Friday, December 07, 2007
Kindle Review for the Masie Consortium
I've had an Amazon Kindle for a week now. In fact, I've even read a book already and passed it on to friends and colleagues to get their feedback.
It was kind of cool to get the jump on folks like ZDNet and have real Amazon Kindle
Kindle Reader from Amazon - Perspectives: We have been testing the new Kindle Reader device recently released by Amazon. This is the latest in a series of e-book readers that we have seen and reviewed at The MASIE Center. While the new device has some flaws and usability challenges (including the absence of a touch screen), it is an important "baby step" towards the dream of more accessible digital content. Just as Apple's iPod and the iTunes site popularized the concept of buying and downloading a song for a dollar, Kindle is aimed at doing the same for books. Our Learning CONSORTIUM will be doing a series of experiments with the Kindle and other e-Readers to see how they could best be integrated into corporate learning. You can take a peek at our work by going to http://www.masieweb.com/kindle.
Elliott has a nice 6 minute video overview on the page at the link above, which also has a link to a PDF that he has referred to as, "[Tom King has done] a more technical, in-depth "first look" at content models for the Kindle as well as human factor issues." Cool and not even entirely self-promotion for me. :-)
Speaking of promotion, if you plan to purchase a Kindle, please consider using the link below so that I will receive an Amazon Associates referral fee. Thanks.
Kindle: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device
Labels: learning, Masie, technology
I'll pass on the link to purchase. I was hoping to participate in Tom King's "give one, get one" program for the Kindle. Burtonia has a shockingly low per capita income, and we appreciate donated technology!
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes has largely worn-out his welcome with me, he is too hyphenated and curmudgeonly. Here he might have a point though on 'Cult of Kindle'
http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=1023
Then again another bloggeratti member went quite venomous in video. It's actual fun to watch see the video below the text rant.
http://scobleizer.com/2007/11/25/dear-jeff-bezos-one-week-kindle-review/
What I really like is the ability to get books at a cheaper cost than the physical version as well as newspapers and magazines. I'd like to see a larger selection of magazines and newspapers, but I suppose that will come in time. Of course I am one of those folks that like a physical magazine so it could be that I don't use that too often anyhow.
I have used the MobiPocket software to convert some PDF files I had and it worked fairly well. Some of the content didn't convert as well as I would've hoped, but I did convert some of the SCORM documentation with fairly decent results.
I'm not as concerned with the looks of the machine. While I agree with your assessment that the 'Next Page'/'Previous Page' buttons do have an unfortunate placement, I've come to accept the "Hey look at me! I've got the retro stylings of an Apple IIc!" feel of the thing.
"While, by all accounts, the Kindle is a great way to enjoy e-books and other material, note that it does not include security to protect the contents. If you buy or receive one as a gift, you should not use it (or any other device without password and encryption technology) to hold firm or client information.
So while you enjoy your Kindle to read e-books, beware not to let a data security breach spoil your holiday season."
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