ebooks

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by pelathais

While I'm not advocating "pirating" per se, there is a need to make more information more widely available. One example might be software books and manuals. At one time many people were unable to afford the high priced manuals and teaching guides and thus were barred from learning new technologies. This was when the "pirating" of ebooks was first developed and came into vogue - early 1990s. Not having access to the latest technologies hurt the careers of those attempting to break into the field or trying to advance.

Since that time, lower cost publishers have sprung up so the need isn't always there the way it used to be, but still, the "pirate market" does exert an influence on pricing in the rest of the publishing world - a good thing, imho. There are dozens of other examples in fields where high priced electronic media can make a huge difference for the student or someone entering a new field - nursing and the nursing manuals and charts for the Palm for example are very popular on torrent sites.

Good points. You're very smart, pel.

The iPad is a good alternative. It's flat and much lighter than a notebook. Amazon has a free Kindle reader for Macs here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...l_6akxhff7th_e

I'm thinking that the iPad may be what I ask for when my current laptop dies. The only thing that discourages me is the touch-screen keyboard. I suppose I could get used to it, but I type so fast on a regular keyboard that it's bound to slow me down.

[Praxeas]

If or when Libronix is available on the android and or Netflix, I might get the xoom. Forget the Ipad.

My opinion is, what separates I-crud from the Android are the availability of apps. There are tons for the droids and a lot that are not available for the I-cruds or easily available.

But critical stuff I personally want are not available though there are some less than thrilling work-arounds

[mfblume]

Does flash work on any of them yet?

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Does flash work on any of them yet?

Flash works on the nook I think, but again it's an ebook reader not something you can install anything on; It may come with an application for viewing youtube videos and in which case must include some form of flash

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by OnTheFritz

I, of course, have no specific knowledge - but Peerblock is based off of Peer Guardian, but still has a development path and easier install. These things I've learned by searching interwebs only, of course.

It's been awhile, but a few years back I knew a man, whether in the flesh or in the spirit I know not; but such a man downloaded a ton of scientific textbooks from dc++ ebook hubs that cost upwards of $100 a piece and thus would have been unavailable to him through traditional channels.

He now pays retail for such purchases, but at a time of an intense thirst for knowledge and a temporary condition of poverty it made a difference.

[OnTheFritz]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Flash works on the nook I think, but again it's an ebook reader not something you can install anything on; It may come with an application for viewing youtube videos and in which case must include some form of flash

It works on my Android phone. Performance varies based on complexity of the Flash file (which can vary greatly).

[commonsense]

As I understand it, there are updates rolling out this spring for Nookcolor and flash is one of the features.

Our newspaper referenced a you-tube tutorial on converting the nookcolor to a full use tablet.

You can "check out" library ebooks on the nook.

[ReformedDave]

I have both an iPad and a Kindle. Love them both!

[Dedicated Mind]

Originally Posted by pelathais

It's been awhile, but a few years back I knew a man, whether in the flesh or in the spirit I know not; but such a man downloaded a ton of scientific textbooks from dc++ ebook hubs that cost upwards of $100 a piece and thus would have been unavailable to him through traditional channels.

He now pays retail for such purchases, but at a time of an intense thirst for knowledge and a temporary condition of poverty it made a difference.

pel, I downloaded dc++ and looked at the public hubs. I only found 2 for books. One required registration and the other redirected me, so I don't think it was available. Is there a particular hub you know about? I wasn't too enthused with dc++.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

pel, I downloaded dc++ and looked at the public hubs. I only found 2 for books. One required registration and the other redirected me, so I don't think it was available. Is there a particular hub you know about? I wasn't too enthused with dc++.

I haven't been there for a couple of years at least, now. You do have to hang around some of the "Public Hubs" for a while and meet some folks who share your same interests. They then become the doorway to the private hubs.

It's in the private hubs where you'll find the treasure troves but they don't advertise much and you do need to know someone who can give you the URL and get you an invite.

Newsgroups are the sources for most ebook "releases" that end up on the torrent type networks. If you want to get things "right from the source" go to Newsgroups. The downside there is that you do have to wait patiently for a "release" of whatever it is you're looking for. The plus side is that you do have an opportunity to pick up gossip along the way that might point you to private networks and hubs.