Kindle questions
Posted by Flootus5 8 years, 10 months ago to Technology
I have questions for those Kindle users out there. I noted a comment in another post that a Kindle is so cool because you can have hundreds of books in your hand all at once.
So, at this point in time, how many books are actually available in digital Kindle format? I note that most new books coming out are available, especially on Amazon. Especially fiction.
How many older books are now available? And is there a source to be able to query to find out if a certain book is available?
My issue is that I read a lot of obscure history. I like to acquire actual dated books of vintage age to read what the attitude of the day had to say about historical events before the modern revisionism has set in.
It would be great to reduce the load of books, but I suspect there is a limit for how many obscure tomes are available digitally.
All thoughts appreciated.
So, at this point in time, how many books are actually available in digital Kindle format? I note that most new books coming out are available, especially on Amazon. Especially fiction.
How many older books are now available? And is there a source to be able to query to find out if a certain book is available?
My issue is that I read a lot of obscure history. I like to acquire actual dated books of vintage age to read what the attitude of the day had to say about historical events before the modern revisionism has set in.
It would be great to reduce the load of books, but I suspect there is a limit for how many obscure tomes are available digitally.
All thoughts appreciated.
And as some have explained below anything in the public domain that can be downloaded can also be added to your Kindle library. This can happen in one of three ways. If it is already in a format that kindle can read, you can just d/l it into you device and pull it up on you kindle/app. If it is in a format that can be converted by Amazon, each device/app has a dedicated e-mail address. You just send the file to your devices address and Amazon will reformat it to the Kindle format and automatically sends it to the Kindle the address is assigned (I advise you only access this feature using the free wi-fi as if you use 3G or 4G they charge per megabite to send it wirelessly). The final method is for formats that cannot use either of the above methods. You need to use another program that can convert the e-book into a format that can be either used directly by the Kindle program/app/device or into a format that allows for the e-mail conversion above. I have used all three methods through the years of my Kindle ownership (I have a Kindle gen 1, gen 3, a fire, the android app on my phone, my tablet, and on both my windows computers). The one of the advantages of the Amazon Kindle system is that you can transfer books on your account to any of your devices and continue reading from where you left off.
I know I come off as a Kindle fanboy, and it may be true, but the only downside I see is getting into bed with Amazon (which may or may not be your cup of tea). You need to have an account with them and they will keep a copy of you purchases online for later download to any of your devices as often as you want.
Jan
Jan
I like to live with a hardback book, sit with it, carry it around, and I do not have to worry about yet another battery device or staring into a lighted screen. When I need space, add another bookshelf, get rid of insignificant titles, but treasure those now out of print.
I, too, get tired of all the batteries, chargers, and cables and screens. I actually had to make a whole project with a labeler to tag every damn cord and what it is for. And I am old school when it comes to enjoying an actual book. The smell of old paper has its aromatherapy value - so long as it is not moldy!
And then there is a place for the digital format, especially when traveling. And I get so tired of sitting at computer screens with all the health related issues of the human body sitting too much. To be able to move about with advantage of the digital format is attractive, too.
I regularly check Amazon by searching for "Free Kindle sci-fi" (or mystery or historical fiction) books. While some of the offerings are fairly poor (for a variety of reasons) there are enough very well done free books that make the regular effort worthwhile. More than a few times I've tried a free book and ended up downloading he authors other works - one most notable was, the Martian by Andy Weir.
I can recommend or share a bunch of titles in some genres, just let me know, I'd be glad to help.
Many have not been republished in 10's of years and in today's literature climate, I wouldn't hold one's breath.
However, some of the classics are available for digital down load...ex. Aristotle's Ethics, The Law by Bastiat, John Lock etc.
The hand that makes
A sword sing best
Writes a version
Black ink and red.
Once the hand
Has laid to rest
The final words
Must pass a test.
Irregularities scrutinized?
Damn! History's been homogenized.
That's all I can think of today...(workin)
I wrote on the visitors log. "Seeing this is a good reason to vote against the library budget."
I read three Nevil Chute's recently. If they can't or won't carry him - yep, defund.
If you want something with a bigger screen to read from, I'd recommend a tablet (or even a laptop if you prefer) because it can also have many uses with free (or inexpensive) apps in great abundance. You may find some great books on librevox online, too. Many books are available in epub format, which is a standard for digital books. Atlas is on my phone in epub format.
And yes, I am an old fart curmudgeon that has no tolerance for all this texting social media crap. Having said that, I am plenty computer savvy. I do a lot of database management and 3D computer geologic modeling of complex geologic deposits.
I like the idea of a tablet. But does a Kindle have more specific reading/navigating/viewing/filing capabilities than a regular computer? And I imagine there is a range of prices on models with both options. Get what you pay for principle here.
When Scamazon does the same thing with kindle then it will be interesting to me, but I will still buy a device from someone else that isn't as PC as the jerks that run scamazon..
Amazon time
Wait til you move south to FNA they will become your best retailer. I find them other than sloppy in their for sale descriptions -- leaving out key items of information -- to be capitalist to the core and far preferable to stores and malls I left behind. They also have far better customer service and guarantees than most of the other internet sales such as that disaster called Jo-Ann and the other disaster ebay has turned into. It's all perspective.
Home Depot moved in down here and are their usual sloppy selves. My record was 27 visits to find common items they didn't stock up north in the USSA. Same management style continues locally. Walmart here sits next to Sams Club. and we have three big chain super mercados. each has something the other stores don't. Another big chain store is moving in having bought out a local one. Once you get used to it there is not much you need. I go to the border for visa renewal and find my main shopping is Walmart, any or all of the Dollar type stores, Big 5 for some items, and Lowes. All adjacent so it's no big deal to walk around list in hand and if there is any room left in the ruck or bags the bus station is about a 100 meters from Family dollar.
What's really nice for example I was two feet short of both pos and neg cables from one solar panel. they had the right length with no shippiing charge. Ordered in on Thursday had it Monday. That included going to a border town where I have a mail drop (it was there the next morning) and people driving back and forth pick up mail etc. any way it's very convenient but always read the customer comments. As for PC it's a disease i don't have so when I communicate they have to translate. their real language though is $$$$$.
for me it was a size of books issue and weight. I currently have 300 or so on board not relating to operating, maintaining and navigating the boat itself. At least two thirds of those will go the local exchange shelf or the animal shelter book store when I move elsewhere and the books replaced with food, water, spare parts etc.
As a preference I prefer to read from books with paper pages. Older eyes need less strain. For the younger folks that is still true - but for cost Kindle is far and away ahead of the pack - except at the animal shelter book store where books are a 'suggested' donation.
Of course you can read ebooks on any platform, but the kindles are very convenient to use. They are designed to encourage you to use Amazon for your books but you can load books outside of Amazon as well.
The ones from Amazon are immediately downloaded. I've been lying in bed reading a book at night, finished it, bought the sequel and continued reading without getting up.
There are lots of current books available. Books that have fallen out of copyright are generally available for free download from a number of sites. I suspect there is a gap between them.
They aren't very good with books with lots of charts an diagrams and they don't actually have much in the way of organization with no file structures.
The kindle is very inexpensive. If you don't mind having the screen saver be an ad, you can currently get a Kindle Fire for $50. For an extra $15 you can keep it from giving you ads. My wife likes her paperwhite, which looks a little better.
Navigating between a large number of books, or paging/flipping through a book is somewhat cumbersome - but you can search.
The Kindle reader is freely available for a Mac or PC, as are many free books at Amazon.
Go ahead and download it and try it out - the reader app will give you a feel for what the dedicated device is like.