Naturally, as soon as the international Kindle was announced, I placed my order. Oh, the excitement!
After less than 24 hours of experience with the Kindle, here are my impressions.
What I don't like
* Pressing a button hard to turn a page. This seems outdated. I'd rather flick a page just as in a real book. I hadn't realized how much I've been spoiled by the iPhone's touch screen;
* The dinky screen. I'm a fast reader. I can get through a 400 page book in three hours, so the little six inch screen is a worry. I feel like a hamster in a science lab, pressing buttons for more food as I keep pressing to turn pages, and if I make the print smaller, I'll need new glasses;
* The flashing as the page "turns";
* Everything on Amazon isn't available in Kindle format.
Wow... Picky, aren't I? Until I wrote these things down, I hadn't realized just how many things I didn't like...
Nevertheless, I'm still very happy with the Kindle.
Here's why.
What I do like
* BOOKS on demand. If I see a book I may like to read, I can download a sample to my Kindle, and it's waiting for me as soon as I turn it on. I had seven samples ready to load onto my Kindle before it even arrived;
* Being able to buy a book and download it within seconds: that's real instant gratification. It's very, very easy to buy books this way. (Too easy? Is there a 12-step program for Kindle addicts? :-))
* The knowledge that I'll never ever be without something great to read. That panicky feeling as my To Be Read pile of books dwindles won't ever affect me again;
* Having my own Kindle page on Amazon, with all the ebooks I've purchased, so that if a disaster happens, I can download a book again.
Got any Kindle tips you'd like to share? Please share them in the Comments. If you've purchased another brand of ebook reader, please share your likes and dislikes.