Registered: Feb 2002
Location:
Posts: 27

Read and Write DOCS

Is there such a thing as a good Freeware program that will let you read and write docs? Would it also cover reading ebooks in doc. format?

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Philippines
Posts: 38

sorry, can't help you.

i did a reasonable search for about a month before finally deciding that QuickOffice was for me over the DocsToGo.

i really needed such a software and was lucky that QuickOffice was being sold below $30. the $10 dollar discount was a big help as i have limited funds at the moment.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 216

Okay, I have to ask this. Do you mean doc files (as in Word document files) or DOC files (as in Palm OS document files)?

For Word files (doc), I am unaware of a free reader or writer. I think that you will have to pay for WordSmith, Documents-to-Go, or QuickOffice. I use Documents-to-Go and have been very happy with it. A lot of folks on these boards like WordSmith. All of these will let you both read and write Word files (as well as other types).

For Palm OS document files (DOC), there are a number of free readers. The one that I use and like best is CSpotRun. I use it to read ebooks in the DOC format that I download from Memoware. Go here for a list of free and not free readers. With regard to writing doc files, I downloaded a free program called DocInOut which converts Word documents (doc) or text documents (txt) into Palm OS documents (DOC). It can also interconvert a number of other file types. I write documents in Word and then convert them into a DOC file for my PDA. I have also converted references in txt format into DOC files which I keep on my PDA.

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Last edited by Pathdoc on 02-06-2002 at 01:55 PM

Registered: Feb 2002
Location:
Posts: 27

I guess that I am not absolutely sure that I will want to make documents on my PDA. I can convert Word 97 docs into adobe pdf docs on my desktop and had planned to download those to the pda to read. I am wondering though if I will still need a doc reader--cspotrun, readthemall, or some type doc reader in addition to the acrobat palm os reader in any event?
And I am wondering if the Doc Readers, and ebooks in that format are smaller than Adobe pdf files, if memory use--in that 8mb pda brain--will be too chewed up using Adobe with the pdf files?
You guys are great! Really appreciate the feedback as I am brand new to this computer genre.
Karlton

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: 'braska
Posts: 211

Have you tried the Acrobat reader? It is painfully slow on my Platinum. Palmdoc file are most definetly smaller and much faster. The only reason I still have Acrobat is the 64mb CF card in my Matchbook Drive.

I use a bunch of tools to edit / view palmdoc files on my unit, but most notably are Wordsmith to edit with some viewing, and ReadThemAll if I am sitting down with an ebook.

If you are looking to make palm docs on the desktop, I use DocReader to paste text into and save as a pdb.

Another option, if you go the WordSmith route, is to create a file in Word, add to WS, and after syncronization you can use WS to save as a palmdoc.

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Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Philippines
Posts: 38

i use both QuickOffice and Adobe to read my ebooks.

Of course for reading doc and DOC files I use the QOffice.

And yes Adobe files do eat up more space than the DOC files(comparison of same document in two formats). Unfortunately I have a lot of office references that are in Adobe format that is why I keep it.

Registered: Feb 2002
Location:
Posts: 27

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the info!
Karlton