One of the big draws for purchasing the Sony eReader was it's ability to work with e-books from the library. I love the idea of the library, but I'm terrible at returning things in any semblance of on time. Borrowing a book that automatically expires is a huge boon.
The two questions I had were: what was the selection like? how hard was the process?
I use the Boston Public Library and the answers are positive.
The selection is decent. It is heavily weighted towards romance novels, but the full gamut of genres are represented. Even current best sellers are availible.
Searching the catalog is easy. Using the advanced search feature makes it simple to find books that can be checked out immediately. You can also search for books using all of the normal criteria. If a book is in the catalog but not available for check out, the library tells you how many people are on the waiting list. Adding yourself to the waiting list is a simple click. When your turn for the book comes up, the library e-mails you.
The actual check out process is simple. You add the books to your cart and then click check out. Links to each of the books download to your computer. When you open the links the books download striaght into the Sony software. The book has a annotation that tells you the number of days before the book expires.
Getting the books onto the reader is as simple as drag and drop. On the reader, library books are denoted by a clock symbol.
After the two week lending period is over, the book will no longer open. You can then delete it. If the book is an ePub format book you an also return the book early.
Dec 31, 2009
Dec 14, 2009
Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town
I want to like Cory Doctorow's books, but I find myself irritated by them. "Someone Comes to Town" has some clever bits and the writing is good, but it gets bogged down in the cleverness. Also, Doctorow's need to trot out the "open source", DYI, hacker love bogs things down even more.
I kept reading and hoping that there would be a point or something that would make the investment worthwhile. Instead, it just fizzled out with a few fires.
I think this is the last Doctorow book I read.
I kept reading and hoping that there would be a point or something that would make the investment worthwhile. Instead, it just fizzled out with a few fires.
I think this is the last Doctorow book I read.
Dec 4, 2009
Sony Pocket Edition
After weeks of researching (H calls it obsessing) e-book readers I purchased a dedicated e-book reader: a Sony Pocket Edition.
The Pocket Edition is not the most feature rich e-book reader on the market, but it offered the best match of price and features for my needs.
Since I plan on using the device exclusively for pleasure reading and I'm not a big margin writer, the ability to mark up books is frivolous.
My iPhone is a constant companion, so a music player, a picture viewer, or a Web browser are worse than useless.
I don't mind having to hook the device up to the computer to get content since I can use the computer as a charger. Besides the danger of impulse buying is lessened by the lack of immediate access ro book stores. The mobile iTunes store has resulted in a number of impulse purchases I wouldn't have made if I had to wait.
The 5" screen is a little smaller than ideal, but it is big enough. The smaller screen also makes the device easy to stuff in a pocket.
The device has comparity limited memory and no expansion ports, but I cannot imagine a situation where I will need to carry more than 100 books. If the device was a music/picture player as well, I'd be more concerned about the memory.
The device only supports three font sizes, but to date I don't feel the need for more. Needing to transition between six or more settings might even get annoying.
The real selling point for the Sony over the Kindle or the Nook is the ability to take books out of the library. Part of the reason for buying the e-book reader, other than my desire for a new gadget, was to save money on books. I typically buy at least one trade paperback a month. At an average price of $15 a pop that is a pricy habit. When you add in the fancy coffee drink that usually accompanies book shopping my book habit runs close to $300 a year. It also consumes a large amount of space in the house. E-books are typically cheaper than print books and e-books from the library are free! The Sony makes the process of checking out the books painless. They upload from the computer easily, they keep you informed of when they expire, and stop working without any fanfare.
I've read three books on my device and have enjoyed it immensly. It fits nicely in my hands. The screen is crisp and easy to read. There is a little glare but not enough to cause problems. The page turns are not too slow-no longer than it would take to flip the page of a book.
The user interface is easy to navigate. The menus are clear and work well with the buttons along the side. Jumping to any page is simple. Chaning font size is a single button push. Bookmarks are also a single button away. Switching to landscape is also a single button push.
Since the Pocket Edition was only $200, I didn't mind splurging for a case. I got the one with built in book light. It was a little pricy, but it has proven to be worth it. The light is a perfect match for the reader's screen. I can read in bed without keeping the bedside light on (which H appreciates) or constantly fiddling with the book light.
For the recreational reader interested in an e-book reader, I think the Sony Pocket Edition is just about perfect.
The Pocket Edition is not the most feature rich e-book reader on the market, but it offered the best match of price and features for my needs.
Since I plan on using the device exclusively for pleasure reading and I'm not a big margin writer, the ability to mark up books is frivolous.
My iPhone is a constant companion, so a music player, a picture viewer, or a Web browser are worse than useless.
I don't mind having to hook the device up to the computer to get content since I can use the computer as a charger. Besides the danger of impulse buying is lessened by the lack of immediate access ro book stores. The mobile iTunes store has resulted in a number of impulse purchases I wouldn't have made if I had to wait.
The 5" screen is a little smaller than ideal, but it is big enough. The smaller screen also makes the device easy to stuff in a pocket.
The device has comparity limited memory and no expansion ports, but I cannot imagine a situation where I will need to carry more than 100 books. If the device was a music/picture player as well, I'd be more concerned about the memory.
The device only supports three font sizes, but to date I don't feel the need for more. Needing to transition between six or more settings might even get annoying.
The real selling point for the Sony over the Kindle or the Nook is the ability to take books out of the library. Part of the reason for buying the e-book reader, other than my desire for a new gadget, was to save money on books. I typically buy at least one trade paperback a month. At an average price of $15 a pop that is a pricy habit. When you add in the fancy coffee drink that usually accompanies book shopping my book habit runs close to $300 a year. It also consumes a large amount of space in the house. E-books are typically cheaper than print books and e-books from the library are free! The Sony makes the process of checking out the books painless. They upload from the computer easily, they keep you informed of when they expire, and stop working without any fanfare.
I've read three books on my device and have enjoyed it immensly. It fits nicely in my hands. The screen is crisp and easy to read. There is a little glare but not enough to cause problems. The page turns are not too slow-no longer than it would take to flip the page of a book.
The user interface is easy to navigate. The menus are clear and work well with the buttons along the side. Jumping to any page is simple. Chaning font size is a single button push. Bookmarks are also a single button away. Switching to landscape is also a single button push.
Since the Pocket Edition was only $200, I didn't mind splurging for a case. I got the one with built in book light. It was a little pricy, but it has proven to be worth it. The light is a perfect match for the reader's screen. I can read in bed without keeping the bedside light on (which H appreciates) or constantly fiddling with the book light.
For the recreational reader interested in an e-book reader, I think the Sony Pocket Edition is just about perfect.
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