Yeah--that's a big part of my issue, not just the cost of the device, but the availability and cost of what goes ON it--if I can read anything I'd buy at Barnes and Noble, and it's less than buying the paperback? I'm on it. But if you're charging me $7-$10 to download a book? Nuh uh. My paperbacks may take up space and get old, but they won't become obsolete technology or cease to work after a few years, etc, etc.

I think of a device 4"x6"x.75". It weighs a pound or two. It should have heft. It should be readable in the dark, but with eInklike crispness in the light.

I'll need to be able to get around the book in a few ways. Bookmarks, searching, and some implementation of flipping through pages.

I'd like to able to annotate, myself. And perhaps to also be able to share the annotations of people with the same book loaded.

Formats? Text, something Word-like (RTF? MS-Word?), PDFs (with the understanding that if they're not formatted for the page size of this specific device they'll risk looking like utter crap--but the idea that I can read it clearly and prettily on my computer and on the book is important). MP3 files would be nifty but not required.

Capacity--I'd expect this to be the least of the issues considering what they can put on solid state drives. Hundreds of uncomplicatedly-formatted books, anyway.

Purchasing? Buying wirelessly looks like a dream. But I wouldn't put it on a needs list.

Connectivity? Bluetooth, USB (cable and Flash drive). I feel weird leaving WiFi off the list, but aside for the frill of buying wirelessly (which reminds me--does iTunes (or anyone else) have a "Buy what we're streaming you right now!" option?) I'm not sure what use it'd be.

As far as DRMs go, I'm not in love with them. But even should I accept that I'm buying a license to a work (which means it damned well be significantly cheaper than hardcopy) I will not accept the situation that means they can take it back if they fold or have a hissy fit or whatever.

It's a tablet with a stylus, and perhaps a flip-out keyboard.

When I watch videos on CBS.com, the damn thing paused, like, every 5 seconds. But my connection should be fast as I am at work, and I closed everything else... What can I do?!?!

are you watching videos at a popular time? when I watch first thing in the morning, I didn't have any problems.

Hmm. I tend to watch mid-day, but today I was watching a popular (I assume episode (HIMYM from last night). usually I am watching soap operas in the background at work, though, so I am not sure if it a popular time or they are popular shows....

I get that same herky jerky thing on cbs' full episode player but never have that problem with abc, regardless of the time of day.

I've never been able to figure it out.

Don't get me started on the CBS video player. We hates it. We hates it a lot.

Hivemind question: Does anybody use Quark?

I'm trying to find out if an Applescript that is built into the program can have a keyboard command created for it. I know nothing about scripting, and hours spent perusing scripting sites and Quark forums are just giving me a headache.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'm trying to decide whether to buy a Tivo based on the latest deal. Would hookup be as simple as replacing our current cable company DVR with the Tivo and then setting it up via our wireless connection?

DH wants to cut some of our ties to the crappy cable company and I think the purchase price of the Tivo would come out in the wash when you calculate a couple of years of Ti-faux rental plus their service fee.

Who hooks up your Tivo? Does it just come in a box with instructions or do you get a service person to do it?

you hook up the Tivo yourself. Once you get it plugged in, it does the rest itself. My first Tivo was a pretty quick set up but I know you guys have a complex system so YMMV.