Comments on: watch people die, sociologically

By: jeremy

jeremy — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:48:44 +0000

Not back lit, really? I wonder if I should wait for the next version, between that and the PDF.

I think I’ll wait with the Flip camera until I have an idea of something I might possibly want to film.

By: fredvincy

fredvincy — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:57:40 +0000

I almost went for a Kindle — the reviews are quite good — but for me the key turn off is that it’s not back-lit. If you’re in a dark place, you need a book light, just like with a real book. Supposedly, this is a feature not a bug, because the lack of backlighting reduces eye strain, but it makes it much less useful for me. (I like to read to Mary and the kids on car trips.) Just so you know what you’re getting.

By: tamsynx

tamsynx — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:44:32 +0000

Actually it sort of does PDF files:
“PDF conversion is experimental. The experimental category represents the features we are working on to enhance the Kindle experience even further. You can email your PDFs wirelessly to your Kindle. Due to PDF’s fixed layout format, some complex PDF files might not format correctly on your Kindle.”

Right now, the Sony Reader has a bit higher font “resolution,” but it’s also in it’s 2nd version. I’d go with the Kindle - and they’re even in stock now! I’m waiting on the next version of the Kindle before I buy.

By: scorrell

scorrell — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:31:57 +0000

LBN –the Kindle does not handle pdf files, not sure if Sony does. However, every side by side comparison I have read suggests that the Kindle is hands-down the better product. I bought a Kindle two weeks ago after reading consumer reviews on Amazon. I have read books and Word files on it and have been blown away by its resolution and ease of use. And, Kindle books sell for substantially less than their paper equivalent. This makes sense to me, but it is a nice feature. The device can hold up to 200 books and the battery lasts a week with the Wireless off or 2 days with it on. The wireless is similar to that used by cell phones, so there is no “plan” — just connect to Amazon from anywhere to get more books. And the ability to read Word files is great. I just loaded the thing up with student papers that I need to read so that I can take them on my next cross country flight. Word files fit on the page, so you do not have to scroll around as you do when reading on the laptop.

Jeremy — the Flip is cool. I bought it the same day as the Kindle and have now used it. It takes pretty decent quality videos with so-so sound. It is super easy to use. The device connects via USB so that it is easy to get the videos on the laptop. Or, you can plug it in to your TV and play the videos in wide mode on your new TV. It really does a lot for $130 or so dollars.

By: tina

tina — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:40:18 +0000

I was afraid to click the link at first because I thought it was a snuff pr0n site. Oops!

By: laurabethnielsen

laurabethnielsen — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:30:06 +0000

Oh duh. It is just measuring the number of abortions. Like other non-death things.

By: laurabethnielsen

laurabethnielsen — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:28:21 +0000

query: Is the abortion clock only measuring mothers who die from botched ones? This is not counting fetuses, right? Please god. also, why would you be here when you can read about giant bull testicles on my blog?

I played with the Sony version of the kindle thing and became convinced this was genius. I did some research. if you want to have your own PDFs on the thing, you need the Sony version (I am pretty sure it is the Sony version — could be the Kindle, but it is one or the other and not both. for me this would be tremendously important for me.) There are on-line videos which go through the features which are very helpful. Also, the non-LED thing really does make it much easier on the eyes than reading on the laptop screen. I want one! I just can’t remeber which one.