KnowBetter.com Reviews Palm Reader Pro 2.2.3

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://knowbetter.com/ebook/tech/software/palm_reader_pro_ppc.asp' target='_blank'>http://knowbetter.com/ebook/tech/so...der_pro_ppc.asp</a><br /><br /></div>"When you buy an ebook from Palm Digital Media (PDM), you automatically receive the Palm Reader software free of charge. However, if you're really into your reading the company is hoping you'll buy the Pro version of the software which offers additional enhancements. Since PDM is a subsidiary of Palm Source (developer of the Palm Operating System), one might think that Palm Digital Media would devote most of its development resources to improving the Palm OS version of their software... and you would be right. There are a number of differences between the two versions, but most of the the two applications share the same essential feature set."

[scottmag]

I've noticed that Palm Reader is highly touted here, mostly for it's less-restrictive DRM. I'd like to give the software a try, both the handheld and desktop versions, and would likely purchase the Pro versions if I found it enjoyable to read books that way.

So, are there free books, samples, trials, or something to read with the reader software to try it out? I'd rather not buy a novel only to discover I couldn't stand reading that way. I installed Palm Reader on my Mac and was surprised that there was nothing included to read. Not a sample (teaser) chapter, not a public domain work, nothing. I know there are websites dedicated to public domain novels and such, but I don't know anything about etext formats and don't want to have do do all kinds of format conversions. Thanks.

And as a follow-up, are there recommended sources for buying ebooks?

Scott

[Jonathan1]

http://promo.net/pg/

You will find plenty of Palm Reader formatted books there.

As for buying e-books. The only place to purchase Palm Reader books, AFAIK, right now is at www.peanutpress.com


PS- E-mail other e-book web sites to carry Palm books. www.amazon.com and www.bn.com are two off the top of my head. It’s the only way the format is going to grow.

[VanHlebar]

http://promo.net/pg/
As for buying e-books. The only place to purchase Palm Reader books, AFAIK, right now is at www.peanutpress.com


Both Fictionwise (http://www.fictionwise.com) and Baen Books (http://www.baen.com) carry the palm format also.

-Eric

[Paragon]

He mentions that Palm Reader lacks the ability to rotate the screen. I have asked Peter Fry of Palm Digital Media about this feature a couple of times, and he says they would do it......if people asked for it, but there just don't seem to be enough people out there asking them for this.
Same thing for a full screen option.

Dave

[Ed Hansberry]

So, are there free books, samples, trials, or something to read with the reader software to try it out?
There are several at Palm - http://www.palmdigitalmedia.com/free.cgi

Plus there is the one I posted on a week or so ago - http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7095

I just purchased http://www.palmdigitalmedia.com/book.cgi/1588362728 Thursday. Facinating read, and amazing at how wrong so many are about him by relying on what the media wants you to know.

I have the Pro version of Palm Reader. Great deal. I also purchased the 10MB dictionary. 8O

[Jonathan1]

FYI- I e-mailed these guys about a month ago about a Linux version. They did say they were working on one but needed to work out some kinks. *shrugs* Whatever that means.

I was very impressed with their service when no more then 5 minutes after the first e-mail about this another e-mail from these guys show up in my inbox suggesting WINE which I hadn't thought about. I have never to date seen a company do an after thought e-mail. That is what is know as customer service and why I love Palm reader and Peanut Press. :werenotworthy:

Long live Palmsource/PeanutPress!!! :rock on dude!:

[knowbetter]

Another often overlooked source for buying ebooks is http://www.powells.com I'm on my Dell Axim at the moment, so I don't have the exact URL to their ebook section, but there's a link to it near the top of the page.

Palm Digital Media has made their software available to other retailers (like Yahoo!) so look for more outlets soon.

HTH,
Kelly

[dean_shan]

So, are there free books, samples, trials, or something to read with the reader software to try it out?
You can also get free books at Freewarepalm (http://www.freewarepalm.com). The books are ones that are in public domain.

[Ed Hansberry]

Long live Palmsource/PeanutPress!!! :rock on dude!:
That is another in a long line of reasons I prefer Palm's reader to Microsofts. Total customer service vs. a seemingly void [email protected] link at the reader page. :roll:

[Ed Hansberry]

You can also get free books at Freewarepalm (http://www.freewarepalm.com). The books are ones that are in public domain.
Warning - get more RAM before going to that page. You'll need it as 4-5 IE windows pop up when you visit. Worse than Geocities.

[Tora]

http://promo.net/pg/

You will find plenty of Palm Reader formatted books there.

Where? I looked through the site but it looks like most of the books are .txt documents. Is there any way to search for other formats? Or is there a convenient way to convert?

Thanks

[T-Will]

http://promo.net/pg/

You will find plenty of Palm Reader formatted books there.

Where? I looked through the site but it looks like most of the books are .txt documents. Is there any way to search for other formats? Or is there a convenient way to convert?

Thanks

Make eBooks Here (http://www.palmdigitalmedia.com/S=71454aa2fd6ef03c0e15d93408415953PiyzGsCoAAsAACyJH@M1610732/makebook/index.cgi)

[Tora]

http://promo.net/pg/

You will find plenty of Palm Reader formatted books there.

Where? I looked through the site but it looks like most of the books are .txt documents. Is there any way to search for other formats? Or is there a convenient way to convert?

Thanks

Make eBooks Here (http://www.palmdigitalmedia.com/S=71454aa2fd6ef03c0e15d93408415953PiyzGsCoAAsAACyJH@M1610732/makebook/index.cgi)

Thanks for the link.

I looked this over, and it seems like a LOT of work to convert the document. Are there any websites where people post books they've already converted? Something like a Project Guttenberg subsidiary? I wouldn't mind doing my share and converting one or two books, but sometimes you just want to enjoy a good read!

[T-Will]

Actually it's easy. I found a text version of Animal Farm (cause I couldn't find the full book anywhere, only cliff notes were available) and I dropped the text file into the converter program and it converted it instantly. It doesn't have any of the chapter tags and some of the line breaks are a little goofy, but overall it worked pretty good. If I wanted to take the time I could go in there and add tags and all that stuff, but it turned out okay without any formatting.

[Tora]

Oh. Well, maybe it just looks hard. :? I'll give it a try.

Thanks for all the help! (And for the good idea. I would love to read Animal Farm again!)