[madbard]

More than anything else what I really want a decent eBook reader with <B>some</B> PDA functionality (a dynamic calendar and phonebook). As an academic scientist, I want to be able to download articles into an eBook and read it on the go (as opposed to schlepping to the library and cutting down a tree to photocopy a 10-20 page article I may or may not want to keep). However, I don't want to have an eBook <B>AND</B> a PDA <B>AND</B> an Internet/Web appliance. I was considering getting a Handspring but then I found it there isn't even a PDF reader yet.

Everybook.com looks like they are repositioning themselves as such a device, but a two page color display is still a little more than I want and it is still months down the line. As I understand it, there isn't even a PDF reader for PalmOS yet. Will my only recourse be someoone building a paperback sized PocketPC?!

I'd like to hear experience from folks on reading eBooks/PDFs/Avantgo content on a PalmOS, WinCE, or PocketPC device. Does it work for you? Wish for something more?

Thanks!

madbard,

You may want to look at the Franklin eBookman - http://www.franklin.com/
It looks like it is exactly what you are looking for. It has an ebook reader that is compatible with the Pocket PC format and scheduling/phonebook features. It also is an MP3 player. I am not sure on the price but I have heard that is supposed to come in at around $100. The only drawback is it looks like it is only compatible with windoze and will not be available until the fall.

If you do go with a palm compatible device and want to look at PDFs you may be interested in some converters that convert PDFs to DOC format. For windows there is PDF2DOC. Don't know much about it because I am on Macs only. Adobe will also convert any pdf file to text or html by email. You could then convert the text to DOC format with one of the many converters or use iSilo to read the HTML document. The link for the Adobe conversion is - http://access.adobe.com/access_email.html

Hope this helps.

Matt

[madbard]

Thanks for the heads up. That looks promising although I'm disappointed it is Windows only. And it looksl like they just made the announcement YESTERDAY! I went to the web site and sent them email saying I would be interested if there is a Mac version.

[tonymac]

I bought the Stephen King eBook for my Palm IIx (since a Mac version wasn't available). I found it very easy to read and conveniently portable. I've also used avantgo and was impressed with the translation of web pages into plain text. My two problems with avantgo were having to hotsync in order to obtain the results of a search and the fact that my hotsync took 2 to 3 times longer (even on a DSL connection). I would recommend a Palm or Handspring for what you need.

PS Does anyone know of an online source for classic novels (ie public domain). I'd like to be able to carry a couple of classics on my Palm for the times I'm stuck somewhere without a paperback.

[JoshFofer]

Here's a web site that will convert PDF's to text, HRML or a PalmPilot .DOC file. Handy indeed!
http://www.sanface.com/webpdfviewer.html


Here's some links for eBooks: http://www.palmpilotfiles.com/ebooks.shtml
www.memoware.com
http://pocketbooks.freeservers.com/
http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webri...text&id=1&list

www.palmgear.com is also a good spot.



[This message has been edited by JoshFofer (edited 06-29-2000).]

I've read many books on my Psion Series 5mx, and find it very comfortable - once I get into a book, the medium doesn't bother me.

It also has much reference material: dictionaries, manuals, etc. There's software for plain ASCII, TCR, AportisDoc, PDF, HTML, TomeRaider... and with a big CF card, you can carry an /awful/ lot of text!

(It's a fantastic machine, very popular here in the UK, though few people seem to have heard of it elsewhere )

------------------

Andy/

[madbard]

Follow-up: Gateway (www.gateway.com) apparently is developing a Web pad device which looks interesting but only 3 hours lifespan....