I am Windows weary and haven’t made the Mac switch (though my wife, Jamie, did). Articles like this one get my attention these days.
Will Google Chrome OS be the undoing of Windows? For the past two decades, the biggest threat to Microsoft has been that someone would create a new consumer operating system, popularize it, and then grow the new OS to challenge Windows on all fronts.
That is what I told Microsoft execs on numerous occasions over many years. I encouraged them to build a modern operating system that could eventually replace Windows. Instead, they built Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. Of the three, I actually liked Windows 2000 the best.
If Microsoft had taken my advice and started fresh, they might not have Google kicking them around today. Apple understood when its OS reached a dead end, and responded masterfully with Mac OS X. Microsoft continues behaving as though the Windows highway is endless.
Windows customers deserved a totally new replacement OS a decade ago. Fearing market confusion that would create a competitive opening, Microsoft went ahead and confused the market anyway. They just didn’t do it with a great, all-new OS. We got more Windows, built atop Windows, built atop, well, DOS.
Google’s announcement of its Chrome desktop OS should come as no surprise, particularly in Redmond. There have been signs pointing in this direction for several years. What Google lacked was a hardware platform where Microsoft was at some sort of a disadvantage.
I have had a Kindle since March 11. Since, then I’ve been analyzing whether or not I would recommend it. If you would like the current distillation of my thinking, then . . .
My Kindle is growing on me. Opportunities like this make me really like it. If you hustle over to Tony Reinke’s blog (click here), you can find out how to download seven free D.A. Carson books in .pdf format.
Of course, you don’t need a Kindle to read documents in that format. But, I don’t like printing out hundreds of pages on 8.5*11” paper. But, now I can load them on my Kindle for a nominal fee (and, yes, I think it should be free).
For those considering the purchase of Amazon’s new e-reader, here are my observations after 11 days.
Positive:
Good customer support from Amazon. I’ve called more than once and haven’t waited more than a minute. The reasons I have called have been my incompetence and the Amazon tech people no doubt tell stories about me during break.
Easy Reading – In some ways, the Kindle is easier to read than a book. For instance, when reading in bed, it is easier to simply rest the side of the Kindle on the bed. If you can’t picture what I mean, or would prefer not to try and picture it, then just take my word for it that it easy to read in bed. Of course, my wife is willing to go to sleep with a 20,000 candle power light on my nightstand.
Convenient downloads. The wireless network works well – - even in rural Illinois
“Free” book samples are easy to download and review. Without obligation, one can read a chapter give or take. I don’t like using “free” in this context since nothing about the Kindle is free. But, you know what I mean.
Bookmark feature is easy to use.
Battery life is good provided one turns off the transmitter, which is only needed for downloads. I have only charged twice in eleven days of ownership.
Size, appearance, and all of that are as advertised.
Negative:
The background is darker (more gray) than I expected. The pictures I saw made the contrast look better than reality. I thought about sending it back. However, I am getting used to it. It requires more light for me to read with a Kindle than with a normal book. This is the biggest negative.
Prices are on the way up. An increasing number of titles are $14.99 instead of $9.99. These tend to be the titles one wants.
I don’t think it will work for theology/reference books where it is necessary to move from one section to another. It is much better for “linear” reading where one reads straight through a book. For instance, I wouldn’t even consider getting a commentary on my Kindle.
You can’t transfer books. See Dr. Vanderlaan’s helpful post here. This policy on Amazon’s part irritates me. I understand it. But, I don’t like it.
I really didn’t like the “joystick/mouse thingie.” I’m getting better at using it. Of course, most 90 year olds have better small motor skills than I do.
240,000 books aren’t that many. Several recent books that I would have considered purchasing are not available.
You can’t load .pdf or Word files. This also irritates me with Amazon; it is a control thing on their part. I don’t appreciate it.
Shadowing. At times, I can make out text previously displayed. Hopefully, this won’t get worse with time. I’d hate to think that the Kindle will be the e-reader version of an 8-track tape where you could hear more than one song at once.
No case included.
It doesn’t smell like a book. I always smell books. It is part of my experience of reading. The Kindle 2 doesn’t have any more fragrance than a nickel, unless you put it in some sort of case. I have the Amazon issued case.
Bottom line:
I would suggest that, those considering a purchase should focus on two questions.
(1) Do you purchase and read a lot of books?
(2) Do you travel?
A solid “yes” to either question means purchasing a Kindle 2 could well be for you. If your answer is “yes” to both questions, then I would recommend it, criticisms notwithstanding.
I haven’t pulled the trigger on Amazon’s Kindle yet. But, articles like this one in the Chicago Tribune (click here) have me thinking increasingly about Amazon’s electronic reader, as does Tim Challies (click here). For one thing, it would save massive shelf space.
I think if I traveled more that I would be a few steps further in thinking about it. If you have a Kindle, I’d love to hear what you think about it.
And, the price has even dropped a smidge. . . but, it’s still a bit pricey. . . see below. . .
If you’ve ever been around me and my work environment, you know that I work as an island in a sea of books. I spend a lot of time organizing books, reading from them, copying down quotes, and transporting them from my study at home to church or vice versa.
Generally, a book is the opposite place of where I need it. If it is at church, I need it at home, etc.
So, you might think my dream would be to own a Kindle (Amazon’s electronic reader). Then I could carry around multiple books in this electronic device. But, for myriad reasons, including the fact that I like how books smell, I have not seriously considered it. Besides, it is pretty expensive.
But, for those who are thinking of getting one, you might want to read Tim Challies review here.
And, by all means, if you get one, click through someone’s Amazon Associates link, such as the one below. The reward for referring someone to a Kindle is pretty good. $40 according to Tim.
“. . . Chris Brauns has done a magnificent job in helping us understand the true nature of biblical forgiveness. Every Christian will profit from reading and applying this book.” Jerry Bridges.
“ . . . Unpacking Forgiveness is an engaging, convicting but emphatically encouraging treatment of this hugely important (and sometimes mindbogglingly challenging) part of life. Dr. Brauns writes from the standpoint of a faithful, wise, experienced and caring pastor . . .” Ligon Duncan, First Pres, Jackson, MS
