Kendall Giles

UPDATE [25 November 2009]: There's a new software update for the Kindle DX that provides for better cropping of PDF files to maximize the amount of content on the screen.

So I am sure by now you've heard of the new digital book reader by Amazon, the Amazon Kindle DX. After my wife absconded with my first Kindle, a Kindle 2, I needed a new book reader, and so decided to try the new Kindle DX. The image below is of the unboxing.

A while ago I reviewed my Kindle 2. The DX includes Kindle 2 features such as free wireless delivery of books purchased from Amazon, long battery life, text-to-speech, and mp3 audio file playback (with stereo audio jack as well as built-in speakers), so here I will concentrate on the main new features the DX brings to the reading experience.

The most obvious difference is the size of the display. The DX is larger, with a diagonal screen size of 9.7".The screen size of the DX is more like that of a textbook, rather than the Kindle 2's paperback size format (screen size of 6" on the diagonal).

There are also a few cosmetic changes. The Next Page and Previous Page buttons are now only along the right side of the border. I actually welcome this change, since I can now easily hold the Kindle without worrying about accidently turning the page. Also, the keyboard on the bottom border is smaller - numbers can now be typed using an Alt-letter combination on the DX whereas the Kindle 2 had a dedicated row of number buttons. Again, I like this change, since it devotes more of the usable space on the device to the screen for reading. Moreover, I do not often need to type in numbers using my Kindle, and so when I do I do not mind using the Alt-letter combination.

Unlike the Kindle 2, the Kindle DX now includes native support for viewing Adobe pdf documents. This is a big win for me, since most of the documents I read are in this format. As an example, below is an image of the Kindle DX displaying one of my pdf slides.

This image also captures the another new feature in the Kindle DX - auto screen rotate. Simply turn the Kindle on its side and the display will automatically rotate. This effectively zooms in on the page being displayed.

In my opinion the e-ink display is more readable in the Kindle DX than the Kindle 2. Also, the display works better when trying to render dark fonts on a light background, as shown below. Here is where the Kindle DX shines when rendering pdf documents, as even equations are very legible.

So in summary, the Kindle DX brings a larger viewing format to the digital book reading world. The Kindle DX also supports viewing pdf documents. Text and images look great on the larger screen, and with the DX's 4GB of internal storage, you can carry up to about 3,500 books, magazines, and documents in one slim device. This is a boon, especially for folks who travel.

I personally prefer the Kindle DX, since the larger format and pdf support better suit my needs. My wife however prefers the smaller size Kindle 2 for reading science fiction novels.

Oh, and if you are going to get the Kindle DX, I would also recommend a case for it. This Belkin Neoprene sleeve case is a pretty good option.

Amazon Kindle DX

Available from Amazon here

Here's a really cool new feature: you can subscribe to my blog on Amazon --- this is my blog's subscription link. This will automatically load onto your Kindle my blog so that you will always be able to read it, even if you do not have Internet access. Also, the Kindle version has just my articles --- it removes a lot of the other ads and sidebars that are on my main web-access version.

Just as an example, here is a Kindle screenshot of one of my articles:

As you can see, the images turn out pretty good, and the text font size is freely sizable, as always on the Kindle.

The low monthly price (which was set by Amazon, by the way) will help me create better reviews and discussion pieces, so thank you in advance for your support!

I just created a set of 101 resolutions/goals/things-to-do that should keep me occupied for the next 1001 days.

I first read about the project, called 101 Things To Do in 1001 Days, on Robert Talbert's blog, and then visited the triplux site for more information. It seems like an interesting way to structure getting things done, so I figured it is worth a shot.

Remember, 1001 days is equivalent to about 2.75 years, so I'll be (hopefully) ticking off tasks as I accomplish them for some time to come, but if I go too long without accomplishing anything, feel free to ping me.

Also, you might want to consider joining in on the fun by creating your own set of 101 Goals or things you want to do and then, well, doing them.

Ever wanted to read more, but never seem to have the time?

If so, you may be interested in DailyLit, a site that will break up a book you want to read into easily-digestible chunks and send you one chunk per day (or more, if you like). The chunks are small enough that you can read them in less than five minutes, and so by reading a little each day, in between your moments of busyness, you can complete books that you have been meaning to read, but never quite have the time for.

The books you subscribe to can be sent to you via email or RSS. The service is free, and the books are free too.

Because if you are like us, you spend hours each day reading email but don't find the time to read books. DailyLit brings books right into your inbox in convenient small messages that take less than 5 minutes to read. This works incredibly well not just on your computer but also on a Treo, Blackberry, Sidekick or whatever the PDA of your choice. In the words of Dr. Seuss: Try it, you might like it! (Oops -- it would appear that the actual quote from Green Eggs and Ham is "You do not like them. So you say. Try them! Try them! And you may.")

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Do you believe in elves? They are not just for Tolkienites, you know.

As an Icelander, I am aware that invisible creatures are lurking about all around us. Growing up in the countryside, I lived on a farm at the foot of a mountain, where consideration toward the hidden world was as common as the courtesy you pay any other farm denizen.

"Don't touch the cows while they're milking!" 
"Don't handle the lambs or the ewes won't take to them!" 
"Don't climb up on that rock because you'll disturb the
 elves!"
"Don't feed the horses before you ride. It'll make them
 gassy."
"Don't make so much noise by that hill there. Someone 
might be trying to sleep inside it!"

I've been to Iceland, and I believe!

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Note that it's never to late to pursue your dream.

Recently, the famed guitarist for the music group Queen, 60-year old Brian May, handed in his PhD thesis, 36 years after interrupting his studies to play in the band.

His area of study is Astronomy at the Imperial College, London, and the title of his thesis is "Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud". He still has to defend his thesis, which will happen on 23 August of this year. Nevertheless, the completion of his thesis, especially with such a significant gap in this studies, is a significant accomplishment.

From the BBC article:

The rock star is also preparing a concert to mark the inauguration of a telescope at the Observatory of the Roque de Los Muchachos in La Palma, Tenerife, where he completed his studies last month.

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Finally, for a bit of Lord of the Rings humor, you may find the following animated gif amusing:

http://www.blogizdat.com/lotr/walkintomordor.gif

Technorati Tags: academia, book, culture, living, spirit

So for a period of time in the near future I will be working and doing research in a place where I will not have a car. This might not be so bad if it were not for the commute back and forth to the office.

So my solution, perhaps with my engineering background showing a bit too much, was to buy a folding bike.

The bike I chose: a Downtube Mini.

In theory:

wake up --> ride folding bike to office --> fold bike and carry into office --> work --> ride folding bike back to where I am staying --> fold bike and carry inside.

This way, I have convenient transportation, the bike won't be stolen by leaving it outside chained to some bike-rack, and, perhaps best/worst of all, I will be able to carry my bike with me on the airplane!

So here is the bike:

And here is the bike in my suitcase:

But, airports being what they are these days, hopefully I will not suffer the same fate as Stephen Orsak who, upon riding his bike from the Minneapolis St Paul International Airport, enjoined discussions with the police that did not end in his favor:

As I lay still on the pavement, Officer Wingate walked over to my glasses and smashed them into the ground with his boot. I was handcuffed, body searched and baggage searched. Reinforcements were called in, a total of (4) squad cars and a paramedic unit.

So if you happen to see me in similar footage on tv, with my folded bike crumpled by the side of the road, know that at least it was a good idea, in theory.

Note: If you thought this article was interesting or useful, please help it be more visible to others by clicking on "digg it" below:

Technorati Tags: academia, culture, job, living, travel, work

If you ever wanted to give up your 9-5 job, if you ever wanted to stop working for someone else, or if you ever wanted to live more of your life now, rather than wait until retirement, then you might consider reading Timothy Ferriss' new book The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich.

While certainly not for everyone, for not everyone is willing to give up their secure 9-5 job of working for The Man, I think anyone can pick up a few tips or strategies they might use to add some flexibility into their worklife. For example, the book contains examples of how an employee might convince their boss to let them work from home more often. For the bolder, the book gives examples of how a person can quit their 9-5 job entirely while realizing their own ideas for a new product or company. At a minimum it gives everyone encouragement to pursue their interests and hobbies, and gives examples of what is possible from Ferriss' own life. As an aside, I recently gave up a high-paying, secure job in industry to pursue a lifelong goal. Though I did this before reading this book, it certainly confirms that I made the right decision. The book is enhanced with secret codes that can be used to access additional information on the book's website, http://www.fourhourworkweek.com.

Technorati Tags: academia, book, income, job, work