I BOUGHT a sweet eReader today...

[unlurking]

OK, well maybe it was a couple of days ago, but anyways.

I noticed that the "watcha readin" thread pops up every now and then around here, and I just thought I'd see if anyone else has gotten an e-ink based reader. Picked up a Sony Reader PRS500, and have to say I'm thoroughly enjoying it. If anyone else like to read a LOT (kinda pricey), check 'em out.

The e-ink technology is really nice. Almost now power consumption beyond screen draws, and the screen is incredibly easy to read in bright light such as the sun. No washed out effects like on cell phone screens (used to read books on my treo and then xv6700).

Anyways, if you travel and like to read, these are great. I have several hundred books on mine, and it's very lightweight and portable.

Linky (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=16184)

[007]

I like the ebook prices but the ereader is too expensive.

[Fish]

Can you get porn on that thing? :BLVD:

[88TG88]

Better not take your eye off it.

[unlurking]

I like the ebook prices but the ereader is too expensive.
That's pretty much how I felt the last year or so (the iLiad is awesome, but $700 is way too much). The Sony unit is pretty good for $300. With all the free books out there (i.e. Baen, projectgutenburg, etc.), I figured what the hell.

I love to read, but I cannot stand library books covered with food, drink stains, hair, and many things I'd rather not imagine. At the same time, I'm sick of paying $8-10 per book. $4-5 per book is much better, plus I get all the free content. I figure it will pay for itself in about a year.

[007]

That's pretty much how I felt the last year or so (the iLiad is awesome, but $700 is way too much). The Sony unit is pretty good for $300. With all the free books out there (i.e. Baen, projectgutenburg, etc.), I figured what the hell.

I love to read, but I cannot stand library books covered with food, drink stains, hair, and many things I'd rather not imagine. At the same time, I'm sick of paying $8-10 per book. $4-5 per book is much better, plus I get all the free content. I figure it will pay for itself in about a year.

free books? Where? Torrents or literally free.

[unlurking]

If you don't mind black 'n white with only 4 gray scale. Color model from iRex is supposed to be out this year. Does play mp3s and does do pictures, but I deleted the example pics on mine without even looking at them. Here a pic of a comic someone through up to test reading (kinda big)...

Linky... (http://hightech.afmag.net/wp-content/uploads/hightech//2007/06/manga-readability-1.JPG)

[007]

If you don't mind black 'n white with only 4 gray scale. Color model from iRex is supposed to be out this year. Does play mp3s and does do pictures, but I deleted the example pics on mine without even looking at them. Here a pic of a comic someone through up to test reading (kinda big)...

Linky... (http://hightech.afmag.net/wp-content/uploads/hightech//2007/06/manga-readability-1.JPG)
ewwwww how yesterday. :)

[teedubya]

I opted for the Archos 404 - 30gb media player.... 3.5 inch screen... i can read pdfs pretty effectively with it... and the movies and if one wanted to bury some porn deep within the file structure, one probably could.

[Logical]

I just enjoy paperbacks more than reading a book on screen, but that is just a personal preference.

[unlurking]

free books? Where? Torrents or literally free.

Project Gutenburg (link) (http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page)

Basically these are "classics" and free distribution texts. Personally, I could spend years just going through this site. For "escapism", I prefer sci-fi/fantasy though, and they just opened a "bookshelf" at PG site for the genre.

You can also download much of the Baen catalog from their site (http://www.baen.com/library/), or download legit CD images (http://baencd.thefifthimperium.com/). These CDs were distributed in many hardcover versions of there books, and many times offer the complete series. They are freely distributable and not illegal.

There are a bunch more out there, but I used my $50 free gift card from Sony to buy 19 books, so I haven't gotten back into the whole free thing yet!

EDIT:

Better link to free BAEN downloads (IMO)...

http://www.baen.com/series_list.asp

Gonna have to check out that "Chicks in Chainmail" series! :)

[unlurking]

I just enjoy paperbacks more than reading a book on screen, but that is just a personal preference.
I totally agree, that's why I bought an e-ink reader. You would be amazed at the screen. It "looks" like a real piece of paper.

[unlurking]

I opted for the Archos 404 - 30gb media player.... 3.5 inch screen... i can read pdfs pretty effectively with it... and the movies and if one wanted to bury some porn deep within the file structure, one probably could.

I was looking at the Archos units when they were Linux based, but before I could buy one they went to a Windows platform. Pretty much killed it for me. My xv6700 does all I need, EXCEPT read books well. There is no comparison when viewing an e-ink screen. Obviously a very narrow function, but worth it IMO.

[Dallas Chief]

OK, well maybe it was a couple of days ago, but anyways.

I noticed that the "watcha readin" thread pops up every now and then around here, and I just thought I'd see if anyone else has gotten an e-ink based reader. Picked up a Sony Reader PRS500, and have to say I'm thoroughly enjoying it. If anyone else like to read a LOT (kinda pricey), check 'em out.

The e-ink technology is really nice. Almost now power consumption beyond screen draws, and the screen is incredibly easy to read in bright light such as the sun. No washed out effects like on cell phone screens (used to read books on my treo and then xv6700).

Anyways, if you travel and like to read, these are great. I have several hundred books on mine, and it's very lightweight and portable.

Linky (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=16184)

Wow! Of all the negative Sony crap i read on here, the first positive comments in a long time is on the eReader. I am completely shocked...

[007]

Hey, for the PSP owners out there....

http://psp.manybooks.net/

Never really thought about using the PSP as an eReader just music and video.

[unlurking]

Wow! Of all the negative Sony crap i read on here, the first positive comments in a long time is on the eReader. I am completely shocked...
hahaha

There are things I'd like to see improved on this unit, but for the price and functionality, I think it's the best e-ink value out there.

EDIT:

Oh, and one BIG improvement from Sony, the devices accepts there proprietary memory sticks, AND SD cards! I never though I'd live to see the day they included support outside their memory!

[unlurking]

Hey, for the PSP owners out there....

http://psp.manybooks.net/

Never really thought about using the PSP as an eReader just music and video.
I did comics on my PSP for a while, but I stopped playing with my PSP a while back (although I did notice it uses the same 5.2 v charger).

[Dallas Chief]

hahaha

There are things I'd like to see improved on this unit, but for the price and functionality, I think it's the best e-ink value out there.

EDIT:

Oh, and one BIG improvement from Sony, the devices accepts there proprietary memory sticks, AND SD cards! I never though I'd live to see the day they included support outside their memory!
Why yes we are! I think our new notebooks will have SD card slots on them as well. We already have one camera that uses compact flash only. Chalk it up to the influence of a "westerner" CEO.

[ClevelandBronco]

Just don't leave it unattended for 15 minutes at the Paradise Cafe in San Diego.

[007]

Just don't leave it unattended for 15 minutes at the Paradise Cafe in San Diego.
No shit!!! :cuss:

[Taco John]

What are we talking about here? PDF files? Or some other sort of proprietary file? I'm intrigued.

[unlurking]

What are we talking about here? PDF files? Or some other sort of proprietary file? I'm intrigued.
HTML, RTF, TXT, PDF, DOC, BBeB, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, etc. There are a ton of converters out there that will handle basically anything. It also does mp3 and aac, although I don't plan on using it for audio.

[unlurking]

Why yes we are! I think our new notebooks will have SD card slots on them as well. We already have one camera that uses compact flash only. Chalk it up to the influence of a "westerner" CEO.
Nice, about time!

I loved my Vaio, and almost bought another one but decided to go with the MBP instead.

[Taco John]

Did you say you were using your treo to read books? Were you using any particular program. I have a Treo, so I figure I should start there before making an ereader purchase. I've never even thought of using it as an e-reader for some reason.

[unlurking]

Here is the software I used on the Treo, although I never bought the pro version, just used the freebie...

http://www.ereader.com/product/detail/15002

Also, check out this forum for pretty much anything and everything you could ever want to know about ereader software, hardware, hacks, formats, etc.

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/