What Is Raw Document?
I heard the term from a client, she asked me if I prefer to receive the raw document or the manuscript (for hard copy book printing). Of course, I want to see the real layout so I can make the eBook almost the same as the hard copy book. Technically, a raw document is a material without any formatting, almost like a TXT file but its in MS Word. If a manuscript is intended for printing, it will take a lot of time making it "raw" and edit the file again to make it ready before ebook conversion to a certain ebook format.
Java eBook Reader Or Stand Alone Reader?
Java eBook Reader is the most common title used in thread titles referring to an eBook conversion software. I don’t want to mention the name of the software. Even on the official website of the said coversion tool, they are calling it as reader, when in fact that it is a conversion tool. Conversion tool is totally different to an ebook reader.
It is somewhat deceiving to eBookworms looking specifically for mobile application and not a PC installer. I found it deceiving and to a ebook reader searcher, it is annoying to learn after file download. No, I wasn’t deceived when I already blog the software here long time ago.
I do recommend mobipocket for S40 or another java enabled phones if they are asking for compatible readers. I also recommend converting their file to java format if they have files that need to be converted. These java format files with *.jar or *.jad extension names are stand alone readers just like *.exe ebook files meaning they are executable files or stand alone readers. There’s no need to install a separate reader for these files. I never tried executable (*.exe) ebook files on my PC after my antivirus detected a virus.
To ebook reader developers and promoters, please don’t deceived your possible buyers and consumers. I had a friend who was so disappointed when he encountered such ebook reader that’s why I’m sharing it here.
PDF Or RGO?
Its a known fact that PDF is the best document for PC. It is also possible to view PDF file on our cellphones and other handheld devices. There are many adobe reader or pdf reader available for mobile phones. The perfect quality of PDF file on PC is the same on a cellphone but you have to scroll or navigate around to view a single PDF document page. Take note that a PDF with lots of images can be viewed depends on mobile phones RAM (random access memory) size, older mobile phones could have a problem of “close application”.
PDF files are optimized for large screens of a PC monitor. The better the quality of a pdf file, the larger the file size. BUT it is the best source file on ebook conversion to other ebook format. Even if its NOT mobile friendly.
Repligo readers caters not for PC alone but to other handheld devices such as PALM, Nokia (S60 1st and 2nd edition), Blackberry, Android Smartphone etc. Repligo has smaller file size but with the same quality of a pdf file. Based on my experience (on Nokia phones), image can be seen only if you will view the whole page, the image is small and impossible to see the details of the image. But on PC, repligo file has the same quality as PDF except for smaller file size.
Would you install both PDF and Repligo viewers on your PC? On your handheld device? I have both of them on PC and mobile. Lets face it, PDF reader is a important on every PC. I’m using Repligo reader for PC to test my converted ebooks before transferring them on my mobile. No, I don’t read RGO files on my PC.
CBR And CBZ for Comic Books
Interested on comic eBook reading? I do. I came across with CBR and CBZ files most of the time and decided to start downloading them and burn them on a CD. CBR is actually a RAR file containing images that have a filename structure that makes them viewable in the right order. CBZ is the same principle except they are ZIP files. These filetypes are generally Comix and CDisplay is generally known as a Comic Reader.
The image above is a screenshot of History Of the DC Universe, my present reading and my kids as well. Too bad that CBR and CBZ reader for symbian phones is not yet available and I can’t bring it anywhere I go. There’s a way though to view it on my symbian phone… convert CBR/CBZ file to PDF but I don’t like using PDF viewer on mobile phone. That’s an advantage for Windows Mobile phone users because there are various available CBR and CBZ readers. On PC, there are freeware available. I’m currently using Gonvisor. I will try testing Comic eBooks using Gonvisor on PSP soon. Do I have to mention that my main goal on ebook reading is making the ebooks handy anywhere I go?
Since I don’t have Windows Mobile phone, I am contented reading them on PC… better resolution, wide screen. The only disadvantage is electricity usage. I wonder if the person who pirated Bob Ong’s eBooks knew this.
Mobile eBook Reader
Sometimes, to mobile ebook newbies, choosing the appropriate mobile ebook reader is confusing. Mobile eBook readers compatibility usually depends on mobile platform so make sure that you know your smartphone’s OS version. Then you can choose and test the best ebook reader for your mobile.
Just like my “Free eBooks Download” post, wherein ebook sources were listed, here’s another one stop list of mobile ebook readers plus their download links. Please do check articles I made in the past.
Warning: Again, make sure that you know your smartphones mobile application compatibility. I am not liable to any damages it will cost you, you can read on the info before downloading the reader. However, feel free to comment here for assistance. Just in case, I didn’t have any past articles about a certain eBook reader, rest assured that it will be posted soon. Most of the mobile applications are free unless stated.
In alphabetical order:
- Best eBook 1.03 (by SmartphoneWare) – formerly eBook 1.03 for Aportis PRC and Palm PDB.
Info | Download trial 15 days - HandyBook (by EpocWare) – for Palm PDB, TXT
Info | Download - Isilo
Info | Download - MobiReader (by Mobipocket) – for Mobipocket PRC, Palm PDB
Info | Download - Repligo (by Cerience) – for RGO files
Info | Download - Wattpad – for online eBook reading, java
Info 1 | Info 2 | Download
Java eBook Creators – I don’t consider them as readers but converted java ebook format is stand alone reader for every eBook. For all java supported phones.
Note: Article will be updated as I add more mobile ebook reader articles. Please inform me of any dead links.
