eBook reader...

[RedRamage]

There's a lot of things I like about MS Reader, but there are a few I don't like so much either. I'm interested in hearing about other ebook readers out there...specifically ones which can handle a wide range of ebook formats.

What program do you use, and why? What features does that reader incorperate which make it the reader of choice for you?

[theonegod]

I use MS reader. I just buy a book to read so features dont make any differenc to me really. You have to buy a book in a particular format so i suppose i would select the reader whose format has the most books support.

[Khufu1]

Where are some good places to get MS Reader format books?
My only experience (mistake) was when I bought a book for the Adobe reader mistakenly thinking it was acrobat when it was, in fact, the poorly supported E-Book reader they have that doesn't have a PPC version. Where does one getting started with e-books find a good selection of MS-Reader books?
Thanks,
Khufu1

[theonegod]

at barnsandnoble.com or amazon.com you can goto their book section and they have links to ebook sections. One if not both allows you to search for ebooks by reader format.

[mashtim]

You can also try PalmReader, which has versions for desktops (both Apple and Windows), handhelds (Palm, PocketPC, Linux) and I think they even have a symbian version.

There's also TomeRaider, which is proprietary, but they link to a HUGE library with many different format at MemoWare.

Then there's MobiPocket.....

http://www.pocketpcmag.com/nominations/textreference.asp

Aw, heck, just hit this link! :lol:

There are a LOT of reader formats out there. I am personally running FOUR readers on my PPC right now. Gotta love those dual exapnsion slots! Helps me keep my 80-some books with me wherever and whenever.

I guess it all boils down to what types of books you read (i.e. fiction vs technical manuals, etc) and whether or not you have a problem with DRM schemes or not. Most of these reders free, so ty them out and see what your personal preferences are. Have fun! And if you come across a great book, let me know!

[disconnected]

http://www.powells.com/ebookstore/ebooks.html

http://www.contentlinkinc.com

http://www.knowbetter.com

http://www.fictionwise.com

http://www.simonsays.com/subs/index.cfm?areaid=358

[MLO]

I use iSilo. They have a freeware app that you can download that makes books with link functionality. I have a ton of stuff in iSilo format...it was one of the few apps I carried over when I converted from Palm.

I downloaded the Windows 2000 Scripting Guide posted on Microsoft's website into iSilo format...and it is great.

MLO

[spursdude]

There are a lotta free ebooks here (http://www.mslit.com/default.asp?mjr=FRE).

I personally use MS Reader - it works just fine for me, and I don't need a lot of features just to read. Also, combined the Encarta Pocket Dictionary, it's really cool using Reader. If I don't know a word, I just tap it and hit Lookup, and it gets the definition for me.

[Mona13]

I mainly use Palm Reader. I really like it and it is linked to the credit card your purchase it with, not the device. You can download when/as much as you need to. Peanut Press is a great source for books.

If a book is not available on Peanut Press, I do buy the MS Reader sometimes, but only one at a time. I had to wait several days one time on a reactivation and at that time had about $70 unread MS Reader books. Don't want to be in that position again.

Simonsays.com is also a great place to buy books and they have great sales.

[dean_shan]

I like the lookup feature in MS Reader but I don't like the whole activation business to read books that you buy. I use PalmReader for a couple of reasons.
1. No activation, just use your credit card number that you used to buy the book.
2. Books can be used on muliple platforms (Palm, PPC, Windows, Mac) So a book that I has bought will work on all my machines or on my friends.
3. It is easyer to make your own books that MS Reader.
4. Plus I think it is faster that MS Reader

I only wish that in future versions of PalmReader would add a lookup feature.

[Rirath]

Always use Speed Reader Plus myself.

[kellys26]

I downloaded Palm Reader, but when I open it, it can't find any books. Are they .pdb files? I have 3 of them in my 'My Library' folder on my SD card. I tried moving one of them into the same folder that the Reader is on, and still, no books were found. Am I downloading the correct format? Do they have to be in a special place?
TIA,
KellyS

[Steven Cedrone]

I downloaded Palm Reader, but when I open it, it can't find any books. Are they .pdb files? I have 3 of them in my 'My Library' folder on my SD card. I tried moving one of them into the same folder that the Reader is on, and still, no books were found. Am I downloading the correct format? Do they have to be in a special place?
TIA,
KellyS

From Peanut Press:


Follow these procedures for installing books:

Connect your PocketPC device to your host computer.
(Note: We assume that you have already set up communications between your host computer and your PocketPC device.)

Turn on your PocketPC device.

Run SETUP.EXE on the host computer.

Select one of the books from the list presented and click on the 'Ok' button. If there are no books listed, or the book you want is not listed, use the 'Browse...' button to locate a directory with books.

The setup program will automatically install the Palm Reader software and a shortcut to it in the 'Start\Programs' menu.

You will be prompted to unlock your new book on the device when you open it from the Book\Open menu item.

When the installation process is complete the program will exit. To run the Palm Reader software, launch it from the shortcut 'Start\Programs\Palm Reader'. The operation of the PocketPC version of the Palm Reader is the same as the Palm handhelds version. If you have never used the Palm handhelds version please see the reader guide.


You have to install the books using the install app for the reader to "see" the books...

Steve

[kellys26]

Thanks, Steve. I got my 3 books to install. I appreciate the help. Things on the PPC just don't work the way I expect them to! A little different than I'm use to on Windows!
KellyS

[Oregon Trail]

Although there are many commercial ebooks out in cyber land, I like to get free books from esspc at http://esspc-ebooks.com/default.htm
These are generally older books out of copyright. The site operator gladly takes donations to defer his costs. I also look from time to time at Dotlit Books http://www.dotlit.com/The lookup feature on the MS Reader works great with a dictionary. I got a cf reaer/writer specifically to carry more books on a cfII card.

[Oregon Trail]

I travel extensively throughout Oregon for my job. I spend hours in vehicles with another driver or in waiting rooms, sometimes in darkened rooms for medical procedures. The PDA allows me to read in these situations easily without distubing others. It is easier to carry around than books or newspapers, and so simple to update with new material. I am considering dropping several magazine subscriptions, as I get much of the material online. What doesn't work as well are photographic magazines such as National Geographic or Smithsonian.

[ux4484]

I downloaded Palm Reader, but when I open it, it can't find any books. Are they .pdb files? I have 3 of them in my 'My Library' folder on my SD card. I tried moving one of them into the same folder that the Reader is on, and still, no books were found. Am I downloading the correct format? Do they have to be in a special place?
TIA,
KellyS

Your card should have a "My Documents" folder, in that folder, make a "peanut press" folder (it usually makes one for you if the card is in when you install the reader) then Palm reader should then see your books on your card. Same goes for iSilo.

Other things:
I have 4 readers on my Dell: Palm (love that reverse screen), iSilo: http://www.isilo.com/ (reads Palm, it's own, and HTML files, very smooth auto scroll), MS Reader, and last but not least, µBook: http://www.gowerpoint.com (it supports landscape mode (in both directions) and is skinnable. It also reads .prc (non-encoded), HTML, .RTF, and .txt formats. It requires no reset to change to landscape mode either.

There are tons of legal open source ebooks availble at guttenburg press: http://gutenberg.net/ (including many college required text's) and many other ebook sites in .txt, html, .pdb, .lit, and .prc format. A fave of mine is www.Blackmask.com, they have complete collections of "The Shadow", "Doc Savage", and "The Avenger" original pulps in a choice of formats. :)

[vlado]

The other advantage of microbook is that it reads zipped books without unzipping, thus saving quite a bit of space

[Gen-M]

Another vote for uBook. Reads more formats than others. Does not require you to unzip files (or "install" books). Has desktop version, too.

:D :D :D :D :D

[Martin I Pettinger]

Hi

I few months back - about three I'm guessing I experimented making my own lit and pdb books. It was a difficult experience using the freeware that what was available. Question is have things moved in - i.e. a plug in for Word 97 rather than Word 2000 for lit and a simpler way of writing pdb books rather than having to learn code and use text editors.

Martin