reading plain text files

[garza333]

I cannot find the answer to what I believe is a simple question. All I need is a reader for plain text, .txt, files loaded from my computer. I use Notepad for all my writing, plus I have many plain text ebooks I've down loaded from the 'net. Can I upload .txt files from my computer to the basic model Kindle and read them?

[Dragle]

Yes.  I have put .txt files on mine and read them with no problems.   I have the K3 but as far as I know all the new Kindles still support plain text files.

Edit: Here's what Amazon has in their Kindle help section:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200728710#recognize

Supported File Types

You can purchase and wirelessly download Kindle books, newspapers, magazines and blogs from the Kindle Store as well as download and read other types of non-DRM (Digital Rights Management) text-based content on your Kindle. Here's a list of file types recognized by Kindle:

    Documents: Kindle (.AZW, .AZW1). Text (.TXT), Unprotected Mobipocket (.MOBI, .PRC), .PDF

Mobipocket files that have Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection applied are unable to read on your Kindle. If you purchased a Mobipocket file from a Mobipocket retailer, you will not be able to open the file on your Kindle.

EPUB eBooks are not supported on your Kindle.

You can add any of the above file types to your Kindle without using the Kindle Personal Documents Service to convert those files to a compatible type. If it is not listed above, conversion would be necessary to read the file on your Kindle.

[Ann in Arlington]

Dragle is correct.  You can either sideload the text files directly on to the Kindle, or send them via Amazon for conversion to Kindle format and read them that way.  Note that, in neither case will you be able to do any significant sort of editing, though you will be able to make some notes if it's in Kindle format.

There is also a Notepad 'book' that works on non-Touch kindles for taking notes.  There is a way to move files to and from it -- it's a bit cumbersome, but quite doable once you go through it once or twice.

[garza333]

Thanks all. That answers my question. Although the basic Kindle is not expensive, I didn't want to spend even a little money and have something that was of no use to me. I don't need to make notes, only read the files. The Amazon explanation does not spell out in plain language that files can be loaded directly from my computer

Thank you.

[Ann in Arlington]

Thanks all. That answers my question. Although the basic Kindle is not expensive, I didn't want to spend even a little money and have something that was of no use to me. I don't need to make notes, only read the files. The Amazon explanation does not spell out in plain language that files can be loaded directly from my computer

Thank you.

My recollection is that it's explained how to do so in the Users Guide, which is available as a PDF.

BUT, honestly. . .it's easier to send them.  Unless you NEED them in txt format and can't work with the conversion.  If you send them to the Kindle via Amazon, they will also then be archived there and available to be easily sent on to any other Kindle or Kindle app device that you may later get. 

If you send them via WiFi it's completely free, though there is a small charge if you send them and they're delivered via 3G.  To avoid the charge, use the 'send to' address with @free.kindle.com and it will only go via WiFi. 

There's also a place in the "Manage Your Kindle" section of Amazon, to set it so that they are not allowed to charge you even if you use the regular @kindle.com address which means it will only ever be delivered via WiFi and you won't even accidentally be charged.

[SusanCassidy]

Actually, my experience is that, depending on the files' structure, conversion of .txt files can be hit or miss.  If you have files that are lists of things, those do not convert well most of the time.  Things like book text files can be converted fairlly well.

[Dragle]

There is also a Notepad 'book' that works on non-Touch kindles for taking notes.  There is a way to move files to and from it -- it's a bit cumbersome, but quite doable once you go through it once or twice.

Oooh, thanks for mentioning this-- just got it for my K3!