Ebook Readers

[ibex333]

Does anyone know if devices such as Nook and Kindle will display ebooks downloaded from the internet or obtained through means other than amazon or Barnes and Noble?

Do these devices have a backlight for reading at night/in a dark room?

Are these devices really just as comfortable on the eyes as reading a real book?

 

[sathyan]

I know DRM-free books from other sources can be read on a Kindle (and I assume a Nook). Conversion may be required. Look for the application Calibre Ebook. Now, I do not believe you can mix and match between DRM-ed Amazon and B&N. Both are trying to build closed ecosystems.

No backlighting...That's sort of the point (to reduce eye strain). You use a reading lamp like you would with a book. There are some specifically designed for ereaders.

Even amongst books, there is variation. Hardback books are easier to read than paperbacks due to contrast, font size, and paper acidity. IMO, e-ink readers are better than paperback and nearly as good as library-grade hardback - with the advantage of being able to adjust font size - for reading text. For charts, there is a ways to go yet.

 

[Lumathix]

I know DRM-free books from other sources can be read on a Kindle (and I assume a Nook). Conversion may be required. Look for the application Calibre Ebook. Now, I do not believe you can mix and match between DRM-ed Amazon and B&N. Both are trying to build closed ecosystems.

No backlighting...That's sort of the point (to reduce eye strain). You use a reading lamp like you would with a book. There are some specifically designed for ereaders.

Even amongst books, there is variation. Hardback books are easier to read than paperbacks due to contrast, font size, and paper acidity. IMO, e-ink readers are better than paperback and nearly as good as library-grade hardback - with the advantage of being able to adjust font size - for reading text. For charts, there is a ways to go yet.

What he said.
My wife and I have the B&N Nook. It's a nice device. I can confirm that just like the Kindle you can read non-DRM material on the Nook.

 

[ibex333]

Awesome, thanks for the replies.. I think I'll be getting a Nook soon.