Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

jckottler

Mar 20, 2011, 9:50 PM

Post #1 of 15 (3197 views)

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Kindle

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Before I come down to Ajijic, I need to buy a Kindle or one of it's competitors. What works best in Mexico? I have been told to get one which works globally. Is that true?

Rolly

Mar 20, 2011, 9:59 PM

Post #2 of 15 (3196 views)

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Re: [jckottler] Kindle

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I use Kindle for PC, and I love it. The software is free, and the books downland over the internet in less than a minute.
I can't see the logic in buying a reader. but that does seem to be a popular option.

Kindle has been discussed a number of times here; use the search function.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

(This post was edited by Rolly on Mar 20, 2011, 10:06 PM)

jckottler

Mar 21, 2011, 1:06 AM

Post #3 of 15 (3181 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Kindle

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I looked at some of the old posts, but what I really want to know is whether Kindle, Nook, or one of the others would be best for me. I plan to use the e-book recources at libraries a lot, and one of the contributors believed that his Nook was best for that purpose. Is that true?

Dreamer Blue

Mar 21, 2011, 6:15 AM

Post #4 of 15 (3171 views)

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Re: [jckottler] Kindle

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I think the answer probably comes down to personal taste - or whatever you have that works! I have a Sony E-Reader and it works like a charm wherever I am - Mexico, US, Canada or even Europe! I have used a Kindle and that is great too. I would have to say that I prefer the E-Reader because I like it's ability to download both PDF files and Word documents - a feature I use a lot. I also like the way I can use the screen to turn pages but that's just a little thing and I wouldn't buy it just for that reason.
I have never used a Nook so can't compare but I do know that it takes less than a minute to download a book from my library onto my E-Reader. I suspect they are all pretty similar in this regard.

chinagringo

Mar 21, 2011, 7:09 AM

Post #5 of 15 (3159 views)

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Re: [jckottler] Kindle

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As Rolly pointed out, there is a free KINDLE for PC program available and apparently, there is a similar NOOK for PC program. Good way to view and evaluate both systems, the title availability and the differing features.

I went through the investigative process back before Christmas and compared the various options. Admittedly, I didn't spend a great deal of time on the NOOK since I was concerned about the long term future of BARNES and NOBLE. There has been a great deal of negative financial news re: B&N and BORDERS, part of which played out with BORDERS declaring bankruptcy recently. B&N has similar problems since their business model requires brick and mortar retail stores selling conventional books. Just after Christmas, AMAZON announced that ebook sales exceeded their paperback sales for the first time.

Once I settled on the KINDLE, I then looked at the difference between their standard wireless version and the higher priced 3G version. The 3G version gives one the option of downloading while on the go and doesn't require wireless Internet availability. That assumes that you are in an area where 3G service is available - SPRINT in the US and AT&T internationally (International KINDLE). Since we have SPRINT cell phones, I can say from experience that their 3G service can be spotty in MX but someone with AT&T experience would have to comment on their service availability in MX. I read up briefly on the international version and it appears that one can experience a roaming charge of $1.99 per download in certain countries but I think that MX was one of the free countries? I finally decided on the regular wireless version because of our projected usage requirements. While Kathy travels a good deal, all of her normal hotels offer wireless and besides she typically makes sure that she has an adequate supply of books downloaded before she leaves home. Should she run out of downloaded books while in MX, most hotels that we stay in have wireless. One thing some people don't realize is that one can download to their computer first and then transfer to the KINDLE.

To me, any of the EReaders would probably satisfy most avid readers and are an amazing piece of technology!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

bournemouth

Mar 21, 2011, 7:31 AM

Post #6 of 15 (3151 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Kindle

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There is a free software program that can change the format of e-books to suit which ever reader you have:

http://calibre-ebook.com/about

(This post was edited by Rolly on Mar 21, 2011, 8:18 AM)

yucatandreamer

Mar 21, 2011, 8:37 AM

Post #7 of 15 (3121 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Kindle

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Libraries use epub and are not compatible with Kindle. I do not know if you can download a library book to Calibre and convert it to mobi(Kindles format). Sony ereader works well with libraries.

mevale

Mar 21, 2011, 9:41 AM

Post #8 of 15 (3107 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Kindle

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In Reply To

The logic is that there is no comparison in reading a Kindle screen as opposed to reading on a computer screen. That's the problem with the Mac Ipad. You just can't compare backlit LCD to virtual ink readers. I also wouldn't want to read a laptop in bed or on the sofa.

chinagringo

Mar 21, 2011, 9:46 AM

Post #9 of 15 (3101 views)

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Re: [mevale] Kindle

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KINDLE for PC is a very viable option for those with eyesight issues since one has more options for print size.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

Rolly

Mar 21, 2011, 9:51 AM

Post #10 of 15 (3100 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Kindle

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KINDLE for PC is a very viable option for those with eyesight issues

That is what enables me to keep reading books.
I can no longer deal with a print book.
Old age really sucks.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

RickS

Mar 21, 2011, 11:29 AM

Post #11 of 15 (3081 views)

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Re: [jckottler] Kindle

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I think the point is that both/all will work in Mexico. One would only need a 3G version if one could not reasonably find an Internet connection or a Wifi hotspot. And one can download 'several' books at one time and then read for a long time 'in the desert with no Internet in sight'.

What IS important (to me anyway) is how WELL one can read the book once it gets onto the device. I have seen/used, at Lakeside, a Kindle, Nook and iPad. For ME, the Kindle was the winner due to it's amazing portrayal of text.... the e-ink is just so easy to read..... absolutely non-tiring to my eyes. And I also like to read sitting outdoors 'in the sun'.... read and get a sun tan at the same time! Directly in the brightest sun, the Kindle was still very easy to read. The Nook was 'OK', but forget trying to read (easily) on an iPad. The iPad screen is also an amazing piece of technology but it is just not really made for reading outdoors (or in the glare indoors!), and surely not in direct sunlight. I used the larger Kindle DX and, again for me, that size was better for reading than the smaller one; and it was not too big/heavy to hold for an extended time.

YMMV

jckottler

Mar 21, 2011, 3:37 PM

Post #12 of 15 (3048 views)

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Re: [yucatandreamer] Kindle

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Yucatandreamer writes, "Libraries use epub and are not compatible with Kindle." Others seem to be saying that it is no problem to download anything through the net. What is true?

chinagringo

Mar 21, 2011, 3:51 PM

Post #13 of 15 (3042 views)

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Re: [jckottler] Kindle

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While we have not had a reason so far to use Calibre, I did go to the provided link out of curiosity. From what I read, it appeared to me that it would convert epub to the KINDLE format. Then again, I have not tried the program to confirm. If I had an immediate need, I would download the program and test it on my KINDLE for PC since neither program costs anything. I always like testing before saying for sure that something can be done.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

(This post was edited by chinagringo on Mar 21, 2011, 3:53 PM)

yucatandreamer

Mar 21, 2011, 5:39 PM

Post #14 of 15 (3025 views)

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Re: [jckottler] Kindle

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I use Calibre for downloaded books all the time and it will change various formats-but these books are not downloaded from a library. When you download from a library you use specific software from Adobe so that your book can be returned to the library after you read it. I really doubt that you can download from a public library and then transfer the book to Calibre. What you need to do is to go to the web site of the library you intend to use and check out their instructions for reading library books. I use the Toronto Public Library system and here is a page explaining what readers and formats they support: http://www.overdrive.com/...ault.aspx?type=ebook It is certainly possible that your library may support Kindle.

If you plan to read free books from the net ie: Google Classics ,Calibre will change the book to a format you can use on whatever book reader you buy. This also applies if you decide to pirate books from the internet, but Libraries only allow you check books out for a specific time and then they disappear from your reader. Otherwise libraries would be pirates. If you plan to mainly read books from a public library on a book reader you need (as far as I can ascertain) a epub reader. If you plan to read other books or buy from Amazon you can use Kindle. I love my Sony Reader and am perfectly able to download a book to my computer and transfer it with a cord to my reader. If I were going to read off of my computer screen I would use Kindle software because Amazon is a way better bookstore than Sony. I however prefer to read off a bookreader as it is light and I can use it in bed or carry it in my purse.
Again before you commit, check the library you plan to check books out from, also check their selection. Some libraries do not offer ebooks and even one the size of Toronto seems to be heavy on stuff that I don’t want to read but they have enough good stuff to keep me reading for a good long time. Get the reader that is easiest on your eyes and feels the best in your hands there are lots of choices out there.
http://http://

(This post was edited by Rolly on Mar 21, 2011, 6:40 PM)

Georgia

Mar 22, 2011, 1:25 PM

Post #15 of 15 (2971 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Kindle

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I have to second the comment about the Kindle being great for those of us who are visually impaired. Not only can you have large print, you can change the contrast and select a short print line so you don't lose track of what lineyou are on.

I like its portability and like to read while traveling in the car or on planes and before I go to sleep. So, the PC based Kindle would not be a good option for me.

I hadn't read a novel in a yeasr before I got my Kindle. I love it more than my iPod!!