Archive for July 27th, 2008
Finally the Sony update is a go
July 27th, 2008 | 
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After trying a combination of things to no avail, I finally de-bricked my Sony reader. I feel really silly, but off all the things I changed from computers to types of resets, I never changed the USB cord. I kept thinking that was the problem, but since the cord worked with my other gadgets, I dismissed the thought. Well, finally I did take out one the zillion new cords I have around and it worked. So the moral to the story is to keep your cool, and follow your first instinct in troubleshooting. Chances are it is not the device. Thanks to all you who wrote in trying to help me. I should be ashamed of myself. 
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Ectaco Jetbook review
Earlier this month my husband and I went on our first cruise. In my effort to pack lightly I only took one tech gadget with me and of course that was an e-book reader. I wanted something small, light, but with enough screen space. I decided to take me latest acquisition the Jetbook. Here’s my take on the reader along with some photos:
What in the box: Besides the reader itself, you get a neoprene pouch that has a Velcro closure. The case has what feels like a hard, but flexible plastic sheet for added protection. I also got an AC adapter, and USB cord. A Windows CD (by Livingsoft) with phrase books, flashcards, and dictionaries is included. No software for the reader is included or needed.
TIP: On the reader there is a pdf with a listing of places to download free books. Some I have never come across and plan to check them out.
Features:
This reader is small as well as thin. I have taken a picture of it next to the Ebookman and Sony reader to give some perspective. Still, the screen size is really nice at 5 inches. For me the screen was the biggest selling point. The reader measures in at 6″ x 4.25″ x 3/8″. It easily fits in any of my purses and weighs only 7.5 ounces. Like most e-book readers these days, the Jetbook has MP3 capabilities. All of the features in this section are user friendly. I loaded one song and one podcast to test it out. Barry White sounds pretty good, but not as good as hearing it on my iPod. The spoken word is a lot better. I listened to TWIT (Leo LaPorte). One of the features of the device is that you listen while you read. This could be great for kids who are beginning to read. You could add the audio of the book so that he/she could read along. I see children books with CDs in the dollar stores all the time. Of course this could work for adults too. You could listen to your book while driving (using a FM transmitter) and then later pick it back up and read when you can. Of course you would have to find your place if you don’t stop at the end of a chapter. Settings include return to Playlist, the ability to turn off the LCD, Playmodes, Background Music, and Hot Keys. I saw no way to bookmark, but you can pause but when I returned to what I was listening to it went back to the beginning instead of where I left off. I doubt if I ever will use the audio with any frequency. The reader only accepts up to a 2gb SD card. That is more than enough for simple text, but audio books can eat up space quick.
My husband likes the Kindle
I borrowed my wife’s Kindle to read a book (The Shack by William P. Young) that is of interest to both us. I was given rudimentary operation instructions. It is an easy machine to operate. Turn it on and it works. I am sure that there are things that I need to know to optimize my reading experience, but it passed my first impression test.
In the first few minutes I was so immersed in reading that I absent mindedly attempted to turn the page by reaching up with my thumb and index finger and separating the page to turn it. That was when I realized that using the Kindle is a great reading experience. It is easily held in one hand or with a cover like my wife uses. This cover allows the brain to think that it is reading a real paper book. The print is very clear. The size of the print is adjustable, but my wife’s settings were sufficient for my purposes.
The only negative is really a small point and I am not sure if it was my anticipation of the next page or if the Kindle was slow to go to the next page. It does change easily but I would like it to turn quicker but one cannot have everything.
Kirk (CW) Hage
