ebooks

I have used my PDA as a “book” all the way back to my Series 3 Psion. I have no trouble reading from a screen – which is what most people complain about, however I suspect many have not tried using a modern PDA screen and reader program.

I was at a party last night and got talking about electronic books – so I passed my X51v round and everyone said how easy it was to read, and use.

Using a handheld is a green option,

• Ÿ You already own the device – if you have a Windows Mobile phone – so no new purchase needed
• Ÿ The electronic book is not printed on paper, bound, transported etc – a great saving in resources
• Ÿ Storage of ebooks is very efficient – so you can carry a large library with you at all times
• Ÿ Do you like reading at night? – If so you need a light on to see the text, however a PDA has an illuminated screen, no bedside light required – I know the device needs charging but I am sure that is not as much energy as running a lamp
• Ÿ Paper books can be recycled but so can the PDA – eventually
• Ÿ One downside is that you cannot lend DRM secured ebooks to friends – this is something the industry will have to sort

One bit of advice, I would not bother with the Microsoft Reader ebook program. I tried it out on my first WinCE handheld where it worked OK, but the real problems came when I changed my PC (and then my PDA), something I do several times a year because of my job. The program counted how many devices I had it installed on, and as I had it on my PC in the office, and on the one in my office at home, and a laptop, and maybe the office development machine etc it threw a wobbly and I stopped using it. Now the people from Redmond may well have solved those issues or not, but why bother going back and trying again when there are other reader programs out there. As I said eReader pro (www.ereader.com) is my favourite – and I regularly buy books from them. Mobipocket Reader is another option (www.mobipocket.com). Both offer versions for PCs and handhelds but eReader does not yet have a version for Blackberrys but they are promising one soon.

Both the readers can read the long established doc (not .doc by Microsoft word) format books – and it is easy to make your own ebooks from text files – there are a number of places on the web to find freeware ebooks, use Google or start your ebook collection by searching for Project Gutenberg.

An issue arises when it comes to commercial ebooks because both companies use different (incompatible) DRM systems – so once you buy into one system you are committed, so think carefully before you buy into a system. (Microsoft of course uses a third DRM system and I am sure there are other ebook companies using still other incompatible systems!) Have a good look at the various companies catalogues before you commit, so make sure they offer a selection of the books you like. Of course you could always put all the different readers on your handheld and buy from everyone.

This article is sponsored by Octagon Technology of Lincoln, England