Does anyone study off tablets ans ebooks?

I'm wondering if I should purchase a kindle and get the ebooks compared to traditional books? I was think it may be cheaper since the kindle version tends to cost less so I'm asking if you guys still prefer books or tablets?

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cisco_trooper

I use safari books online almost exclusively and have been for years. I've purchased the hard copies of my favorites only. Routing TCP/IP Volumes I and II are book shelf must haves for any serious network professional.

N2IT

@ Boken thanks for the advice I'll have to take a look at that app

jamesp1983

Zartanasaurus wrote: »

I do most of my studying using e-books on the Nexus 7. Kindle App + Safari Books Online App takes care of all my needs. SBO app needs some work, especially the offline book bag, but it's tolerable.

My wife bought me a Nexus for Christmas for my studies. Any advice for a new user?

Zartanasaurus

jamesp1983 wrote: »

My wife bought me a Nexus for Christmas for my studies. Any advice for a new user?

ConnectBot if you want to ssh into your network devices while in the middle of a meeting.

AndFTP for FTP/SFTP/SCP/FTPS access.
Hacker's keyboard is probably the best free keyboard app. Really good in landscape mode. I've used Swiftkey and I liked that one as well, although it's pay.
Dolphin browser is fantastic. I use it 95% of the time. Gestures is just an amazing technology.
Sleep As Android is an awesome app. You put the tablet next to you in bed, and it tracks your movement throughout the night to determine when you're in a deep or light sleep. You set an alarm time, and tries to wake you up close to that time during a light sleep phase. It's a pay app, but it's awesome.

Oh, Cisco made a TAC app for Android too.

goldenlight

why not invest in a good Android Tablet. That way you can run anything.. I study notes using my small android Phone... ONe day I will invest in a tablet. Just dont have the time to look for one.

staticz

I started out with hard copies but found them to be a pita. My iPad is much easier to carry around and I can read in bed without disturbing the wife too much.

tbgree00

I put the pdf versions that come with books and white papers in dropbox and use good reader on my ipad to read through those. It's much easier for me than carrying a 1000 page book around. I also take all of my notes in onenote synced to SkyDrive and use the OneNote app to study those when I get a few minutes. I passed the VCP5 using the VMware whitepapers.

I've never bought a strictly PDF version of a book though. I'm not against that I just haven't bothered. I think my next certification book will be that, though.

tpatt100

I would pay for PDF copies of books no problem if they are DRM free. Meaning I can use them on my iPad and my PC to add notes, highlight, etc. I doubt publishers are big on this (at least I think so) due to piracy issues especially tech PDF files. Kindle is a decent middle ground for me so far.

kgb

tpatt100 wrote: »

I would pay for PDF copies of books no problem if they are DRM free. Meaning I can use them on my iPad and my PC to add notes, highlight, etc. I doubt publishers are big on this (at least I think so) due to piracy issues especially tech PDF files. Kindle is a decent middle ground for me so far.

I have never understood the entire DRM aspect. If someone is going to steal anything, they are going to do it. It doesn't prevent anything. All it's doing is costing them money. Just like in software, perfect example is Autodesk. They've finally realized that it actually helps their business by allowing non-commercial use of their software for free rather than trying to force people to pay for it. A serial number or retarded dongles never stopped anyone, only irritates the legit users.

I know there's some book publishers that do offer DRM free ebooks...I think O'Reilly is one... It will be nice when more follow suit.

What irritates me even more is how come some publishers don't give a free ebook when you buy the printed version...Seriously? Explain that to me...

chinino

I use my iPad when going around--like Barnes & Noble--but, I have some of the books in hard copies, also like printing the pdf, if I don't have the hard copy.

DoubleNNs

For everyone who DOES use tablets/eReaders, do you think a 7" screen is big enough for extended studying (2-3 hours no breaks, writing notes in separate notebook) or do you think going for a bigger screen is the best way to go in this situation?

I know reading leisurely on a 7" in fine. But idk how studying tech files that contain graphics and charts for extended periods would hold up on a smaller screen.

tpatt100

kgb wrote: »

I have never understood the entire DRM aspect. If someone is going to steal anything, they are going to do it. It doesn't prevent anything. All it's doing is costing them money. Just like in software, perfect example is Autodesk. They've finally realized that it actually helps their business by allowing non-commercial use of their software for free rather than trying to force people to pay for it. A serial number or retarded dongles never stopped anyone, only irritates the legit users.

I know there's some book publishers that do offer DRM free ebooks...I think O'Reilly is one... It will be nice when more follow suit.

What irritates me even more is how come some publishers don't give a free ebook when you buy the printed version...Seriously? Explain that to me...

Well DRM "works" mostly when it comes to stuff like e-books. If it is tied into a service and is proprietary like Kindle books it's too much work I guess to try and remove DRM for the Kindle books in the current format. I think it was possible back when it was e-pub? I am not too terribly familiar with ebook file formats.

PDF files are too easy to email to a friend to share like physical books you can loan except digital files make it easy to share with anybody and everybody where as a book you are limited to lending one at a time.

I think some publishers would rather make it easier for honest people to have access to a physical book with a DRM free PDF file in the hopes they become loyal customers rather than make it a pain in the rear for honest people to buy stuff.

tpatt100

DoubleNNs wrote: »

For everyone who DOES use tablets/eReaders, do you think a 7" screen is big enough for extended studying (2-3 hours no breaks, writing notes in separate notebook) or do you think going for a bigger screen is the best way to go in this situation?

I know reading leisurely on a 7" in fine. But idk how studying tech files that contain graphics and charts for extended periods would hold up on a smaller screen.

I did "ok" with it but Kindle books were fine since they tend to format better. PDF files with graphics I was doing way too much pinching and stretching on a Nexus 7 compared to my 10 inch iPad.

Kinet1c

I like a mixture of both but tend to gear towards physical books due to being in front of a screen all day. I will use the tablets for viewing videos.

Claymoore

DoubleNNs wrote: »

For everyone who DOES use tablets/eReaders, do you think a 7" screen is big enough for extended studying (2-3 hours no breaks, writing notes in separate notebook) or do you think going for a bigger screen is the best way to go in this situation?

Go with the larger screen. I started with a Kindle DX over 3 years ago because it was the first to support PDFs (although, not well originally) and bought a first gen Kindle Fire in 2011. Regular books are fine on the Fire, but reading a tech book with tables and diagrams was not pleasant. I was hoping that Amazon would update the DX with a new paperwhite version, however it looks like they are just letting the DX form factor die a slow death.

Now I have a Microsoft Surface RT with the Kindle app and tech books render very well on the large screen. My only complaint is the wide form factor of the Surface becomes a very tall book that can be a little awkward to balance.

DigitalZeroOne

I prefer to use a dedicated e-reader (Kindle paperwhite and Kindle keyboard). For years I purchased physical books, and it worked, but it's so great having all my books available to me at just about any time. I like the idea of a tablet to supplement the e-reader, but I do prefer a dedicated reader over all. At work, I just use the amazon cloud reader, or the Kindle for PC app.

Main Event

Alright, I want a cheap tablet to buy for about 100 bucks... any off name brands are decent? I heard the noor color running cm10 is good...

The nexus is 200, I really want the ipad but it's too much money.

what about a playbook?

tbgree00

Main Event wrote: »

Alright, I want a cheap tablet to buy for about 100 bucks... any off name brands are decent? I heard the noor color running cm10 is good...

The nexus is 200, I really want the ipad but it's too much money.

what about a playbook?

I would advise to get either a used iPad 1 or something running android. My reasoning is that if you buy apps you will be able to use them for a future upgrade. I've never read any reviews but Kohls has some generic 7 inch android tablets for less than 100 and typically have some crazy sales. They also have good return policies.

Main Event

I don't really care about apps mostly this is for reading oils and browsing. I really want. Android tablet and I'm debating either a nexus 7 or a insigna flex from best buy.

I want to know from the guys who buy it books in kindle format do all the pictures show Updike it shows up on the actual book?

tpatt100

If you don't care about apps I would go with the Kindle Fire HD. Since it is an actual "Kindle" device you can borrow some books for free from Amazon. I borrowed a few tech books over the past few months that Amazon allowed two week or so borrow periods for free.

nel

Interesting conversation guys. I am looking into the same thing and buying a tablet to study off.

Does anyone use the iPad mini to study from?

I think the 7inch tablets will be too small for reading and are wondering how the ipad mini copes with PDFs and if the extra inch makes it any better. From the feedback in other posts, it sounds like the 10inch tablets could be the way to go for studying.

SteveO86

Got myself an iPad 4 this weekend, been using to watch INE videos read kindle books and read Cisco.com I gotta say I like it. Much light than my laptop. Typing takes a little getting use to but it's all good.

i thought about the mini But it just seemed too small for me.