In a previous article 'eBooks for Anyone', I started considering eBook readers as a viable tool for both recreational and educational reading. In that article a familiarization, process began when the newer generation of readers emerged. At least it did for me.
Today I can speak about this subject from a first hand view. A short time ago, my Kindle 2 arrived. First impression of the product relates to the packaging used by Amazon. Very effective shipping and protective cocoon provided. Long ago, it became clear that manufacturers and shippers of products telegraph their opinion of their products by the packaging, how well it is packed, how well protected and ease of working through this layer of protection. The Kindle 2 packaging is excellent.
The product itself has a Wow factor when first viewed. It is so thin, so light, slipping into the hand naturally. This is a display product, which leads one to want to see the display. I did, finding a clear and defined display.
After going through a normal process of getting to know the workings of the device, the requirements for what it would do, and would not do, I sat down to read. After getting past the newness factor the device became a book. By that, I mean it did not travel with me around the house; I did not carry it around just to hold it and did not watch TV picking it up to check email.
What I did was take time to get away from normal activity to sit and read. I picked up the Kindle 2 as I would a paperback book and read for a while. Quickly this hot marketing device became an accepted, normal, part of what I do.
What Can I Read?
The Kindle 2 comes with little stored on board for casual reading. It does come with a good introduction, get started document covering what the Kindle provides, how it functions.
Shortly after turning it on, I was browsing the Amazon store looking through books to get a feel of how functional the Kindle would be in casual reading. To check it out I downloaded two free 2-chapter samples books written by Kathy Reich, the author and impetus behind the Bones TV series.
The download was fast over the 3G connection. This was quite impressive. Reading was easy; moving around the device with the available keys became second nature except I kept hitting the next/previous page keys when dealing with my inquisitive dog. Learning where to hold the reader when doing something else is necessary. This was a small learning curve item.
I also placed a large Dummies Tech manual on the device by a direct computer to reader transfer using the supplied USB. The transfer was painless and the results positive. We will get into that feature shortly.
What Can I Read? Do I Have to Buy it All?
Amazon provides a service that is currently free to transform popular document formats into the formats used by Kindle. You send it to them; they send it back to you by 3G download, formatted. This includes pdf, doc and html files. That is a great support service.
Previously when studying the swelling eBook tsunami a few software products came into view that provided format conversions into some of the more popular eBook formats. One that caught my eye was Calibre, which provides formats used by Sony, Kindle and provides a means for internet connections to scan and turn news into a feed for your devices. Current news at the finger tips. Free eBook downloads in your hand, pdf's on demand, nice.
This process is easy to use but does require a transfer of files from your computer to the eBook. Not quite as easy to use as the on board download in the device, yet not a deal breaker either. It also opens a large library of free documents of all types for your use.
Where Does Kindle 2 Exist in Daily Use?
For me it exists on the corner of the kitchen counter. A location I pass many times a day. On some of those crossing routes I take the Kindle, sit for a few minutes to enjoy some quiet time with my current favorite book then leave it, when other things require attention.
The Kindle 2 is easy to use, easy to live with. It does not seek becoming the center of your life, does not want to be the key to communicate with the world, however, it does allow you to remove yourself from everything else and live in another world of your choosing for as long as you desire. Tucked in the Kindle 2 is a nice mp3 player allowing your choice of mood music as background to your reading pleasure. Some people are bothered by any sound while reading but personally I like a little Michael Buble' with my read. Much like a glass or Merlot to savor as companion while a story unfolds.
A nice feature is it travels with you effortlessly. If placed in a binder, a necessity for my life style, it takes casual tossing without complaint and comes to life on demand. There are no perfect products anywhere though we continue to try. The Kindle 2 is not perfect it is however very good at what it was design to do. It gets my vote for a solid, usable, quality product. Not a lot of devices receive that evaluation.
Harold Simmons
http://kindles-ebooks.com
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