prices. You can also put pdf files onto it, and certain other formats.
In Denmark libraries have some e-books to loan, I haven't tried it as they don't support kindle, which is okay as there isn't much of what's available that I'd be interested in.
I know WHSmith and others have books that are compatable with other makes of e-book (sony do one too).

Kindle do a download for computers and iphones etc, so you could try the softwear on a pc, to see what it like!
Snoopysue

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Re: E-Books!

Post by Annie »

Thank you Snoopeysu the Kindle one sounds ideal , I will have a go at downloading one to try. :grin:

Annie
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Re: E-Books!

Post by snoopysue »

I'm writing this from my kindle, it's not as quick as my pc, but it's okay. 8)
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Annie
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Re: E-Books!

Post by Annie »

snoopysue wrote:I'm writing this from my kindle, it's not as quick as my pc, but it's okay. 8)


Oh thought they were just for books Snoopysu, so you can send messages , like a text message.
I have been looking at them on line , can they only be bought on line.
Annie
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Re: E-Books!

Post by peterd »

Annie wrote:
snoopysue wrote:
I like the sound of these but wonder how they work :? is it sound or print that you read, and if it's print is it large enough to read, I have to get the large print books from the library. :-)

Annie


If you're using one soley to read from, then I'd recomend a kindle or similar - they use a special screen called e-ink, that is mat and not backlit. An i-pad is more of a mini computer.

As far as print size goes, you can choose how big it is, so I wouldn't think it'd be a problem. Kindle has an experimental function where, for some books, it'll read aloud. It's not as bad as I would have thourght - it's a male american voice, and of course there's no emmotion to it. You can also use it for audio books, and mp3 files. Some people moan about the lack of a light, but you can by a cover with a light, and I think it's an advantage as it's easy to read in bright light due to the screen.

For a kindle you can only buy books through Amazon - this is not a problem as they want to be market leader, so most new books are available, at competitive prices. You can also put pdf files onto it, and certain other formats.
In Denmark libraries have some e-books to loan, I haven't tried it as they don't support kindle, which is okay as there isn't much of what's available that I'd be interested in.
I know WHSmith and others have books that are compatable with other makes of e-book (sony do one too).

Kindle do a download for computers and iphones etc, so you could try the softwear on a pc, to see what it like!


came across this from another site i use


There is free program called Calibre http://calibre-ebook.com/download it converts Epub to MOBI.....kindles read MOBI
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Re: E-Books!

Post by Teifi »

Annie wrote:I like the sound of these but wonder how they work :? is it sound or print that you read, and if it's print is it large enough to read, I have to get the large print books from the library. :-)

Annie


Annie - if you are seriously interested in e-books, I would suggest you try downloading the software onto your computer (as I did) - this will give you a feel for e-books. On the pc the print can be made really large and the number of words on a line/page adjusted accordingly. It's worth experimenting before you commit to £111 to buy a Kindle.
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Annie
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Re: E-Books!

Post by Annie »

Thank you Peterd for the link to the free site going to have a go on there , thank also Teifi for suggestion it's a good idea, I'll try before I buy . :grin:

Annie
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Re: E-Books!

Post by snoopysue »

Annie wrote:
snoopysue wrote:I'm writing this from my kindle, it's not as quick as my pc, but it's okay. 8)


Oh thought they were just for books Snoopysu, so you can send messages , like a text message.
I have been looking at them on line , can they only be bought on line.
Annie


You can use them to send an e-mail, but it's probably more novelty factor than anything else! The fact that the screen is just black and white doesn't help. On the other hand when my husband's on the lap top or it's switched off (Vista - very slow when you turn it on), then it's quick and easy to check if there's anything worth turning the pc on for!

I checked yesterday how big the print can be, it's at least three times the size of a normal large print book.
Kindle is only available on line, but some of the others (sony, ipad etc) must be in the shops for you to see.
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Annie
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Re: E-Books!

Post by Annie »

I will go for the Kindle when I get one Snoopysu, been looking on a site from a link that Peterd left and you can download free on your computer to try , like Teifi said try before you buy. :grin:

Annie
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