The “official” ebook readers are generally limited to one encrypted format (Kindle has a special Mobipocket format, Sony uses its own BBeB format, eBookwise – only backlit model – uses its IMP format, Cybook Gen 3/4 uses Mobipocket). Then, for unencrypted books some MIGHT read PDFs (rarely well), Word DOC or RTF, some HTML, some TXT.

So if you really want something that can handle most of the encrypted formats AND the unencrypted ones, plus be backlit and play music, you’re almost certainly limited to PDA or mini-laptop/UMPC. The downside of that is…poor battery life compared to the dedicated ebook readers.

I try to be. It’s very hard to make a living as an author, so supporting those I enjoy is an absolute must.

I’ve now graduated to a Sony Reader, so I’m with you on the TBR pile. After packing off all the paperbacks sitting around the house and donating them to a women’s shelter, my husband made the comment about how much neater it was. I just grinned – because I had gone and bought all the ones I liked to reread for my readers.

:)

The saving of $10 per year is unrealistic.
Whilst the book industry is worth billions of dollars a year, the bookmark industry is worth around $80 million in the US. With a population of 300 million, this means that the average consumer in the US spends just $0.27 per year on bookmarks.

The average highlighter can highlight roughly 50 meters of text and costs less than $2.00, equating to highlighting 1000′s of words – extremely unrealistic.

The average pen costs less than $1.00 and has a life span of approximately 3 years.

This data would indicate that the average US consumer spends less than $1.00 per year on bookmarks, and pens and highlighters used in the specific highlighting role. With this figure being 10 times lower than the $10 suggested by the author I believe that this is an indicator of just how utterlty unrealistic the whole breakdown is.

Finally, anybody who talks about using a highlighter in a good book obviously doesn’t really appreciate proper books in the first place.

The best thing I can tell you as far as choosing a device is to decide how much the source information means to you. For example, do you want mainstream new releases while it’s still on the new release shelf? Do you shop at one of the many up and coming ebook publishers out there – if so, which format do you buy? Microsoft Reader and PDF can be read on things like Pocket PCs, but not on actual readers like the Rocketbooks or the Sony, which will read a PDF, if it’s the unsecured version, but the text is very small.

A device is only as good as the material you can read on it. The reader with the greatest features…really isn’t so great if you can’t get content for it.

Bottom line, consider your ebook library – and your buying tendencies and go from there.

For me, I don’t buy new content from my 1200, but I still use it to read the books I’ve bought for it in the past. Instead, I buy new release content from the Sony Reader bookstore or ereader.com for my pocket pc, if the book I want releases there first. For the record, of all the ebook sites out there, ereader.com is my FAVORITE – even above the Connect bookstore for my Sony – because their reader software is above and beyond the best on the market!

Unfortunately, I’m also a very critical reader and I’d say a good 30% of the books I buy I don’t finish because of various things, usually holes in the story or logistics so far off that the story is just beyond reasonable probability or worse, inconsistencies in the story. There’s nothing I hate more than a good premise, but a shody storyline. Those writers, I scribble on a list to remember, too.

Okay, I’m off my soapbox.

I will say this, though…it’s good for authors. In general, mainstream ebooks don’t release until after the new release rush is off. For me, that means I end up purchasing hardbacks, paperbacks and at least one ebook format on my favorite authors. The print books get boxed and stuffed into the attic, but the ebook copy gets read until the proverbial pages tear.

Just for the record, if it’s a really, really good book…I buy the audiobook, too. I may never listen to it, but everyone has to make a living and writers don’t get paid if no one buys their books.

I think it depends. If you just want an ebook reader and don’t want to wait until Christmas season or January for an eink device or a possible Apple ebook reader, Ebookwise is the way to go.

If you want a multi function device, ie. something that you can use to surf the web, read emails, etc., go for a palm or pocket pc.

Anyways, my reason – the Army may pay for our moves whenever they change our duty station, but we have a weight limit. This way, I don’t have to pick between buying a shrunk (big piece of furniture) or keeping my books.