Tag Archives: Kindle

Alone Together: A Review in Kindle Highlights

Kindle Fire HD showing cover for Alone Together, w/stylus

After what has seemed like months drawn out way too long, I have finally finished reading Sherry Turkle’s Alone Together. Weird how this book has taken so long for me to read. And at the same time, there was a lot to chew on in between reading sessions. Having the benefit of starting the read on my iPad and finishing on the Kindle Fire HD gave me a chance to compare the screens and ability to read (nearly even, KF-HD I could hold in the hand longer, the iPad was easier to navigate in terms of responsiveness when annotating). Still, I don’t think I can give good enough words to this. How about I just let some of the items that I’ve highlighted or noted speak towards this one:

  • If the problem is that too much technology has made us busy and anxious, the solution will be another technology that will organize, amuse, and relax us. Read more at location 449
    Note: This is the teaching point. Silicon Valley and other creatives seem to be very deliberate in not saying this
  • Winston Churchill said, “We shape our buildings and then they shape us.”23 We make our technologies, and they, in turn, shape us. So, of every technology we must ask, Does it serve our human purposes?—a question that causes us to reconsider what these purposes are. Technologies, in every generation, present opportunities to reflect on our values and direction. Read more at location 609
  • children’s attachments speak not simply to what the robots offer but to what children are missing. Many children in this study seem to lack what they need most: parents who attend to them and a sense of being important. Children imagine sociable machines as substitutes for the people missing in their lives. When the machines fail, it is sometimes a moment to revisit past losses. What we ask of robots shows us what we need. Read more at location 1839
  • People talk about digital life as the “place for hope,” the place where something new will come to them. Read more at location 2988
    Note: Honestly, I think this is the statement born from a generation that saw media as separate from interpersonal interactions. I don’t know that this idea of hope for a place is all that different from hope in a memory that performances, altars, and institutions aim to provide, or psychologically become
  • When online life becomes your game, there are new complications. If lonely, you can find continual connection. But this may leave you more isolated, without real people around you. So you may return to the Internet for another hit of what feels like connection. Again, the Shakespeare paraphrase comes to mind: we are “consumed with that which we were nourished by.” Read more at location 4353
  • a sixteen-year-old girl who tells me, “Technology is bad because people are not as strong as its pull.” Read more at location 4366
  • We have to love our technology enough to describe it accurately. And we have to love ourselves enough to confront technology’s true effects on us. These amended narratives are a kind of realtechnik. The realtechnik of connectivity culture is about possibilities and fulfillment, but it also about the problems and dislocations of the tethered self. Technology helps us manage life stresses but generates anxieties of its own. The two are often closely linked. Read more at location 4647
  • A sacred space is not a place to hide out. It is a place where we recognize ourselves and our commitments. Read more at location 5312

Those are only a few. You can check out the rest of my public notes and highlights over at the Amazon Kindle page for Alone Together. In terms of a recommendation, let’s just say that ministry leaders should have read this already if they haven’t; and parents with teens or young adult children need to read this with them and listen to one another in the responses.

Off to put these highlights and notes into my notebook. You never know when access might be taken away on these services.

7in of Near Perfection

iPad (1st gen) and Amazon Kindle Fire HD

There are just so many new gadgets out there, and for the most part, its a crazier world when it comes to tablets. For those who might have been coming from a PDA or eReader background, the idea of a 10in tablet is wrought with some significant risks (weight, platform lock-in, etc.) alongside the obvious gains. And so the 7in tablet begins to take some root as a potential alternative. From a physical standpoint, we’re talking about something with a bent towards reading (unless you’ve got a Samsung or HTC model with a stylus and those neat styli tricks). From a software perspective, we are mostly talking about Android (I’m still wishing for something solid to come from the Mer/MeeGo camp). And then from a usability and faith end, we get that really interesting ask of how this shape of device fosters a maturing faith perspective and a life lived in light of such perspectives.

I’ve recently purchased a Kindle Fire HD to potentially replace my 1st gen iPad. And while I’ve begun to note some of my impressions about it, I’m not yet completely comfortable giving the KF-HD all the work that I gave my iPad. These are different devices, and not everything that one tablet can do should be done on all others. At least how they have come across so far, the iPad is more of a canvas (you can’t do much until you add the paint of various applications), and the KF-HD is a catalog (the 21st century Sears/JC Penny catalog) – I dig into that distinction some on my personal blog.

Still, I can’t help but thinking that there’s a legitimate space for this size of device, and what we can continue to refine about our understandings about mobile as it relates to faith. For example, a few days ago Mobile Advance asked (via Twitter) something specific towards the Google Nexus 7 tablet for an upcoming African trip. Of note to his question was this ability to utilize a device in a mostly offline context. Here were some of the apps recommended in that conversation stream:

Essentially, these are apps which enable taking a 7in tablet and treating it more like a Moleskine notebook and not just a browser/ebook device. I don’t know that anyone can disagree with that perspective. But, its neat that in a device that is this size, that such a use-case isn’t so far away from normalcy. (And in rethinking about it, I forgot to mention a multi-language dictionary; too many years going online for those moments, whoops)

And besides that, you’ve got to think about how that shifts how you use your mobile device. In my case, having the KF-HD makes me use my smartphone more. I don’t know if its because I haven’t adapted to using it as easily as I have my iPad, or that its just faster to continue on this current workflow by using my N8 (and a recently acquired Lumia 900). I can see how someone who has a laptop and doesn’t want to remove that from their lifestyle will use a 7in tablet alongside a low or mid-range smartphone and be just fine in some of their computing pursuits. At least with the Kindle Fire/FireHD, I’m not sure that this is a perfect size to be a netbook/laptop replacement – even though the range of solid 7in tablets and their attending software points in that direction. I do think that its a near-perfect size though to replace a high-end smartphone and larger tablet. Which might make for some interesting decisions for many when it comes to costs of computing over time.

As with the iPad, I expect use and perspectives to mature over time with this new tablet. And to be honest, I’m not totally sold on it just yet either. Its nearly perfect, but as I’ve said in some other ramblings, my usage could be better done with a phablet (phone+tablet) like the Galaxy Note II, or a solution like the Asus Padfone 2. I’m a weird one though. My device choice here is honed for a question to be answered much later. For you, the 7in (or even 8.9in and 10in) tablets might fit your usage needs a bit better. Much like we’ve talked about building a Bible app from the perspective of a layman, not a pastor, there’s something to be said for a smaller screen that might fit the usage and mental models of a different type of person that just isn’t as widely heard. We’re listening for that here now, and whatsoever the results of adding this to the #mobmin utility belt might bring.

eInk Bible App for Kindle


Of the items that come across the window that are pretty neat and worth talking about, this eInk Bible App for Kindle devices is a pretty decent one. Here’s a description from the website:

…The e-ink Bible app looks and functions just like an e-book, but it has improved navigation and searching capabilities. Like an e-book, you can:

  • read continuous stretches of text
  • bookmark verses of interest
  • add notes

In contrast to an e-book, the e-ink Bible app:

  • always displays the current reference
  • allows quick navigation
  • supports complex searches…

For those of you with a Kindle, or with folks who have black and white (eInk) Kindle devices, this seems to be a pretty neat solution that’s just a little bit better designed for the context than simply having an ebook Bible.

Just A Carry On

My Ipad and my Kindle Fire HD
In the past month, there has been several new mobile devices made available. From tablets to phones to audio players to gaming systems, there’s a bit of that pre-holiday press to make sure that you not just have the latest thing, but that you are so unique and qualified to have that latest thing that there are companies who will accessorize that latest thing for you just the same.

…Watching people choose a Bible in a bookstore can also be creative to watch as well.  They ask questions like, what is the most popular translation, what colors do they come in, how long will the cover last, and what kind of type and fonts are used, well, you get the picture.

What’s the connection? Many people buy both for looks, not content. They buy for durability, not actual use. They carry them on trips having never used much of what’s inside. People in places of travel look cool with the latest trend in travel ware…

Read the rest of “For Looks, Not Content” at Chip Furr’s website

This is part of what’s been gonig through my thoughts in the past days as I’ve purchased a Kindle Fire HD (the 7in model) to replace my 1st generation iPad. My motivations were mostly functional – I’m dealing with a device that’s 2 years old, and while very much the canvas that I’ve made work for me, is also a series of compromises and potentially missed opportunities because of how I do mobility. The Kindle Fire HD might not even be the best solution for me. However, I’m motivated to play a bit and see what it looks like having a new device and motivations that are beyond just having something shiny or that will make me noticable to some group. Because the real question is, is my use of this new device making me more noticable to the Father?

Archives: Publishing’s Future

A few years ago, we ran an article looking the future of bible publishing thru the lens of a new commentary series Logos introduced:

…Or, will this have the negative effect of leaving access to content only to those who could afford it (device, data connection, subscription to Logos, access to commentary)? Will denominational affiliations curb the use and promotion of such content because while the content is malleable, people aren’t being taught how to critically think and compare in the midst of it?

There are a number of questions that this move to a digital-first offering brings. But, we’d be remiss to not pay attention to the paradigm shift. The Evangelical Exegetical Commentary and Logos are taking a huge step in doing this, and in my opinion, this should eventually be creditable for all. There are questions to be answered, but these are better met head-on, rather than in reaction to the change that’s already happened…

When you think about where we are now with Kindles, self-publishing services, iBooks, and such, its one part amazing, and another part unsettling isn’t it?

Inspiration

Nothing like a good weekend away from things to reset and refresh. I think that in all of our moments, that we should take the time to do so. However, the question after you have rested usually sits on one of two ends: have you been inspired to continue forward or not?

When sitting on the beach this weekend, I pulled out my mobile a few times to take some pics and to pay for parking. I otherwise just left it alone to let the breeze, sand, and water be the social networking streams of my moment. I saw many people doing the same; some walking on the beach, many kids playing with parents or relatives taking photos, and a few sun-bathing. I even saw someone under an umbrella relaxing with a Kindle. But very little of the tech of the day getting in the way of the moment. I smiled, put down my mobile, and went back into the water. I was inspired to take in the moment for what was around me that I traveled to be in.

When you look at your use of mobile, or even how you persue mobile in this framework of mobile ministry, are you setting an environment where others can be inspired to jump into the streams of life? Even if that takes them away from your voice, product, or service? What does your presence in mobile ministry inspire in others? Is it maturity in the faith? Is it wasting time? Or, is it walking out onto the water to meet the King?

Using the Kindle for Bible Study

Since posting about OSNOVA’s work on the use interface (UI) for Kindle-formatted bibles, we’ve seen some increasing activity on the site in regards to Bibles, religious apps, and best usages of religious apps on the Kindle, Nook, and other eReader devices. Certanely, the acquisition and use of eReaders and tablets is growing, and we would do well to chart and observe some means of using these devices similar to, and as an enhancement from, how we have used print books and smaller mobile devices for study and reflection. And as This Lamp’s review of the Kindle Touch 3G reveals, there is something to be gained from understanding the benefits and limitations of eInk devices, which are different from tablet computers.

The Biblical Learning Blog posted 25 ways in which the Kindle is useful for bible study. These are grouped, but certainly point to the wealth of content that can be found for Kindle devices. Here’s a snippet:

  • Bible Options: This search leads to various options to the traditional Bible, including a Bible in contemporary language, the Apologetics Study Bible, a complete Jewish Bible, the Jefferson Bible and much more.
  • Bible Study: This link leads to the Bible Study option at the Amazon Kindle Store. You can search for Bible study books by title, customer review or by price.
  • Bible Study Guides: Amazon makes a wide variety of Bible study guides available to many markets, from an equally wide variety of writers.
  • Bible Translations: Use the menu to the left of this search page to discover Biblical translations for a wide variety of Bibles.
    Christian Books: From fiction to theology and from how-to books to music, this search reveals thousands of books available to Kindle readers.

Read the rest of 25 Ways the Kindle is Useful for Bible Study at the Biblical Learning Blog.

Back in October, we talked about some of the effects that the Kindle opens up to those folks who might have previously considered electronic texts, or even those who have, but might have creative pursuits which better translate into that domain. Wisdom is the skillful application of knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 4:7). Let’s continue to collect wisdom in using all electronic texts by identifying both their strengths and weaknesses, and then making a concerted effort to esteem one another as the reading and publishing environment evolves.

View a listing of bibles and other religious apps for the Kindle and other mobile computing devices.

[Guest Post] iBooks Author: It’s Place in an eBook Production Workflow

This is a guest post submitted by Craig Button (@TheProdSon)

Introduction, Quick Summary

Since most of you have no idea who I am, I suppose I should introduce myself. First and foremost I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. After that I’m a geek. I’ve owned just about every type of computer ever made and today work on both Mac and PCs depending on what I’m doing. I use both Pages and MS Word, prefer Excel to Numbers, and either PowerPoint or Keynote depending on what I’m doing. I’m a health care provider by profession, an educator by avocation, I’ve been clergy, (church offices on weekdays weren’t what I was expecting) and am now a grad student. I’m always looking for ways to package and present information.

I was excited when Apple announced iBook 2.0 and iBooks Author. I’m in the process of producing a couple of books/ebooks and was looking for something that would make it easier. I was hoping that iBA was going to be it.

After spending a few days playing with it (and I have to be honest and admit it was playing, not a focused systematic study/evaluation of the program) There are some conclusions that I’ve come to regarding iBooks Author which might not match your needs, but hopefully shines some light towards its strengths and weaknesses at this juncture of the application.

Summarizing the Positives and Negatives

There will be projects I’ll use iBA for. However, I won’t be using it for everyday kind of work. Not because, I don’t like it, or it’s a bad program, or even because of the EULA that says you can only sell product from iBA thought Apple. I’m accustomed to a bit more control and flexibility when creating publications, and iBA doesn’t quite meet those spot on – though its not far off.

Positives about iBA: It works, it looks good, it’s easy and it produces what it says it’s going to.

Negatives about iBA: it produces HUGE files. A test file went from 800K .txt file to 27MB (~1000K = 1MB) with a couple of pictures added. The second, and in my case the biggest thing against iBA, is it only produces a product that can be viewed on iOS devices. That means not on the Kindle, not on a Nook, not on an Android phone, not on anything unless it has been made by Apple. I’m a Mac fan boy. But, I’m about communication. Therefore, limiting my target audience isn’t good for me. My first product is to be a textbook on Critical Care for Emergency Room nurses. The second book will be first aid and health for photographers. Both topics I’m pretty passionate about (hence my issues with file sizes and limited devices).

It’s About Workflow

It’s about workflow. The term workflow is one that you hear in the digital photography world. It is the term that defines the flow of data from the camera to the final print. I think the term works well for the ePub/ebook industry as well.

My Workflow: I use a program called Scrivener. This is a Mac application, (Windows and Linux also available) that I use to produce the text of my work. It’s a combination text editor and research organizer. This is probably were 80+% of my work is done. I do all my writing within Scrivener. It also produces ePub files which can be read by nearly all computing platforms. It does have some drawbacks, with one of them being that its not easy to place tables and graphics into the output. From there, I use Adobe InDesign for layout that needs formatting and graphics. I don’t own this program; I rent it as needed since I only use it maybe 1-2 months out of the year. Using InDesign I produce a ePub, witch is a zip file that includes all the information needed for the ebook reader to read your file. It only takes a little modification for it to work on any of the readers.

How could iBA fit into this workflow? Well in my next publication, it might work for me. These books I’m publishing on health care and first aid directed at travel photographers whom are likely to have iOS devices. But, in using iBooks with plans on selling it, I’m sure the iPad market will be a bit too limiting. I will however give it a try. iBA is very easy, and I’m hoping it will allow me to easily produce the product I want. However, for anything that is text-based, or contains just a few graphics, the files produced by iBA are way to big and to limiting.

The workflow I have fits my use case, and allows me the broadest target audience. While I’m a geek, and still have a copy of the original PageMaker running on a Mac Classic, I’d like to have more control than what iBA offers. On the other hand, for someone who has never produced an ebook, iBA might be the perfect tool.

Conclusions

After writing the first few paragraphs, and sleeping on it, I came up with a few other thoughts. The first is that I’ve been through this kind of transition before. I remember when PageMaker first came out and people had lots of different fonts to use. I remember when Photoshop first came out and it was affordable to anyone to buy. People produced some horrendous publications and photos. And you’ve all probably sat through some pretty long, boring PowerPoint presentations. Just because the tools are there, doesn’t mean that everyone should use them.

I’m a Tim Taylor, not a Bob Villa, when it comes to using those hammers and screwdrivers. Like any task which needs to be done, it deserves to be done right. Use the right tool, have the right people use the tool, and spread the word.

For more information and to download (free), see the iBooks Author page on the Apple website. Note: content created with iBooks Author can only be read on devices with iBooks2 on the iOS device.

Craig is @TheProdSon on Twitter.

This Lamp Reviews Amazon Kindle Touch 3G

Just in time for your last minute shopping, This Lamp has posted a review of the new Kindle Touch 3G. Here’s a snippet:

…The Kindle didn’t cause me to give up my iPad; in fact, because there’s a Kindle app on the iPad, and because I depend on my iPad now for so many other things, if I had to choose between the two, I’d reluctantly give up the Kindle and keep my iPad. Yet I’m glad that I don’t have to make that kind of choice. For periods of reading longer than 10 minutes, I find the E Ink screen of my Kindle highly preferable to reading on the iPad. Reading the Kindle instead is like reading paper vs. reading a computer screen—it’s simply easier on the eyes for extended sessions.

In the time I’ve had my Kindle, I’ve observed a very interesting phenomenon when I hand it to the uninitiated for examination. Almost without fail, anyone who handles my Kindle immediately touches the screen or tries to swipe it to turn the page. I think we can safely call this “the iPad effect” because Apple’s tablet has definitely changed our expectations for the way we interact with our devices…

Read the rest of the Amazon Kindle Touch 3G review at This Lamp