Jeff’s Comments (group member since May 04, 2010)

Jeff’s comments from the Amazon Kindle group.

Samples have saved me some money, but not as much as I thought. Though admittedly owning my Kindle hasn't made me into the avid reader I thought it would either. I do try to download the sample for a book before I buy it unless it's the next one in a "proven" series or something I've read before.

I love having samples though because some "genres" of book sound interesting to me and then once I get it I never finish it (historical, biographies and autobiographies to name a few).

There's a link on the left hand side of the Kindle Store on Amazon.com called Free eBook Collections. There are two links off that page, one for Limited Time free eBooks and one for Classics. The Limited time link will show you all free books regardless of genre.

I am definitely put off by longer books. I love the feeling of accomplishment I get from finishing a book, plus I have so many I want to read that while I'm in the middle of a long book (especially before I get to the halfway point) I tend to get distracted. I have a bunch of books I'm reading right now (including Under the Dome) and I'm still looking for something to start when I'm done with it. I also tend to change my interests frequently. At times I love to read Fantasy and other times I want something more down to earth, so to speak. Other times I just want something quick and fun, something I don't have to put a lot of thought into. That's why I start so many books at one time. I fear with a long book that my tastes will change in the middle and I'll never finish it (which has happened a few times).

Jenn wrote: "If I'm reading on my kindle. I look at another version of it and how many pages it is. I use the percent to calculate how many virtual pages it is. I just think better in pages! I don't know if thi..."

I do this too. I wish there was a way to show page numbers on the Kindle.

FYI - Here on the site you can change your status from # of pages to % complted if you're reading on a Kindle.

I really like it. The graphite color, the new keyboard and button layout, it's smaller. I wish I hadn't bought mine just a few months ago now. .

Donna wrote: "Sandy, the info about the battery was very helpful... I guess that means I'll wait until it is low enough to tell me to recharge. (I was worried about letting it get too low and running out of juic..."

It should last as long (or longer) than a (modern) cell phone battery since most people use their cell phones more/as much as their Kindle. I think the battery can be replaced by Amazon if you want to send it in and pay for it, but don't quote me on that.

I'm having trouble right now picking my next book. I'm 70% done with Millennium #1 (and loving it) and just finished The Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower #5) so I'm looking for something light and fun. I have over 250 books in my "to-read" shelf here on GoodReads so there's plenty to choose from. :)

Jackie wrote: "@ Jeff, don't pack it far down because they make you take it out and put it on the conveyor in it's own bin, just like they do with laptops."

Also very good to know. Maybe I'll just take a DTB with me. :)

Interesting. Thanks for the info. We're flying in 2 weeks and I was planning on taking my Kindle on the plane with me.

Do you have to turn the Kindle off or is it ok to just turn off 3G while the plane is taking off/landing?

Kip wrote: "Lithium Polymer batteries like those used in the Kindle 2 and DX, do not develop a 'memory' that was common with earlier NiCad batteries. The older batteries would lose their ability to accept a fu..."

I keep reading different thoughts on this. I thought someone said they talked to Amazon customer service and were told to recharge only after the battery was depleated (when it says "You should recharge now") and NOT to plug it in "early". I'm so confused...

Deanne wrote: "Jeff - I use this exact case with a skin. It fits just fine. No problems at all."

Thanks! I guess it's time to order a skin.

Marly wrote: "I'm not sure how to use it, are all books capable?"

No, but I think most are. It's noted on the book's Kindle page whether it's available or not. You just have to go into the "font settings" to turn it on. Then the book will be read to you.

I've never used it, but I did try it out once just to see how it worked. I was surprised by how much better it sounded than I expected. I thought it was going to be like a robot reading, but it was actually pretty smooth and not hard to listen to.

Does anyone use a skin with a sleeve type of case? I have one similar to this (but not exactly the same) and I'm worried that it won't fit nicely with the skin on it.

Candy wrote: "Terri wrote: "Candy--thanks for sharing ALL THOSE great new FREE books. How do you find them all? I always look at the freebie list each day, but it seems the same old books all the time!"


R..."

Kindle blogs? Is that a specific blog or a collection of them? Can you subscribe/read on the Kindle itself? Is it free?

Donna wrote: "Ok, here I go sounding really stupid: I know what a DTB is from context, but what does it stand for?
("please, no eye rolling", she asks while grinning sheepishly.)"

Dead Tree Book. :)

Terri wrote: "Jeff, have started too look into that also. Have you found any good sites or good ones. I would like to find ones that aren't "busy" (designs ALL over). Please share any websites you have found!"

If/when I get one it will be from Decalgirl. Lots of endorsements from people on this site and others about their products. I think I've seen (here) that they are easy to put on too. I was a little worried about that personally.

I also would like one that's not too "busy". They have a few at Decalgirl that don't have a crazy pattern or colors.

I've been considering getting a skin for my Kindle2 because I don't like the white. I'm also starting to see some dirt/discoloration which bothers me a little (just a little distracting when I'm trying to read because I'm a little OCD about keeping my devices like new).

I haven't read any free books yet, but I have grabbed a bunch (now sitting in collections :) ). I've had the same question before and I decided to go with the free version and try it. If it turns out to be horribly formatted then I might go back and pick up a cheap edition.