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A good test book for checking eReader-format support  XML
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RobertJSawyer



Joined: 12/23/2009 15:52:51
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Although eReader is a very robust application on Palm OS devices, and the Windows implementation isn't bad (although the B&N Reader version has lots of bugs, and many features stripped out), other recent implementations have left much to be desired, especially when dealing with complexly formatted ebooks.

See rest of this post here (since ECTACO only allows tiny posts on this forum).

===

ROBERT J. SAWYER, Science Fiction Writer
Author FLASHFORWARD, basis for the TV series
http://sfwriter.com * sawyer@sfwriter.com

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kmrowley



Joined: 12/31/2009 17:14:27
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I think the problem is that the format of PDB is a bit too specific for palm devices. On one of the forums on Amazon today there was a discussion on DRM and someone mentioned that the EPUB format was a bit more sophisicated than most of the other formats.

I think that the publishing industry really needs to come together and come up with a standarized format. It’s been done before with JPEG and MPEG.
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RobertJSawyer



Joined: 12/23/2009 15:52:51
Messages: 42
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kmrowley, you've made that contention over and over again, and it's just not true. There is nothing "specific for Palm devices" about the eReader format. Yes, they use the file extension .pdb because that's one of the few extensions Palm devices recognize, but the internal file format is not Palm specific. eReader is supported on all the devices listed here. Honest to God, the Palm connection is a nonissue in this regard.

===

ROBERT J. SAWYER, Science Fiction Writer
Author FLASHFORWARD, basis for the TV series
http://sfwriter.com * sawyer@sfwriter.com

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kmrowley



Joined: 12/31/2009 17:14:27
Messages: 106
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RobertJSawyer wrote:There is nothing "specific for Palm devices" about the eReader format.


Well, I'm probably not the expert that you are - but it seems to me that the ebook pdb format originally started back with Peanut Press - running on the Palm PDA OS of the time (v3.x on the Palm IIIc, I think). My guess is that the format hasn't really evolved much after that. Yeah, there is now software available today that can read the format on other devices, but as you pointed out there are problems with certain functions at times. All I know is the chapter links work on my Palm, as do the dictionaries, the images, and the footnotes - it's almost as if the files were specifically designed to work on that device.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 02/04/2010 23:48:45

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pgovotsos



Joined: 12/22/2009 14:30:04
Messages: 114
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Ereader pdb isn't a database, it's a document format just like doc, gif or jpg. Just like those formats, ereader requires a program to read them AND just like those formats, some programs don't implement all features of that format - like some graphic programs don't support progressive jpgs, only interlace or like Word & Wordperfect can read each other's files, but not all features translate correctly.

Yes, the ereader format started on PalmOs - it was the only viable portable option at the time, but it has matured greatly since then. As Robert was saying in the first prompt, Ereader format is the most robust and mature ebook format available. It currently is the format supported on more OSs than any other - Windows, Mac, Palm, Blackberry, iPhone, Android, Symbian, Windows Mobile/Pocket PC, and several dedicated book devices.
pgovotsos



Joined: 12/22/2009 14:30:04
Messages: 114
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I think your complaints more appropriately apply to this specific device's implementation of the Ereader format rather than the format itself. The format will do anything you want, it's just that Ectaco has so far only implemented the most primitive features of the format. They claim support will improve but of course time will tell.

If you can't stand Ectaco's implementation of the Ereader format, stop complaining about it and vote with your walet - get another platform that supports a format you like or buy a nook that supports a more complete Ereader feature set, though it 's missing some features the Windows version supports also.

Panagiotis
kmrowley



Joined: 12/31/2009 17:14:27
Messages: 106
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pgovotsos wrote:"Ereader pdb isn't a database,..."

"Yes, the ereader format started on PalmOs - it was the only viable portable option at the time, but it has matured greatly since then."


Strictly speaking, no the ebook pdb format isn't a true database, but it was / is an external data file for a database..
http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/PDB

You claim that the pdb format has since "matured" - how so? The eStudio program I have installed is fairly old (around 2004), and I probably have an older version of it from around the first part of the 2000 on my old W98SE box. What new features of the format are there today that were not around back then?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 02/05/2010 07:31:19

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kmrowley



Joined: 12/31/2009 17:14:27
Messages: 106
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pgovotsos wrote:"I think your complaints...."

"If you can't stand Ectaco's implementation of the Ereader format, stop complaining about it and vote with your walet.... "
Panagiotis


Not sure if you aimed this at me, or Robert, or just the general public..

But if it was me, I like the JBL and don't have any issues with it - it does all that I need to do. And have even gotten a couple of other people to order one based on my recommendations...

I'm also happy with my old palm too..
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RobertJSawyer



Joined: 12/23/2009 15:52:51
Messages: 42
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kmrowley wrote, "All I know is the chapter links work on my Palm, as do the dictionaries, the images, and the footnotes." Those features also work on the Windows version of eReader; those features also work on the iPhone version of eReader; those features also work on other versions of eReader, as well. It is not a Palm-related issue; you are wrong when you say, "It's almost as if the files were specifically designed to work on that device."
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RobertJSawyer



Joined: 12/23/2009 15:52:51
Messages: 42
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[continued from above] They CAN BE MADE TO WORK on the jetBook - Lite; the problem is NOT that the eReader format has some magic synergy with Palm devices, and it is NOT that ECTACO has or would have to write a Palm OS emulator to run on the jetBook hardware. The problem is SIMPLY that ECTACO rushed a half-assed program for reading eReader-format books to market.
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RobertJSawyer



Joined: 12/23/2009 15:52:51
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[continued from above] Now, you may not CARE about the very features that you yourself have enumerated as missing, kmrowley, since you write "I like the JBL and don't have any issues with it - it does all that I need to do." Good, be happy. Enjoy. But please stop insisting that features the rest of us need are unavailable because of some made-up-belief you hold about eReader-format-books only truly being readable with all their feature on Palms. That's not the case RIGHT NOW; those features are ON OTHER PLATFORMS AS WELL; you are demonstrably wrong.
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RobertJSawyer



Joined: 12/23/2009 15:52:51
Messages: 42
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[continued from above] Hell, ECTACO hasn't even implemented features for eReader books on the jetBook that they offer on plain-text books on the same device (such as dictionary lookup and search). Their HARDWARE can do those things. You don't care; fine. But others do -- and just maybe a few more of us, if we were made happy, might buy the product for others, too, or urge others to buy it. ECTACO still has work to do if they want to corner any meaningful portion of this marketplace.

===

ROBERT J. SAWYER, Science Fiction Writer
Author FLASHFORWARD, basis for the TV series
http://sfwriter.com * sawyer@sfwriter.com

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pgovotsos



Joined: 12/22/2009 14:30:04
Messages: 114
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kmrowley wrote:
Not sure if you aimed this at me, or Robert, or just the general public..

But if it was me, I like the JBL and don't have any issues with it - it does all that I need to do. And have even gotten a couple of other people to order one based on my recommendations...

I'm also happy with my old palm too..


Of course it was aimed at you. If your so happy, enjoy it and quit griping about things you have no knowledge of. Once again, you do yourself no credit by parading your ignorance for all to see.

Panagiotis
kmrowley



Joined: 12/31/2009 17:14:27
Messages: 106
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pgovotsos wrote:
kmrowley wrote:
Not sure if you aimed this at me, or Robert, or just the general public..


Of course it was aimed at you. If your so happy, enjoy it and quit griping about things you have no knowledge of. Once again, you do yourself no credit by parading your ignorance for all to see.

Panagiotis


If it was aimed at me - then why did you say; "I think your complaints.."
What did I complain about, other than other people complaining....

"If you can't stand Ectaco's implementation of the Ereader format..."
When have I even said I can't stand what Ectaco done with the JBL? I like the device. Probably as much as that old Rocketbook that you like.

(Cont.)
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kmrowley



Joined: 12/31/2009 17:14:27
Messages: 106
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pgovotsos wrote:
kmrowley wrote:
Not sure if you aimed this at me, or Robert, or just the general public..


Of course it was aimed at you. If your so happy, enjoy it and quit griping about things you have no knowledge of. Once again, you do yourself no credit by parading your ignorance for all to see.

Panagiotis


(cont.)

"..stop complaining about it and vote with your walet - get another platform that supports a format you like..."
I looked at a number of the other platforms before buying a JBL and I did vote with my wallet - I bought the JBL.

"...about things you have no knowledge of. "
What? That the pdb file format is a database file? If you got a source of information that says that ain't so, post me a link to it.. otherwise I'll continue to believe what I've read here..

http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/PDB
http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/EReader
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