Advice please.

CX650 · 18 July 12, 20:38

I would like an e-reader. I wish it to be simple, no knobs or whistles. I find myself distracted by all the added features. The most suitable I have found so far is the Kobo. Any further guidance will be helpful.

TICTOC · 19 July 12, 05:55

My mother is in her early seventies. She recently bought a Kindle. Honestly,
I thought it would be beyond her ability to drive 'techie stuff', but she downloads
books to it, and reads them constantly. She says the screen doesn't strain her
eyes at all, and is extremely easy to read from.

My parents had a holiday to Europe recently, and a purchase my mother absolutely
had to make before leaving was a European charger for her Kindle.

I hope you enjoy whatever you end up buying.

Kupiter Belt · 21 July 12, 08:39

Whatever you do, don't be lured in by the Kobo, they were trialed where I work and they really are the most appalling heaps of.... well, you know.
Agree with Tictoc, Kindle is the best in my opinion. Plus the base models are now below £100, pretty good value for money.

Meurig · 21 July 12, 14:15

We just bought Bookeen Cybook Opus for my eldest daughter.. It's great, almost the equal of my kindle. However, at £39.99 from play.com it was over half the price of the kindle.

Proper e-ink display and truly pocket size. Bargain.

CX650 · 21 July 12, 16:37

Thanks for that self-image as a geriatric Cam.

To explain myself more clearly, my distraction is in research of specifications. All I want to do is read. I don't want to pay for colour screen or wi-fi or music etc.

Kupiter Belt · 21 July 12, 17:58

Kindle all the way then; best screen and best library of titles.

TICTOC · 22 July 12, 05:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by CX650

Thanks for that self-image as a geriatric Cam.

I'm sorry: I wasn't implying we should whack your Sunday roast through
a blender and serve it up with a straw. Besides, straws can be annoying; Unlike
my dear ol' Mum's Kindle, which is a breeze to use. She couldn't tell you how many
megabytes it has, or the resolution of the screen, but she is always talking about
the great books she's reading.

redi · 23 July 12, 11:51

I think that you should also pay attention to the amount of books/stores available for the particular e-reader you want to buy, if there's any difference that is.

CX650 · 23 July 12, 17:12

The general consensus seems to be in favour of the Kindle. Can anyone tell me which Kindle is the simplest?

Kupiter Belt · 23 July 12, 18:08

The "Kindle" is the simplest, base model, but you may find the "Kindle Touch" easier to use if you're used to using smart-phones. The "Kindle Touch 3G" is the same as the touch with a few extra bells and whistles.

CX650 · 24 July 12, 20:56

Does anyone know anything about monitors and epilepsy? e.g. refresh rate and what effect it has if any. The consultant knows about the ailment but knows bugger all about computers.

Pizzaman · 24 July 12, 21:19

AFAIK most TFT screens are 60Hz.
older TVs are 100Hz and modern ones are 200Hz.

I never heard about anyone having any problems.
Might get problems if FPS drop below 60Hz, as then you get stuttering,
as I gathered that is exactly the problem with people sensitive to it,
an it's not just epilepsy.

Kupiter Belt · 25 July 12, 12:58

To add to what PIzzaman posted I did a little digging online and found this site: http://www.epilepsymatters.com/engli...sensitive.html

according to them the "danger frequency" is between 15 and 20Hz

There's also this which explains a little more: http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/content...0Computing.pdf

CX650 · 25 July 12, 18:53

Many thanks guys.

18 July 12, 20:38	#1
CX650 Grumpy old Git Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dorset UK	Advice please. I would like an e-reader. I wish it to be simple, no knobs or whistles. I find myself distracted by all the added features. The most suitable I have found so far is the Kobo. Any further guidance will be helpful.

24 July 12, 20:56	#11
CX650 Grumpy old Git Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dorset UK	Very important. Does anyone know anything about monitors and epilepsy? e.g. refresh rate and what effect it has if any. The consultant knows about the ailment but knows bugger all about computers.

19 July 12, 05:55	#2
TICTOC Uploader Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 45	My mother is in her early seventies. She recently bought a Kindle. Honestly, I thought it would be beyond her ability to drive 'techie stuff', but she downloads books to it, and reads them constantly. She says the screen doesn't strain her eyes at all, and is extremely easy to read from. My parents had a holiday to Europe recently, and a purchase my mother absolutely had to make before leaving was a European charger for her Kindle. I hope you enjoy whatever you end up buying.

21 July 12, 08:39	#3
Kupiter Belt Uploader Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: West Yorkshire, United Kingdom Age: 26	Whatever you do, don't be lured in by the Kobo, they were trialed where I work and they really are the most appalling heaps of.... well, you know. Agree with Tictoc, Kindle is the best in my opinion. Plus the base models are now below £100, pretty good value for money.

21 July 12, 14:15	#4
Meurig Join Date: Dec 2010	We just bought Bookeen Cybook Opus for my eldest daughter.. It's great, almost the equal of my kindle. However, at £39.99 from play.com it was over half the price of the kindle. Proper e-ink display and truly pocket size. Bargain.

21 July 12, 16:37	#5
CX650 Grumpy old Git Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dorset UK	Thanks for that self-image as a geriatric Cam. To explain myself more clearly, my distraction is in research of specifications. All I want to do is read. I don't want to pay for colour screen or wi-fi or music etc.

21 July 12, 17:58	#6
Kupiter Belt Uploader Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: West Yorkshire, United Kingdom Age: 26	Kindle all the way then; best screen and best library of titles.

23 July 12, 11:51	#8
redi Superator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: On a thin crust covering a huge ball of hot molten stone whizzing through space Age: 40	I think that you should also pay attention to the amount of books/stores available for the particular e-reader you want to buy, if there's any difference that is.

23 July 12, 17:12	#9
CX650 Grumpy old Git Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dorset UK	The general consensus seems to be in favour of the Kindle. Can anyone tell me which Kindle is the simplest?

23 July 12, 18:08	#10
Kupiter Belt Uploader Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: West Yorkshire, United Kingdom Age: 26	The "Kindle" is the simplest, base model, but you may find the "Kindle Touch" easier to use if you're used to using smart-phones. The "Kindle Touch 3G" is the same as the touch with a few extra bells and whistles.

24 July 12, 21:19	#12
Pizzaman Minifreak & Muscleman Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Groningen Centre of the Universe	AFAIK most TFT screens are 60Hz. older TVs are 100Hz and modern ones are 200Hz. I never heard about anyone having any problems. Might get problems if FPS drop below 60Hz, as then you get stuttering, as I gathered that is exactly the problem with people sensitive to it, an it's not just epilepsy.

25 July 12, 12:58	#13
Kupiter Belt Uploader Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: West Yorkshire, United Kingdom Age: 26	To add to what PIzzaman posted I did a little digging online and found this site: http://www.epilepsymatters.com/engli...sensitive.html according to them the "danger frequency" is between 15 and 20Hz There's also this which explains a little more: http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/content...0Computing.pdf

25 July 12, 18:53	#14
CX650 Grumpy old Git Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dorset UK	Many thanks guys.