| Springtime is in the air and the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom. People are starting to consider their next e-reader in order to read outside or take with them on vacation. Today, we take a look at the Top 5 e-readers for spring 2015. Icarus has redefined what an e-reader is capable of with the advent of the Illumina E653. It comes bundled with Android 4.2, which gives users the flexibility to install their own eBook, magazine, newspaper or manga apps. The Illumina E653 features a six inch e-Ink touch screen display with a resolution of 1024×758 pixels. There is 4GB of internal storage to house of all of your apps and eBooks. If this is not enough for your literary needs, there is support for a 32GB MicroSD card. You should get some solid battery life with the 2000 mAh, which is good for 4,000 page turns, or about 1 month of constant use. This e-reader has a front-light, which means you can read in the dark. This device is good for people who commute to work because not only does it have a touchscreen but also physical page turn buttons. This allows you to hold it in one hand. Kobo has an obsession on what constitutes the perfect e-reading experience and they have been feverishly working towards this ideal. They have slowly been evolving their product line to fall in line with the quintessential five B's of bookselling; Bath, Backyard, Bedroom, Bus and Beach. The Kobo Aura H2O features a 6.8 inch e-ink Carta touchscreen display with a resolution of 1430×1080. Carta Imaging Film offers a 50% improvement in contrast ratio over previous generation of e-Paper displays. This allows for faster page turns and the ability to turn pages in a digital book, without the need of constant screen refreshes. Underneath the hood is a Freescale i.MX507 1GHZ processor and 512MB of RAM. It ships with 4GB of internal storage and can be expanded further via a MicroSD for up to 32GB of additional memory. Basically, if you max your storage, you can store over 30,000 books on your e-Reader and not have to charge it for up to two months. This e-reader is compelling because its the first mainstream waterproof e-reader and allows you to read in the dark with the built in light. The Kobo online bookstore almost rivals Amazon with the sheer amount of content you can buy. Kobo will likely appeal to many users because you can download your own books from the internet and easily load them on. Onyx has broken e-reader convention by releasing a new 9.7 inch device that runs Google Android, so users can install their own apps. Large screen readers are not cheap, and this model will set you back $293,28 €. The M96C features a capacitive touchscreen display which allows you to interact with the device with your fingers, whereas the older M96 relied on an accompanied stylus. The resolution is 1200×825, which makes it solid for reading documents that are image heavy, such as manga. Underneath the hood is a 1 GHz Freescale CPU with 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage, and a microSD card. You will be able to connect up to the internet via WIFI and connect up external devices via Bluetooth. The Amazon Kindle Voyage is likely the best e-reader ever made, in terms of hardware and software performance. It brings to the table innovative features such as a new methodology in page turn buttons, ambient lighting control, X-Ray, and social book discovery site GoodReads. The Amazon Kindle Voyage features a six inch e-ink Carta display with a resolution of 1430 x 1080. It has 300 PPI, which is the highest we have ever seen. In contrast, the Paperwhite 2, which this model replaces only has a resolution of 1024 X 768 and 212 PPI. Lets look at what the competition is doing, the Kobo Aura H20, which came last year has a 6.8 inch screen with the same resolution as the Voyage, but has 265 DPI. The Barnes and Noble Nook Glowlight has been on the market for quite awhile, but its 1024 x 758 and the 212 PPI is somewhat depressing. Amazon does not have an SD card and the company also has its own digital book format. This prevents users from buying e-books from another company transferring them to your Kindle. Still, if you want to deal with one company for all of your content, Amazon currently controls 75% of the North American e-book market, so historically they are very appealing to deal with. The Energy Sistem PRO comes from a Spanish company and the six inch e-reader not only has a touchscreen but also physical page turn buttons. It runs Google Android, so you can install your own apps. This is basically the same e-reader shell as the Icarus HD model, but has different software. I like this e-reader because it has an SD card, solid resolution and the fact it has a 3.5mm headphone jack is very compelling. Few e-readers these days have any sort of audio capability for audiobooks and music. If this is important to you, the Energy Sistem PRO is a solid investment. Top 5 e-Readers – Spring 2015 is a post from: Good e-Reader |
Friday, March 13, 2015
Top 5 e-Readers – Spring 2015
World Trigger gets Smash and Hit Mobile Game
| In this year’s 16th issue of Weekly Shonen Jump will announce on Monday that Daisuke Ashihara’s Sci fi manga, World Trigger, will be getting it’s own smartphone game entitled World Trigger: Smash Boarders. The game will be free to play with the option of in game purchases, and will be available on IOS and Android devices. The "aim and hit smash action" will allow players to control a team Trion soldiers to carry out the defence missions from the Border headquarters to repel the terrifying Neighbour invasions. Players will then take take aim and fire away at the Neighbours and if players can link attacks between members of a team, they can deal much more damage. Daisuke Ashihara debuted the original World Trigger manga in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 2013. And Viz Media added the series to it’s digital anthology version of Weekly Shonen Jump. If you haven’t seen the anime, go on over to Crunchyroll to check it out! World Trigger gets Smash and Hit Mobile Game is a post from: Good e-Reader |
New Report Predicts Significant Growth of Global Digital Newspaper Market
 Image via ReadWrite.com A new report on the digital newspaper publishing industry has predicted a steady increase in the global production of digital titles, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.52% worldwide by 2019. That may not seem like an impressive number in markets where 100% to even 300% growth is more typical, but there are a lot of factors that have to come into play for this type of increase to happen internationally. First is connectivity. While initiatives are still at work to increase global access to internet connection–such as programs like Google’s Project Loon that literally plans to use high-altitude weather balloons floating over various regions around the world to provide internet access to places that otherwise wouldn’t have it for decades–there’s no point in having internet access if you can’t afford a device to connect. Therein lies a catch-22 as well; what’s the point in developing a sturdy, affordable device if there’s no power grid to charge it and no internet connection to run it? Headway is being made on both of those fronts, which will lead to a greater emphasis on digital publishing. Environmental impact is another arena getting more and more attention, and digital newspapers first offer no carbon footprint in terms of necessary paper, ink, and production utilities, but also require no overland trucking to deliver them. This shift towards digital comes at a time when climate change is an almost global concern. Improved education access and literacy rates are also expected to cause a greater demand for newspapers as citizens have the capability to read the news and take an active role in the coverage. Greater emphasis on mandatory education will correlate to subscribership. Finally, library access is gaining more attention than ever before, with as many as 95% of survey respondents citing that libraries are vital to the health and strength of communities; in an interesting aside, the same Pew Internet study that uncovered that response found that only 54% of the survey takers had been to a library in the previous year. This indicates that libraries are being held in high esteem, even by people who don’t have need of them for educational and technological access. Citizens with the economic means to provide their own content still strongly support the existence of libraries for those who cannot otherwise access computers, books, or other library services. This emphasis on maintaining libraries comes alongside the introduction of digital lending provided by companies like OverDrive, Pressreader, and Zinio, which allow patrons to access ebooks, digital newspapers, and digital magazines without having to physically enter the library.
New Report Predicts Significant Growth of Global Digital Newspaper Market is a post from: Good e-Reader |
Terry Pratchett, we’ll miss you
 As most of you have probably heard, Sir Terry Pratchett (an author whose works I dearly loved) passed away yesterday, March 12th, 2015. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2007, and managed to fight it, while continuing to write best sellers. He called it his "embuggeration." I greatly admired Sir Terry Pratchett (yes, he was knighted) not just for his writing, but also for his approach to life. In his books, he used poignant satire to expose our flaws, and, sometimes, our downright silliness as both people and societies. He made Death into an almost lovable character, and showed us what happens to aging barbarian heroes. He taught us about fame, magic, life, love, and all sorts of other things while keeping us engrossed with an incredible sense of humor. When it came to his own mortality, he took a page or two out of his own books. He didn't just retire. He didn't hide from his disease. Instead, he kept on writing (and doing it well). In fact he was the second most read author in the UK, behind only J.K. Rowling. In addition to publishing novels, he became a voice for those suffering from dementia in all its forms. He contributed a lot of money to the cause, and was always publically demonstrating his ability to function as a happy, not-dead-yet adult. 
Even his last tweets, though tear-inducing, showed that he went all the way up to the end as himself: a brilliant satirist with an undying sense of humor and a close, personal relationship with Death.
For those of you that haven't read a lot of Sir Pratchett's work, one of his best recurring characters was Death himself. Heck, the entire novel Mort was about Death seeking an assistant. Death had a fittingly dry sense of humor, and felt like he was hated mostly because he was very, very misunderstood. Death wasn't a bad guy—just a guy doing his job well. "Despite rumor, Death isn't cruel—merely terribly, terribly good at his job." – Terry Pratchett, Sourcery. What I'm getting at is this: I don't think Sir Pratchett would want us moping about. Rather, I believe he'd want us to carry on the fight against stupidity, dementia, and mundane thinking. We should take his life's work as inspiration, and use it to create new and fantastical things—both in fiction and in the more tangible world around us. I believe that he greeted Death as an old friend, and is now up there finding new ways to laugh at and with the world—ways that weren't possible from his previous, more limited perspective. Thank you, Sir Pratchett, for all that you accomplished in your time here. Though it was far too short for your fans, family, and friends, we'll never forget you, and because of that, you'll live forever. "DON'T THINK OF IT AS DYING, said Death. JUST THINK OF IT AS LEAVING EARLY TO AVOID THE RUSH." – Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, Good Omens. In an attempt to cheer you up a bit, and show you why I personally enjoy Sir Terry Pratchett so very much, I'll leave you with the first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic. If you haven't read the series yet, you might want to start (the first two are my favorite).
Quinton Lawman is a Technical Writer for OverDrive |
Amazon Pulls the LookInside from Becoming Steve Jobs Amid Speculation
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Luke Dormehl for Cult of Mac provided a seriously in-depth look at this book and its differing views from other titles, which is interesting given Dormehl’s source was the LookInside! feature on Amazon’s sales page for Becoming Steve Jobs: The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader. Some of his findings include:
One of the more interesting distinctions that Dormehl uncovered is the fact that the two authors of Becoming Steve Jobs are themselves tech experts, or at least great tech “understanders.” This is in contrast to the previously dubbed definitive Jobs biographer Walter Issacson, whose 2011 biography was called a “tremendous disservice” to Jobs by none other than current CEO Tim Cook. Issacson has been criticized for not understanding the importance and nuances of crucial technological developments that came about due to Jobs’ influence, and painting him as a far more difficult person than friends and colleagues claim. "I thought the Isaacson book did [Jobs] a tremendous disservice," Cook states in the new biography. "It was just a rehash of a bunch of stuff that had already been written, and focused on small parts of his personality." Unfortunately, Amazon has removed the LookInside! feature for this title, which will be released on March 24. Whether it’s simply a marketing tactic or is in response to the already-circulating criticism of previous versions that the sample selection allowed is uncertain, but offering a free sample that directly refutes books that are currently available for purchase can be bad for other titles’ business. Becoming Steve Jobs is available now for pre-order in all of its formats, and a film biopic reportedly starring Michael Fassbender and Seth Rogen is set to be released on October 9, 2015.
Amazon Pulls the LookInside from Becoming Steve Jobs Amid Speculation is a post from: Good e-Reader |
Dots Board – Developer Giveaway!
| Howdy y’all! I’m in Austin, Texas at the moment – Matt and I set up our SXSW Create computer lab yesterday and now we’re couple of hours away from the doors opening, so I thought I’d tell you all about the new DOTS project we’re trialling here.  Our SXSW computer lab – all came out of only two flight cases! DOTSIf you’ve been following me on twitter you might have spotted the DOTS board I’ve been working on.  First Prototype  Final version – DOTS 2015 – First Edition. A collaboration between Raspberry Pi Foundation and Bare Conductive
Inspiration and Bare ConductiveIn preparation for SXSW I was thinking a lot about using PCBs as a creative and interactive medium – I was also interested in developing ways to play with circuits at events that didn’t involve lots of wires (that get lost) or soldering (that you often need extra permission for). It just so happened that the lovely Matt Johnson from Bare Conductive came to visit Pi Towers and we had a lot of pizza and talked about Raspberry Pi HATs. After about an hour of talking about cake, we had a brainwave and came up with the idea of a Dot to Dot board.  Bare Conductive is an conductive paint
Bare Conductive is an conductive paint – so it’s prefect, we can make circuits without the wires! Designing the DOTS boardI used EAGLE Freeware to design the board – this meant I could design a prototype 2 layer board at HAT size without having to sign up for a licence. I personally found Eagle the easiest PCB software to get started with – Particularly because there are lots of community-generated libraries available like Pimoroni’s EAGLE Library. EAGLE already has a very strong following in the open source hardware space and I would keep a close eye on them in the coming months.  Farnell have very kindly donated some Professional licences to the Foundation so we could make the DOTS board in a commercially if we ever wanted to. Ok ok, the eagle-eyed of you will already have noticed.. I admit it, I kinda cheated at Connect the Dots. I wanted to make sure that people could make a circuit, so for this version I broke out the GPIO pins and designed a pad that exposed some ground plane – This meant that all people have to do is blob some paint all over the pad and it would make a circuit. I will be uploading my Eagle files in the DOTS Github folder here as soon as I get back to the UK – Hack it and let me know how it goes :) Making the DOTS boardI have been working with Stacey and Connor at Ragworm to get the boards made in time for SXSW. This is the first time I’ve ever had a board assembled for me – thankfully there is only two components on the board; the GPIO header and one resistor. Stacey sent over some photos of the assembly process:
Software and Developer GiveawayFor SXSW Ben made some test code and Eben some Pygame code – thanks Ben & Eben! You can actually install this on your Pi today: Python 3: sudo apt-get install python3-pip sudo pip-3.2 install rpi_dots Python 2: sudo apt-get install python-pip sudo pip install rpi_dots Usage: Run from the command line: sudo rpi_dots But I have more – I am going to be giving away 50 boards and 50 tubes of Bare Conductive to BETA testers. I’m interested in developers who would like to have a go at making some software to work with this board. I will welcome feedback on the hardware and will share future aspirations for the board as well as feedback I get from events. I hope to produce a set of boards this year for different age groups and themes – so come get involved! :) Apply for the Dev Giveaway here. SXSWWe are super excited about trying the board out at SXSW – I will report back with what we think worked and what didn’t. If you are visiting SXSW make sure you come say hello :)  Recipe cards, stickers and DOT boards  We have even had our first participants during the set up. Folks from Photonelephant.com – An operating System for 3D printers built on top of Raspberry Pi with Raspbian! |
Google Creates Universal App Template to Assist Developers
| With the official release of the Apple Watch earlier this week, Google has their sights set on giving Android developers the upper hand. Now more than ever, app development needs to be universal (supporting multiple devices and a large number of form factors). Taking into account a wide variety of screen resolutions and sizes can be an overwhelming task for even the most experienced developers; to this end, Google has created a universal music player app to serve as an example. It may not have an array of features (though it does show how to implement media browsing and playback functions like MediaStyle notifications, MediaSession, and MediaBrowserService), but it does a good job of providing a template to follow during the creation of any other apps. Android isn’t the only platform to push universal apps, Apple and Microsoft have also tried to encourage developers to create code the works on every device available. It is good advice for anybody wanting to leverage development efforts instead of supporting multiple code bases for the same app. Don’t discount that it is a win-win arrangement though: app store volume can help to determine the success or failure of a platform. End users will not find this universal music player in the Play Store, instead developers will have to look on GitHub for the source code so they can start combing through it.
Google Creates Universal App Template to Assist Developers is a post from: Good e-Reader |
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Release Dates For Labyrinth of Grisaia and Eden of Grisaia
| Two sequel anime to last year's The Fruit of Grisaia anime have been announced: a short film titled The Labyrinth of Grisaia and the series continuation The Eden of Grisaia. The Fruit of Grisaia began as a Japanese visual novel in 2011. After quickly gaining popularity, the game was developed into a manga and later, an anime. The game also inspired two sequel games, titled The Labyrinth of Grisaia and The Eden of Grisaia. The story of the game follows the romantic escapades of Yūji Kazami, a young man who transfers to a school with only five female students. As with all visual novel games, the plot branches off into multiple possible endings depending on which of the five girls' paths the player chooses. The 13-episode anime adaption premiered in October 2014. After it was received well by audiences, the studio 8-Bit went ahead with plans to adapt the other two games as anime. The second, The Labyrinth of Grisaia, will premiere on April 13 and act as a 60-minute special rather than a series. The plot is a collection, containing a prequel for the main hero, sequels for the five female characters, and other short stories. The third game, The Eden of Grisaia, will be a series like the first adaption. The Eden of Grisaia continues where The Fruit of Grisaia left off, and is premiering April 20. Sentai Filmworks licensed the anime for North America, but the series can also be watched on Crunchyroll. The website streamed the first series as it aired in Japan, and will most likely do the same for the next two. The series will also stream on video sharing site Niconico. The Fruit of Grisaia's game was licensed for release in the West by Sekai Project. In order to bring the two sequel games, the company started up a Kickstarter campaign. Response to the game was so positive, the campaign reached its goal in less than a day.
Release Dates For Labyrinth of Grisaia and Eden of Grisaia is a post from: Good e-Reader |
Top 10 New Android Apps of the Week – March 13 2015
| Things have been fairly quiet on the app front for the last month, with few big budget games being released on Android. This week though, has been totally massive. New titles have been issued by Rovio, Gameloft, Disney and Squaresoft. Don’t forget, all of these apps can be downloaded from our very own Good e-Reader App Store! All of them are free and there is no registration required. Angry Birds Stella POP – Angry Birds meets bubble shooter in an all-new and super-addictive puzzler! Use your slingshot to match and burst colorful bubbles, save exotic critters, and topple the piggies. Strategic and intuitive gameplay make for a challenging and satisfying bubble popping experience! Cinderella Free Fall – Inspired by Disney's new live action film Cinderella, play as the most iconic princess of all time, connecting and matching luminous butterfly jewels in this FREE puzzle adventure with 100 dazzling levels! Dungeon Hunter 5 – The legendary Dungeon Hunter series returns with the roar of a dragon! Play the most intense hack 'n' slash game ever on mobile that will pull you deep into its fantasy world. Google PDF Viewer – PDF Viewing is now available directly in Google Drive. For environments where this cannot be deployed, Google PDF Viewer offers the same capabilities in a standalone app. View, print, search and copy text from pdf documents while you're on the go. ESPN Tournament Challenge – The #1 bracket app is back for the 2015 NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament. Start a group, invite your friends, make your picks, and compete for a chance to win $20,000 and a trip to kick your feet up at the Maui Invitational! Think you know college basketball? Prove it! Compete against politicians, professional athletes, your favorite stars, and our very own ESPN talent. Download ESPN Tournament Challenge and start your march to the Final Four. Anime Amino – Look no further for the perfect place to talk about your favorite anime and manga, Anime Amino is the ultimate Anime social networking app for your phone! Smoothie Swipe – Join the fun! Millions of people are already playing Smoothie Swipe, the juiciest puzzle game available. Connect fruit, trigger boosters, and swipe your way to success through more than 400 levels. Good e-Reader App Store for e-Ink – Good e-Reader for e-Ink is the only App Store in the world that is optimized for e-readers. This includes devices issued by Onyx, Icarus, Energy Sistem, Boyue and many more! Youtube Kids – The official YouTube Kids app is designed for curious little minds. This free app is delightfully simple and packed full of age-appropriate videos, channels, and playlists. YouTube Kids features popular children's programming, plus kid-friendly content from filmmakers, teachers, and creators all around the world. Thuglife Video Maker – Have you seen those funny videos with gangster music and thug life text? Have you always been wondering how to make one yourself? Well, with this beautiful and user-friendly app you can make your own 'Thug Life' video in only a matter of seconds. Top 10 New Android Apps of the Week – March 13 2015 is a post from: Good e-Reader |
Our New Mobile Friendly Blog for Smartphones Launches
| Yesterday an email showed up in my inbox from Google Webmaster Tools saying that The eBook Reader Blog was not a mobile-friendly website and that 100% of the pages had critical mobile usability errors. This website is turning six years old in a few months, and I’ve never setup a mobile-friendly version of this site […] |
Streaming Video Top Picks: Film Festival Favorites
| OverDrive is proud to call Cleveland, Ohio home. To help support our community, Team OverDrive participates in local events like the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF). Along with the Cuyahoga County Public Library and the Cleveland PBS and NPR affiliates, OverDrive is excited to sponsor screenings of the documentary I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story about Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney at the 39th Annual CIFF. The film festival is one of my favorite things to do in Cleveland and I'm always introduced to interesting documentaries, independent and foreign films that I otherwise may not have watched. Can't make it to a film festival? OverDrive's streaming video catalog has a large variety of titles, including top picks from the film festival circuit. The 10 movies highlighted below have been featured at the Cleveland International Film Festival in recent years and can now be found for purchase in OverDrive Marketplace. To sample these titles simply click on the jacket cover. Some video samples include strong language and violence. Mood Indigo  http://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/2014/mood-indigo Awful Nice  http://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/2014/awful-nice The Dog  http://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/2014/the-dog The Crash Reel  http://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/2013/the-crash-reel Unfinished Song  http://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/2013/unfinished-song When Day Breaks  http://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/2013/when-day-breaks Shepard & Dark  http://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/2013/shepard-dark More than Honey  http://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/2013/more-than-honey Last Call at the Oasis An American documentary about the world's water crisis.  http://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/2012/last-call-at-the-oasis If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle  http://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/2011/if-i-want-to-whistle-i-whistle
Melissa Marin is a Marketing Specialist at OverDrive. . |
BBC Make it Digital
| For Christmas 1982 my brothers and I got our first games console (an Intellivision as it happens. Yes reader, we were that family) and it was truly, mind-blowingly amazing. In fact, it was like magic. And that was the problem–it was like magic. No one had a clue how even their Grandstand Entertainment System (aka ‘Pong 8-ways’) worked and they certainly didn't have the tools to make their own computer games even if they wanted. We were consumers of tech, not creators.  BBC Micro, the breakfast of champions So the early 1980s was basically rubbish and we were all sad. VHS clocks across the nation flashed in sync because nobody knew how to set them. Then along came home computers and changed *everything*: the majestic BBC Micro; the mighty Spectrum (the best because I had one and I say so); the marvellous C64. And the Dragon 32. At last we could get to grips with how computers worked and use them to make stuff. Amazing things came from this revolution–including the Raspberry Pi– but that's another story. Fast forward at C-90 cassette speed to the present day. Life is full of space gadgets like smart phones, HD TVs and talking shoes. It's like magic. And that's the problem. Yet again, we are consumers of tech, not creators. Raspberry Pi was made to help fix this problem and we constantly champion computing as a creative tool for young people. You can see this in many of our resources as well as initiatives such as our Creative Technologists mentoring program. In short–we think digital creativity is hugely important. Which is why we are delighted and proud to be one of the partners of BBC Make it Digital which launched today. Make it Digital is a UK-wide initiative that aims to inspire "a new generation to get creative with coding, programming and digital technology" and to "capture the spirit of the BBC Micro." It will include free hardware for all year 7 students in the UK; training for thousands of young people; TV and radio programmes and online activities; national education events; and partnerships with organisations from all areas of digital creativity, technology and computing. The Micro BitOne part of Make it Digital is the small programmable device codenamed 'Micro Bit' that is currently in development and will be given to all schoolchildren in year 7 later this year.  BBC Make it Digital ‘Micro Bit’ The aim is to get young people programming on a simple platform that then acts as a "springboard" to full computers such as the Raspberry Pi. We're looking forward to getting our hands on the hardware to see what it can do. GTA TVAlong with links to flagship programmes such as Dr Who there are a host of new programmes for TV and radio. We were especially intrigued by the announcement of "a drama based on Grand Theft Auto". I'm hoping that they run it back to back with the documentary on Ada Lovelace so that I can celebrate digital creativity in a happy yet cognitively dissonant sort of way. The line-up looks great and it will be good to see digital creativity and computing represented in depth on TV and radio at last. EducationThe BBC will be providing a range of formal learning activities and resources and there will be a resource finder to allow students, teachers and parents to find and access this material and more. |
Anime Amino, The Perfect Otaku App
| Sometimes being a fan of anime and manga is a little difficult, especially coming from a small town like I did! I didn’t have many friends who particularly shared the same passion and in turn, I ended up going to the internet, looking through forum after forum for other lovers that were interested in the same thing. Well nowadays, with the free Anime Amino app for IOS and Android devices, looking for fellow anime lovers just became a lot more easier! Here people can discuss many things whether it be cosplay ideas to greatest animes ever. After setting up the initial account with the app, finding your way through is especially easy. When first opening the app up, it opens up to a newsfeed. Here you can access popular stories or see what your friends are watching or reading. My absolute favourite thing about this app however, is the amount of discussions there are. When opening up the forums tab, you’re immediately welcomed by banner after banner of topics discussing almost anything from Rps (Role Playing), discussing specific characters, AMVs (Anime Music Videos) or just in general anime love. After a quick tap on the home button, on the top left of the screen, a menu will open up and one of the four big buttons you can click on is called ‘Discover’. After tapping on it, you can actually see who else in the area or around you have the same interests! Now that all that has been covered, let’s talk about the profile section! When you click on you’re picture, you are taken to "Me". This is where you can post a collection you might have, a blog post or just check up on your discussions. In the blog area, you have free range to chat about anything you’d like! Maybe you wanted to show off that new Figma you got? Or a new a manga that you just bought. People will be able to find posts according to how you tag them and in turn, making even more friends. There’s also a pretty cool feature called the Anime Amino Reputation. Everyone wants to have a good reputation and the app is determined to do just that! To gain reputation, you must simply comment on discussions, interact with other users or when others follow you! It really helps you get you involved in the community and really helps you get more comfortable with the app. You need at least 50 reputation points before you can directing email or create a discussion. Now, if you aren’t completely sold, let me just say, the app is super clean no spam or garbage and no annoying ads that pop up randomly! There’s so many people and discussions to discover and it’s not just only for anime and manga! When you open up the home menu, you’ll find a list of communities at the bottom to further immerse yourself. You can download separate pages according to your interests, whether it be video games, art, television or even books! There are a lot more than what I just mentioned, so check out the app for yourself! You can check out the app’s official website for more information, or if you’re ready to go download it, you can head over over to the Itunes webstore as well as the Google Play store! If you decide to download it, feel free to add me, my username is Vahrun! Hope to see you all there! Anime Amino, The Perfect Otaku App is a post from: Good e-Reader |
Censoring Indie Authors
 Image via cultofmac.com With so much attention focused on the US when it comes to self-publishing, it’s easy to forget that this is a worldwide indie author movement, and that companies like Kobo are connecting readers across the globe, making it possible for a reader in Denmark to enjoy a work of science fiction written by an author in sub-Saharan Africa. But while US authors happily further the cause of literature by opening up new avenues and new titles to audiences, authors in some other countries are facing insurmountable obstacles that block the cause of free expression. A campaign currently at work in South Africa, for example, is calling on individuals to block a government-approved effort by the Film and Publications Board’s (FPB) that would essentially impose censorship on any internet-vehicled content. While the letter of the law in the draft of the proposed regulation doesn’t specifically mention authors, it is this vast open-endedness that has anti-censorship advocates and grassroots organizations like Right2Know working to stop this effort. According to an article by Micah Reddy and Julie Reid on the proposed regulations and the efforts to halt them, “The document, in its vague language and open-ended statements, would leave authorities with far too much room to infringe on the public’s right to freely receive and impart information as enshrined in chapter two of the Constitution. “The document states that: ‘Any person who intends to distribute any film, game, or certain publication in the Republic of South Africa shall first comply with section 18(1) of the [1996 Films and Publications] Act by applying, in the prescribed manner, for registration as film or game and publications distributor.'” It’s a small step towards censorship when an author or content creator must apply for licensing and have his work approved prior to publication, and the ambiguous nature of this proposal means it can easily extend to books, blogs, social media posts, and other forms of digital publication. How serious is the implied threat? “Worryingly, the regulations would allow the FPB to ‘dispatch classifiers to the distributors’ premises for the purposes of classifying digital content.’ Distributors would have to ‘ensure that the work of classifiers takes place unhindered and without interference.’ The vague wording of the regulations would allow for 'classifiers’ to visit, for example, the homes of citizen journalists and ordinary internet users.” So who would concoct such a regulation? Parties with a vested interest in blocking the publication and distribution of content they feel is inappropriate, inflammatory, or even just unworthy. “It is also apparent that the FPB is overstepping its legal boundaries. The Films and Publications Act of 1996 only gives the FPB the ability to issue guidelines, not to legislate. Additionally the Act gives the FPB jurisdiction over films and games, but not over all published content. The FPB has failed to adequately consult with relevant stakeholders before drafting the document. “Only industry stakeholders were invited to participate behind closed doors, while civil society was excluded from the process despite the fact that the regulations could have profound consequences for ordinary members of the public. The Right2Know Campaign condemns this latest attempt to broaden the power of authorities to censor and restrict publishable content — the sort of action characteristic of an increasingly overbearing, paranoid and insecure state.”
Censoring Indie Authors is a post from: Good e-Reader |
Join in on the March Madness with these basketball reads!
| Whether or not you're a basketball aficionado or a complete Luddite, like myself, there are still books to be had for this fine season of madness and mayhem on and off the court. Here are some basketball flavored recommendations for creating your bracket, watching it totally fail, and then wanting to feel like you still have some knowledge of basketball.  For the Young Basketball Fans: The Basket Ball by by Esmé Raji Codel, illustrated by Jennifer Plecas When Lulu is denied from playing in the boys' basketball game, she decides to host a Basket Ball. Girls from around the world join her and sport dresses with jerseys over them, while showing off their skills on the court. A testament to young girls that they can be athletic and girly at the same time if they so choose. Hoop Genius: How a desperate teacher and a rowdy gym class invented basketball by John Coy, illustrated by Joe Morse The story of how basketball was invented by James Naismith. Middle Grades: The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. Alexander recently won the Newbery Medal along with the Coretta Scott King Award for this book. Written in verse, this middle grade novel is a perfect companion for the young basketball fan, and the reluctant reader. It's a quick read that tells the story of twelve year old twins, Josh and Jordan, through their love of basketball and their family's relationship. Home Court by Amar'e Stoudemire This is the first book in the STAT: Standing Tall and Talented series by the NBA superstar Stoudemire. A great new series featuring a talented Amar'e as his eleven year old self, playing basketball, excelling in school and helping his friends get the community basketball court back from the older kids. Young Adult: In My Skin: My life on and off the basketball court by Brittney Griner Griner, the No. 1 draft pick in the 2013 WNBA, writes about feeling out of place growing up. Her height, drive, and athletic ability would go on to help her become a star, but when young, she was bullied and felt lost. This is a fantastic memoir for young adults about staying true to your authentic self. Foul Trouble by John Feinstein Written by a noted sports writer, this novel takes a look at Terrell Jamerson who is the most sought after high school basketball player in the country. The novel looks at how a young player can continue playing his game when being bombarded with opportunities that could get him disqualified.
Adult: Dream Team by Jack McCallum The story of the 1992 US Olympic Men's Basketball Team, which consisted of such superstars as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, and Scottie Pippin. McCallum introduces behind the scenes moments, the selection process, and other pivotal moments. A book that is not to be missed by any basketball fan. Don't Put Me In Coach: My incredible NCAA journey from the end of the bench to the end of the bench by Mark Titus Mark Titus wrote this hilarious memoir about his time on the Ohio State basketball team as a bench warmer. In total, he scored nine points in his four years on the team, but as the guy on the bench he absorbed and penned his experience. He gives his audience the nitty gritty on the NCAA basketball program.
Kristin Milks is a Collection Development Analyst with OverDrive |
FlipHTML5 Magazine Maker to Reach 2.5M Downloads
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A more recent platform, FlipHTML5, has been gaining a lot of ground with smaller publishers who have the design experts to produce a great magazine but, just as with DPS, may not have strength in coding. FlipHTML5 has increased in popularity to the point that it’s expected to reach 2.5 million total downloads before the end of this month. “It undoubtedly features the most advanced editor,” claims a release from the company that came out this week. “Apart from that, it offers many high-end features not available in other magazine makers. Some of these features are, but not limited to, availability in multiple languages, bookcase embedding and easy mobile viewing facility, ability to add notes and annotations, self-hosting, and many more. As a result, the FlipHTML5 team expects to have 2.5 million downloads by the end of March, which will also repeatedly prove the success rate and popularity of this premium magazine maker.” One new concept in digital editions is this notion that any correlating print editions don’t have to be identical to the digital. What the industry has experienced so far is a copy-for-copy replication process that didn’t really take full advantage of the capabilities that digital magazines–especially for mobile device reading–made possible. Recent discussions and industry events have focused on this problem, and an acknowledgement that the industry needs to adopt a broader view of digital magazines and newspapers has already happened.
FlipHTML5 Magazine Maker to Reach 2.5M Downloads is a post from: Good e-Reader |
