I'm on the fence on the topic of hyperlinks and the Kindle. The Kindle's browser almost works, so it's tempting to include links. But very few sites display properly in the Kindle's rude browser, in 4 shades of gray.

And you can't assume that Kindle readers will be connected (I primarily use mine on the subway, which except for one bridge, is one long tunnel of by yourself, electronically).

On the other hand there's something boring about holding an electronic gadget that promises an always-on connection to the Internet -- and not taking advantage of it.

Maybe it's the gray-scale palette, but the Kindle feels transitional, in-between. It's not a static book, but neither is it a stunning, thrilling, vibrant window onto an electronic universe. There's something muted about it.

Maybe Kindle 2.0 will have an improved browser. At that point, a HotSpot Confidential (Kindle edition) rewrite will be in order.