Tech From an E-booker’s Viewpoint

When I first saw the MiBook on Mobileread, all I could think was, “Why is this new? The MiBook looks exactly like Kodak’s Easyshare digital photo frame (Model #PTC   7XLT).   Just look at the two photos and judge for yourself.  The optimist in me thought that someone had finally hacked a digital photo frame into an e-book reader.   No, but this is close. 

Just last year I started to buy this photo frame.  It was marketed as a portable device, but I felt that it was a little too much to just whip out of my purse to bore others with pictures of my children.  I ended up sticking to my smaller 2.5″ wallet friendly photo viewer. Then I started thinking that maybe I could find a way to make it into an e-book.  The light weight of the frame, the button placements, lighting, color, just screamed to be made an e-book.  I changed my mind since, well, I had no idea about how to go about hacking the device.

Needless to say I have ordered a MiBook.  From what I can tell, it will read text.  I am hoping that it will read html or at least rtf files.  It would be a shame to waste the color screen.  At $112 from QVC, I think that it is worth the risk.  At the least, I will finally have the photo frame I couldn’t make up my mind about. 

I believe the device is really meant to be a personal digital assistant of sorts for DIY projects like cooking, parenting, gardening etc.  So Instead of just reading a recipe or how to replace a washer on your faucet, you can watch a step by step video in conjuction with text. I like that idea.  Many times when watching crafts shows they go so fast that I am lost after the first step, and I feel like written recipes always leave out something.  I just have a few observations.  Why couldn’t a person:

1. Tape clips from TV and play them in the digital frame they already have (if it has the ability to play video files with sound)

2. Download videos from the Internet from various sites and play them either on their laptop, digital frame, PMP, etc.

3.  Forget about the MiBook and buy the MiBook SD cards and play them via the above methods?

4.  Is the MiBook simply a rebranded Kodak Easyshare or are the insides really different?  Are there any other digital frames that can read text?  Some time ago I did see one that was 10″ and could read pdf files, but it was way out of my price range, and too bulky.

 Now all I need is for someone to find a way to make a swivel portable DVD player into an e-book reader.

If e-ink e-book devices aren’t your thing or if you are looking for a smaller, pocket friendly device to read books, consider a PDA.  Get High Tech has refurbished Palm T5’s available for $99.99.  Here are some the features listed:

•  Palm OS® 5.4, 416MHz Intel XScale416MHz Intel XScale, Extra-large 320×480 Transflective TFT color display supports more than 65,000 colors in both landscape and portrait modes.
• 256MB (215MB actual storage capacity: 160MB internal flash drive, 55MB program memory for applications and data.)
  Supports SD, SDIO and Multi-Media Cards
• 320×480 Color Display
• Bluetooth® Wireless

I have a T5 and from what I can tell it has everything the TX has except the T5 doesn’t have integrated Wifi.  I have never purchased a refurb from this site, but I have ordered parts. As with all purchases take care and call/email  the store if you have questions before you buy. I think that at 100 bucks it’s an inexpensive way to dip your toes in the water.

Three years ago I bought a dedicated e-book reader called Kolin from Argosy.  I wanted something that could hold my reference material.   I was spending my days at the library writing my comprehensives while my daughter was taking summer courses at a local college. I was tired of printing so many pdf files and lugging them back and forth only to find that I had left one at home that I really needed.  The Kolin seemed to fit the bill; it was small, but had a nice size screen, it could read pdf files, and used AA batteries. It was reasonably priced at about $180.  I thought that I had researched the reader thoroughly and was excited to receive my new device.  This week I came across a post I had submitted to the Ebook Community forum:

Thought I’d add my take on the Easyreader. The model I have is the EB683 that includes MP3 capabilities. The on screen says Kolin as well as the carry case that came with it. I was looking for something light and inexpensive with the ability to read pdf files. I contacted Argosy and they were very helpful. The price I paid was $183 plus shipping (via UPS). It came with batteries, the external storage card, headphones, software, and the English OS was preinstalled for me. If you purchase one make sure you tell them that you want the English OS. 

I have also tried listening to a MP3 on it, but it is not stereo. Besides the storage card is only 16mb and from what their support center wrote me, the cards are not sold separately (At least through Argosy). The body of the device is a light pearl white and comfortable to hold. Functions have a short learning curve for the most part. An English user guide is on the device, but it only has the bare basics. The screen reminds me of the Hiebook, but is so much easier to read from and larger view area. There’s no backlight so no reading in the dark, but it very readable in daylight. The real problem is content. That is if you want to read a best seller. Otherwise you can keep yourself busy with your own content and the free stuff on the net. If someone knows how to get the zoom feature to work, please let me know.”

The software could be better, but it is understandable. I found it hard to change the format of the books to my liking. Some text formats better than others. When I convert a pdf file it was effortless, however much too small to read. The device is supposed to have a zoom feature, but I have yet to be able to access it. It also allows you to make simple bookmarks, but no annotations and highlighting. The device also allows you to flip through pages.  Transferring the books to the device can be tricky. Sometimes the software has a hard time connecting to the device. What I really don’t like about it is that the memory card looks like a CF card in everyway except that it isn’t. So you can’t use a card reader to transfer books directly to the device.

So, needless to say, this purchase turned out to be a disappointment. I never got the zoom feature to work.  This week, I decided to give the reader another chance since my skills at formatting and conversion skills have improved and once again I was served another big dish of disappointment.  I can’t find the USB cord that connects the reader to my PC.  As stated above the CF card is not really a CF card so using an external card reader is not an option.  So now the reader is essentially unless I can either find the cord or buy another.  So the moral to this story is to beware of proprietary accessories not just proprietary formats.

Every few months or so, I like to go through my IE bookmarks to update changes.  It is always sad when I delete another e-book link and recently it is becoming the norm rather than the exception.  In particular, the Ebookman sites have dwindled down to just a few.  Does this mean that no one is using the reader anymore?  Mine is still kicking although I have to admit I rarely ever use it. There are things that I really like about my Ebookman 911 that are not present in the newer e-book readers.  Not only is the reader purse friendly, it also has a nice size screen, backlighting, and a jog wheel. I had high hopes when I first got the reader, but having to constantly restore the device every time I changed batteries became a hassle.   Another annoyance is that the desktop software did not keep up with Microsoft.   When I updated to Windows XP and Office 2003, I could not sync the reader or install new software.

Ectaco still sells the reader repurposed as a dictionary.  From what I can tell it has the same features and software.  I do know that the price for the device remains as expensive as it was almost six years ago. Still the site is good for picking up extra accessories for the reader.  These accessories come at a premium price though and for many people it may not be cost effective. So just in case there are any of you that still have a working Ebookman, here are my links that are still functioning.  Some offer free applications. Take caution before buying any software.  Contact the seller to make sure all the information on the site is correct.  It could be that these sites are no longer supported.

 Beiks Games

Reneris Games and other software

Franklin  For desktop software

Ebookmaniac Games, Utilities

Fan Site Free software

Jurie  Games and other software

Mike Pickering  Get EbmDoc (an application for the Franklin eBookMan to read Palm Doc-formatted files)

Ectaco  Buy the reader and accessories

As requested, I am posting instructions for making your your own Eee case.  With some adjustments, this case could also be used for e-book devices as well.  Since my first bag I must have made eight more trying to get the bag just right.   I ended up with various results.   I am finally pleased with my latest revisions.  Writing sewing instructions is a lot harder than I thought.     That said, hopefully my instructions are easy to follow.  If not, please feel free to email me with any questions.  The instructions are here in pdf format.  Enjoy!

I really like the cases offered at Fabrix Cases, but I just can’t see paying $40 for about $4 in materials and limited design choices.  Earlier this year, I had mentioned that I would try to make my own case.  I looked at lots of different patterns from McCalls, Simplicity, and Kwik Sew; however each one would have to be modified for size.  Also I wanted a bag based on Fabrix’s design. At that point I decided to just make my own pattern.   The red case pictured here represents my first attempt.  For the outside I used a 17″ x 17″ napkin I bought at Target.  It was in a pack of two for $2. For the lining I used 1/2 yd of novelty fabric from Walmart.  The fabric was $2 a yd.  I didn’t draw out a pattern, but guestimated the needed size using a ruler and the Eee Pc’s dimensions.  I like the fit, but it just seems a bit bulky since I used ½ inch foam padding.  I originally wanted ¼ inch in thickness, but I don’t know if that would have given me the amount of protection I want.  I placed the Velcro a bit too high and later I just added another strip.   My second bag pictured below was made based on my first attempt and I added an extra inch in width.  Another change I made was to round the corners on both the flap and the sleeve.  This time I did make a paper pattern. This bag lies flatter, but the fit is a bit loose (but not too much).  I do think that it is a great size for my various e-book devices although I’ll never know (my daughter has taken possession).  So now I am creating a third pattern, this time I am subtracting some of the ease previously added.  Hopefully, the third time is the charm.  It’s been a lot of fun and the best part is that I know no one will have the same case.  The case is quick and easy to make and I doubt if it cost me more than $5. If anyone is interested, I will post directions, pattern, and materials.