Well I guess, if you really need that secure feeling that you get knowing that you can open that one book at any time and read that one passage at any time, then a Kindle makes a lot of sense. Or if you just get an itch to read some Lovecraft, or something like that.

I guess for me, reading is something I do at home, during a relaxed time before bed or while I'm taking a shit, or if I just take an hour out of the day to read. I wouldn't carry more than one book with me unless I was really close to finishing that book anyway.

I'm kind of curious how much the digital books cost. Most of the scifi I bought recently were like $8 paper backs. (One Arthur C Clarke compilation I have is pretty good except for the semi-frequent spelling errors, such as the letter 'm' replacing the workd 'in.') But I digress.

So really, bottom line, if you're freaking out over not having a ton of things to read while you're out at a concert or some other place, or just like expensive technology, or legitimately feel it's a good product, go ahead and get it. 

Kindle books are generally cheaper than their physical counterparts on Amazon. I get a lot of books for 50% off and those are fairly recent titles.

I tend to have several books on the go at any given time so I like being able to hop into the menu and pick whatever I feel like reading at that moment in time. 

Can you get like text books on their too, or is it just normal every day sort of books? I would imagine you can't, but I haven't looked into it so you never know. 

You probably could but text books aren't a good usage case for the Kindle. It's designed for contiguous reading, not for jumping around quickly as a reference. 

My photography portfolio is finally taking form:
http://jaaskelainen.smugmug.com/ 

You have here a nice bunch of shots ! Good job ! I love the japan serie :) 

To be honest, a lot of those look a bit random. Like a bunch of high-quality vacation pictures, but still with the 'wow that looks great, let's take a picture'-vibe. 

http://quakeone.com/news/mods/4830-amazing-architecture-quoth-maps-2.html 

http://ricardo73.deviantart.com/art/Quake-Spectrum-123995206 

nice... i had actually mocked up something similar (isometric quake) several years ago but had targeted the graphics more at the Super Nintendo level. Unfortunately the images were lost in a hard drive crash. 

either of you been to sakurajima? pretty awesome island IMHO, although the weather can change quickly and nastily. 

I've been to Kagoshima, but didn't have enough time to visit the island unfortunatly, just walked along the coast and took photos of it. :)
I was actually told that the island wasn't so interesting, and required a car, is that not true? 

Nah, unfortunately I never left Honshu (except Miyajima, I guess). I'll keep that in mind for my next trip, though. 

is a must to do it properly but I didnt have one and even on foot, theres a few interesting walking routes.

Definitely not as much to do as Miyajima but its worth it just to see japanese tourists panic when sakurajima erupts and spews ash everywhere :) Those who dont know whats going on think the whole island is going down or something!

Vigil, I suggest Kamikochi over anything else for oyur next trip, definitely my favorite spot so far. And then maybe Koyan San. 

I wanted to do Koya-san last time but it didn't fit in my schedule. Will check both of those locations out next trip! Gone there 4 times now and I'm still not bored of it. 

I wanted to do Koya-san last time but it didn't fit in my schedule. Will check both of those locations out next trip! Gone there 4 times now and I'm still not bored of it. 

is another worthy hike, with the night spent in tsumago.

Yamadera is stunning, if not the easiest place to get to.

what else, I also really enjoyed Matsumoto and Kawaguchi-ko. And wish I had more time around Iya Valley and Tokushima. 

This game has easily gotten the "fiance stamp of approval" (with fanfare too). Bought it as a gift amd I think she's been at it for 4 hours nonstop now.

It's 20eur on Steam. 

16.99eur 

Ah yeah, I haven't gotten around to visiting Shikoku at all yet (nor Hokkaido for that matter), definitely have to check that out sometime. 

This game has easily gotten the "fiance stamp of approval"

Demo here, if anyone wants to try it:
http://machinarium.net/demo/

I haven't had time yet this week--too much real life. 

Of course, the best feature of the island is the 88 Temple Pilgrimage route. One day, one day... 

but Iya valley is great and the Naruto whirlpools near Tokushima are a sigh too.

Just returned from Ebino Kogen (north of Kagoshima) and its now my equal favorite spot on the trip along with Kamikochi. Well worth checking out! 

negke is back! 

Not sure if this is news worthy or not but thanks surely to Willem's push of free software for everyone, Epic has released a free version of the UE3 for people to use.

http://kotaku.com/5397808/epic-sets-the-unreal-engine-free

Hurrah! Free UE3!