Do You Read eBooks?

Monday, August 13, 2012 by Island Dog | Discussion: Personal Computing

I never cared much for reading full physical books, probably because of flashbacks from school.  Anyways, since eBooks (Kindle, Nook, etc.) have really taken off these past few years I have been using them constantly.  I think much of it has to do with convenience.  I have dozens and dozens of books on my iPad which I read through the Kindle app.  They are synced through all my other devices and I can pick up reading where I left off on any other device.  

I'm also fascinated at the ease of creating content for these devices.  So much so I was thinking of taking a bunch of my Windows 7 customization articles that are popular and formatting them into an ebook to reach an even bigger audience.

What do you think?

 

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GregII
Reply #1 Monday, August 13, 2012 12:38 PM

Why do you read them through the Kindle app?

Phoon
Reply #2 Monday, August 13, 2012 12:49 PM

So much so I was thinking of taking a bunch of my Windows 7 customization articles that are popular and formatting them into an ebook to reach an even bigger audience.

So what tool or app would you use to format them to kindle format?

I've sent pdfs to my kindle fire and they work ok but aren't nearly as readable as something in kindle format.

BlackSmokeDMax
Reply #3 Monday, August 13, 2012 1:04 PM

Phoon

So much so I was thinking of taking a bunch of my Windows 7 customization articles that are popular and formatting them into an ebook to reach an even bigger audience.

So what tool or app would you use to format them to kindle format?

I've sent pdfs to my kindle fire and they work ok but aren't nearly as readable as something in kindle format.

 

Should be able to use Calibre to do that. http://calibre-ebook.com/

Or most other e-book formats as well.

BlackSmokeDMax
Reply #4 Monday, August 13, 2012 1:07 PM

To answer the main question. Yes, I read e-books. A lot! About 90% of the time on my kindle touch. A bit here and there on iPad/iPhone, but only for short reading sessions. Or if it's fantasy and it has maps, then I'll download to both my iPad and Kindle, so I can view maps on the iPad and read on the Kindle, it's kind of nice leaving the iPad set right at the map(s) page(s) and being able to reference quickly.

LightStar
Reply #5 Monday, August 13, 2012 1:13 PM

I don't even read real books.

Sinperium
Reply #6 Monday, August 13, 2012 1:25 PM

I grew up a reading maniac.  At seven, I was allowed an adult library card at our librabry because every week I checked out the limit of eight books and liked science, history and novels.

When I left home at seventeen to go into the military, I left enough books to fill up nearly a quarter of my room stacked a third of the way to the ceiling.  I had to leave them at home and eventually my mom donated them to the library--I had nowhere to store them while away. Ironically, on-board ship it was noticed that I read so much they asked me to take over as the ship's librarian.

When I got out, I didn't have a lot of time to read or the cash to buy a library but still grabbed an occasional new novel or even "window shopped" at the library or bookstore in the mall.  

Then I got married a few years later and the reading rainbow was over.

A couple of years back, I got an iPad and, man...I may go bankrupt from buying books again.  I am completely addicted.

I used to print out technical manuals because I hated reading them on-screen but with a tablet I have my entire library with me wherever I go.  You can touch reference words, bookmark, etc. and mine is backlit with customizable backgrounds.

I'd really encourage you to do it.

If you manage to carve a little niche and your books are inexpensive you can actually get a following and make money.  Check out the iBooks or Amazon terms of service--they are incredible compared to publishers.

Calibre will do the job.

Post back some time and tell us how it goes.  Being "industry connected" you have a good chance of success if you work at it.

Island Dog
Reply #7 Monday, August 13, 2012 2:36 PM

Phoon
So what tool or app would you use to format them to kindle format?

Amazon has their own web converter.

 

 

seanw3
Reply #8 Monday, August 13, 2012 2:43 PM

Google books is the closest thing we have to a Library of Alexandria. I'll never need to buy a book again, as long as I stay behind the copyright curve. 

BoXXi
Reply #9 Monday, August 13, 2012 2:50 PM

Yes, on a Kindle.

Snowman
Reply #10 Monday, August 13, 2012 3:00 PM

Do You Read eBooks?

Aw hell NO. Probably never will either.
I am still able to get off my ass, head to the library/book store and find a good (paper) book.

At the same time I'm able to meet these other creatures. Dunno if you've seen any of them since your childhood: Other.... people...

Lavo_2
Reply #11 Monday, August 13, 2012 3:04 PM

Ever since I got an Android cell phone I've been reading a lot more; being able to have a library of books literally in your pocket is amazing. I had been a heavy reader in the past, for some reason I slowed down at some point. I find it much easier to read off of my phone's screen than through a large book, or even my computer.

 

Lord Xia
Reply #12 Monday, August 13, 2012 3:07 PM

I'm not a very tech person.  I read books.  Not a lot and some are of questionable cultural value, I'm no snob, but I've haven't yet moved on to reading a book in any way other than on paper.

k10w3
Reply #13 Monday, August 13, 2012 3:32 PM

I love my Kindle Fire.  I like to read before I fall asleep, and Hubby can't sleep with the light on; those little book lights suck up too many batteries, but my Kindle glows, so this was the perfect answer to my "need to relax to sleep with a good book" dilemma. 

There are so many free books for Kindle at Amazon, I loaded up quite a few right away.  This is really awesome when I go somewhere that I have to "wait" (dentist, doctor, job interview, etc.) because if I get bored with one of the books I was reading, or my mood just changes mid-wait, I have the entire library right at my fingertips, and the Android apps are pretty cool in case I want to play a game of Mahjong. I like checking out books from the library without having to leave home, too. 

joasoze
Reply #14 Monday, August 13, 2012 3:35 PM

Audio books is the thing for me. While driving or training.

Ryat
Reply #15 Monday, August 13, 2012 4:19 PM

I am enjoying EBooks myself.

Snowman
At the same time I'm able to meet these other creatures. Dunno if you've seen any of them since your childhood: Other.... people...

Never meet them. Too busy with my nose in a book.

DrJBHL
Reply #16 Monday, August 13, 2012 4:34 PM

Island Dog

Quoting Phoon, reply 2So what tool or app would you use to format them to kindle format?



Amazon has their own web converter.

 

 

Calibre (http://calibre-ebook.com/)

It's free and just super.

Wizard1956
Reply #17 Monday, August 13, 2012 5:17 PM

Real paper books have a certain utility to them.

How many Kindles do you need to burn for heat when you run out of firewood? (even with a name like Fire)

....and about the outhouse.......I won't even go there.

 

Just ask RnD, that takes real paper.

 In answer to the question, no.

Phoon
Reply #18 Monday, August 13, 2012 5:30 PM

Wizard1956
Just ask RnD, that takes real paper.

nonsense. We all know that RnD uses Moonbeams for that purpose...

 

DrJBHL
Reply #19 Monday, August 13, 2012 6:01 PM


Quoting Wizard1956, reply 17Just ask RnD, that takes real paper.

nonsense. We all know that RnD uses Moonbeams for that purpose...

 

More likely I-beams. 

They don't call his butt rusty for no reason.

MottiKhan
Reply #20 Monday, August 13, 2012 7:06 PM

I get most of my e-books from Amazon.  They keep them available in case you want to download them again.  The Kindle with 3G makes it pretty easy.  I also like to download free books. 

If you like science fiction, the Baen Free Library http://www.baen.com/library/defaulttitles.htm has a few decent books.

The best free download I found was David Weber's Honor Harrington series at the 5th Imperium. It has the whole series along with some extras. 

http://baencd.thefifthimperium.com/22-MissionofHonorCD/MissionofHonorCD/

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