An Easy Guide To eBooks

"The fastest velocity is right now."

What is an eBook?	eBooks are basically printed in light (digitally) instead of ink. Even with the innovative leading edge Kindle reader, which uses magnetized ink on its screen, the publishing process is digital, and "loads" into a reading device. You can carry (load) hundreds + books anywhere with you in a device that fits right in your hand, pocket, or purse. Download complete novels, stories, and other books in minutes, no waiting. Take them with you and grab reading time on the go or waiting in line. Pack them in your kid's computers, they're "the other video game"!

How do you read an eBook?	You need 2 things: eBook *Hardware* & *Software.*
eBook HARDWARE	*Hardware* is the container into which eBooks are downloaded from the internet and read. Hardware is a small handheld device ('Reader Device' also called an eReader), or a laptop computer, or desktop computer. There are various styles of small eReaders from which to choose, (described further below). Multiple titles and books are downloaded from the web into one eReader, which is smaller in size than a paperback. Many predict this is the future of school texts.
eBook SOFTWARE	Most eReaders come with their own free *Software* (platform). The books you can find in eBook editions are usually available in any of the various software platforms, it's just a matter of which eReader you prefer. Microsoft Reader and the Adobe Acrobat eBook Reader are the leading platforms. Both are free. The software can be used in the small handheld eReaders, as well as home or office computers. Peanut Press (for Palm Pilots) is also a favorite ebook platform. Many new titles and book classics are being made available for most ebook platforms.

Picking your Hardware	Think of the hardware (the eReader device) as a book jacket, smaller and lighter than most printed books. You can load many books into it, and it'll never change its size or weight. Sweet.
There are three types	What type of hardware to get? 1). eReaders Smaller than book-size plastic tablets that have buttons for turning pages and scrolling text. The only function of these devices, such as Franklin eBookman and Rocket eBooks Gemstar, is to read ebooks. Take the eReader with you to lunch, in the car, on planes, to the beach; cuddle it in bed, in front of the fireplace, or read to your children anywhere and often. Hundreds of books fit into one Reader device. Think of your eReader as a case that magically embodies a library of hundreds of books at your immediate reach. The price of an eReader amounts to a few hardcover books, after which it pays for itself. 2). Multipurpose devices. Multipurpose devices such as Palm Pilot, Pocket PC, and other PDA devices, read ebooks but double as organizers, address books and more, and are another hardware option. Check out hardware manufacturers listed below, such as Palm or PocketPC, for handheld devices that incorporate eBook reading capability. Carrying titles in your handheld is a great way to combine efficiency with ebook capability. Get in reading when waiting in line, between appointments, or when traveling. 3). Your desktop or laptop PC Download ebooks right into your desktop computer.

Where to Begin?	1). You can download and enjoy ebooks with hardware you have right now...your laptop or desk computer. If you want to read at your desk, or store a library you an later transfer to a portable Reader device, shart shopping and download books you want. Most ebooks are half or less the cost of paper books. When you look up books you want, the small icon next to the title will enable you to download the free software (platform) required to read it. 2). To bring ebooks with you anywhere, purchase an eReader. In a fast world, there are no longer barriers between you and the intimate vistas and romance only reading provides. Slip a library of riveting reading into your pocket or luggage. To select an eReader that's right for you, compare Editors' picks of eReaders below. Take reading with you anywhere: to the gym, on a commute, to appointments.


Choices of Hardware Devices and Free Softwares	Palm Reader For Palm OS handhelds, and now your Palm reader on your desktop too; the Palm Reader application allows you to read ebooks. This is one of the most popular formats. It displays the contents of your ebooks on the screen of your Palm handheld or desktop in a page-by-page format and provides methods for navigating quickly and easily in ebooks. It includes options for managing ebooks, and allows you to save bookmarks and annotate pages. (Available on Palm OS and Pocket PC handhelds, and Macintosh and Windows computers.) Palm Digital Media e-books are carefully prepared to maximize the reading experience. Because they believe that the convenience and portability of an ebook should match or exceed that of the conventional paper medium, they continue to focus on the handheld computer (sometimes called a PDA) as the best choice for ebooks. Microsoft Reader For Pocket PC handhelds and Windows computers, Microsoft Reader is the first product to include patented ClearType display technology, which improves resolution on LCD screens by up to 300 percent to deliver a print-like display. Microsoft Reader also pays strict attention to the traditions and benefits of good typography. It offers a clean, uncluttered layout; ample margins; proper spacing, leading, and kerning; plus powerful tools for marking, highlighting, and annotating your ebooks. Microsoft Reader 2.0 is a free software application designed to deliver an on-screen reading experience that approaches the convenience and quality of paper. (Available on Pocket PC handhelds and Windows computers.) Adobe eBook Reader The free Adobe® eBook Reader™ enables you to read high-fidelity e-books on your notebook or desktop computer - no special hardware is needed! Only this reader software displays e-books with the pictures, graphics, and rich fonts you've come to expect from printed books. Combining a vivid, elegant reading experience with an intuitive interface, Acrobat eBook Reader gives you all that e-books have to offer. (Available on Windows and Macintosh computers.) Rocket ebooks (Gemstar) devices carry a dozen 300+ page books in one small device. Rocket eBooks offers thousands of titles for the Gemstar device. Book purchases can be downloaded immediately to this device, no personal computer is needed. Features include adjustable text for large-print lovers and rechargeable battery for up to 20 hours of continuous use. Franklin eBookMan The Franklin eBookMan offers lower prices, more PDA-type functions, and a bigger screen on a Palm-size device.