Walking Dead, SHIELD, Kindle

[thistlechaser]

I've found the only way I can enjoy watching SHIELD. I watch it like I used to "watch" TV: as background noise. Don't really listen to it, don't look at the TV.

Now and then I did pay more attention, and things were so unrealistic. Example: Annoying what's her face hacker was giving a briefing on whatever, sharing all the info she googled. She whined about her security cuff, left. One character said they were being really hard on her. Other responded that she lost their trust. First one: Well with this [briefing] she's come a long way towards earning it back.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over. She did ONE JOB, one basic task that is part of the job they hired her for, and that makes her even an inch more trustworthy? NO. NO IT DOES NOT.

All the dialogue was just so unbelievable too. What's his face, leading man McFighting Fighter said outright he wished the enemy was something he could fight instead of something he didn't understand -- so cliche! The more I listened to it, the more I heard how badly written it was.

I won't even comment on how unrealistic the episode's final action scene was. Gods above, how stupid and unrealistic.

So, I think I've finally given up on this show. I may continue to "watch" it, but I won't watch it.

The Walking Dead. I'd be so done with this show if I thought the change that happened this week was permanent.

I've always rolled my eyes at people who said every strong woman was written off The Walking Dead, but know what? Maybe I was wrong. Carol was the last character left who I really liked. Daryl and Glenn are okay, but I feel no connection with them. I grew to love Carol.

Know who I had no love for? Rick. I've hated him for... well... basically since the show started. Now I can't stand even looking at the character.

Carol damned well better be back, or I'm out of here.



I feel very disgruntled with TV at the moment.

Kindle: I've been going back and forth on getting one for years. I have an iPad that I do all my reading on, but it's very big. Taking it when I have to go somewhere is a pain -- it doesn't fit in my purse at all.

Someone who is no longer on my friends list (for unrelated reasons) told me a Kindle was basically no different than an iPad when it came to ebooks. I used that information as part of my decision-making for buying it. Unfortunately it was very, very wrong. I assume that former friend had no idea what an iPad was or what it does.

Kindles do not have a touchscreen*. iPads do. That's a massive difference. The Kindle controls are so clunky that I feel like I've gone back 20 years tech-wise. I know I shouldn't be surprised, since the Kindle cost about $90 and my iPad over $900**, but I wish I hadn't gone into it with the expectation that they were anything alike. (*You can buy a Kindle/touchpad hybrid, but the default Kindle does not. **First gen iPad. They're a lot cheaper now.)

It is a lot smaller though, which was one of the reasons I bought it. It's about the third of the size of my iPad, and could easily fit in a purse:

(Forgive the glare. Also, I have no idea what that line is on the iPad screen, but it's not a crack.)

So, I think I'm going to keep using my iPad for reading at home. It's just too nice and easy to use. But, when I have to take my reading with me, I'll grab the Kindle.

I should say, if one doesn't compare it to an iPad, it's a nice little device. It feels great to hold, it's tiny (yet a good size for reading from). I keep coming back to the limitations though. I could read from my iPad in the dark, but the Kindle has no backlighting. That same ex-friend said the Kindle is easier to read from (text clarity), but I find that's not at all the case. ...I keep trying to write about the positives of it, yet I keep coming back to the negatives.

Let's leave it at this: If you're trying to decide between an iPad and a Kindle, and money isn't an issue, get the iPad. If you want an ereader you don't have to pay hundreds for, get the Kindle (or some other dedicated ereader). If you're deciding based on features, the iPad. Ease of carrying around, the Kindle.

Comments

[tersa.livejournal.com]

Carol damned well better be back

I will bet you $2 she isn't.

Kindles do not have a touchscreen*
I could read from my iPad in the dark, but the Kindle has no backlighting.

You don't mention which Kindle version you bought, but I love my Paperwhite. It has touch screen. It has sidelighting, which makes it actually better than an iPad because it can be read either in dim or bright lighting--also, sidelighting is easier on the eyes than the iPad's backlighting.

Kindle Fires aer comparable to iPads.

Kindles are very much 'YMMV' depending on what kind you purchase. If you got a baseline Kindle...well, then, yeah, they're not going to compare favorably to an iPad. But that's like asking a pocket calculator to compare to a smart phone.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Blah! I hope you're wrong about Carol, but I suspect you might be right. My biggest concern is that they're going to have her meet the Governor and the two of them pair up. I can't see that happening, but...

Hrm. Looking on Amazon, the Paperwhite one is about $40 more, which is significant when the basic Kindle cost $70-$90 (depending if you get the ad version or not). Proof that you get what you pay for! I'm tempted to send it back and switch it, but I didn't need a Kindle to begin with (part of why I got the basic one), so... I guess I'll just stick with it. It's not too often I'm stuck waiting somewhere and need reading material.

I'm surprised to find I wish I had gotten the cheaper "sponsored" (ad) version. Apparently they only shows up in two places, and I'll use it so little I doubt they'll bother me.

[ani-mama.livejournal.com]

There are different versions of the Kindle. The top of the line one is more like a tablet and does have a color touchscreen, I believe. That is probably the one your ex friend was talking about.

Kidlet has a Nook tablet, which is comparable. He uses it to go on the internet, play games, etc. as well as just reading. It can also be used to check email, and the screen is big enough to watch a movie.

I can't go back to the old black and white Nook. That is what the above Kindle looks like. The school here lent one out to all the kids, and nobody uses it...all the kids have ipads or tablets already. Next year they are going to get ipads. XD

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Ah! That does sound much better. I didn't want to get the best one, since I have a tablet already... Ah well, I'm not going to use it much anyway, so I guess it's okay enough.

[ani-mama.livejournal.com]

I think it is fine for reading. Much easier carrying one of those around than a heavy paperback.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Oh for sure! MUCH better than a physical book. I can't imagine carrying around a hardcover anymore (or a soft!).

[teslanomaly]

I just caught up on SHIELD too and ugh. Can Skye and Ward (look I remembered his name?) please die. I'll keep Fitz and Simmons and May but the two "leads," ugh, double ugh. I refuse to believe an agency that occasionally enlists Tony Stark doesn't have better information assets than a whiny untrustworthy girl who lies to her colleagues and then acts like she's the victim.

Yeah, I have a 1st gen Kindle and I love it, but I would never say it's like an iPad (but I agree with tersa, your friend probably has a newer touchscreen version - but probably should've remembered not all Kindles are like that!) However, I much prefer the Kindle for reading; it's so much lighter! And the case doesn't cut into my hands the way my iPad case does. Maybe it's because I had the Kindle first, but I can't imagine using my iPad as an eBook reader. Kindle FTW... but only in its wheelhouse.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Seriously. Why do they all like/want to trust Skye so much? It makes me so angry, because never have I wanted to like and support a show so much, but the show makes me unable to! I wanted to throw something at the TV at the plane scene. The plane was moving! Fast! Girl scientist jumps out, then minutes later the male lead jumps out and she's basically right below him? NO NO NO ARG.

You could be right about the Kindle. She told me it was no different than the ipad a couple years ago, but the touchscreen kind might have been out then. Oh well!

[doxxxicle.livejournal.com]

iPad mini is much closer to the Kindle in size and weight. I use it for all my book reading now. A significant amount of web surfing and RSS reading too.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Ahhhh! That would have been a good idea. If my Kindle (or iPad!) breaks, that seems like a good replacement for it.

[liedra.livejournal.com]

I have a Kindle and love it because it *isn't* a tablet - I don't get distracted while reading! I have a case that adds a light to it, I dunno if the one you have can fit a case like it but I can show you mine at some point if you like (it's an official kindle case). I can also read it without my glasses on which I can't do with a tablet (astigmatism, yeahhhh), so that's also double bonus points from me.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Good point! Because I sure can get distracted by other things while I'm reading.

I did see cases for sale with a light in it. If I go over to reading on the Kindle full time, I'll get one, too. Thanks!

[liedra.livejournal.com]

Yeah, definitely been a huge plus for me with the light. It's also an atmospheric type light rather than a backlight which is better for your eyes.

I don't often use it but it has definitely come in handy. The other excellent thing about the kindle is the long battery life. I can go months before recharging mine!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

It seemed to charge up REALLY fast, too (unless it came from the factory mostly charged).

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

I don't have an iPad, though my husband does, and he uses it for reading at home. I have a Kobo Touch, which is a touchscreen with e-ink (so not backlit). I do think it is easy to read from because it's more restful than a lit screen. I also like that it's very lightweight (for travel, especially backpacking) and that the battery life is very long. It's got a web browser but very limited in that respect. I would like both, I think, for different purposes!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I think that's the key -- they really just have different purposes. I'm confident that the Kindle will be much better for carrying outside of my home, but for at home? The iPad's greater weight and features work better.

[mel-redcap.livejournal.com]

Since I can't really contribute anything else (don't watch SHIELD or Walking Dead, don't have a Kindle to compare my beloved 1st Gen iPad to) I shall just say I b'lieve that line on your iPad screen is the reflection of the edge of your ceiling. ;)

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Ah ha! I think you're right!