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| What is an eBook? |
eBooks are printed in light instead of
ink. You can carry many books anywhere with you in a
device that fits right in your hand, or 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. Pack them in your kid's computers, they're "the other video game"! |
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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
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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.
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Picking your
Hardware |
Think of the hardware (your eReader) 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. |
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| 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. |
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Choices of
Hardware Devices and
Free Softwares
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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. |
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