Clair

[quote user="suein56"]Moral : Lidl's guarantees work ! Sue[/quote] I totally agree, as I found out when the safety device on one of Mr Clair's electrical tools failed a year or so after the purchase. The tool itself worked like a charm but Lidl asked me to cut and send them the plug with the label attached, to ensure the item wouldn't be used without the broken safety device. Of course, Mr Clair simply replaced the plug and still uses the tool to this day, as well as the brand new replacement tool Lidl sent...

Well done, Lehaut! Congratulations on getting a positive result [I] It's just sometimes so much hassle to get the most basic customer service that I now only buy from places where I can get a face-to-face discussion, or places which have an established replacement service. Anything else is just too aggravating! [:@] Only yesterday, I got a replacement CPL from Netgear for a purchase made on Amazon in August. Amazon had given me the Netgear contact details and followed up with an incident number, in case I didn't get any joy from Netgear. I did pay 8.50€ last Thursday to send the non-working unit back... Sometimes, it's worth arguing as you did, but I choose my battles carefully and in this case, it's really not worth the aggro...

Sweet, I'm looking at my account now. There's a column with a black header Comptes et Contrats, on the left listing the types of accounts. As I don't have a Compte Courant (Current Account), I can only describe what I see when I click on Epargne (Savings). The Epargne page shows my 2 savings accounts and total savings (never enough!). The account names themselves are "clickable" if I move the mouse over them. When I click on one of the savings accounts, the page shows the transactions with 3 tabs which translate as: "Transactions", "Ongoing", "Failed". Each tab has a up triangle and a down triangle for sorting the operations in date order (earliest or latest). Above the transactions, there are 4 options: print a RIB, download your account details (statements), look for a specific transaction or look at your statements. Let me know how you get on...

[quote user="WendyG"]I am not technically minded at all, but I have managed to have get all the books, newspapers etc on my Kindle onto my tablet via Google play - using the Amazon Kindle App.  [/quote] I suspect we're not discussing the same thing [:)]. If you file your books in collections on your Kindle or on your Kindle for PC (thrillers in this collection; horror books in that one; comics there; biographies here; etc...) these collections do not sync across your devices, unless the exact same collections are created on all the devices. And although your books will be listed on your various devices as they're meant to be, they will not be filed unless you download them individually. Collections are a fairly recent update on the Kindle for iPad (my iPad is does not support them as it's now too old for the newest iOS.) Edited for clarification.

I usually find it (and black treacle) on the exotic product shelves in Leclerc, together with the jars of Pataks curry paste, Chinese noodles and packets of tortillas. [:)]

[quote user="Chiefluvvie"] dare I suggest you're doing something wrong! Kindle sync's seamlessly and VERY easily across all my devices - PC, iPad, and Android. Simple..... Chiefluvvie[/quote] Oh please, do share! How do you sync collections across your devices when even Amazon says it can't be done?[8-)] Edit: on second thought, don't bother... I'm not that interested...

[quote user="Jay"]The Kindle is not really that "friendly". [/quote] I do find it awkward to create collections on the Kindle, and I am astounded at the fact the Kindle does not sync with the Kindle apps on my iPad and PC, but thankfully, I mainly use Calibre, which makes it a lot easier to manage all my ebooks. I am not familiar with Nooks at all. I don't think I have even seen a picture of one... [:$]

You're right Jay, and I did mention needing to have "an Amazon-friendly device (Kindle, or a Kindle for PC for instance)"... [:)]

[quote user="You can call me Betty"]Actually, you can share or download books onto more than one device relatively simply. OH and I use one Amazon account for all our ebook purchases and can both download books from that to any one of the devices we have registered on that account, including iPads, iPods and various Kindle readers. There is a Kindle app. for iPad and iPod. Clair is right that this can't be done between formats or suppliers with the same ease, but it's not impossible.[/quote] I was trying to keep it simple! [:D] As long as it's from the same Amazon account, no problem with sharing and reading on the appropriate device. If you are an Amazon Premium subscriber (49€/yr), you can also "borrow" any digital book for up to 1 month (the Premium membership started off as a means to get a 24h free delivery of your Amazon purchases and was extended to book borrowing last year.)

[quote user="sweet 17"]Can I, in my innocense (and ignorance) ask a question whose answer is not clear to me on these posts. Can you lend (or borrow) an e-book like you can a real one?  In other words, can you download a book , which you have bought, onto another device?[/quote] The simple answer is no, you cannot borrow or lend an ebook purchased on Amazon or iTunes, nor transfer it onto a device other than the one it was downloaded for. If you download a Steven King book from Amazon, you cannot read it on your iPad, because the the book is formatted to be read on an Amazon-friendly device (a Kindle, or a Kindle for PC for instance). To read it on your iPad, you would need to make another purchase, this time from iTunes. There are ways and means to remove the restrictions, as I mentioned in a previous post, but this goes against the T&C under which you make your purchases. I have read your PM and I have replied.

Fanfic is not restricted to the original work's universe. They come under the AU (Alternative Universe) tag. A lot of Austen's fanfic is created in a contemporary setting, and it's still fanfic. A lot of Twilight fanfic is created in a "human" setting, and it's still fanfic, with or without BDSM! Did you see the similarity between the fanfic and the "new" work? If my calculation is correct, it means that 11% of the"new" work is in fact original... and 89% is fanfic. But hey, that's OK if you're a fan [:)] We'll have to agree to disagree! [:)] And this really doesn't really have anything to do with the French government's decision to restrict the sale of bargain books either... In view of that restriction, it's good to know Amazon allows its customers to return a digital book if they change their mind about their purchase.[;-)]

[quote user="Thibault"]E L James did not make money from her fanfic - she originally wrote a story based on Twilight for which she received no payment. Her later books (the Shades Sagas) were new stories for which she owned the copyright and thus was able to make large amounts of money, but she received nothing for her fanfic.[/quote] I see you bought the hype! [:D] The Shades saga, as you call it, is her fanfic, with a simple change if names. All she did was a simple search-and-replace to change the names of the protagonists. In the earlier versions of the "new" work, some name changes were missed and still appeared as the fanfic names. You're right though, she did not make money from the fanfic. She made money from changing the names and passing it off as an original work, even though it had been available to read for free long before it was available for sale. THIS explains it in more detail. Many, many more fanfic authors have stepped on the road to riches by pulling their fanfic for publication (it's called p2p), and some others have also managed a movie deal. Cassandra Clare and her "Mortal Instruments" have just seen the first (and hopefully her last) transition from book to movie. I have a book recommendation, if anyone is interested. It's also being made in to a film (scripted by Jon Stewart and the author, Maziar Bahari). No hint of fanfic there [;-)]

[quote user="woolybanana"]When my next book comes out, Clair, I shall personally scrag you if do a read and return as you will be depriving starving children of the minimal amounts that the book earns![/quote] I promise it won't happen if you send me a free copy! [:P]

[quote user="Thibault"]Authors generally write books to earn money - if they are not interested in money, then they write fan fiction.[/quote] Are you aware of E.L. James and the other authors who make money from their fanfics? There are shelves dedicated to their writing on Goodreads! I'm sure they all give their books away! [:D]

It's understandable that authors and publishers are at odds with Amazon's return policy, but it's there now for Amazon's customers to use.

Chiefluvvie, This will be my only reply to you. I couldn't care less about your opinion. You carry on baiting... If you must... (yawn)

[quote user="woolybanana"]So, Clair, you read 'em quik and send 'em back, then? Sounds very easy to me. There has to be a limit as to how often you (one!) can pull that little trick.[/quote] Yes, I do just that! I don't know about any limit, but it's based on distance-selling consumer law. The consumer has 5 days to return goods bought by mail-order, no questions asked... After a quick check on my Amazon emails, it would appear I have returned 33 books since May...

It's worth mentioning that Amazon has a 5-day return policy on digital books. Any Kindle book purchase can be returned for a refund within 5 days of purchase and I frequently make use of that policy. Refunds are made within 3-5 days of the Kindle book being removed from the Kindle library.

[quote user="Lehaut"]Being one of those people who engage in Bizarre Bedroom practises (!) the area where the Kindle wins hands down over all the other devices I read on (PC, laptop, tablet, phone) is the autonomy. Its the Duracell Bunny when it comes to the length of time you have available to read, apart from the other visibility advantages.[/quote] That is very true.  :-) For me, it's just the perfect electronic library! When used with Calibre, it's just a doddle... I spent some time sorting every one of its 587 books (as of this morning!) into a specific collection, so I can just jump into a book to fit my mood!

Norman, in actual fact, I do a lot of reading in bed at night and my Kindle is just perfect for me to read without the need for a light disturbing Mr Clair. I find the the iPad screen much too bright. I agree with your remark about captive markets, whether by Apple, Barnes & Noble or Amazon and that's why I use Calibre to format my digital books to suit my needs.

[quote user="sweet 17"]I am almost persuaded to have a kindle!  And I never thought I'd say that.  It's interesting what lehaut has said about reading e-publications and dyslexia.  Could be cheaper than new specs, LOL! But Clair is right about Canute and the sea.  Some things such as this one under discussion are, by their nature, unstoppable; is "incontournable" the right word, svp, Clair?[:)][/quote] Sweet, a quick clarification, as you say you may be considering purchasing a Kindle... In an earlier post, KathyF mentions "I'm still not tempted to pay [...] for the hire of a downloaded copy of a new book [...]" I just want to clarify that when you download a digital copy, it is not on loan. It is a purchase, albeit technically restricted as to its use (by DRM = Digital Rights Management) - i.e. an iBook can only be read it on your Apple device; an Amazon Kindle book can only be read via a Kindle app on your PC or on a Kindle device, etc... Having said that, there are ways and means around this technical restriction, to allow the buyer to read the digital purchase without the need for a specific electronic device. And yes, incontournable is the correct word [:)]

[quote user="woolybanana"]The new French law says that a book cannot have free postage and the 5% (maximum) discount allowed under the law. It has to be one or the other. It remains to be seen what will happen if said books are dispatched from, say, Luxembourg.[/quote] I'm sure Amazon will make suitable purchase suggestions when a book order is placed in order to avoid having to pay for delivery. "Buy a pencil with this book and get free delivery!" [:D]

I have not read anything about "shutting down Amazon's operation in France". I have read about a law stopping e-shops from shipping bargain books for free (one source here).

I almost wish I hadn't commented... [:(] My post was not a judgement, a condemnation or a red rag waved for a debate about tradition against technology. I love books too. I am an avid reader. Anyone who has met me knows I carry at least one book with me all the time (I carry my Kindle now.) I collected books for years but I simply cannot afford to buy them any more since moving to France. I find it easier and definitely cheaper to download them. I find most of them, even recently published ones (Steven King, Robert Galbraith and others) for free through websites I cannot mention on this forum. And that is why my first thought was "Don't most people download books?" PS: As for libraries, there's none worth mentioning around where I live.

[quote user="Lehaut"]"That's a bit pointless! Don't most people download books nowadays?"  It is not always possible. We have just spent over 150 euros on school books for our youngest last year at Lycée. They have to be specific books, year and edition. We use a local shop and if she gets the wrong book, its on her to change it for the correct one. She also sells last years books too, if possible. There are 1500 pupils at the school, quite a large market[/quote] I understand that. I was merely stating the first thought which came to my mind when I heard about the decision. I suspect that unless there is a stated need for a specific hard copy like the one you mention, a lot of people now download digital books rather than buy them. I just can't help being reminded of King Canute at Bosham... [blink] I used to spend hours in bookshops in the UK, regularly buying new and second-hand, but that's not something I do in France. I just find the cost of books really prohibitive. I just don't buy them any more. On the other hand, I have downloaded around 7000 digital books since buying a Kindle a few months ago. I cannot get classics in hard copy for free from any bookshop, but I know plenty of websites where they are available for free download, so if I want to read them, I download them. I also resent tremendously having to pay 15€ for a download which sells for next to nothing in another country... I was recently sent a digital copy of a book which would have cost me nearly 20€ if I had downloaded it in France (yes, I know it's not an authorised use!)