E-Reader Questions

[shukudai]

I'm looking to pick up an e reader. What I'm looking for mostly is a way to transfer all the books I currently have, usually in .epub, which seems somewhat difficult with the various readers, which all have their own ups and downs.

Which reader is easiest to mod or at least get your current collection on it, considering that most of it isn't purchased online originally? Is there any difference in the various screen quality, or one thats easier on the eyes?

[TacoTaru]

I can't speak to transferring, but the Kindle is probably the most user friendly e-reader I deal with on a daily basis. Now that Kindle also has library support (I don't know if that matters to you), I find it to be hands down the best one based on user friendliness.

No idea about modding.

[Rulke]

I could read my Kinle all day and not suffer any more eye strain than a regular book. Its really a fantastic device. If you find you can transfer your existing .epub then you can't go wrong with a Kindle. I haev the Kindle 3, which is last years model so perhaps the newer Kindle touch has some abilities mine doesnt.

[Caiyuo]

No first-hand experience but I've heard e-ink is much preferred to backlit screens like the Kindle Fire and Nook Color for reading.

[Kaisha]

Been thinking of asking for the Kindle Keyboard for xmas as there's nothing else I could think I'd make practical use of.

Mainly wondering, does anyone know if it supports multiple bookmarks per book (incase someone else in my family wants to read something), and whether or not the software support of the device is still active? I see they came out with a newer model recently without the keyboard, which has a couple other drawbacks (half the storage, half the battery life), and I'd much prefer the Keyboard model (for $30 more than the new one) if Amazon is continuing to update it with new features and experimental tools.

Any recommended LED lights that plug into it also? They advertise a leather casing for the kindle that plugs itself in for a light, but I don't want to spend $40 just so I can read comfortably at night without needing another set of batteries on hand.

Seems like a great reading device from what I've heard from others and read myself. Would be awesome if there is a means of coding your own apps onto it also.

[shukudai]

The main issue with the Kindle seems to be lack of ability to just grab the epubs you already have and drop them on it. There must be some method of doing that, otherwise I have trouble seeing how it's so popular, no one wants to rebuy their collection just to put it on the device. Haven't had much time to google stuff up, something about a program named Calibre pops up tho, from what I can tell it converts epub to something kindle read-able?

[DAKPluto]

The main issue with the Kindle seems to be lack of ability to just grab the epubs you already have and drop them on it. There must be some method of doing that, otherwise I have trouble seeing how it's so popular, no one wants to rebuy their collection just to put it on the device. Haven't had much time to google stuff up, something about a program named Calibre pops up tho, from what I can tell it converts epub to something kindle read-able?

Calibre is a god-send for any tablet and e-reader out there. It's amazing. As for Kindle....people can have mine when they claw it out of my cold dead fingers.

[Ksandra]

fwiw i love my nook (I have the first version, the e-ink one) and I never had any trouble transferring/reading epub books.

[Zeb]

Another e-reader circle jerk? Count me in!

But yes, Calibre converts book formats and should be able to convert books to something readable on any e-reader.

/Still love my Alex even though they discontinued it =/

[shukudai]

I ended up with a Kobo :3 Got it for like 30$ off cuz there was a sale at a local bookstore. I didn't realize you couldn't lighten or darken the screen even a little bit on it tho, or change the screen to landscape mode. Aside from that, much enjoying it, using just normal Windows Explorer i've been able to put a ton of epubs on it, screen size and weight is perfect.