On Mon, 2011-09-05 at 12:36 +0200, Dirk wrote: > Hi, > > Ok, Kindle is bad, Hook is evil. But what are the alternatives when one > searches for a usable e-reader device? > > > Regards, > > ~D
One solution that hasn't been offered yet is to just use a regular computer. I read ebooks on my laptop or netbook (which is a Lemote Yeeloong, and thus really really free). I can read any format that free software can read, including any proprietary format that there's a free software library for. I use evince, calibre, and fbreader. It is true that backlit screens aren't as easy on the eyes as eink, but this can be fixed with free software (such as Redshift) or eyewear. I use both Redshift and Gunnar Optiks glasses (http://www.gunnars.com/ ). As one person on the gNewSense list said when I recommended Gunnar Optiks, most people think about augmenting the thing that they're reading, rather than augmenting the device that's doing the reading (their eyes). Battery life is a separate problem. The Yeeloong can get to about two hours of battery life, which is much less than most dedicated ebook readers, but I find that I'm rarely away from a power outlet for more than two hours. There are also bigger batteries and external batteries. Overall, the price of some Gunnar glasses and a larger battery will probably turn any free laptop into a decent e-reader, and for much cheaper than buying a new gadget that's going to be obsolete in a few years (or months) anyway.
signature.asc
Description: This is a digitally signed message part
