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Notice (8): Undefined variable: most_viewed_stories [APP/views/stories/probus-display.ctp, line 49]Code | Context<?php
echo View::element('probus-stories-list', array('stories'=>$most_viewed_stories, 'mode'=>'most-popular','limit'=>4));
$___viewFn = "/home/probus/domains/stagingblueplains/app-public/views/stories/probus-display.ctp" $___dataForView = array( "nextstoryurl" => "/fed24b4f", "publication" => array( "Story" => array(), "Publication" => array(), "Tag" => array(), "Tags" => array() ), "story_tagline" => "", "story" => array( "Story" => array(), "Publication" => array(), "Tag" => array(), "Tags" => array() ), "related_stories" => array( array(), array(), array(), array(), array() ) ) $loadHelpers = true $cached = false $cache = CacheHelper CacheHelper::$__replace = array CacheHelper::$__match = array CacheHelper::$cacheAction = NULL CacheHelper::$helpers = NULL CacheHelper::$base = "" CacheHelper::$webroot = "/" CacheHelper::$theme = NULL CacheHelper::$here = "/3f16ab61/Ereaders" CacheHelper::$params = array CacheHelper::$action = "display" CacheHelper::$plugin = NULL CacheHelper::$data = NULL CacheHelper::$namedArgs = NULL CacheHelper::$argSeparator = NULL CacheHelper::$validationErrors = NULL CacheHelper::$tags = array CacheHelper::$__tainted = NULL CacheHelper::$__cleaned = NULL $authentication = AuthenticationHelper AuthenticationHelper::$sessionKey = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$helpers = array AuthenticationHelper::$view = View object AuthenticationHelper::$base = "" AuthenticationHelper::$webroot = "/" AuthenticationHelper::$theme = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$here = "/3f16ab61/Ereaders" AuthenticationHelper::$params = array AuthenticationHelper::$action = "display" AuthenticationHelper::$plugin = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$data = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$namedArgs = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$argSeparator = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$validationErrors = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$tags = array AuthenticationHelper::$__tainted = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$__cleaned = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$Session = SessionHelper object $javascript = JavascriptHelper JavascriptHelper::$useNative = true JavascriptHelper::$enabled = true JavascriptHelper::$safe = false JavascriptHelper::$tags = array JavascriptHelper::$_blockOptions = array JavascriptHelper::$_cachedEvents = array JavascriptHelper::$_cacheEvents = false JavascriptHelper::$_cacheToFile = false JavascriptHelper::$_cacheAll = false JavascriptHelper::$_rules = array JavascriptHelper::$__scriptBuffer = NULL JavascriptHelper::$helpers = NULL JavascriptHelper::$base = "" JavascriptHelper::$webroot = "/" JavascriptHelper::$theme = NULL JavascriptHelper::$here = "/3f16ab61/Ereaders" JavascriptHelper::$params = array JavascriptHelper::$action = "display" JavascriptHelper::$plugin = NULL JavascriptHelper::$data = NULL JavascriptHelper::$namedArgs = NULL JavascriptHelper::$argSeparator = NULL JavascriptHelper::$validationErrors = NULL JavascriptHelper::$__tainted = NULL JavascriptHelper::$__cleaned = NULL $eHtml = eHtmlHelper eHtmlHelper::$helpers = array eHtmlHelper::$viewVars = array eHtmlHelper::$tags = array eHtmlHelper::$_crumbs = array eHtmlHelper::$__includedScripts = array eHtmlHelper::$_scriptBlockOptions = array eHtmlHelper::$__docTypes = array eHtmlHelper::$base = "" eHtmlHelper::$webroot = "/" eHtmlHelper::$theme = NULL eHtmlHelper::$here = "/3f16ab61/Ereaders" eHtmlHelper::$params = array eHtmlHelper::$action = "display" eHtmlHelper::$plugin = NULL eHtmlHelper::$data = NULL eHtmlHelper::$namedArgs = NULL eHtmlHelper::$argSeparator = NULL eHtmlHelper::$validationErrors = NULL eHtmlHelper::$__tainted = NULL eHtmlHelper::$__cleaned = NULL eHtmlHelper::$eForm = eFormHelper object eHtmlHelper::$javascript = JavascriptHelper object eHtmlHelper::$Authentication = AuthenticationHelper object $eJavascript = eJavascriptHelper eJavascriptHelper::$helpers = array eJavascriptHelper::$useNative = true eJavascriptHelper::$enabled = true eJavascriptHelper::$safe = false eJavascriptHelper::$tags = array eJavascriptHelper::$_blockOptions = array eJavascriptHelper::$_cachedEvents = array eJavascriptHelper::$_cacheEvents = false eJavascriptHelper::$_cacheToFile = false eJavascriptHelper::$_cacheAll = false eJavascriptHelper::$_rules = array eJavascriptHelper::$__scriptBuffer = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$base = "" eJavascriptHelper::$webroot = "/" eJavascriptHelper::$theme = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$here = "/3f16ab61/Ereaders" eJavascriptHelper::$params = array eJavascriptHelper::$action = "display" eJavascriptHelper::$plugin = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$data = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$namedArgs = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$argSeparator = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$validationErrors = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$__tainted = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$__cleaned = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$eHtml = eHtmlHelper object $eForm = eFormHelper eFormHelper::$helpers = array eFormHelper::$fieldset = array eFormHelper::$__options = array eFormHelper::$fields = array eFormHelper::$requestType = NULL eFormHelper::$defaultModel = NULL eFormHelper::$_inputDefaults = array eFormHelper::$base = "" eFormHelper::$webroot = "/" eFormHelper::$theme = NULL eFormHelper::$here = "/3f16ab61/Ereaders" eFormHelper::$params = array eFormHelper::$action = "display" eFormHelper::$plugin = NULL eFormHelper::$data = NULL eFormHelper::$namedArgs = NULL eFormHelper::$argSeparator = NULL eFormHelper::$validationErrors = NULL eFormHelper::$tags = array eFormHelper::$__tainted = NULL eFormHelper::$__cleaned = NULL eFormHelper::$Html = HtmlHelper object $tagCloud = TagCloudHelper TagCloudHelper::$helpers = array TagCloudHelper::$base = "" TagCloudHelper::$webroot = "/" TagCloudHelper::$theme = NULL TagCloudHelper::$here = "/3f16ab61/Ereaders" TagCloudHelper::$params = array TagCloudHelper::$action = "display" TagCloudHelper::$plugin = NULL TagCloudHelper::$data = NULL TagCloudHelper::$namedArgs = NULL TagCloudHelper::$argSeparator = NULL TagCloudHelper::$validationErrors = NULL TagCloudHelper::$tags = array TagCloudHelper::$__tainted = NULL TagCloudHelper::$__cleaned = NULL TagCloudHelper::$Html = HtmlHelper object $html = HtmlHelper HtmlHelper::$tags = array HtmlHelper::$_crumbs = array HtmlHelper::$__includedScripts = array HtmlHelper::$_scriptBlockOptions = array HtmlHelper::$__docTypes = array HtmlHelper::$helpers = NULL HtmlHelper::$base = "" HtmlHelper::$webroot = "/" HtmlHelper::$theme = NULL HtmlHelper::$here = "/3f16ab61/Ereaders" HtmlHelper::$params = array HtmlHelper::$action = "display" HtmlHelper::$plugin = NULL HtmlHelper::$data = NULL HtmlHelper::$namedArgs = NULL HtmlHelper::$argSeparator = NULL HtmlHelper::$validationErrors = NULL HtmlHelper::$__tainted = NULL HtmlHelper::$__cleaned = NULL $form = FormHelper FormHelper::$helpers = array FormHelper::$fieldset = array FormHelper::$__options = array FormHelper::$fields = array FormHelper::$requestType = NULL FormHelper::$defaultModel = NULL FormHelper::$_inputDefaults = array FormHelper::$base = "" FormHelper::$webroot = "/" FormHelper::$theme = NULL FormHelper::$here = "/3f16ab61/Ereaders" FormHelper::$params = array FormHelper::$action = "display" FormHelper::$plugin = NULL FormHelper::$data = NULL FormHelper::$namedArgs = NULL FormHelper::$argSeparator = NULL FormHelper::$validationErrors = NULL FormHelper::$tags = array FormHelper::$__tainted = NULL FormHelper::$__cleaned = NULL FormHelper::$Html = HtmlHelper object $session = SessionHelper SessionHelper::$helpers = array SessionHelper::$__active = true SessionHelper::$valid = false SessionHelper::$error = false SessionHelper::$_userAgent = "8611eabdb1aa7cc20f419da71363daa3" SessionHelper::$path = "/" SessionHelper::$lastError = NULL SessionHelper::$security = "medium" SessionHelper::$time = 1749843531 SessionHelper::$sessionTime = 1749855531 SessionHelper::$cookieLifeTime = false SessionHelper::$watchKeys = array SessionHelper::$id = NULL SessionHelper::$host = NULL SessionHelper::$timeout = NULL SessionHelper::$base = "" SessionHelper::$webroot = "/" SessionHelper::$here = "/3f16ab61/Ereaders" SessionHelper::$params = array SessionHelper::$action = "display" SessionHelper::$data = NULL SessionHelper::$theme = NULL SessionHelper::$plugin = NULL $nextstoryurl = "/fed24b4f" $publication = array( "Story" => array( "id" => "1479", "publication_id" => "2", "tag_id" => "60", "headline" => "E-readers", "headline_home" => "E-readers", "headline_index" => "E-readers", "meta_keywords" => "E-readers", "home_spotlight" => "/probus/files/tech/ereaders/ereaders_carousel.jpg", "home_spotlight_mini" => "/probus/files/tech/ereaders/ereaders_tile.jpg", "home_feature" => "", "home_tag" => "/probus/files/tech/ereaders/ereaders_thumbnail.jpg", "index_mini" => "", "index_result" => "/probus/files/tech/ereaders/ereaders_thumbnail.jpg", "gallery" => null, "gallery_captions" => null, "gallery_hide" => "0", "embed_spotlight" => "0", "status" => "0", "published" => "2013-07-16 00:00:00", "byline" => "Drew Patchell", "tagline" => null, "intro_short" => "<p>E-readers weigh in at a fraction of the weight of just one book, and you’d be unlucky to run out of reading material.</p> <p> </p>", "intro_long" => "<p>Tired of lugging around a heavy book? E-readers weigh in at a fraction of the weight of just one book, and you’d be unlucky to run out of reading material.</p> <p> </p>", "body" => "<p><img style="float: left; margin-top: 6px; margin-bottom: 6px;" src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/tech/ereaders/ereader_embed.jpg" alt="" width="439" height="252" />Tired of lugging around a heavy book? E-readers weigh in at a fraction of the weight of just one book, and you’d be unlucky to run out of reading material.</p> <h2>What is an e-reader?</h2> <p>Also known as an e-book reader or e-book device, e-readers are electronic devices used for reading digitally published books, or e-books. While many devices can fulfil the job of displaying e-books, e-book readers are designed for maximum portability, battery life and readability.</p> <p>They are not to be confused with tablets.</p> <p>E-readers’ displays are optimised for reading while preserving battery life. Tablets perform multiple functions meaning they are larger, have significantly lower battery life and are not optimised for readability.</p> <h2>Weigh it up</h2> <p><strong>Pros</strong></p> <ul> <li>Adjustable font size</li> <li>Thousands of books in one device</li> <li>Lightweight and small</li> <li>Battery life of more than a week</li> <li>E-books generally cost less than half the price of a traditional book</li> <li>Saves paper</li> </ul> <p><strong>Cons</strong></p> <ul> <li>Doesn’t have the touch, feel and smell of a traditional book.</li> <li>E-readers are less forgiving of coffee/tea spillage – falling asleep while reading in the bath is risky business.</li> <li>You don't have the satisfaction of building a physical library.</li> <li>An author cannot sign an e-book.</li> </ul> <h2>Reviews</h2> <p><strong>On a budget: Sony Pearl eReader (Model PRST1BC) $79<br /></strong>A Sony product at the lower end of the price chain, the Sony Pearl is a lightweight (168g) six-inch, no frills touch screen e-reader that does exactly what you would expect. A word of warning, inexpensive e-readers are built with hardware that sometimes struggles to keep up with your hand gestures, so you may encounter freezing that can be frustrating.</p> <p><strong>Mid-range: Kobo Touch eReader $129<br /></strong>Ease of navigation and readability are the main attractions here, with book covers instead of text links used, and the ability to sort books into different ‘shelves’. Avid readers can get three weeks usage out of the Kobo Touch before needing to recharge the battery.</p> <p><strong>High-end: Kindle Keyboard 3G $189<br /></strong>Produced by the online giant Amazon, Kindle is the number one brand e-reader. The Kindle is simple to use its readability is on a different level. Holding up to 3500 books at any one time, you will never be without reading material. At just 241g and 1cm thick, the Kindle is lightweight and easily transported. With an hour of use per day, the battery should last a full month before needing a charge. </p>", "newsletter_name" => "", "printed" => "2013-06-01 00:00:00", "created" => "2013-07-16 14:43:06", "modified" => "2013-07-16 14:43:06", "url" => "3f16ab61", "short_id" => "3f16ab61", "url_part_2" => "Ereaders", "total_views" => "716", "intro" => "<p><img style="float: left; margin-top: 6px; margin-bottom: 6px;" src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/tech/ereaders/ereader_embed.jpg" alt="" width="439" height="252" />Tired of lugging around a heavy book? E-readers weigh in at a fraction of the weight of just one book, and you’d be unlucky to run out of reading material.</p>", "publish_sort_date" => "2013-07-16", "_status" => "Offline" ), "Publication" => array( "id" => "2", "name" => "Probus Web", "folder" => "probus", "url" => "staging.probussouthpacific.org", "microsite_cms_url" => "stagingmicrosite.probussouthpacific.org", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_type_id" => "3", "home_spotlight_count" => "5", "home_spotlight_delay" => "5", "home_feature_count" => "0", "index_spotlight_count" => "3", "search_spotlight_count" => "3", "most_viewed_duration" => "14", "most_tagged_duration" => "14", "list_page_size" => "25", "home_ad1" => "88", "home_ad2" => "89", "home_ad3" => "", "home_ad4" => "", "story_ad1" => "", "story_ad2" => "", "story_ad3" => "", "story_ad4" => "", "button_ad1" => "66", "button_ad2" => "67", "button_ad3" => "", "button_ad4" => "", "button_ad5" => "", "leader_ad" => "", "smtp_port" => "465", "smtp_host" => "smtp.gmail.com", "smtp_username" => "[email protected]", "smtp_password" => "Qwert123$#", "smtp_type" => "ssl", "secure_widget" => "<h3>Quick Links</h3> <p> </p> <p>See <a title="PSPL Mail Outs" href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/pspl_correspondence">PSPL Mail Outs</a> for copies of letters sent by PSPL for the information of all Probus Club members. </p> <p> </p> <p>Club Management Committees can obtain contact details of Probus clubs by visiting this page. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_directory_lookup">Directory of Probus Clubs</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Access a range of material which can assist you with membership development for your club. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_membership_development">Membership Development Tools</a></p> <p> </p> <p>See PSPL’s latest annual report <a title="Click here." href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/about_pspl_annual_report">Click here.</a></p> <p> </p> <p>To access exclusive offers, visit the Probus <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_member_benefits_scheme">Member Benefits Scheme</a> page.</p> <p> </p> <p><span>If you want copies of reports, accounts templates or nomination forms for office bearers, you’ll find them here. </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_forms">Forms and Templates</a></p> <p> </p> <p><span>You'll find all your merchandise needs by visiting the </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/products/display/">Online Shop</a></p>", "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-10-06 15:18:14" ), "Tag" => array( "id" => "60", "tag_type_id" => "3", "publication_id" => "2", "name" => "Technology", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_head_image" => "/probus/files/TechnologyEditBlue.jpg", "tag_ad1" => "98", "tag_ad2" => "99", "parent_id" => null, "private" => "0", "priority" => null, "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-11-21 16:23:35" ), "Tags" => array( array() ) ) $story_tagline = "" $story = array( "Story" => array( "id" => "1479", "publication_id" => "2", "tag_id" => "60", "headline" => "E-readers", "headline_home" => "E-readers", "headline_index" => "E-readers", "meta_keywords" => "E-readers", "home_spotlight" => "/probus/files/tech/ereaders/ereaders_carousel.jpg", "home_spotlight_mini" => "/probus/files/tech/ereaders/ereaders_tile.jpg", "home_feature" => "", "home_tag" => "/probus/files/tech/ereaders/ereaders_thumbnail.jpg", "index_mini" => "", "index_result" => "/probus/files/tech/ereaders/ereaders_thumbnail.jpg", "gallery" => null, "gallery_captions" => null, "gallery_hide" => "0", "embed_spotlight" => "0", "status" => "0", "published" => "2013-07-16 00:00:00", "byline" => "Drew Patchell", "tagline" => null, "intro_short" => "<p>E-readers weigh in at a fraction of the weight of just one book, and you’d be unlucky to run out of reading material.</p> <p> </p>", "intro_long" => "<p>Tired of lugging around a heavy book? E-readers weigh in at a fraction of the weight of just one book, and you’d be unlucky to run out of reading material.</p> <p> </p>", "body" => "<p><img style="float: left; margin-top: 6px; margin-bottom: 6px;" src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/tech/ereaders/ereader_embed.jpg" alt="" width="439" height="252" />Tired of lugging around a heavy book? E-readers weigh in at a fraction of the weight of just one book, and you’d be unlucky to run out of reading material.</p> <h2>What is an e-reader?</h2> <p>Also known as an e-book reader or e-book device, e-readers are electronic devices used for reading digitally published books, or e-books. While many devices can fulfil the job of displaying e-books, e-book readers are designed for maximum portability, battery life and readability.</p> <p>They are not to be confused with tablets.</p> <p>E-readers’ displays are optimised for reading while preserving battery life. Tablets perform multiple functions meaning they are larger, have significantly lower battery life and are not optimised for readability.</p> <h2>Weigh it up</h2> <p><strong>Pros</strong></p> <ul> <li>Adjustable font size</li> <li>Thousands of books in one device</li> <li>Lightweight and small</li> <li>Battery life of more than a week</li> <li>E-books generally cost less than half the price of a traditional book</li> <li>Saves paper</li> </ul> <p><strong>Cons</strong></p> <ul> <li>Doesn’t have the touch, feel and smell of a traditional book.</li> <li>E-readers are less forgiving of coffee/tea spillage – falling asleep while reading in the bath is risky business.</li> <li>You don't have the satisfaction of building a physical library.</li> <li>An author cannot sign an e-book.</li> </ul> <h2>Reviews</h2> <p><strong>On a budget: Sony Pearl eReader (Model PRST1BC) $79<br /></strong>A Sony product at the lower end of the price chain, the Sony Pearl is a lightweight (168g) six-inch, no frills touch screen e-reader that does exactly what you would expect. A word of warning, inexpensive e-readers are built with hardware that sometimes struggles to keep up with your hand gestures, so you may encounter freezing that can be frustrating.</p> <p><strong>Mid-range: Kobo Touch eReader $129<br /></strong>Ease of navigation and readability are the main attractions here, with book covers instead of text links used, and the ability to sort books into different ‘shelves’. Avid readers can get three weeks usage out of the Kobo Touch before needing to recharge the battery.</p> <p><strong>High-end: Kindle Keyboard 3G $189<br /></strong>Produced by the online giant Amazon, Kindle is the number one brand e-reader. The Kindle is simple to use its readability is on a different level. Holding up to 3500 books at any one time, you will never be without reading material. At just 241g and 1cm thick, the Kindle is lightweight and easily transported. With an hour of use per day, the battery should last a full month before needing a charge. </p>", "newsletter_name" => "", "printed" => "2013-06-01 00:00:00", "created" => "2013-07-16 14:43:06", "modified" => "2013-07-16 14:43:06", "url" => "3f16ab61", "short_id" => "3f16ab61", "url_part_2" => "Ereaders", "total_views" => "716", "intro" => "<p><img style="float: left; margin-top: 6px; margin-bottom: 6px;" src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/tech/ereaders/ereader_embed.jpg" alt="" width="439" height="252" />Tired of lugging around a heavy book? E-readers weigh in at a fraction of the weight of just one book, and you’d be unlucky to run out of reading material.</p>", "publish_sort_date" => "2013-07-16", "_status" => "Offline" ), "Publication" => array( "id" => "2", "name" => "Probus Web", "folder" => "probus", "url" => "staging.probussouthpacific.org", "microsite_cms_url" => "stagingmicrosite.probussouthpacific.org", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_type_id" => "3", "home_spotlight_count" => "5", "home_spotlight_delay" => "5", "home_feature_count" => "0", "index_spotlight_count" => "3", "search_spotlight_count" => "3", "most_viewed_duration" => "14", "most_tagged_duration" => "14", "list_page_size" => "25", "home_ad1" => "88", "home_ad2" => "89", "home_ad3" => "", "home_ad4" => "", "story_ad1" => "", "story_ad2" => "", "story_ad3" => "", "story_ad4" => "", "button_ad1" => "66", "button_ad2" => "67", "button_ad3" => "", "button_ad4" => "", "button_ad5" => "", "leader_ad" => "", "smtp_port" => "465", "smtp_host" => "smtp.gmail.com", "smtp_username" => "[email protected]", "smtp_password" => "Qwert123$#", "smtp_type" => "ssl", "secure_widget" => "<h3>Quick Links</h3> <p> </p> <p>See <a title="PSPL Mail Outs" href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/pspl_correspondence">PSPL Mail Outs</a> for copies of letters sent by PSPL for the information of all Probus Club members. </p> <p> </p> <p>Club Management Committees can obtain contact details of Probus clubs by visiting this page. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_directory_lookup">Directory of Probus Clubs</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Access a range of material which can assist you with membership development for your club. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_membership_development">Membership Development Tools</a></p> <p> </p> <p>See PSPL’s latest annual report <a title="Click here." href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/about_pspl_annual_report">Click here.</a></p> <p> </p> <p>To access exclusive offers, visit the Probus <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_member_benefits_scheme">Member Benefits Scheme</a> page.</p> <p> </p> <p><span>If you want copies of reports, accounts templates or nomination forms for office bearers, you’ll find them here. </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_forms">Forms and Templates</a></p> <p> </p> <p><span>You'll find all your merchandise needs by visiting the </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/products/display/">Online Shop</a></p>", "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-10-06 15:18:14" ), "Tag" => array( "id" => "60", "tag_type_id" => "3", "publication_id" => "2", "name" => "Technology", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_head_image" => "/probus/files/TechnologyEditBlue.jpg", "tag_ad1" => "98", "tag_ad2" => "99", "parent_id" => null, "private" => "0", "priority" => null, "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-11-21 16:23:35" ), "Tags" => array( array() ) ) $related_stories = array( array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ) )include - APP/views/stories/probus-display.ctp, line 49 View::_render() - CORE/cake/libs/view/view.php, line 731 View::render() - CORE/cake/libs/view/view.php, line 426 Controller::render() - CORE/cake/libs/controller/controller.php, line 909 AppController::render() - APP/app_controller.php, line 64 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/cake/dispatcher.php, line 207 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/cake/dispatcher.php, line 171 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 83
E-readers
by Drew Patchell | 16 Jul 2013
Tired of lugging around a heavy book? E-readers weigh in at a fraction of the weight of just one book, and you’d be unlucky to run out of reading material.
What is an e-reader?
Also known as an e-book reader or e-book device, e-readers are electronic devices used for reading digitally published books, or e-books. While many devices can fulfil the job of displaying e-books, e-book readers are designed for maximum portability, battery life and readability.
They are not to be confused with tablets.
E-readers’ displays are optimised for reading while preserving battery life. Tablets perform multiple functions meaning they are larger, have significantly lower battery life and are not optimised for readability.
Weigh it up
Pros
- Adjustable font size
- Thousands of books in one device
- Lightweight and small
- Battery life of more than a week
- E-books generally cost less than half the price of a traditional book
- Saves paper
Cons
- Doesn’t have the touch, feel and smell of a traditional book.
- E-readers are less forgiving of coffee/tea spillage – falling asleep while reading in the bath is risky business.
- You don't have the satisfaction of building a physical library.
- An author cannot sign an e-book.
Reviews
On a budget: Sony Pearl eReader (Model PRST1BC) $79
A Sony product at the lower end of the price chain, the Sony Pearl is a lightweight (168g) six-inch, no frills touch screen e-reader that does exactly what you would expect. A word of warning, inexpensive e-readers are built with hardware that sometimes struggles to keep up with your hand gestures, so you may encounter freezing that can be frustrating.
Mid-range: Kobo Touch eReader $129
Ease of navigation and readability are the main attractions here, with book covers instead of text links used, and the ability to sort books into different ‘shelves’. Avid readers can get three weeks usage out of the Kobo Touch before needing to recharge the battery.
High-end: Kindle Keyboard 3G $189
Produced by the online giant Amazon, Kindle is the number one brand e-reader. The Kindle is simple to use its readability is on a different level. Holding up to 3500 books at any one time, you will never be without reading material. At just 241g and 1cm thick, the Kindle is lightweight and easily transported. With an hour of use per day, the battery should last a full month before needing a charge.