Rfalconcam Forum

Work has decided to block ustream, youtube, all photo sites...anything that even hints at "social networking". And the season will be upon us soon. So I'm pondering alternatives on a fairly limited budget.

Really just thinking out loud here...

I could get a phancy phone, but how much will I be able to see on a tiny screen? And the cost...yikes! I could get a phone free on my current plan for $50 extra/month for data.

Or buy a pre-paid phone for $100 and $50/month...all the cheap plans don't work around here...so no savings there unless I let it lapse during the off season. Don't know what sort of fees there might be if I did that to turn it back on. I hear the people at work say that if you get cut off for non-payment it's cheaper to toss the phone & buy new...hence they change their phones & numbers like their underwear.

I could add a tablet to the phancy phone plan for $10, but the cheapest one they offer is a $280 refurbished samsung galaxy. And it's still $60 more/month (assuming I don't go over my allotment). Same deal with a tablet & pre-paid data.

So I think anything that relies on cell signal is out. Plus I wouldn't be able to use it at home-I still live in a 1-bar zone.

Leaving me with wi-fi only tablets.

I took my simple nook reader to work Friday and there was actually a wi-fi signal I could lock onto. That was new since the last time I tried it there a few months ago. Bringing it again tomorrow to check again. And there's a secure wireless network they tell me IT guy will log you into for the purpose of "downloading books". I'm reluctant to count on that...too much activity & they may shut it down-it's supposed to be reserved for e-medical records which we don't have yet. But others are already doing it.

A weekend of shopping leaves me thinking the Kindle Fire (non HD) will be my least expensive reasonably functional choice.

I considered the Nook color-similar price and available used-but I've found there are more free book offerings for Kindle than there are for Nook, so I'm thinking Kindle would give me more options in the long run. I still want my e-ink simple Nook for most of my books.

Any thoughts from those of you who have bought and used any of these devices? Anything I haven't considered?

I know this is long winded, but...thanks for your help!