Playing with the Kindle

I have spent a lot of the day playing with the Kindle. So, here are some thoughts about it.

  • It is amazingly easy to use.
  • Having said that, it is also amazingly easy to hit the wrong button!  {That is the major complaint of review writers on the Amazon site}
  • The secret to NOT hitting the wrong button for me is to decide which hand I am going to use to turn pages. Although I am right-handed, it works best for me to use my left thumb to hit the next-page button.
  • I have downloaded Orwell’s 1984. I had read it before but it is a book that stands the test of rereading very well.
  • I also have two science fiction magazines {Analog and Asimov’s} and am really enjoying both of them. I don’t think I am going to continue with both of them after the free 14 day period. At the moment, I am putting Analog slightly ahead of Asimov’s. I used to subscribe to both of them many years ago. What surprised me today  is that I don’t know most of the new science fiction writers.
  • I can download a sample of any books that look interesting before I buy the book {or not as the case may be.} That is what enticed me into buying all of 1984. I had forgotten how good Orwell’s prose is.
  • The sample of Lord of the Flies, which is another book I had read and enjoyed before, did not convince me to download the whole book.
  • The screen is excellent with really good contrast. Also, I can enlarge the font very easily.
  • Apparently, if I turn the wireless access off, I will only have to recharge the battery once a week. With the wireless access on, the battery needs to be recharged every second day.I have not proved these times for myself as yet, but I will.

In non-Kindle related activities, today I stripped the bed, washed the bedclothes and remade the bed with clean sheets. I also walked up to the drug store {using a cane}, picked up Fred’s drugs and walked home again. But most of the day had been Kindle related.

QUOTATIONS:

"Step by step. I can’t think of any other way of accomplishing anything."

Michael Jordan

None will improve your lot If you yourself do not.

Bertolt Brecht, 1933

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May 7, 2008

I’ve been tempted to buy one of those, but I still just haven’t quite convinced myself yet. Is it how people will read books in the future, or is it a really cool gadget for people who like gadgets (like myself?).

May 7, 2008

Intersting review!

May 7, 2008

Sweet! But one of my favorite things about real books is the feel of the pages and the smell.

Pat
May 7, 2008

I love new “toys” but I have many house renovations I need more than this. I will get one of these one day though. I think they’re very cool. (((Hugs)))

May 7, 2008

I had to look it up to find out exactly what it was. It sounds very interesting. However, I don’t think you can get it in this country yet.

May 8, 2008

sounds like a wonderful thing to have but, i like the feel and smell of a book in my hands. i guess i could get used to the kindle but the reason i go to the library so much is that i can’t afford to buy books at the rate i read. take care,

May 8, 2008

I would really like being able to enlarge the font easily! hugs, Weesprite

Guess I’m too old fashioned… I love holding a book. That said, this would be so handy for things like text books that are so expensive and usually never looked at again. I still have not adjusted to libraries without real card catalogues..

May 8, 2008

Can’t wait to see it. I looked at it on Amazon but the reviews were mixed (and it was on back order at the time). I love the concept and it’s only a matter of time before I break down and get one (or something like it)

May 8, 2008

Isn’t it fun to play with new toys!? I’ve been resisting the urge to get something like that, but your entry here makes it very tempting. Does it download pictures as well, or just text?

I’m glad you are enjoying your Kindle. Such fun!

RE Starting Over’s note I used to say the same thing with newspapers. and it has taken me years to just read online. But even now I get one every few months. I want it all tied together. Patrisha, do they sync with your computer? That would keep me from being an early adapter with this. I am usually ahead of the curve. have fun…dan

May 8, 2008

“But most of the day had been Kindle related.” Shouldn’t they all be? I’m glad to read that the device holds up to the end-user test — the reviews I’ve read have all been by bleeding-edge techie types.

Shi
May 8, 2008

Good review.

May 8, 2008

Oh, How Fun!!! 🙂

May 8, 2008

I’m happy that you’re enjoying it so much!

Sounds like something you are really going to enjoy having! Hugs, M

May 9, 2008

RYN – thank you very much for the compliment… I learned a long time ago that it doesn’t matter how scared of something you are, ignoring it won’t make it go away, and running away won’t help either, because eventually you’ll run out of places to hide. You can’t outrun fear even if you’re an olympic-level sprinter… Are the books for the kindle expensive? Is it easy to use? I don’t really like reading books on the computer screen – I like paper-and-ink ones that I can hold in my hands and stick a bookmark in when I’m done. The computer’s fine for small things, like diaries and webpages, but I lose my place in an e-book and my eyes get tired… (huggles)

May 9, 2008

ok…gotta find out more abt these things!