The dollar has reached its lowest value in the last couple of years here as well.

I wish I had a steady income right now so I could buy some books overseas

Why not get a Kindle, you can use it anywhere in the world via amazon and the books are cheaper. I really love mine, I can carry my whole library with me now as I travel

quote:

Originally posted by gmilf Why not get a Kindle, you can use it anywhere in the world via amazon and the books are cheaper.

Because I'm not sure I trust Amazon that much just yet.

I've had some less than positive experiences with Audible, Amazon's audiobook service. At the time, I had a somewhat obscure mp3 player, though it was still produced by a major company (namely, Sony). I wanted to be able to download the file and listen to it at the gym... and that's when my problems started.

My computer just wouldn't let me copy the file I owned. The DRM would thwart all my attempts to transfer the file into my beloved mp3 player. At some point, I had to burn 7 CD's, rip them, and then use the final product they way I saw fit. I had to buy an iPod later on to use the original file I had purchase... but isn't the file mine? Why did I have to go to such great lengths to have something I had paid for?

Likewise, I'm not sure I want to buy something that I'm renting from Amazon. Or from Google, for that matter. I want to be able to download files off Amazon and read them on a Sony Reader (which I intended to buy in my last trip to Japan), even if I never buy one; I want to read it on my computer, or in my fiancée's computer, and then on an iPad if I must; I want to do whatever I want to my file... and I don't think Amazon will allow me to do so from what I've read.

Have you never had any sort of trouble with these limitations?

I'm with lira on this one. it has happened a couple of times to friends of mine, at least with music purchased on an ipod. One his computer died the other broke up with his gf. If you can't sync the ipod with the computer it was attached to then your screwed. Maybe kindle/books are different, I'd be leery of their copyright bull. Your basically treated like criminal from the get go.

audible.

*puffin stuff*

quote:

Originally posted by Lira Because I'm not sure I trust Amazon that much just yet. I've had some less than positive experiences with Audible, Amazon's audiobook service. At the time, I had a somewhat obscure mp3 player, though it was still produced by a major company (namely, Sony). I wanted to be able to download the file and listen to it at the gym... and that's when my problems started. My computer just wouldn't let me copy the file I owned. The DRM would thwart all my attempts to transfer the file into my beloved mp3 player. At some point, I had to burn 7 CD's, rip them, and then use the final product they way I saw fit. I had to buy an iPod later on to use the original file I had purchase... but isn't the file mine? Why did I have to go to such great lengths to have something I had paid for? Likewise, I'm not sure I want to buy something that I'm renting from Amazon. Or from Google, for that matter. I want to be able to download files off Amazon and read them on a Sony Reader (which I intended to buy in my last trip to Japan), even if I never buy one; I want to read it on my computer, or in my fiancée's computer, and then on an iPad if I must; I want to do whatever I want to my file... and I don't think Amazon will allow me to do so from what I've read. Have you never had any sort of trouble with these limitations?

I had the same problems with a sony mp3 player and audible. But, with the kindle you can take any PDF file and upload it and read it really easy so you don't have to buy the books from amazon.
I do by a lot of books from them and, they haven't lost anything yet. but, just in case, all of my books are backed up on my computer, my kindle and my phone. So, if amazon loses a file I've archived with them I have documented proof that it is mine and they need to give it back, and I have read of several cases like this and they seem very quick to respond apologize move on. But, all in all I don't usually re-read books. I will read a book in about a week and move onto the next, and I really started to feel like I was just wasting trees and space especially since I move so much and just end up giving all my books away due to their combined weight.
I compared all of the e-book readers around christmas time when I got mine and the sony one looks fine. I just wanted to be able to use amazon because it is so accessible and the sony reader won't allow you to use their files. (i'm sure there is a hack, but I am tired of dealing with hacks) If you want to use an e-book from another store than amazon just buy it and convert it into a PDF and upload the file. Plus the kindle has a function that allows you to lend any book for 2 weeks that I really like. Other readers might have it too I'm not sure. But, all in all I love mine. Hope that helped a bit.

quote:

Originally posted by gmilf I had the same problems with a sony mp3 player and audible. But, with the kindle you can take any PDF file and upload it and read it really easy so you don't have to buy the books from amazon. I do by a lot of books from them and, they haven't lost anything yet. but, just in case, all of my books are backed up on my computer, my kindle and my phone. So, if amazon loses a file I've archived with them I have documented proof that it is mine and they need to give it back, and I have read of several cases like this and they seem very quick to respond apologize move on. But, all in all I don't usually re-read books. I will read a book in about a week and move onto the next, and I really started to feel like I was just wasting trees and space especially since I move so much and just end up giving all my books away due to their combined weight. I compared all of the e-book readers around christmas time when I got mine and the sony one looks fine. I just wanted to be able to use amazon because it is so accessible and the sony reader won't allow you to use their files. (i'm sure there is a hack, but I am tired of dealing with hacks) If you want to use an e-book from another store than amazon just buy it and convert it into a PDF and upload the file. Plus the kindle has a function that allows you to lend any book for 2 weeks that I really like. Other readers might have it too I'm not sure. But, all in all I love mine. Hope that helped a bit.

They are pretty great from my limited use of them (@ Lira too), I got one for my dad for his birthday last year (and have since considered stealing it a number of times)-- the only thing stopping me getting one is notes- I know it has a note system, but i'm one of those 'write copious notes in the margins' guys, and since a large amount of my reading is now 'academic', and there's less reading for fun a kindle would take that out my routine...

I always thought that a little netbook would be more multi-functional than a ebook reader for much the same/slightly more price.
If you're not doing anything more than listening to music, reading files, web browsing and the odd email they do ok for what they are. Plus you can take it home and hook them up to a big monitor and keyboard/mouse.

hey guys & the awesome Lily. Hottest day of 2011 yesterday, a very unseasonable 21c. I dunno where this upto 9 degrees above average weather is coming from but I like it. 1 day of rain in 3 weeks now, amazing.

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Originally posted by Ian hey guys & the awesome Lily. Hottest day of 2011 yesterday, a very unseasonable 21c. I dunno where this upto 9 degrees above average weather is coming from but I like it. 1 day of rain in 3 weeks now, amazing.

I have to say, the weather here has been awesome for the last week. Going from between 24C and 28C in the day, with some nice breezy shit happening.

Spring and Autumn are by FAR my favourite seasons here in Bris.