15 November 2009

I just gotta know

Help me out, America. Amazon's Kindle: Yeah? or Meh?

It's the "read to me" feature that's got me wondering. There are a lot of spaghetti sauce book fatalities in my kitchen; Kindle might save the day, there.

But then again, screens = phhlbbbt. kwim?

And then again further,
that inevitable coffee Kindle fatality would be baaaaaaaaaad.
These things aren't Cylon basestar cool,
whatever they might cost.

10 comments:

greatgaunts said...

Still on my wishlist...

lisa said...

Yay for travels, living rooms, etc. Nay for kitchen.

Consecutive Odds said...

Um, do a cost/benefits analysis (just a quicky, nothing fancy). Assuming you're the *typical* mom without time to read, do you use audio books, either by subscription to listen to on your MP3; or do you buy a lot of audio book CDs? If so, is it cheaper to go with a kindle? If not, what's cheaper, a Kindle or an MP3 player and an audio book subscription or buying audio book CDs? Then go with the cheaper and most flexible option.

Consecutive Odds said...

Oh, and read the user contract... I've heard on the Kindle, you are actually "renting" more than "owning" the books you download... make sure if you upgrade, you can still keep your books, etc.

Reb. Mary said...

Hmmm...but it wouldn't smell right.

Dawn said...

AUDIOBOOKS ON MP3!!!! Liz, you're a genius and I thank you.

I've been thinking Kindle is a little too, like, OK, so I have the "book" and here it is on my weird little machine--but what happens to my "book" when technology leaves the weird little machine behind?

We don't currently own any land, so the only thing of any lasting value we are able to will our children is our library. I know what you're thinking: Lucky kids, with all those tangible paperbacks. :D

RM: Yes, see, I think you're right.

Dakotapam said...

I check out audio cds from the library and put them on my iPod. I'm cheap like that. I own many books, but I don't buy half of the books I read...so to me the kindle would be an extra expense.

Consecutive Odds said...

Hey, I'd take credit for it, but I heard it first on Fighting for the Faith; so thank Chris Rosebrough!

Seriously, though, do your research... who "owns" the file. In other words, can you transfer the book (either the e-book on Kindle or the audiofile) to other hardware, or do you have to constantly repurchase books each time you upgrade? Further, who "owns" the hardware? Can you (or your husband or nerdy tech geek friend) make programming adjustments in order to suit your needs; or is this breaking a "user agreement?" (Apple comes to mind as a biggie with these user agreements.) Can you buy e-books elsewhere for use on your amazon purchased hardware? Point is, you want to do what is best, cheapest, and most flexible for you.

Thursday's Child said...

I go with the audio books idea. I used to have a 30 mile one-way to school in the States. I'd listen to good books to and from. (In Q8 I didn't have a library with audio books so started listening to podcasts.) Either way, it's better to listen to a good book than try to read a screen. Also, you can *read* while you chop without needing to count digits later. ;)

Thursday's Child said...

Oops! I meant 30 MINUTE drive one-way. LOL