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Microsoft Reader (.lit)

OEB "under the hood", Microsoft's Reader format is a compiled binary compressed ebook format that at the least protected publically available DRM, is "sealed" from user changes. Although it used OEB source files, you can't read .lit files in a browser. You have to have a copy of Microsoft Reader to properly decompress and unencrypt them. Microsoft Reader files look great, and offer many of the advantages of paper books (pagination, highlighting, annotation) along with the advantages of ebooks (small file sizes, keyword searching, hyperlinks), but it's not as "durable" a format as ASCII since you can only read it on platforms for which a version of Microsoft Reader is available. The Bormat Blues

Don't forget Writing on Your Palm.

Disclaimer: I'm an occasional WoYP contributor.

...at least, not in big enough numbers to make it worthwhile to make them.

Jeff Kirvin talks about this in the latest entry in his Writing On Your Palm blog. He points out that companies like Toshiba, Sony, and HP who used to make all these high-end super-geek-toy PDAs--the "Ferarris of handhelds"--are now either out of the PDA industry altogether, or at least having a hard time keeping up. Whereas Palm, who makes "Toyotas," just keeps on ticking.

Apparently there just isn't a market for a super-duper-gee-whiz-does-everything PDA at this point.

I understand where the submitter is coming from completely -- this type of device has been my Holy Grail for a long time too.

The closest I ever came to the perfect solution was pulling together the following kit:

• Handspring Visor PDA. Nothing special about this device, it was just a cheap PalmOS device with a good amount of memory (8MB) for not much money (around $150-200 new). You can't get Visors anymore, but a roughly equivalent device, the Zire 21, can be found on the street for less than $80 new -- or you can pick up someone's used device off EBay, as others have mentioned.
• WordSmith word processing software. Provides an amazingly robust editing environment right on any PalmOS device. This is not just a viewer for docs created on your desktop -- it's a full featured word processor that interoperates seamlessly with your desktop copy of MS Office (I know, I know). Free to try, $30 to register.
• PrintBoy -- amaze people by printing to any printer straight from your Palm device, over infrared or Bluetooth. $30.
• Stowaway keyboard -- a tiny folding keyboard that nonetheless has decent typing "feel". I had the original model; the new one, the XT, is even smaller and more portable. $50.

Total cost: approximately $200-250. Others have pointed out that there are devices that wrap all this functionality into one unit (the much-loved Psion devices such as the Revo and the 5mx spring to mind), but with the PalmOS solution you're at least dealing with stuff that's all still currently manufactured and supported, so you won't have to futz with hunting down obscure software and strange replacement parts just to get things done. And if the device dies, big whoop, at $80 it's not the end of the world.

(If you're into this sort of thing, Jeff Kirvin's blog Writing on Your Palm is a good source for advice on mobile writing.)

I agree with multitasking/threading in a LIMITED way, but certainly not a file system. That's the stupidest contrived need for a PDA I've ever heard of. For those of you with Winboxes, open up your "Program Files" folder. You really want something like that on your limited memory PDA? Yikes. I used an iPaq for a year, and file systems... what a waste (Ever heard of a program called WIMR? Don't need one on Palms). The database idea Palm had 'way back was well ahead of its time... the only thing that was missing was being able to install generic files on that "file system"; like MP3s or DOC files. Nice if/when desktops catch up to that (WinFS?)

As for Multitasking, again, CE machines are a nightmare of "wanna be a desktop" os overkill. This is a sweet and smart way to do it, instead of "Start | Settings | Memory | Running Applications | End Program" or loading a program to make the close button actually close something.

My iPaq is now sitting in the cradle, and has been for about 3 months, untouched, while I carry my Tungsten E upstairs and downstairs just in case I need it.

OK! Ignition started, pour on the kerosene!

There's a good web column Writing on your Palm that's all about the topic of using a PDA as a writer. I recommend checking out the past columns for a whole slew of info on Palm vs. PPC, handy add-on software, and the like.

It makes sense to use a PDA with a full-size keyboard, in my opinion (you get maximum portability plus word processor compatability), and with the same purchase you'll have an MP3 player and organiser (and portable web browser and e-mail client, if you get a decent one). Something to consider.

>Um, at least in the US I live in its still innocent until proven guilty. Still up to them to prove I did anything.

Not with the DMCA it isn't. "Offending" materials are to be removed from websites _prior_ to any official legal action being taken. All that's needed is a letter from the supposed true copyright holder that states it's his. Then it's _your_ job to tell them you aren't breaking the law (the counter letter).

Normally, apart from search warrants/being arrested by the police, if you are accused of owning illicit goods, the person being violated has to get court orders or at a minimum chat with the police to get anything done, giving you the opportunity to give your side of the story.

In this case it's strip you of your rights and work your way back up the chain. A very bad way to do "justice", IMHO, and not unlike the Mexican system, from what I've heard.

Doesn't help matters that Palm let itself be pressured into announcing its new lines prematurely, and now has to drop prices on its current Palms to try to lure people into buying them now instead of waiting for the new ones to come out.
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