01-28-2004, 11:00 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Ebooks tutorial with Jenneth Orantia
"Sitting at the train station, standing in line at the bank, waiting for your appointment. . . if only you had something to read! But if you have a PDA, the problem becomes which book to read. The latest Stephen King thriller, a Patricia Cornwell mystery, some classic Shakespeare or Dickens, or a mega-dose of sci-fi? That�s just a sample of the ebooks you can enjoy on your Palm or Pocket PC.
Sure, you don�t get any of the familiar tactile sensations associated with reading a hardcopy book, but you can change the font size, look up definitions on-the-fly, quickly search for specific words, and even use your handheld�s backlight as a built-in book light. And how else could you fit an entire library onto a memory card the size of a postage stamp?"
It's strange, but I'm definitely using my Pocket PC less for ebooks than I used to. I'm not exactly sure why. No, scratch that, I am sure why - it's because in many of the locations where I'd read an eBook, I now have WiFi access...which means I'm more likely to read my email than to read an eBook. Anyone else noticed how evolving hardware hard impacted your eBook reading, one way or another?
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01-28-2004, 11:07 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 268
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Yup, same deal as you almost.. got an XDA II with always on GPRS and my eBook reading plummeted, now I browse the net or check my email on the go.
I still read eBooks in bed to relax sometimes though..
-arebelspy
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01-28-2004, 11:10 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 65
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I've been a huge fan of ebooks for a few years and I've definitely seen my use of the Pocket PC increase even though I recently acquired a Tablet PC and have always used my laptop. It's simple... The Pocket PC is the smallest device and also the device I carry with me the most. A lot of the time, I'm on the treadmill in my basement. It's hard to use a Tablet or Laptop in this case, but my iPaq fits very well in one hand while my thumb hits the pad to change pages.
I don't know if I really hate the MS Reader, but the only format email I'll purchase is Palm Digital Media. Fortunately, I've always found enough to read. After finishing the Song of Ice and Fire series, I'll move on to today's purchase... The Da Vinci code.
With the Tablet, I've started to read more magazines using Zinio reader. Usually, I'm hanging out on the couch while my wife is nursing the baby. It's a great device for spending time with family, and not as obtrusive as a laptop. I hope more magazines go this route. I find that I never have enough time to go through my magazine stash and when I do, the wife has already "cleaned" them up. I don't see how Zinio could do a PPC version of the reader. Could be interesting, though.
Rob
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01-28-2004, 11:13 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 350
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I'm reading fewer ebooks on my PPC, but not due to wireless. No, the hardware change that did it is no jog wheel or similar way to use the volume buttons to scroll on the iPAQ 5455 & 5555. Yeah, I can use the d-pad or whatever it's called, but it's just not the same to me. I used to read more ebooks way back on the Casio e-1xx's I used to have.
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01-28-2004, 11:28 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 176
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I'm lying in bed reading these infernal forums instead of reading...
Point proved! :mrgreen:
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01-28-2004, 11:34 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 469
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Of course digital rights have got to be a turnoff to ebook readers of past. I often get confused on what I can actually read on my ppc and with what reader and format :evil:
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01-29-2004, 12:15 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 333
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I still love ebooks. I have WiFi in my Pocket PC (E740) but still no access most places, so I read a lot of ebooks. I too prefer Palm Reader, and the Palm Digital Media form of DRM. MS REader is ok from a reader standpoint, but their DRM is draconian (although better than it was a few years ago.)
rtrueman, you're going to love The DaVinci Code.
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01-29-2004, 12:19 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Actually, I'm the other way. Even with my new e805 that has WiFi, I read ebooks more now. A jogdial and a hires screen makes a big difference and increases the enjoyment. I think you'll see a renewed interest in ebooks when all devices are 480x640 or higher. 8)
--janak
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01-29-2004, 01:34 AM
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Swami
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,303
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Ohhhh, how you tease us Janak! :wink:
I just don't seem to have time for ebooks at the moment. Two and a half hours of commuting by car will do that. :?
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01-29-2004, 02:04 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 327
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I really love ebooks, they are my favorite way to read. What really annoys me is that I can only get some books in ebook format, and am forced to buy dead trees for others. What is even more annoying is when some of an author's works are available in ebook format, and others are not. I wish that I could also get my ebooks in any format I choose. Some titles are only available in Palm, others in Mobipocket, and others in Microsoft Reader. My favorite way to read is Mobipocket, but my favorite way to purchase is in Microsoft Reader, because ConvertLit allows me to expand it and make it into Mobipocket format if I choose (Mobipocket is much faster and much more stable). I have purchased about $200 worth of ebooks in the last several months, mostly on parenting, since I just had a child. I just love to be able to pull out my iPaq and read when I am waiting in the doctor's office, or in line, or just lying in bed. It rocks!
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Linear Mode
