Unsticking My Kindle Downloads

This week my Kindle 2 mysteriously stopped automatically downloading content from the Kindle Store. I tried performing a "Check and Sync" from the main menu several times but no joy. Apparently, the way to jar your Kindle from this incommunicado state is to disable the wireless, restart the kindle from the settings page, then re-enable the wireless. It worked like a charm. My Kindle is now once again one with the Kindle Store. Many thanks to Amazon for helping me with this issue. Truly this is a remarkable device backed by a great service. Awesome.

One Last Hack for 2008

Thanks to SnarkyBytes for this post on how to make a USB charger for the Kindle! A quick trip to RadioShack in downtown San Francisco and my Kindle is now charging. It will be more useful than a brick on the trip home. Amazon should have really fixed this problem for me but it feels good to do something like this for yourself. This is good behavior to continue into the New Year. Happy New Year everyone!

I want it on my Kindle!

Noticed this link on my latest Amazon book search. Not sure if it's new but it's the first time I've noticed it. Brilliant idea really. I'll be clicking that link a lot I imagine since I'm not much into the best sellers list.