Talk:E-book Reader Matrix

From MobileRead

[edit] Ebook Formats

The two most common ebook formats for technical books are PDF and HTML. Legacy ebooks for the Palm are often in PDB format. The Microsoft Reader format (LIT) is also common, as is TXT. Microsoft Word compatibility is also useful (DOC, RTF). See http://www.writingonyourpalm.net/column011105.htm for a description of file types. This should be considered a minimal set for useful compatibility with commonly accessible ebook files.

[edit] SD Cards

SD cards are the common storage format now. There are smaller versions of them that can be placed into an SD card carrier for physical compatibility. One useful parameter for an ebook reader is the maximum size of an SD card the reader will support. This information is often omitted from reviews. Some people have large collections that they would appreciate being able to carry all on one card; a library in a pocket.

[edit] Connectivity and Expandability

USB 2.0 is so superior to USB 1,1 that it should be considered a requirement for all new devices. Downloading a large collection is much faster with the newer standard. One should simply be able to view the device as an attached USB file system, rather that needing to use special software for connectivity. An operating system is available within some of the devices, but can we add applications? Can I add Microsoft Reader to the Sony? Would MobiReader be available to gain file type compatibility?

I agree! I don't understand why new (usually consomer) devices are still being shipped with USB 1.1. Perhaps to be backwards-compatible to legacy computers?

[edit] Compatibility with Media designed for Print-disabled and blind users

I noticed that most of these machines have an audio component. They could potentially be a great aid to people with print reading disabilities who benefit from being able to hear text while seeing it.

For years such people have used special adapted media recording from the Library of Congress or the non-profit organization, Recording for the Blind

[edit] Compatibility with Alternate OS'es

I think there should be comparisons that specify which OS's each device supports. I myself am a Mac user and I'd like to not buy a shitty ebook reader that only support Microshit.

[edit] Non specialized devices should be covered also?

I think it makes sense to mention non-specialized devices on this page.

I'm not sure exactly how to handle it but people coming to this page are probably trying to evaluate how they wish to pursue mobile eReading. Comparing the capability of Palm devices, mobile phones, XO laptop, and ultra compact PCs along with dedicated eReaders supports that goal better than the current table. The 'mobile' qualifier would serve to exclude desktops and regular 'portable but not mobile' laptops.

The table looks like it could not accommodate many more columns perhaps a new table is needed.

DaleDe 11:34, 31 December 2007 (CST) I think that the table is already big enough. It can be difficult to manage if it gets too big and it becomes an apples and oranges comparison. Products need to be compared in families IHMO. General devices should be compared with other general devices and then only compare features that are related to eBook use. The user can extrapolate the various comparisons as needed. There are already small laptop comparisons and UMPC comparisons available. If you start getting too far into generic devices you end up with hundreds.