Kindles pay off

I have now purchased six Kindles, the last two being version 2. I recommend them. Especially if two or more people share an account, the cost per book is considerably lower than paper. The standard price is supposed to be $9.99 but many good books cost more. However, many cost less too, including many worthwhile authors who are free.

I am giving a presentation in late April about the advantages and limitations of the Kindle. I bought one a year ago and I was motivated to actually shell out the $400 (current price is $40 less) to get a book and avoid adding one physically to our shelves. The device is now in a new format and it seems better. Enough so that I bought myself a new one while still using version 1.

Important advantages:

• 1500 books weigh less than 10 oz. altogether in one place
• A reader can switch between many books faster and more easily than using paper books
• The Whispernet system allows immediate downloading of books into the device without any hookup to anything
• Files can be housed on a computer if desired
• The device is very efficient at many notes and bookmarks in books. The file of notes can be downloaded into a computer for further duplication, transmission, etc.

Important disadvantages:

• You pay for something that cannot be read except on the device, so it can't be loaned or given away.
• It takes a little getting used to.
• It has long battery life and is fast-charging but is helpless and useless with a charge.