TravelingMorgans.Com

Kindle

There are many choices for EBook Readers. Currently there are several models of Kindle (third generation), with new competition from the Barnes and Noble Nook, especially the new color Nook.

I have not had a chance to work with the Nook, but I own a kindle and use it instead of paper whenever feasible.

Strengths: The Kindle holds many books. I have not reached the limit. Since I live in my travel trailer, weight savings is important, and I reread books. I can now save a book to reread any time I want to. The built in dictionary is useful. Just move the cursor to a word on a page and the dictionary definition will be displayed. I also like the highlighting and notes features. These are indexed and therefore much easier to find than doing the same in a paper book. You can even turn on the most popular highlights made by other readers if you wish. The Kindle reads many types of electronic books, and is supposed to soon be able to read EPUB format, which is the primary format it did not read initially. The Kindle I use (and recommend) has WiFi and 3G. It is kind of cool to receive a new book in minutes when no WiFi is available, and to be able to use WiFi when the 3G network (powered by AT&T) is not available.

Not sufficiently tested: I have not experimented with the Kindle's ability to read books to you or to work with audio books. I will not try to address any international travel issues. Many magazines and blogs are available for the Kindle. There is even an experimental web browser.

Weaknesses: There are some areas where the Kindle is not the best. Heavy use of illustrations, or reading PDF files (Portable Document Format -- used to make documents easy to transfer between computers -- originally only done by Adobe) is not always good on my Kindle(especially the illustrations or double column text). I am told the bigger, more expensive, Kindle DX is better for this purpose, but I have not yet had the privilege. Maps are a specialized illustration that are are to use on a small screen. Since the Kindle is black and white, color illustrations often are very hard to view or read.

Phyllis is currently sticking with good old paper books, but the nice features like the built in dictionary may mean she will move in the future.

Calibre EBook Management and Format Conversion

Calibre is a "donations only" program to convert ebooks from one format to another. This includes the MOBI format used by the Amazon Kindle, and the EPUB format used by most other readers, and the PDF format used by web based documents. I have not been able to get the double column PDF formats to convert properly to a MOBI format.

You can download and use the program indefinitely at no cost Calibre Ebook Management Program.

There are versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

The Traveling Morgans have no relationship with Calibre except as satisfied users.

We recommend contributing to the project if you find the product useful.