Registered: Jul 2002
Location:
Posts: 120

Dedicated Ebook Readers

Would like to get some discussion going regarding the use of PalmOS devices as dedicated ebook/etext readers. This is an area I've been involved in for many years. (I remember waiting for something called the Ebookman to come out - IMHO - what a bomb)

I realize the whole ebook phenomena is a mega-topic so let's keep it limited to the non-commercial stuff.

I held off a long time before trying a pda because I really thought the screens were too small. However, I finally took a few gentle steps, tried a bunch, and finally connected with the Deluxe, which I've upgraded to the Neo. Of all the software available, I don't think you can beat the versatility of CSpotRun (even comes preloaded on a Memplug!) MakeDoc is the freeware program to get for easy conversion of any text files.

And I only put the books/texts I'm reading on my device. Once I'm done I delete them. You can always easily synch it back again. So... I find the 8MB plenty of room. One of the great things about the PalmOS is the small size files it requires. That alone makes it one super operating system (even the older versions).

An inexpensive, battery powered(AAA) ebook device to me is pretty close to a daily miracle!

Registered: May 2001
Location:
Posts: 48

I hadn't considered ebook readers until I tried one on my Deluxe. Now I'm a convert! I like ReadThemAll for its auto-scroll feature. I also like iSilo's free reader. I seem to have more time to read now, since I always have a book with me on my visor.

Now I want to upgrade to a color device. I'm concerned about the Treo 90's smaller screen for ebook reading. I've already ruled out the Palm M130 because it's too hard to read the small screen. So I've narrowed it down to the Treo or Clie T615, but haven't been able to see a working model of a Treo in a store yet.

Registered: Apr 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 234

Isilo and Avantgo are Excellent!!!

Hey,

Isilo: Comes in two flavors. Free and Shareware. I used the free version for a while and just splurged for the shareware version when it was down to 2.58 it was only 83K the latest version is almost 300K!!! The thing with isilo is that the documents are around 1/3 less as big as doc files. You can use the converters available at www.isilo.com to convert doc files, text files and html documents into isilo format. The shareware version allows hypertexted documents with inline images. Version 2.58 only allows black and white images but it is bearable. The newer version support tables and color images if you have the space.

Avantgo: It is the best online and offline reader that I have ever used!! You can sign up for a free account and whenever you sync your device you will get new content depending on what channels you select. You can also make custom channels with any content that you want as long as 10 other people did not do the same for the same address. So if you have your own web space you can create a channel with ebooks and hyperlinks pointing to the ebooks and avantgo will sync them whenever you hotsync your device. By the way you have to be online for this to work.

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Cheers

Registered: Jul 2002
Location:
Posts: 120

Re: CSpotRun

If this sounds like a plug for CSpotRun - hey, it's freeware developed by a guy dedicated to simplicity yet not skimping on any features.

It autoscrolls great and is fully adjustable. I don't use a lot of bookmarks but the feature is there. You can choose from four font settings, each adjustable to one of three pixel "strengths".

I doesn't have a lot of ducumentation so you have to fiddle around with it. I think this is where some folks give up. For some fortunate reason, I fiddled instead of giving up. Sure glad I did.

Let's say you load three books. You can custom adjust each one, read some of one, then skip to another, and each time, unless you want to change it, it picks up where you left off.

But, to me, best of all, it uses the plain Palm Doc format (.pdb, .prc) so it's a plain vanilla wonder.

But, all in all, the point is that we have these wonderful, inexpensive devices that allow us to take full advantage of the universe of text available, save a tree or two, and can configure and read the way that works best for us (even those of us with poor eyesight).

Registered: Jul 2002
Location: In a van down by the river
Posts: 89

Palm's ebook reader

I don't know if you like ton's of features but if you do try palm'e e-book reader

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I'd Rather be Diving.......(with my PDA of course)

Check out my forum @ http://groups.msn.com/PDAPocketPCForum

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 227

Mobipocket

Mobipocket is a great, versitle reader and allows for nearly all formats, including proprietary ones requiring a pass code--

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Baltimore MD, USA
Posts: 717

TealDoc

I'm using TealDoc, mainly because it can handle the file structure of a CF card.

I have an InnoPocket FlashPlus with a 256 meg SanDisk CF card. More to the point, I've got over 370 novels on it.

To maintain my sanity, I have to catagorize all the novels in folders by author. When I was testing apps for this, TealDoc is the one that handled the directory structure the best.

In fact, many of the other doc readers don't handle directories at all. They want all documents to be in a hard-coded directory on the card.

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 227

Mobipocket also works off memory cards--- The newer versions at least--

Registered: May 2002
Location:
Posts: 44

Wordsmith Prob

Can't get it to delete some files I had. When I try to delete a doc with the drop-down menu, it Fatal Resets and freezes and I can't even use the reset button because it froze!

What's going on?

There is a small "p" with a circle around it to the left of the name of the doc in Wordsmith. I hit it and an "In-screen" drop-down menu shows up, and I may hit something, like "Delete" but it does nothing for any of the commands.

Wordsmith handles all my Memos. What happens if I uninstall Wordsmith? I hope all my Memos are safe. Then when I reinstall it, should not be a problem with those stuck files, and I still should have all my memos.

Thanks for any advice!

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 227

Get rid of it--

I know -- everone will hate me for this --
but--

If you got Wordsmith as a freebie -- you got your money's worth--

Wordsmith just isn't stable -- The Palm OS is exceptionally stable and it seem foolish to use a program like Wordsmith that is as dangerous as a PPC program--

Stick with DocsToGo or QuickOffice-

Best of luck saving your existing programs --

If you can find and read your docs/memmos with another program -- you should be okay after the uninstall--

Make surte you backup FULLY -- With a module or backup Buddy --etc

Again -- Good luck --

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Oak Grove, Kentucky
Posts: 211

PDA EBook E-List

Hi All,

If you ever in need of a "few" free eBooks
or a mailing list for these discussions; check
out my web page

ByronC

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Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 124

I use Palm Reader Pro the most. It works great on my T-615... a model that I highly recommend for e-book reading. The Hi-res lets you fit a lot more text on one screen. Palm Reader Pro is great because it lets me keep all of my books on the Memory Stick. I have tried using Acrobat Reader to read e-books, but loaded them straight off of the Memory Card is way too slow. I use either PInstall or MakeDoc to convert my txt files to doc.

I grew to love CSpotRun when I had my Memplug with my Visor Pro. Great program.

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