fredlet

Jason Kottke (quoting a friend) and Jeff Bezos got what I have been pondering the last several days:

“I want a proper e-book reader as much as anyone, but Amazon’s Kindle sounds underwhelming (and unfortunately looks, as a friend put it, like “the Pontiac Aztec of e-readers”). Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos says:

This isn’t a device, it’s a service.”

Go watch the video to give you a better idea of how the device performs (and note how they avoid the ongoing price you pay for each thing that you have to download from their site or pay to email to your device)

If I was traveling all the time and lived in airports (check your coverage), I’d consider this, but the fact that I can load any .rtf on my reader for free and convert my own blog reading/wikipedia entries/online fiction is worth it.
The kindle is a money pit.

I’m downloading it now… I’ll let you know what its like when I have a chance to play with it.
Hopefully it will let me do some of the goodies that the new reader does… but I don’t see an associated book update (just software so far.)

-later-
well:
1. its a new install (had to re-recognize my reader as well)
2. its called the eBook Library instead of the CONNECT Reader
3. interface is a little prettier (much more 2001 than 1998) still has a ways to go… but then again sony hardware makes me drool and sony software decidedly never has.
4. version 2.0.00.07200

I’ll see if I can find release notes… (but don’t hold your breath ;) )

They have a new deal at the Connect store for new purchases of eReaders. Basically its only the classics, but you get 100 (Sony published) classics if you register your new reader between Aug 3-Sept 30, 2007
(yeah, I haven’t been paying attention to the store specials-I generally look at the reduced titles and the bundles.)

Or download user formatted books from public domain sources from MobileRead forums. There are some seriously dedicated folks here and their work is fantastic.

In the unconfirmed rumor department: I hear that Amazon is looking to release their own reader.
I think Sony finally has it right with the ability to put your own content on there, having books be slightly cheaper in e-form (I remember trying to buy a book that I could have gotten in paperback and B&N.com wanted $20 for it… and Adobe Reader upgrades broke it so I lost the media anyway. What a waste.) and it is STABLE.
Also, they are following the Audible.com policy of being able to re-download content you already bought (unlike Apple where if your file is corrupted or the download is botched, you are basically screwed and they don’t care. But I’ve had this happen on other systems as well, which is why I still buy CD’s for the increased security of knowing I can generally re-rip the music that I have paid for.)
DRMs are still screwy. There is still a lot of work to do to make it good.

I LOVE this…

Chair Mini Black

Mini bookchair is ideal for holding sony reader. Its compact size makes it extremely portable. Dimensions folded: 7″ L X 5.75″ W X 1.25″ H
Dimensions as shown: 5″ H X 5.75″ W X 5.5″ D Depth of bottom ledge: 1 in.
Weight as shown: 7 oz. BookChair Co. Ltd
PRICE: $20.00

eMotion Sleeve Jacket for Sony Reader
The Sony Reader eMotion Jacket is the ultimate for on the go eBook fanatics. Whether at the gym, in the office, or at the beach, eMotion Jackets provide superior protection for your Sony Reader.

eMotion Jackets are stylish padded cases that feature a read-through design and clear vinyl screen protection so you never have to remove your Reader to use.

The custom design eMotion Jacket is a perfect blend of function and style, providing the most protection and mobility available for your Sony Reader.

Jacket Facts
Fits: Sony Reader PRS500
Includes: Neoprene case. Printed button overlay marks location of buttons. Case provides full access to all ports.
Material: Smooth finish neoprene with clear vinyl screen protection

eMotion Executive Jacket for Sony Reader

The Sony Reader Executive Jacket is the ultimate for sophisticated on-the-go eBook users. Whether in the office, at a business meeting, or on the treadmill, the Reader Executive Jacket provides refined and stylish protection of your Sony Reader in a superior case.

The Executive Jacket offers full surface protection in a lushly padded case. A completely suede interior ensures your Reader will always be cushioned in comfort. This smart case with classic lines even includes a loop for your pen and interior pockets for quick storage of notes, business cards, and other essentials.

Even while closed, you’ll find access to all ports, so you never need to remove your reader for synching or charging.

The M-edge Sony Reader Executive Jacket is a sleek black case that will protect your Reader from scratches and dings. It is the perfect solution for the user with a fashionable, active lifestyle.

Jacket Facts
Fits: Sony Reader PRS500
Features: Case allows full access to all ports and buttons; interior pockets for organizing business cards, notes, and papers; and a loop for pen/pencil storage.
Material: Padded exterior with suede interior.
Also available on Amazon…

http://www.the-ebook.org/e107/content.php?article.63

See that shite up there?
Its friggin’ Russian.

And its REALLY hard to load an app and then follow non-standard procedure update instructions.

But, if you still want to do this, here is what you really need to know…

1. Download these two files:

–> Скачать полный пакет программы (29.06.2004, BookDesigner40.zip, ~10 Мб)
–> Скачать последний апдейт программы (14.03.2007, BookDesignerExe.zip, ~2.5)

2. Install the .msi file in the “BookDesigner40″ folder
3. Extract the “BookDesignerExe.zip” file
4. Then copy ALL the contents from the “BookDesignerExe” over the stuff you just installed in your Book Designer folder in your Program Files folder (if that’s where you installed the app)

NOW you’ll have a Sony Reader convert-y button instead of the old Librie one.

Actually converting stuff you should be able to do on your own.
(or just stick to RTF files, but I seem to be a masochist with a bent for images in text…. ah me.)

The offer:
“Get $149 Worth of Many Top Bestsellers, Classics & More with Purchase & Registration by 7/31/07

Offer not available at all Borders stores. Please see your store for details. Available only to customers who purchase a Reader between 5/1/07 and 7/31/07, register for a CONNECT eBooks account (“Account”), and authorize their device by 07/31/07. Must be U.S. Resident, 13 years or older, with a valid U.S. credit card. Credit good for $50 toward any title and $99.50 toward any CONNECT eBooks Classics title will be applied to your Account. Must spend entire Credit by 08/31/07. Limit 1 Credit per Sony Reader device. For full terms and system requirements, visit www.ebooks.connect.com/$149.”

So you get 50 Classics from the store. Not bad, pre-formatted stuff so that you don’t have to de-Gutenberg them.

and

$50 towards the titles of the regular store. Most of the titles are cheaper than they are in print, so you’ll probably get 3-4 books if you like newer best. [here's how to activate your $50]

Here’s where I start to ramble (you have been warned):
Also, you need winders to use the Connect Store, but there is a Mac hack for the eBook reader itself. Though frankly, if anyone needs help, I’m more than willing to see if I can help you, just email me (leave a comment with your email available for me to reply to…).

You can also download the Connect reader as well. People don’t really talk about this much, but the DRM model for these books is loosely like iTunes.
You can authorize a certain number of machines to read the books, 6 I think, but remember that your computer is counted as a machine to read a book as well. So if you authorize two computers and one reader you have a total of 3 devices authorized. (The Connect software is also considered a reader since you could use it to read the material that you buy from the store. (so, effectively you could skip the reader itself and just read on your computer if you really wanted to…I don’t think this is a terribly far fetched idea. Its a pretty stable DRM unlike the ones I’ve tried in the past using Adobe Reader. I lost all that content with no recourse and I’m unamused by that.))
You can also de-authorize a machine to free up one of the licenses for a new machine.
There’s loads of good info regarding sharing and licenses in the wikipedia entry (see below).

Steve Gibson and Leo LaPorte also have eReaders and they seem to love them.
Listen in…

Other useful links:
Wikipedia entry

Now that you can put custom RSS feeds on your reader by using the converter at a specified time, this cradle is now officially useful…. and its available on Amazon.com

“Get $149 Worth of Many Top Bestsellers, Classics & More with Purchase & Registration by 7/31/07″
Read more about this offer here…

There are a lot of good books on the Connect Store for less than you would buy them in paper/hardback. As it should be…

I’ve found a converter for RSS pages, there’s Gutenberg content out the wazoo and there are some authors that have a book in the Sony Reader .lrf file format already.
Plus less paper and shipping expenses is good for the environment.
This version of the reader is the one that will work. I’ve looked at the others and passed, but this one just is incredible.

What are you waiting for?

(have questions? Let me know in the comments and I’ll answer or find out what I can and create an FAQ.)

Most excellent.
I finally found a RSS converty thing for the Sony Reader. The Connect store has some RSS capability… As long as you choose from a set of pre-selected feeds.
Give me a break.
RSS2BOOK spits out .lrf file (Sony Reader format) files with the titles in a larger font and the text of the feed in a smaller one. It isn’t rocket science, but its very readable.
So far I am just using the full feed RSS blogs that I already subscribe to, but there is a way to hack it to get the full feed of the ones that just have blurbs, but haven’t wrapped my head around how to do that yet (and it might have been just that it was a Monday night and I can’t even see straight on Monday’s after work. Tuesday might be better…I’ll keep you posted.)
They actually have it documented pretty well, so an actual code geek would see it and hop right on it. You just have to figure out the pattern of the page’s feed you are subscribing to.
In addition it will also suck down Wikipedia articles, HTML pages, Gutenberg books (I haven’t worked out all the tweaks on that on yet) but the other ones popped into my reader pretty easily.
THIS is what was missing from my reader.
Now I just have to go track down that book formatting app and make a bunch of nicely formatted books that I want to read (if the lovely folks in the mobile read forums haven’t already done them… Funny how they had already done quite a few that I wanted to read anyway. =) )

I flopped the cover so that it is backward (the round attachy thingy works both ways). This way the controls for page turning (for the right handed folks out there) are completely accessible.

BLAM.
Just like that.

One of the things I like is that I can just get a new book if I’m out of interesting things to read.

I’m starting to add things from the Gutenberg project as well, but they take a bit of time to get polished for reading… I’ll be posting some of those here (or see if Gutenberg or someone else wants to host them).

RTF is a really nice way to read on the Portable Reader, PDF still has some finessing on my part to manage (margins and size and whatnot) but so far so good. The eBooks are really well done on Connect. Also, they don’t cost an arm and a leg.
Used to be, it was 20 bucks for a PDF for a book and really, I couldn’t see why I would want one. It was twice as expensive, the Acrobat version broke incessantly and I lost the one book I did try.
So not worth it.

I think with all the iTunes’s and Audible’s out there the business model and DRM is more coherent.

(this doesn’t mean I can’t still spend hours and hours and hours in a bookstore with little to no effort. =) )