I <3 my e-reader!
I share a number of the same experiences with Brenda regarding my e-reader. I first bought a Sony PRS-600 after seeing my husband enjoy his Aluratek Libre for under $100 at Costco. We had just come back from Palm Springs and, like Brenda, had paid $50 for being 5 kg overweight in our luggage. Both of us had brought 6 library books with us for a one week holiday, so couldn’t leave them behind (or the 1.5 L of alcohol and the 6 new pairs of shoes!!)
Needless to say, I am a voracious novel reader, and belong to a book club, but I shopped around before committing to the Sony because I was looking for a number of features that I thought would help with the mountain of reading I had to do for ETEC 511. I wanted to make notes by hand or type, hilite, and annotate the digital pdf’s, all of which the Sony did handily. It had a non-glare screen that was easy on the eyes compared to a computer, and came with a funky little book light attachment. 
So two years have passed and what do I think of my discontinued model? Well, I didn’t use the features that I thought I would, but I read it during the two hour commute to and from Richmond, and love the ability to “turn pages” with a swipe of my finger. I think a network-capable model would be useful, but since I am too cheap to pay for a data plan for my iPhone, the odds I would use it are low. I use a free and openware program called Calibre to organize and transfer a variety of ebook formats in place of the clunky Reader Library software that came with the device. I would love to see e-versions of all reading materials available, especially for special needs students, and think that the multimedia possibilities would add amazing depth to comprehension and enjoyment of the reading experience.
Oh! What am I reading now? I just finished Abraham Verghese’s “Cutting For Stone“, and cried on the bus. Good thing the electronics on the e-reader are well sealed…
Posted in: Week 06: eBooks
Doug Smith 8:32 pm on October 11, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I bought a Sony PRS-300 a couple of years ago. What pushed me over the edge was going on trips, packing a few books, and then reading them all and not having anything left to read. Since buying my Sony, I’ve read a lot of books while commuting, camping, and traveling through SE Asia. I also used the Sony for reading some papers for MET, although pdfs are not eReader’s strong suit. I also use Calibre to manage my library.
The 5″ size of the PRS-300 is wonderful to me. I’m a fast reader, but I still find it very efficient to read on the smaller screen. I don’t have a problem with page flips. The extra portability (I can carry the reader in my pocket) is great.
I am surprised at the votes for the Kindle. Considering the education context along with Kindle’s proprietary book format, I think it makes more sense to go with the Kobo. I’ve read lots where people have wanted to do markup and make notes with their ereader, which means that the Kindle and its keypad would be nice. I’ve never wanted to do that, and I’ve never actually seen anyone do that.
cheers
Doug
bcourey 3:52 pm on October 12, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
We purchased Kindles for our schools for one reason – it was the only ereader that had text to speech at the time – which was necessary for some of our weakest readers. We tried 6 different models before we settled on the Kindle.. I would have preferred the Kobo (we are supposed to Buy Canadian as much as possible, but the Kobo did not have the needed feature.
Karen Jones 7:07 pm on October 12, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
That’s interesting that you’ve used e-readers in this manner with your students, Brenda. How are they receiving them? Do you all read aloud together at times, or are the students reading silently on their own? Have you seen a difference with the text to speech? I am interested in text-to-speech apps/plugins for browsers to use for Internet research with our weak readers, as well.
mcquaid 7:53 am on October 13, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Interesting point on the text-to-speech. A local school was going to do a class tablet project/test, but there were problems with having to download apps at home (maybe they wouldn’t work through the school’s server/filter), and perhaps costs.
I dream of the day kids all have their own mobile/tablet (whether it be personal or school-given) that they can read on, do research with, etc.
We’ll have to get wireless to be commonplace before that happens, though.
jenaca 1:51 am on October 12, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hey Karen and Doug,
I recently bought a Kobo and love it! I specifically bought it to read eBooks on. I really haven’t used it for any other purpose because I like using my MacBook for typing and searching the internet.
I am very interested however in the Ipad 2. I think this is a great technology device that truly has included all aspects of learning…Reading, typing, using files and software…
What do you think about it?
Jenaca
Keisha Edwards-Hamilton 7:05 am on October 12, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hello All,
From what I have been reading, many users of ebooks use it mainly because of its every useful to take your book with you anywhere you go without the stress of “weight” and also its each of use. However, what are some of the features you would like ebooks to have in the future that would help you in your everyday lives?
Keisha
Keisha Edwards-Hamilton 7:10 am on October 12, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
*Corrections to previous post*
From what I have been reading, many users of ebooks use it mainly because it very useful for taking your books with you anywhere you go without the stress of “weight” and its ease of use. However, what are some of the features you would like ebooks to have in the future that would help you in your everyday lives?
Keisha
Karen Jones 7:42 am on October 12, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Keisha,
Regarding future capabilities of e-readers, I think I would use hyperlinks to multimedia, especially in historical fiction or non-fiction where you want to find out more about context. Obviously, a networked e-reader would be a necessity for that. As well, links to related novels and reviews from other readers, perhaps via sites like Shelfari .
Interesting question,
KJ
Deb Kim 1:53 pm on October 12, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Karen,
Is the attached picture the one from Sony that you mentioned? Wow, it looks cool. I especially like that it has a small lamp to help you read a novel at night. I’m a little disappointed that this model is discontinued.
How does an eBook reader work? Does it have a collection of novels saved in the reader already? Or do you have to install eBook apps like the ones on iPhone/iPad?
Deb
Karen Jones 7:02 pm on October 12, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Deb,
Since my e-reader doesn’t have networking capabilities, I have to download titles to my computer, and then transfer them via software to the device. I was initially surprised that most dedicated e-readers are not backlit, and so need some sort of light at night. This type of screen, however, makes them easier on the eyes that that of a computer or iPad, I guess.
My e-reader came preloaded with 100 titles; classics from the Gutenberg project I’m sure, but I get my titles from allllll over, including the local library, although there are waits for the most popular ones! Who knew? Right now I have 40 titles from the NY Times bestseller list that I downloaded, and am working my way through the least junky ones 😉
I thought I was dedicated to paper, but I haven’t been to the library since the spring. Similar to others, I found I wasn’t reading much because of MET courses, but now I pull out the device whenever I have a spare moment.
Thanks for letting me ramble on!
KJ