Linux Format forums

LeeNukes · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:03 pm Post subject:

This blog post seems to investigate this Free 3G internet which apparently at the moment is free, but might change:

http://www.itwriting.com/blog/2929-new-amazon-kindle-with-webkit-browser-and-free-3g-internet.html

As does this page on the Amazon site:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_k2land_trvl_intservice?nodeId=200504420#browsingcountries
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dandnsmith · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 7:36 am Post subject:

I have to add to my earlier posting - so far I haven't used the Kindle browser much, as there are some quirks associated with getting sections of the displayed page magnified.

I have sat in a pub (in England) and connected to various URLs using the free 3G net, and am going shortly to Spain, where I intend to carry out more experiments. The statement about countries covered is (I think) confusing, as the Eurozone countries don't get mentioned in the table, but the map referred to shows France and Spain (in particular) as well covered.
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ladi · Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 8:29 am Post subject: Kindle

Just wanted to clarify something nelz said.

If you send a document for conversion, there is a charge only if you send it over the 3G connection. If you send it through your own network, then there is no charge regardless of how the converted document is received.

If you don't plan to send documents for conversion, then your kindle don't really need a computer at all. That extra 40 GBP for the 3G is definitely worth it. I just wish they'd improve the web browser.

dandnsmith · Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 9:54 am Post subject:

As I previously forecast, I've tried out the 3G on the Kindle in SouthEast Spain (where we've had problems with 'ordinary' mobiles on occasion), and found it worked well - both for browsing (very hard on the eyes, and I need new reading glasses I've concluded) and talking to the Kindle shop (amazon)
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nelz · Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 11:10 am Post subject:

I've had the non-3G model for a couple of months now and don't miss the 3G at all. The only time I think I'd find it useful was if I had the urge to shop for books while overseas, any other time I connect via the nearest Wi-Fi hotspot or my Mi-Fi.
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paulm · Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:13 am Post subject:

I'm still thinking about a Kindle purchase. One question - how well does it handle mobipocket format? From what I've read, the native Kindle format is mobipocket with DRM added, so it should work.....

For anyone owning a Kindle who wants to try, the Baen Free Library (http://www.baen.com/library/) offers quite a few science fiction titles in what they list as mobi/palm/kindle format.

Paul.

nelz · Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 10:55 am Post subject:

I use .mobi files from O'Reilly with mine and they work fine, as do .mobi uploads from Calibre.
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paulm · Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 11:19 am Post subject:

nelz · Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:41 pm Post subject:

Kindle isn't locked into a single format, it's just the books that Amazon sell that are DRMed. At least their DRM works, the Sony reader had problems with its own DRM even when using their Windows software.

A tablet suffers the same problem that a laptop has, a screen that gets uncomfortable to read after a while.
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NoNameWill · Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 10:05 pm Post subject:

paulm · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:39 pm Post subject:

dandnsmith · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:45 am Post subject:

nelz · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:32 am Post subject:

It does warn in the docs that only simple PDF layouts can be handled, the translation process seems quite primitive.
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AndyBaxman · LXF regular Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2005 9:47 am Posts: 519

The big issue with the kindle book store is that it is a bit hit-and-miss whether they have the books you want. Some authors are entirely missing, while some are patchy, even within series.

I'm a bit of a sci-fi / fantasy fan and have noticed:

No Raymond E Fiest (Riftwar, etc)
No Anne McCaffrey (Pern, Talent, etc) (though they do have Arcona)
All of David Eddings, except the last book of the Tamuli (go figure)

Also like historical novels. Kindle store:

Has all Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe books.
All Alexander Kent's "Bolito" books.
A few of Dudley Pope's "Ramage" books.
None of Patrick O Brian's Aubrey / Maturin books (again, go figure, as these are probably the biggest bestsellers in paper)
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dandnsmith · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:45 am Post subject:

It's possible that some will be missing because they've been offered (free) elsewhere, while others are withheld because of potential film rights or just that the publisher/copyright holder doesn't feel the time is right.

There is a similar pattern in other fiction and non-fiction.
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