Sunday, September 7, 2008

Kindle 101: Putting Your Name on Your Kindle

Have you ever had that horrible nightmare? The one where you absent-mindedly leave your Kindle somewhere and by the time you remember and go back to look for it, it's long gone? If you lose your Kindle, you can only hope that it will be found by a Good Samaritan eager to return it to you. Of course to be able to do that the Good Samaritan needs to know who owns the device.

Here are some ways to keep that information with your Kindle. I'm sure you will think of others.

1. If you carry your Kindle in one of the M-Edge cases, just slip your business/calling card in one of the pockets.

2. If you want your name and phone number right at the top of the Kindle's home screen, go to your account on Amazon and under KINDLE MANAGEMENT, click on MANAGE YOUR KINDLE. You will be asked for your password before continuing. Under KINDLE NAME, click on EDIT INFO. Change the name of your Kindle to YourFirstName YourLastName YourPhoneNumber, e.g., John Smith 000 000 0000.

3. Another way to add personal information to the Kindle is to start at the Kindle home screen, click on MENU and then on SETTINGS to find a slot where you can add a limited amount of personal info. I had enough space in this section to write my name, phone number, address and e-mail. If the person who finds your Kindle plays around with it enough to find the Personal Info section, he/she will be able contact you.

4. Use an indelible pen to write your personal data right on the back of the device or put it on a tape label and afix it to the back of the Kindle.

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4 comments:

Jerry said...

5. Create a graphic that you use as your screen saver that has your name and telephone number included in it.

Jan said...

Good idea, Jerry. But a word to the wise, if you use your own screen saver, it replaces the screen savers that come with the Kindle.

RedZeppelin said...

I've thought about writing my name and/or phone number on the inside front of the stock cover. I seriously doubt that anyone who finds it and is not sure what it is or how it works could ever find the personal information screen on it.

Jan said...

Good point, Redzeppelin. I know someone who found an iPod on a walkway and had no idea how to use it or how to try to find the owner. They just stuck it in a drawer.