Do You Read eBooks?

from WinCustomize Forums

I never cared much for reading full physical books, probably because of flashbacks from school.  Anyways, since eBooks (Kindle, Nook, etc.) have really taken off these past few years I have been using them constantly.  I think much of it has to do with convenience.  I have dozens and dozens of books on my iPad which I read through the Kindle app.  They are synced through all my other devices and I can pick up reading where I left off on any other device.  

I'm also fascinated at the ease of creating content for these devices.  So much so I was thinking of taking a bunch of my Windows 7 customization articles that are popular and formatting them into an ebook to reach an even bigger audience.

What do you think?

 

82,697 views 38 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Why do you read them through the Kindle app?

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

So much so I was thinking of taking a bunch of my Windows 7 customization articles that are popular and formatting them into an ebook to reach an even bigger audience.
End of quote

So what tool or app would you use to format them to kindle format?

I've sent pdfs to my kindle fire and they work ok but aren't nearly as readable as something in kindle format.

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Phoon, reply 2

So much so I was thinking of taking a bunch of my Windows 7 customization articles that are popular and formatting them into an ebook to reach an even bigger audience.

So what tool or app would you use to format them to kindle format?

I've sent pdfs to my kindle fire and they work ok but aren't nearly as readable as something in kindle format.
End of Phoon's quote

 

Should be able to use Calibre to do that. http://calibre-ebook.com/

Or most other e-book formats as well.

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

To answer the main question. Yes, I read e-books. A lot! About 90% of the time on my kindle touch. A bit here and there on iPad/iPhone, but only for short reading sessions. Or if it's fantasy and it has maps, then I'll download to both my iPad and Kindle, so I can view maps on the iPad and read on the Kindle, it's kind of nice leaving the iPad set right at the map(s) page(s) and being able to reference quickly.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I don't even read real books. :P

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

I grew up a reading maniac.  At seven, I was allowed an adult library card at our librabry because every week I checked out the limit of eight books and liked science, history and novels.

When I left home at seventeen to go into the military, I left enough books to fill up nearly a quarter of my room stacked a third of the way to the ceiling.  I had to leave them at home and eventually my mom donated them to the library--I had nowhere to store them while away. Ironically, on-board ship it was noticed that I read so much they asked me to take over as the ship's librarian.

When I got out, I didn't have a lot of time to read or the cash to buy a library but still grabbed an occasional new novel or even "window shopped" at the library or bookstore in the mall.  

Then I got married a few years later and the reading rainbow was over.

A couple of years back, I got an iPad and, man...I may go bankrupt from buying books again.  I am completely addicted.

I used to print out technical manuals because I hated reading them on-screen but with a tablet I have my entire library with me wherever I go.  You can touch reference words, bookmark, etc. and mine is backlit with customizable backgrounds.

I'd really encourage you to do it.

If you manage to carve a little niche and your books are inexpensive you can actually get a following and make money.  Check out the iBooks or Amazon terms of service--they are incredible compared to publishers.

Calibre will do the job.

Post back some time and tell us how it goes.  Being "industry connected" you have a good chance of success if you work at it.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Phoon, reply 2
So what tool or app would you use to format them to kindle format?

End of Phoon's quote

Amazon has their own web converter.

 

 

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

Google books is the closest thing we have to a Library of Alexandria. I'll never need to buy a book again, as long as I stay behind the copyright curve. 

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Yes, on a Kindle.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Do You Read eBooks?
End of quote

Aw hell NO. Probably never will either.
I am still able to get off my ass, head to the library/book store and find a good (paper) book.

At the same time I'm able to meet these other creatures. Dunno if you've seen any of them since your childhood: Other.... people...

Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top

Ever since I got an Android cell phone I've been reading a lot more; being able to have a library of books literally in your pocket is amazing. I had been a heavy reader in the past, for some reason I slowed down at some point. I find it much easier to read off of my phone's screen than through a large book, or even my computer.

 

Reply #12 from Elemental Forums Top

I'm not a very tech person.  I read books.  Not a lot and some are of questionable cultural value, I'm no snob, but I've haven't yet moved on to reading a book in any way other than on paper.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I love my Kindle Fire.  I like to read before I fall asleep, and Hubby can't sleep with the light on; those little book lights suck up too many batteries, but my Kindle glows, so this was the perfect answer to my "need to relax to sleep with a good book" dilemma. 

There are so many free books for Kindle at Amazon, I loaded up quite a few right away.  This is really awesome when I go somewhere that I have to "wait" (dentist, doctor, job interview, etc.) because if I get bored with one of the books I was reading, or my mood just changes mid-wait, I have the entire library right at my fingertips, and the Android apps are pretty cool in case I want to play a game of Mahjong. I like checking out books from the library without having to leave home, too. 

Reply #14 from Elemental Forums Top

Audio books is the thing for me. While driving or training. :d

Reply #15 from Sins Forums Top

I am enjoying EBooks myself.

Quoting Snowman, reply 11
At the same time I'm able to meet these other creatures. Dunno if you've seen any of them since your childhood: Other.... people...
End of Snowman's quote

Never meet them. Too busy with my nose in a book.

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Island, reply 7

Quoting Phoon, reply 2So what tool or app would you use to format them to kindle format?



Amazon has their own web converter.

 

 
End of Island's quote

Calibre (http://calibre-ebook.com/)

It's free and just super.

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Real paper books have a certain utility to them.

How many Kindles do you need to burn for heat when you run out of firewood? (even with a name like Fire)

....and about the outhouse.......I won't even go there. :puke:

 

Just ask RnD, that takes real paper.

 In answer to the question, no.

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Wizard1956, reply 17
Just ask RnD, that takes real paper.
End of Wizard1956's quote

nonsense. We all know that RnD uses Moonbeams for that purpose...

 

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Phoon, reply 18

Quoting Wizard1956, reply 17Just ask RnD, that takes real paper.

nonsense. We all know that RnD uses Moonbeams for that purpose...

 
End of Phoon's quote

More likely I-beams.  ;P

They don't call his butt rusty for no reason.

Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

I get most of my e-books from Amazon.  They keep them available in case you want to download them again.  The Kindle with 3G makes it pretty easy.  I also like to download free books. 

If you like science fiction, the Baen Free Library http://www.baen.com/library/defaulttitles.htm has a few decent books.

The best free download I found was David Weber's Honor Harrington series at the 5th Imperium. It has the whole series along with some extras. 

http://baencd.thefifthimperium.com/22-MissionofHonorCD/MissionofHonorCD/

Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top

Love 'em.

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

My house is full of books & book shelves.....best thing that ever happened to me was my wife and I getting Kindles...

Now when I read a book that I really like I'll step out and pick up a physical copy, but for the half dozen or so I read that are just OK.......ARCHIVE.

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Lantec, reply 22
My house is full of books & book shelves.....best thing that ever happened to me was my wife and I getting Kindles...
End of Lantec's quote

132 lineal feet of book shelves....all full.

Terry now has 2 Kindles...one a DX the other a touch ....and in 18 months has saved me building another 46 feet of shelving.

The Kindles are recharged every night as the font size she uses is so large they flatten from page load/turns in a day.

 

Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top

For those of you who find the need to only read something that is written on paper here is something to moll over. 

I enjoy backpacking and hitching (even at 65).  In fact I will go out for several days at a time, hence carrying paper books can create a great deal of weight thus meaning you might have to leave something you really need behind.  That is where the Kindle is truly handy.  With the Kindle you can take a great deal of books with you, and not worry about leaving food behind or other needed items.  With a book light you can also read late into the night.

So in a world where technology is growing/changing quite fast a good deal of people are finding that there are some great things out there for them to use, and one of those is ebook readers.

So the next time you are looking to read a book think about how soon into the future you will have to break down and get an ebook reader.