Permanently Deleting Books

In the past books you have purchased via Amazon.com always remained on your account. That meant that even if you deleted a books from your Kindle, it did not go away completely. I myself did not have a problem with this but for various reasons it was one of the features requested from Amazon. Now you can delete books permanently from your Kindle library.

1. Log into your Amazon.com account
2. Click on the Manage Your Kindle link in the Digital Content section.
   
3. Scroll down and find the My Orders section.
4. Click on the + (plus) sign in front of the item you want to delete.
5. You should see the Delete button in the details of the order.
   
6. Click Yes to confirm that you really want to delete this item.
   

Permanent deletion means you will have to repurchase it again if you want the deleted book back so be careful with this new option.

Kindle's Answer to the Nook

Amazon released a firmware update for the Kindle 2 and DX. It will be loaded on your Kindle within the next few weeks if you leave the wireless on. You may also do this manually if you follow their instructions.

It has a few cool new features:

1. Native PDf support. You don't have to convert your PDFs anymore!
2. Manual Screen rotation. By pressing the Aa button you can rotate your screen.
3. Longer Battery life. I haven't tested this yet but according to Amazon you can use your Kindle WITH the wireless on for up to a week - as opposed to the few days prior to the update.
4. New Screensaver Pictures. It's not so exciting but you get a couple of new pictures.

While this firmware update is exciting I am still waiting on a couple of new features:

1. Folders! Please give us some way to organize the hundreds of books we have on the Kindle.
2. Lending. How wonderful it would be if I could loan out my books like I could do it with my paper books?
   

Unusual Uses of the Kindle

Obviously most of the time people use the Kindle for reading. However, the Kindle can be useful in other ways as well. For ideas I am going to list a few in this post but with a little creativity and imagination, you may come up with your own interesting means of taking advantage of this nifty little device.

• MP3 player. You may load your mp3 tracks via a USP cord to the device and you can use either the built-in speaker or plug in earphones to listen to the music.
  
  
• Cookbook. Put your Kindle in a ziploc bag and use it as a cookbook. You can load your own recipes on it, use its browser to navigate to allrecipes.com or purchase a cookbook in Kindle version.
  
  
• Craft Patterns. A friend of mine loads her knitting patterns on her Kindle to use as a resource while knitting.
  
  
• External Storage Device. You can load any files on the Kindle. Even if they will not show up on the screen, you can still use it as a temporary holding device while transferring files from one location to another. Use it like a flash or thumb drive.
  
  
• Shopping List. You can either create a text file on your computer with your shopping list and transfer it on your device. Or you may use an empty text file to which add notes as your shopping list.
  
  
• Editor. Load your articles or homework on the Kindle and use the text to speech feature to listen to it and to discover mistakes and typos that otherwise you may have missed.
  
  
• Check e-mail. It may not work with all e-mail accounts but with the built-in browser and Whispernet you can even check your e-mails.
  
  
• Phonebook. Create a text file with important phone numbers and load it on your Kindle via USP.
  
  
• Dictionary. The Kindle comes with a built-in dictionary. In fact, that's one of the features I love the most about this e-Reader. I frequently come across unfamiliar words while reading and this way I can easily look them up.
  
  
• Play Games. Kindle has Minesweeper loaded on it. Just press Alt+Shift+M.
  
  
• Picture Viewer. Create a folder called "Pictures" on the Kindle then organize your images there in subfolders. Subfolders will show up on the Kindle as books. When you click your "books" you will see your pictures. It's only black and white of course but they still look great.
  
  
  

Please comment with your own ideas! I'd love to hear them.

Convert to Kindle Format from PDF

There are a number of the sites where there are free eBooks in PDF format. Unfortunately the Kindle 2 does not natively supports PDFs. It would be a shame to give up on all those free books - and you don't have to. There are at least three ways to easily convert PDF documents to formats that the Kindle will be able to read.

1. Amazon will convert PDFs for you for a slight fee of 15 cents/megabytes (rounded up.) All you have to do is e-mail the document to your Kindle's e-mail address. You set this e-mail address up on the "Manage My Kindle" page. The advatages of this method is that it also puts the book on your device in one step. The disadvatage is that you obviously have to pay for this. However, 15 cents is not a huge price for this convenience as most books are under 1 MB. Unfortunately this service for the International Kindle costs $.99/MB.
   
   
2. Amazon can also convert PDF for you for free. All you have to do is e-mail the document to "name"@free.kindle.com and they will e-mail it back to the address associated with your Amazon account. So for example your Kindle's e-mail address is MySweetKindle@kindle.com then the free conversion e-mail address is going to be MySweeKindle@free.kindle.com. The advantage of this method is that it's free. Disadvantage is that you still have to transfer the book to your Kindle via the USP cable.
   
   
3. Another way to do it is to do it youself. No need to panic, there are free applications that can do this for you. The two most popular ones are the Calibre and Mobipocket Creator. This method is obviously the most time consuming although once you figure out the applications, the actual conversion does not take long. It is free and you also have some control over how the eBook will look like at the end. Mobipocket Creator, for example, will first convert the PDF into HTMl which then can be tweaked before the final eBook output. If you use this self-service method, make sure you convert the PDF into a format without DRM. Currently the Kindle does not support books with DRM (Digital Rights Management) unless they were purchased via Amazon's website.

Keep in mind though that some converted PDFs may not look great on your Kindle. If the original book had a lot of graphics or had a particular formatting, it may look odd or even unreadable. However, plain old stories should convert just fine.

If you find yourself keep converting PDFs to be read on the Kindle, you may want to consider purchasing the Kindle DX. This version of the Kindle natively supports PDFs and since it also has a larger screen, PDFs will look better on it. It is especially true for using the Kindle for technical documents.

The method of conversions described here are not only true for PDFs. Amazon and the applications will convert other formats as well such as Microsft Word or HTML.

I hope this post helped some with convertion problems. Happy Reading!

Nook vs Kindle

I think competition is a great thing so while I am obviously a Kindle fan I was very happy to see that Barnes and Noble's eReader device, the Nook, is ready to be released.

How does the Nook compare with a Kindle? I think both have pros and cons. Just from the specs and pictures of the Nook they are head to head in the eReader competition.

Barnes and Noble has a page just to compare the Nook to the Kindle so I'm not going to go over everything just the major points.

What is the same is that they both have e-ink technology, same size, adjustable text, same internal memory size, wireless connectivity and rechargeable battery, etc.

What is different is that the Nook offers the option to add memory via a Micro SD card. I myself do not see myself reaching the 1500 book limit any time in the near future so I am not worried about this at all.

Nook's wireless uses At&T, while Kindle works with Sprint. It may make a difference to you if your area has limited connectivity with one of the providers.

They both have dictionary support, although Nook uses Marriam-Webster's and the Kindle uses
the New Oxford American Dictionary. It's a personal preference and I know the Kindle lets you change your dictionary if you so wish.

The Barnes and Noble site claims the Nook supports more books than the Kindle but I do not believe that is true. E.g. Kindle also has more than a million titles available. It is true that lot of those titles in a PDF format but it's very easy to convert PDFs to Kindle formats. The same is true for the free books. You can get thousands and thousands of free books for the Kindle.

In the Nook the screensaver can be customized which is not easy on the Kindle. I have heard people finding a hack for it but I myself was never interested in that. I use the Kindle to read and not to look at my screensaver.

Nook advertises a color touch screen. From the picture it seems like the book itself is not in color though.

So far none of the differences would really sway me from one to the other.

But here is one thing that makes the Nook very interesting. It lets you lend your books to friends who also have a Nook or other supported device. There are some heavy restrictions on this though. A book can only be borrowed for 14 days and while it's lent out, you may not read it on your own device. I have also heard that a book may only be lent out once but I am yet to confirm that rumor.

Now this is the feature that I was waiting for! I will still stick with my Kindle but I know that soon Amazon will also make this available on their Kindles. Competition is a very powerful thing my friends!

Kindle Application for the PC

Amazon announced that soon there will be a Kindle application for the PC.

It means that besides reading books on your Kindle you may also read them on your PC's screens. In fact, after the application is released you won't even need a Kindle to enjoy Kindle books.

Of course, reading on the computer is not the same as reading on the Kindle. Kindle uses the so-called eInk technology so reading is easy on the eye. On the computer your eyes can tire out more quickly. Not mentioning that even smaller laptops (netbooks) are bulkier than the Kindle.

So while this news will help some people I myself will not give up my Kindle.

Money for Kindle Books

There are millions of free books out there but most of those are either self-published or classics in the public domain. What if you want to read something more current from a popular author, such as the latest Dan Brown book? You already shelled out the $200+ for the Kindle and you are broke. Is your only option to borrow the DTB from the library or from a friend?

No, there are ways to get Amazon.com certificates to pay for your Kindle books.

Search and Earn sites

Search and earn sites are an great way to earn Amazon.com certificates. My favorite is Swagbucks. It's not a scam and you won't be flooded with spam upon signing up. It's actually very easy to earn the minimum of $10 in Amazon.com certificates a month. This blog describes how it works.

Coinstar

It's not really free but it's a great way to turn your loose change into Kindle books. If you opt to get your money in gift certificates the machine will not charge you the counting fee. On the Coinstar site you can search for locations where Amazon.com certificates are offered.

These are the easiest way to fund your Kindle addiction. If you find other feel free to post them and as I find more I will update this page so check back often.

Why You Should NOT Buy a Kindle

It probably seems odd that I would have a post about why you should not purchase a Kindle when this whole blog's purpose is to advocate it.

Still, like with everything else it's not for everyone.

You should not buy a Kindle:

• If you love the smell and look of paper books.
• If you are looking for major cost savings. However, Kindle CAN save you money if you are into collecting classics (public domain.)
  
• If the main purpose of purchasing books is to collect rare editions.
• If you read mainly technical books. Although the Kindle DX may still fit your needs.
• If you read mainly color, illustrated books. Kindle currently can only show black and white pictures.
• If you are visual impaired. While most books have the text-to-speech enabled the menu itself does not have that feature. It may be hard to navigate to the book if you are unable to see the menu.
• If you don't read.

This list is by no means complete. There may be other reason why you will not be pleased with the Kindle. I hope I was able to at least help you determine if it is for YOU. If you are still in doubt, you can still try it. Amazon.com will let you return your Kindle within 30 days of purchase.

Kindle Accessories

Let's suppose you have purchased a Kindle or decided to purchase one. You may be wondering what else you need to buy for it. If you have purchased a laptop you know what I mean. You do not necessarily need anything to use it right away but you may want to get a wireless mouse for it, a laptop case to protect it on the road, extended warranty, games, etc. Kindle is like a laptop this way. You can use it right way but there are certain things that are nice to have.

Warranty

Amazon offers an extended warranty for it on their websites. Currently it costs $65 for 2 years from the date you purchased it. It, however, to the best of my knowledge does not cover accidental damage to it. I myself stumbled upon SquareTrade which is a third party warranty company.

SquareTrade offers 3 year extended warrantees and you can opt to include accidental coverage for it as well. The sign up is super easy and you can even check how much the warranty may cost before you register on their site. If you drop me a note I can have a 20% coupon sent to you. Or you may sign up for their newsletters and they often have better deals such as saving 30-40% off the regular warranty prices. Of course if you let me send you the coupon I get a $5 referral fee. The current warranty is priced at $34.99 for the Kindle. Adding the accidental coverage is about $10 extra. This is a much better deal than getting it from Amazon.

If you do decide on getting an extra warranty make sure you do so within 30 days of purchase.

Covers and Cases

To protect your Kindle during normal use I definitely recommend getting a cover for it. On the Amazon site itself there are so many of options you can choose from it will make you dizzy. I'll break it down for you here.

• Hinge Covers. These covers will utilize the Kindle's hinge system to keep the device in the cover. It opens up as a book.
  
• Platform Covers. It usually uses straps to hold the Kindle and flips open on top. It can be used as a bookstand for hands-free reading.
• Sleeve-style Cases. You'll have to take your Kindle out for reading. I recommend these for travel.
  

I myself have the Mivizu sleek cover in color red which is my favorite color. My biggest beef with this cover is that it's not padded therefore it does not provide as much protection as I'd need with kids in the house. But it's great for reading as it does not add bulk to the Kindle.

If I had a lot of money I'd definitely get an Oberon cover. They are beautiful!

Lights

The Kindle display is not backlit due to the e-Ink technology. (This technology makes reading easy on the eyes on the Kindle and other eReader devices.) For this reason if you read a lot at night you may want to consider purchasing a light. If you have an M-Edge cover they have M-Edge light compatible with it.

Skins

If you want to make your Kindle pretty or you don't like the its boring white color, purchase a skin for it. Skinit is a popular site for selecting a new look for your Kindle. Skins are basically stickers that cover the surface of the device. They usually have holes for the keys and other places where it's needed.

Some people - who have more time and money on hand than me - go into such trouble as purchase matching covers and skins AND customize their screensavers to blend in seamlessly.

International Kindle!

Amazon.com has released the international Kindle!

One of the nice things about the Kindle is its wireless capabilities. One of the complaints about the Kindle is that the wireless only works in the US. Not anymore! There is an international Kindle now that has a wireless connection in a 100 other countries besides the US. Since I am Hungarian, naturally I had to check if Hungary is included in those countries. I should not surprised but yes, the international Kindle's wireless can be used in Hungary. If you want to check the coverage you are interested in the link is in the technical details section of the international Kindlepage.

This "new" Kindle will be released on October 19th. It still looks the same and works the same way as the "original" second generation Kindle. Its price is not bad at all. They will be sold for $279 which is cheaper than what I paid for my Kindle. In fact, the price of the "original" Kindle 2 dropped as well to $259. [Insert a big sigh here.] That's what I get as early adopter of technology.

Please comment if you have anything interested to say about Amazon's new move.

Free Kindle Books

One of the advantages of the Kindle (or any eReader device) is that there are literally millions of free eBooks out there. I myself have had my Kindle for about 4 months now. I have 100+ books on it and I only paid for about 5 of them.

Most of the public domain books are free or have a very low price. Some publishers offer current books for free just to get readers interested in an author or a series. So while the Kindle itself is not a cheap device by any means, it can still save you money in the long run - it just depends on your reading habits.

In this post I'm going to help you how to find the free books. If you use sites other than Amazon make sure you pick the right format to download. Mobipocket format will work on the Kindle. If you can only find the book you want in PDF, it will work natively on the Kindle DX but not on Kindle 1 or 2. Still, you have a few options to convert those to something that will work on Kindle 2.

As I keep finding new free sites I will update this list so make sure you check back often. If you find some sites that no longer exist please drop me a note so I can remove those links.

On Amazon

• The first obvious place to look is on Amazon.com itself. While browsing Kindle books choose the sorting option "Price: Low to High" on the right hand side. To make it easy for you here is an example link: All Kindle Books in Fiction
• Now let's suppose, you are only interested in non public domain books. New books that publishers or authors offers at $0 to entice you and lure you in. In the search box select Kindle Books and type in -domain. Even if you do not choose the "Price: Low to High" sorting option you'll see that the bestselling books are free. Here are your free non-public domain kindle books.
• OK, so you have hundreds of free books loaded on your Kindle but you want to read something new but don't want to spend any money. Look at the bestseller list. Chances are that amongst the first 10 or so there will be free books. That's one of the tricks of the publishers to get a book on the bestseller list is to offer them free for a limited time.

Other Sources for Fiction

• Baen Free Library - science fiction books
• Feedbooks - public domain and self-published books
• Free Cellphone eBooks
• New Free Books - books still under copyright (perfectly legal!)
• Project Gutenberg
• Many Books
• Mobipocket - also in multiple languages
• Kindle eBook Library - for $8.95/year you get unlimited access to 750,000+ titles
• World eBook Fair - free out of one month of the year (7/4/2010-8/4/2010) - membership applies the rest of the year
• Jasmine Jade - a handful of free romance books
• Planet eBook - classic literature
• Oprah's Book Club - occasionally for a limited time the featured book is available for a free download
• Smashwords - self-published books, most category has free offerings
• Jeffrey A. Carver has a few free science fiction e-books on his site.
  

Free Tech Books

• Free Tech Books - Computer Science book

Free books are great but what if you really really want to read something that you just can't find anywhere for free. Obviously you'll have to pay. Check out the Money for Kindle Books post on how to find ways to buy Kindle books.

Happy reading!

Kindle Me!

Have you heard of the Kindle? If not, what do you think it is? The definition in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary indicates that the verb kindle means 3 things:

1) to start (a fire) burning (light)
2) to stir up, to bring into being
3) to cause to glow (illuminate)

If I hadn't known what the Kindle was just from the meaning of the word I would have though it was some kind of a fire starting device.

So what IS a Kindle?

Kindle is an eBook reader sold by Amazon.

The first time I have heard about this device was when Amazon wildly advertised this product on virtually every page in February. That's when the second generation came out. Yes, it has already had multiple generations. We are on #2 but I have heard the 3rd is being developed right now.

I am an avid reader and I was very surprised I missed our on the first generation completely!

For months after drooling about it, I finally decided to purchase one. I saved up all my credit card rewards for a few months and that covered most of the purchase price.

I did not regret this purchase at all. I love love my Kindle!

How does the Kindle work?

It can hold up to about 1500 books in a digital format. You turn the pages by clicking on a button. It has a wireless connection (much like your cellphone) so Kindle books purchased via Amazon can be automatically downloaded. Unfortunately the wireless only works in the US. Books can also be loaded onto the Kindle via a USP cable as well.

Why do I like my Kindle?

• I love it that I don't have to haul around bulky books. It's about as big as a paperback book but much thinner.
• I can adjust the size of the font so, for example, in the gym I can still read on the bike without straining my eyes.
  
• It can "read" books to me. The text-to-speech feature is not enabled on all books and the voice is a somewhat of a monotone, computerized voice but it is still a nice option.
• I can have multiple books with me at the same time which is great if you are going on vacation.
• There are millions of free books available. In my next blog post I'll post a few links where they are available.
• Kindle books are usually cheaper than hardcover or softcover editions.
  

Why don't I like my Kindle?

This list is going to be much shorter.

• It's not cheap. Currently it's selling for $299.
• Books with DRM (Digital Rights Management) can only be purchased via Amazon.com and will only work on my Kindle. This means I cannot borrow, lend, or sell Kindle books.
• The clicking noise of the buttons irritates me.
  

So there you go. These are the basics of the Kindle. If you noticed the links you can guess I really want you to check it out. If you do buy one, you can be my Kindle friend. :)