Linux Format forums

alan404 · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 8:05 pm Post subject:

Just one slight word of caution. Often the eBook editions are significantly more expensive than the paper editions, even from Amazon. (I find this a bit weird, I don't know why -- all those trees, and it's cheaper) And you can't get everything by a very long chalk (US writers are better served). I didn't realise it had a Linux core though.
Oh, and one of the things I do for a living is check film prints and soundtracks before bulk printing (and set up cinemas for premieres and screenings). 40 times through Casino Royale in various languages anyone? (you get used to it!). BTW all the modern digital cinema equipment runs guess what, yes our favourite OS (we should do a feature for LXF) -- no BSODs in the cinema then.

nelz · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:10 pm Post subject:

I've not found any that are more expensive, but they are usually only marginally cheaper, when they should be no more than half the price. There is a slight excuse in that ebooks attract VAT while printed books are zero-rated, but that only accounts for a fraction of the excess.
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LeeNukes · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 3:41 pm Post subject:

My missus has now shown interest in a Kindle after someone at work mentioned they've got one and love it. It appears that me telling her how good it would be to be able to take a basically limitless supply of books on holiday and not affect the weight of the cases, and if needed, download more whilst away wasn't enough.

Not sure about getting a 3G or a WIFI model yet though.

Oh, and there is also the Kindle app, which I "think" allows you to view your books cross platform.
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Rhakios · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 10:06 pm Post subject:

I've got Kindle for Android, it allows you to buy books from the Amazon store and read them on your phone (if you must), apparently Calibre can convert at least some to be read on other e-readers, though I haven't checked that out yet.
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nelz · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 1:24 am Post subject:

Most ebooks from Amazon come in their own .abz format, which is basically encrypted .mobi. There are programs available to convert them back to .mobi.
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LeeNukes · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 4:32 pm Post subject:

I installed Kindle for Android before to get a heads up on it. I did notice once you signed in you had to designate which device the book was going to. Does this mean I'd have to buy it multiple times for multiple devices?

I thought it was like they do with their MP3 store where you just login and download.
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nelz · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 5:54 pm Post subject:

When you go to your list of bought books, you can send them to different devices, you only have to buy each one once.

The DRM simply restricts it to any device registered to your account, so you can't save the book and copy it to another computer, you have to register the second computer to your account and then send the book.

If you buy a Kindle device, it comes already linked to your account, there's no set up to do, which is a nice touch.
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Unix is user-friendly. It's just very selective about who it's friends are.

dandnsmith · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 11:24 am Post subject:

nelz · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 11:30 am Post subject:

The free 3G downloads only apply to books bought from Amazon. If you use the email conversion process and the books are delivered by 3G, there is a charge. Everything is free with WiFi.

I went for the WiFi only version as I tend to keep plenty of books loaded on the device, so I'm unlikely to need to suddenly download something. If I do, you're never more than a few hundred yards from a Starbucks (don't they say the same about rats?).
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Unix is user-friendly. It's just very selective about who it's friends are.

Rhakios · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 6:44 pm Post subject:

nelz · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 7:45 pm Post subject:

I'll take your word for it. Personally, I've never felt the need to taste Starbucks.
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Unix is user-friendly. It's just very selective about who it's friends are.

LeeNukes · Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 7:50 am Post subject:

nelz · Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 10:37 am Post subject:

You can specify when ordering that the Kindle isn't for you, or deregister it after purchase, which also applies if you sell it.

You didn't really think they'd give you free 3G Internet access, plus hardware, for £40, did you? It is free to install books while abroad, provided you have bought the books from Amazon, it's also free to browse the Amazon web site and one or two others. If you want to install books from elsewhere, do it over WiFi before you travel, which you'll probably need to get them in the first place.
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LeeNukes · Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 8:46 pm Post subject:

Of course I did, otherwise its not free 3G is it, its the same connection I have to the Orange Mobile site from my phone, that's free too.

Unhappy about that, just glad I didn't buy one first.
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nelz · Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 11:13 pm Post subject:

Orange give free, worldwide 3G connections? Vodafone have the cheek to take money out of my bank account every months to pay for my "free" calls etc.
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Unix is user-friendly. It's just very selective about who it's friends are.