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London Zoo: E-Reader to Write With?

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      CommentAuthorFoamhead
    • CommentTimeApr 26th 2011 edited
     (9802.1)
    I've checked through the two other threads regarding e-readers and this wasn't touched on, hence the new question.

    iPad aside, are there any e-readers, or similar gadgets, which you'd recommend to write with/on? The Kindle has a keypad built-in but is this practical for extended periods of text entry?

    A colour touch-screen isn't a requirement and I'd rather not have to rely on a stylus at any point in its use although some word processing software, however basic, would be useful as well as the ability to transfer items between it and a PC.

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks.
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      CommentAuthorPaladine
    • CommentTimeApr 26th 2011
     (9802.2)
    I own the Sony Reader (600 something) and I think writing on an e-ink gadget is not a good idea. There is a slight pause between writing and letters appearing; the pause is small enough if you just turn a page or mark a sentence or such, but really writing? I wouldn't.
    • CommentAuthorRenThing
    • CommentTimeApr 26th 2011
     (9802.3)
    I own a first gen Kindle and I'd rather write on my teeny, tiny keyboard or the touch-screen on my Droid than write on the e-Reader.
  4.  (9802.4)
    E-Readers aren't meant for extended typing. When I was looking into them there was nothing that could even pretend to be used as a word processor even if you really forced it. As an example, using a Kindle you could type something out but it would have to be as a note on a document that you put on yourself that as at least one character - be it a number or a letter - and then it would put it into your notes and highlights document which you could then connect your Kindle to your computer, open the file, copy and paste the stuff you typed out and then do what you want with it. (My wife made a .txt document with numbers down the side just in case she needed to make a quick note about something - ie: an appointment - but the text only shows up with you a) highlight the number it's attached to or b) open the 'notes and highlights' document and scroll down to it.)

    If you want to do extended typing I'm pretty sure you're going to have to go with a netbook, iPad, or some similar device.
  5.  (9802.5)
    E-Readers aren't meant for extended typing.

    This. You buy an ereader for reading, not writing. Sounds to me like you're looking for an iPad with a docked keyboard.
    • CommentAuthorRenThing
    • CommentTimeApr 26th 2011
     (9802.6)
    Sounds to me like you're looking for an iPad with a docked keyboard.

    Agreed.
  7.  (9802.7)
    I've got one of these no-brand 7" Android tablets (£159.95 - also available from Maplins in UK and RadioShack in the US (I think)), and also a fake-leather wallet with integrated USB keyboard from the same manufacturer (£29.95).

    The tablet obviously works on its own, but can also be slotted into the wallet/keyboard thing to look like this:

    tablet plus keyboard

    (there's a fold-out prop on the back of the wallet to keep the screen bit propped up).

    I think the same company does an 8" tablet now as well.
  8.  (9802.8)
    oooh. That's not horrible.
  9.  (9802.9)
    Can't say I use it much with the wallet/keyboard (I bought that more to protect it while it was in my bag) - I usually use the tablet on its own.
    • CommentAuthorjonah
    • CommentTimeApr 26th 2011
     (9802.10)
    What I find the Kindle reasonably good at is editing. The note taking features could be a loooot better and you have to use a wired connection to get them off the Kindle, but overall it's a nice change of pace, easy on the eyes, a crappy enough net experience that all you want to do is research and less maddening than printing out a bunch of hard copies. I guess it depends on the kind of writer you are, but I have more of a struggle with getting around to editing than with putting down words and I write in big chunks and use editing as "downtime". It works for my madness at least.

    Example: Ipod + Bluetooth keyboard-> to computer for spell check and fix anything immediately displeasing->email file with Calibre to cut and mark up on Kindle -> fiddle on computer and maybe back to step 1. I use a large font on the Kindle so moving around the page is quick. You probably have to be into the idea of coming up with your own short hand and if you want to get really geeky you can make macros that autoconvert them to real words, but you shouldn't need to do this. If you get inspired to really start writing while editing make a quick note and jump on your other device. Kindle adds the date and time to notes, so if you mark this in your writing as you jump around it's easy to keep things organized. There is software to auto format/organize Kindle's notes by "book" so you can work on multiple projects at once.

    Related: I spend some time sorting and preparing research material I think I might want have on hand and loading it onto the Kindle.

    Bonus: you get some security by having your files in multiple locations.
  11.  (9802.11)
    A rooted Nook Color should be able to do Google Docs mobile editing (you'd still need a desktop to actually create documents in the first place, though nm, looks like they added in the ability to create spreadsheets and text documents with mobile), and depending on which ROM you use you might be able to pair a bluetooth keyboard to it for easier typing (I know the Nook Color CM7 ROM works for this, but I don't know how aesthetically pleasing that rom is otherwise).
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      CommentAuthorFinagle
    • CommentTimeApr 26th 2011
     (9802.12)
    They apparently just opened up the Nook Color, so you don't even have to root it any longer. Giving it a hard look.
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      CommentAuthorFoamhead
    • CommentTimeApr 26th 2011
     (9802.13)
    I wasn't especially sure that what I had in mind actually existed and, judging from the comments so far, it's definitely a figment of my imagination.

    Maybe I'll try a non-networked Crackberry and see how that goes.
  14.  (9802.14)
    @Finagle: I'm pretty sure the official Nook Color Froyo release doesn't enable the bluetooth.
  15.  (9802.15)
    DavidLejeune: That's correct.
    • CommentAuthorbiglig
    • CommentTimeApr 27th 2011
     (9802.16)
    @Fookwit tell us more about your requirements... is it that you would find an e-ink screen easy on the eyes? I wonder if an antique machine with a non-backlit LCD would fit the bill...

    I'm always threatening to dig out my old Psion 5MX. Lovely keyboard, easy to read screen, built-in text editor that can save to a Compact Flash card, runs on AA batteries and it all fits in a jacket pocket.
    • CommentAuthorbiglig
    • CommentTimeApr 27th 2011
     (9802.17)
    Ah, it now occurs to me that there's almost certainly not an epub reader on the 5MX, so you wouldn't be able to use it to actually read ebooks....

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