[Web4lib] Amazon's Kindle e-book reader

[Danielle Plumer]

To add another review from someone who's actually held the unit, Robert Scoble has a one-week review of the Kindle up on his blog: http://scobleizer.com/2007/11/25/dear-jeff-bezos-one-week-kindle-review/

For myself, I don't think I'm going to get one, though I LOVE shiny new gadgets. I'm an ebook convert (I mostly buy fiction through Mobipocket to read on my tablet or palm), and I just don't want another device. Yes, the DRM is a nuisance, and I'm concerned about what Amazon's plan vis-a-vis Mobipocket will be now that the Kindle is out (Mobipocket is owned by Amazon), but the Kindle just replaces one DRM with another.

Danielle Cunniff Plumer, Coordinator
Texas Heritage Digitization Initiative
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
512.463.5852 (phone) / 512.936.2306 (fax)
dplumer at tsl.state.tx.us


-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of Matthew J. Simon
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 1:10 PM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Amazon's Kindle e-book reader


I am surprised by the negativity I have read about this promising new product.  I would hope that at a few people on this board actually try it out before damning it.  I travel frequently, on business and for pleasure.  And by the time I pack my laptop, my overnight bag, my yummy lunch or snack for the plane, remember my coat, keys, and envelope of boarding passes, hotel reservations, discount coupons for off-airport long term parking, etc., my choice of reading material has been severely limited by my capacity to shoulder weight. 

The mewling about the initial cost  is pathetic and ill-informed about the diminishing price of maturing technologies.  If you want it, but think you can't afford it, amortize the expense over a two or a three year period.  And it will come out to a couple of bucks a week--or less than a Starbucks Grande.  And if you still think you can't hack it, wait a year or two and order it from J&R Electronics.  Or Amazon.  Or trade for the one owned by the kid down the block.  He or she will already have moved on to Wave II or III. 

M. J. Simon