Sunday-Morning Puttering
Posted Sun Nov 22, 2009 in
Hardware
OK, I’m smelling beef stew in the slow cooker. It’s only been on for an hour, but the house is beginning to smell of cooking beef, tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce. It’s a good smell and foreshadows good things to come later today.
The weather this morning is mixed — it’s windy and clouds keep passing over the sun. It looks like there is more snow in the mountains this morning. I think it might be snowing in the Tahoe basin right now. I’m really tempted to drive up to Spooner Lake and walk the perimeter. If there’s snow, then it would be a wonderful opportunity to make some new images. The walk would do me a lot of good too.
I think I need to drive up to REI in Reno and buy a couple pairs of thermals. I would like to have some lowers for this winter because my legs sometimes get cold when I’m out and about. If I’m going to walk the Spooner Lake park some when the snow is on, then a good pair of light thermals would be very good to have. I should put together a small emergency pack as well. It’s always a good idea to be prepared, even if it’s a short hike.
I’ve been researching digital books again. Sony just announced the Daily Edition a few days ago and it will compete with the Kindle 2. I like the fact that the Sony product support the epub format. If I can find the appropriate software, then my own writings can be published in this format and kept on my reader for reference.
However, content is king and right now the Amazon product has the edge. The Kindle would provide access to a number of my standard technical references, but does not offer either expandability (through SD cards) or the more standard epub format. The Sony doesn’t have most of my technical books, but supports the epub format.
I don’t really want two products. But, that might be the only way to get where I want to be, at least for the near term. Urgh.
Best Buy is selling Sony Readers now. I could buy one (really tempted to) now, play with it for a month, and then return it if I didn’t like it. With the epub format, a lot of public domain materials are available. The Daily Reader should come out in a month and I could return the Reader Touch (now available) and upgrade to the more connective model, if I decide to continue in that direction.
These things should simplify reading, not increase the complexity thereof. Moreover, I want fewer devices to carry, not more. Adding a reader will add a device. That seems like going in the wrong direction to me.
As I said, urgh.
I hope you go to Spooner Lake Park and enjoy walking and take some photos.
— Bahareh 23 November 2009, 06:12 #