Ebooks/readers

[maxbudin]

Hi.  I'm interested to know if anyone here are using ebook readers.  My wife is an avid reader and shes very keen to get an ebook reader. 

We've looked at the Kindle and B&N Nook.  Thought the former is very popular states side, the Nook seem to be more attractive to us as it offers handling of a wider range of file formats.  However, its seems you cant buy any ebook from their sites unless you're registered in the US. There are reports that at times it seems Amazon/B&N sales system requires a valid US  id ie. passport or driving license number before a purchase is possible. We did find some local users who are able to make purchases using US routing vpn services to by pass this checking system.  Can this be done using BolehVPN too?  Presently we're uncertain if this method is workable or safe in the long term. 

Anyways, I thought to open a discussion here if anyone care to discuss your experiences with whatever make of ebook reader you have and where you go to get ebooks (free or otherwise) other then IPT.  My wife reads a wide range of stuff, of course non of those tech material (gig).  Thanks

[Schadenfreude]

Max, I'm a voracious reader as well, though I tend to read stuff on my Laptop / PC using either MobiReader / eReader, depending on the formats available. Calibre is an indispensable program that allows you to convert your ebooks into almost any format; you can grab it here: http://calibre-ebook.com/download_windows

Can't help you with the Kindle / Nook queries but I think there are a couple of topics at http://forum.lowyat.net/LYNBookClub that might help.

I used to buy all my ebooks legitimately from www.fictionwise.com but since a year ago they've barred me from almost 99% of their selection (virtually all ebook sellers are doing this now). Essentially, they're forcing me into piracy with their fucking DRM / Geographic Restrictions policies, so I don't feel guilty at all grabbing a large portion of my ebooks from http://www.freebookspot.biz (their selection is quite staggering.) 

Happy reading! 

[maxbudin]

Schadenfreude, thank you very much for your kind reply, advice and helping us into the new digital uni-reading-verse.

Had a look at Calibre, marvelous piece of software, will certainly make access to lots of books.

Those links you gave are real nuggets, we'll be spending a lot time window shopping heh heh.

Many many thanks,

[Reuben]

maxbudin: yeah there's a bunch of ppl using our VPN to make purchases via our VPN. i think the way they do it is use the US account to SEND gift certificates to your amazon account or something like that.

[maxbudin]

Hi Reuben.  Thanks for the info.  Sorry didnt get a chance to visit here earlier.  Not so easy being a retiree houseband baby sitting 3 kids all back to school each with different schedules.  Running me raggered.

I did chance upon a few posts where the VPN was used to go to Amazon.  I might take that route one day.  Thanks to Schadenfreude's links and recent IPT ebook offerings, I suspect wifey should be content for a while.