Whether you Kindle, nook, iPad or are dismayed about digital books, I hope you'll join us each Monday 11:00 AM EST/EDT at the eReader Cafe. A cafe has always been a place for casual conversation and community so this is the place to share tips and tricks, news, review eBooks, share free or low-cost eBook links and discuss the issues of eReading. No matter how you read books, I'm hoping you'll follow me across the swirl. I'll share my ideas for this series and make a plea for help. Please share your ideas, volunteer or simply join in the conversation in the comment section.
Almost a year ago, I purchased a B&N nook. After a few months of use, I decided the nook wasn't for me and I was gifted a Kindle3-3G/WiFi at Christmas. I still have both eReaders but I'm like the person with a great DSLR camera that only uses it in point-and-shoot mode. I'm hoping eReader geeks will volunteer to either write the occasional diary on various tips and tricks and/or join me as an editor of the series. I personally would love a diary on getting the most out of the K3 web browser. I've read that Calibre can be used to queue daily downloads of news, which sounds intriguing. Please share anything you've learned about how to get the most out of eReading devices and apps.
Another feature I'd like to see every week is eReading News. Please share your ideas on the best way to collect links from all the eReader Cafe readers to be published in the weekly diary.
Here's this week's eReading News:
Interesting WSJ article on the new book lending sites and Amazon's tussle with Lendle. Both the Kindle and nook allow lending but publishers restrict it to a limited number of titles. Books that can be loaned are limited to a one time loan of 14 days.
Slate also has an article on eBook lending. This article thinks publishers retaining rights to eBooks limiting a secondary market is going to backfire on the publishers.
This article announces plans by Harper Collins to limit library loans to 26 times. After 26 loans, a library will be required to purchase a new eBook copy.
Three articles on Barnes & Noble announcement of nookcolor firmware update. This article says Amazon is expected to announce a rival upgrade. This one says the nookcolor is a tablet for those without funds for an iPad. Here are some details about the upgrade.
I think the issues around lending, publishers and digital rights each deserve their own separate diary.
As much as I love my K3, the closing of my local Borders bookstore and my favorite independent bookstore has me conflicted. I know my avid use of my lcoal library and the purchase of eBooks is accelerating the loss of bookstores. Buying books online means less of my purchasing dollar staying in my local community. I'll explore this idea in a longer diary next week. I think as political activists we need to ask ourselves what is good about this technology and what needs improvement.
As you can see, I envision the eReader Cafe to be a casual gathering place to discuss all aspects of eReading. It's also a place to share your great eBook finds or to ask technical questions. As you may have surmised from all my volunteer requests, I think this series needs a team of editors. I would love to have at least two more people at the editorial level. I also think this series would benefit from a variety of voices, so if you have an eReading diary idea, please sign up in the Comments Section for a future calendar spot to share it at the eReader Cafe.
eReader Cafe calendar
April 11 - Dichro Gal
April 18 - open
April 25 - open
May 2 - open
May 9 - open