There are a lot of new users, and people who don't venture into the developers forum much, so I wanted to make a list of things you can do with your iLiad that people may or may not be aware of. This can be a running list that will include functions from the factory, and 3rd party modifications. Feel free to contribute to this thread. Discussions about the functions should take place in the linked threads.


Reading

Formats you can read

PDF

Zoom in and out of PDF's. Allows you to view documents not formatted for the iLiad's screen
View PDF's in Portrait and Landscape mode. Also helps viewing documents
Follow Hyperlinks and move back and forward
Scribble on any PDF document. You can later merge the scribbles on your desktop (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9535).
Bookmark (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13914&highlight=bookmark) specific pages inside a PDF.
Automatically zoom and browse PDF's that are in column format (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=110018&postcount=2). Helpful for technical articles.
Use gestures (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=111994&postcount=36) to perform various functions (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=111678&postcount=3) inside a PDF.
Read in full screen (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14915&highlight=full+screen), without the bottom tool bar.

Mobipocket

Read DRM (http://www.mobipocket.com) protected and non DRM'ed Mobipocket books.
Increase the font size of text within a mobipocket book.
Look up words in a dictionary (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12000&highlight=gcide) while you're reading.
Browse a book by the table of contents

HTML
TXT
Unencrypted LIT files. (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?p=103393)
Microsoft Word documents, RTF documents (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14953&highlight=abiword)
Microsoft Excel Files (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10482&highlight=gnumeric)

Supported by FBReader (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11344) (Registry Installer (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14516))

Increase and decrease font size
Read in Full Screen mode
Have a clock displayed on the screen while reading
Search within a document
Browse table of contents
Organize a Book library


RTF
CHM
OEB
OPF
FB2
TCR


Other Media

JPG
PNG
BMP
2 Audio Playing Applictions Support: Content Lister Based (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=77260&postcount=35) & Graphical Application (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14142)

MP3
OGG
WAV
MOD


Internet Connectivity

Surf the Web using Dillo (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8870&highlight=dillo) or Minimo (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15448)
Download new comics daily (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12666&highlight=comic).

Play Games

Chess (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13880&highlight=chess)
Mahjongg (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15459)
Interactive Fiction (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11239&highlight=gargoyle)
Sudoku (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8089). Also available at Feedbooks.com (http://www.Feedbooks.com)
GnuGo (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10254&highlight=gnugo) (in text mode)

For Developers and Linux geeks

Open a terminal (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8569&highlight=mrxvt) on the iLiad
Install an SSH server and have it automatically started at boot (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10225&highlight=unbrickable)
Browse the file system on the iLiad and move files around. (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10426&highlight=emelfm2)
Use the iLiad as a Wacom tablet on your Linux computer (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15144).

Security store your passwords and keep them updated with your PC, Mac, or other mobile devices (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11211&highlight=keepassx).
Keep a Calender, Contacts, and Todo List on the iLiad. (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12861&highlight=todo)
Edit simple text files and programming source code. (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15924)
Connect a USB Keyboard to your iLiad (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=63656&postcount=16)
Use as a Compact Flash and MMC/SD card reader for your PC.
Automatically download and upload files to and from your networked Windows computer with the companion software. (On Mac's and Linux PC's with Samba too) (http://forum.irexnet.com/viewtopic.php?t=1035).
Take screenshots of running programs on the iLiad.
(http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15029)

Adam, may I ask you a question. I'm anxious to buy an iLiad, but I need to be very comfortable with the process to convert my paperback books to readable iLiad format. If I scan an entire book into PDF 7.0 (I own a Fujitsu ScanSnap), is there anything else I'd have to do to read it on an iLiad? I understand from the document posted by iRex, "How to make content for your iLiad," that it will scale a given image to fit the display, but the minimum font size I'm comfortable reading is 10pt. If I needed to zoom, is there something I can do either when creating the PDF or on the iLiad side to get the text to reflow? Or is there no way, and I'd need to 'set' the font size I'm comfortable with beforehand?

Adam, may I ask you a question. I'm anxious to buy an iLiad, but I need to be very comfortable with the process to convert my paperback books to readable iLiad format. If I scan an entire book into PDF 7.0 (I own a Fujitsu ScanSnap), is there anything else I'd have to do to read it on an iLiad? I understand from the document posted by iRex, "How to make content for your iLiad," that it will scale a given image to fit the display, but the minimum font size I'm comfortable reading is 10pt. If I needed to zoom, is there something I can do either when creating the PDF or on the iLiad side to get the text to reflow? Or is there no way, and I'd need to 'set' the font size I'm comfortable with beforehand?

I think I can try to answer it, hopefully Adam will forgive me. If you create PDF file by yourself, there is a set of instructions of how to create a special iLiadish PDF file, which will fit screen ideally. Since you are creating pdf by yourself, there is no point in creating standard A4 or letter size pdf.
I think....

Adam, I know you have limited time, but we need those links! I've searched the developers forum and can't find how to do half those things. And some would be very very useful indeed!

Maybe the Iliad Software Wiki needs updating too, as even that doesn't give any clues for many of the above.

Cheers,

Mark

Sorry, I posted this and got really busy at work yesterday. Comments can be asked in this thread, but I'd prefer if they were kept on topic.

I've moved the posts about the Mobipocket TOC here: http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15965

I should have time today to add links to the above.

Nice post. Good idea. Two suggestions:

1. Indicate what can be done with a stock iLiad vs. what requires a modification.
-----maybe just add [requires 3rd party app] at the end of the feature

2. Regarding third party apps, to break any entry barriers for those that may ot feel comfortable I would recommend a wiki that:
-----a) gave a brief intro and overview of modifying the iLiad
-----b) outlined the steps required to unbrick the iLiad
-----c) listed all CURRENT versions of third party apps with:
----------i) overview of what the mod does
---------ii) iLiad OS version compatibility list
---------iii) date modified
----------iv) link to download
---------v) install instructions
---------vi) link to discussion forum for the app

I think organizing the info above in a one-stop-shopping place will really add to the comfort level of people looking to modify their iLiads. Especially those who may not be comfortable with modifying config files, and searching through random forums and wondering if they found the latest version of an app, and whether it works with the current version of iLIad OS, etc.

Adam,

1) How do I do No. 10 from your list?

2) And No. 11?

and

3) The link you provided for item No. 1, last option (Excel) (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10482&highlight=gnumeric) has no files - how do I instal that?

I can't find anything on either.

Cheers,

Mark

For #10, look in iLiad settings and choose to export the CF or other memory card instead of iLiad main memory when connected to a pc via USB.

For #11, I think you might need the "companion" software... has anyone gotten this working in a straightforward way without the "companion" software?

OK thanks.

Yes that makes sense for No 10, though I was hoping it meant I could browse the complete device over USB.

If you're right re number 11 (could be), it should say your networked Windows PC, not your computer ;) last time I looked, my Mac was a computer, but the companion software is Windows only (and crappie anyway) :(

OK thanks.

Yes that makes sense for No 10, though I was hoping it meant I could browse the complete device over USB.

If you're right re number 11 (could be), it should say your networked Windows PC, not your computer ;) last time I looked, my Mac was a computer, but the companion software is Windows only (and crappie anyway) :(

You should be able to setup a Samba share on your Mac to transfer files that way.

I'll need to setup an easy installer for Gnumeric (the spreadsheet app).

For #11, I think you might need the "companion" software... has anyone gotten this working in a straightforward way without the "companion" software?

No, you don;t need the companion SW. I have a share set up on my Linux server that the iLiad connects to. Given how tricky it was to set up and debug when I could look through Samba log files to see what was happening, I don't expect it would be easy on a true Windows machine, but it should be possible.

If anyone wants the relevant snippet of my smb.conf, I am happy to post it.

Since I'd be trying to set it up on linux or osx, yes, that would be helpful. Thanks.

Since I'd be trying to set it up on linux or osx, yes, that would be helpful. Thanks.

Here you go then ...


[eBooks]
comment = Auto sync directory for iLiad
path = /media/eBooks
force user = ogg
force group = ogg
read only = No
guest ok = Yes
hide unreadable = Yes

the user and group ogg are the owners of the /media directory, and everything within, but the user ogg is not listed in smbpasswd.
/media/eBooks is mode 775.

I don't think any of the [global] section is pertinent, but if you get stuck I can PM you that section as well.

The samba log file (/var/log/samba/192.168.1.188.log.1 in my case) looks something like this for a good connection that downloads a couple of books:


[2007/11/01 19:39:48, 1] smbd/service.c:make_connection_snum(950)
192.168.2.188 (192.168.2.188) connect to service eBooks initially as user ogg (uid=503, gid=503) (pid 20313)
[2007/11/01 19:40:02, 1] smbd/service.c:close_cnum(1150)
192.168.2.188 (192.168.2.188) closed connection to service eBooks

And for completeness
$ smbd -V
reports
"Version 3.0.24-7.fc5"

I followed this thread (http://forum.irexnet.com/viewtopic.php?t=1035) to set it up on linux and it just worked first time.

I followed this thread (http://forum.irexnet.com/viewtopic.php?t=1035) to set it up on linux and it just worked first time.
Adam, maybe add that link to #11 in your top post? I knew it had been discussed but couldn't remember enough of the right search keywords to find it.

I have a question too. I am considering buying an illiad but I have some questions.
1. Can you only annotate pdf files?
2. How big can you make the font size in other file formats? (I don't see very well, thats why I am asking)
3. How quick is the response time in flipping pages and cycling through menus compared with other ebook devices?
4. Seeing as you can write and draw pictures on a note pad, can you then attach these files to other document formats?
5. Does it support pull down menus?

I am asking these questions because I believe I made a mistake in buying my Cybook because it is slow and relatively featureless. I got it because I knew that I could make the font big enough to read.

iLiad is no faster than CyBook Gen3

1. Can you only annotate pdf files?
2. How big can you make the font size in other file formats? (I don't see very well, thats why I am asking)
3. How quick is the response time in flipping pages and cycling through menus compared with other ebook devices?
4. Seeing as you can write and draw pictures on a note pad, can you then attach these files to other document formats?
5. Does it support pull down menus?
1. Yes, only PDFs.
2. In FBReader, 72 pt is possible but 36 pt puts enough text on each line (shown below) with any font. In MobiPocket Reader, about 36 pt but with limited font selection, no hyphenation and no control of line spacing. The font size of the contentlister (menus) can't be changed. See the attached screenshots. Don't forget that the screen is larger than the Gen3's, but still relatively small.
3. Slower. MobiPocket Reader is optimized but still a bit slower than other devices. 3rd party software like FBReader can be very slow.
4. I'm not sure, but I doubt it.
5. Standard apps use the icons at the bottom of the screen for most things. For example, in MobiPocket Reader the font size of changed by clicking on the Aa-up or Aa-down icons. Ported X11 apps can use any GTK+ (say) features, but X11 partial screen updates often cause ghosting.

I haven't noticed any particular slowness in page turns with FBreader, only in PDFs.

The pictures you draw in notes are stored as PNG files. You can't attach them to anything on the iLiad itself, but you can embed them in other documents (I've done this in OpenOffice documents).

Dear Iliad enthusiasts,

I am Renu, one lucky girl. My kid brother bought me Sony PRS-500 a year ago, and my big brother is sending me Iliad in a few days!

I request you to answer a query of mine. My mother-tongue is Tamil and I have a few Tamil books scanned. There are no good Tamil OCRs available. I used PDFLRFWIN utility to format the scanned pdf for Sony. I searched through the net, and I found that there is no such utility that automatically crops and reflows scanned PDFs. (PDFLRFWIN cuts the page into Sony size and attaches the left over with next page, then cuts the next page and so on). I tried with PDFCROPPER, it crops, but does not reflow the document.

I am no programmer, and cannot work with scripts. Can any of you please suggest me a utility similar to PDFLRFWIN for Iliad?

Thank you.

I am no programmer, and cannot work with scripts. Can any of you please suggest me a utility similar to PDFLRFWIN for Iliad? I assume PDFLRF does not have a PDF output option? If it did, then you could continue to use it for the iLiad. I just saw LRF to PDF,XML and RTF Conversion tool (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28704), which might also work PDF (PDFLRF) -> LRF (DUMPLRF) -> PDF.

However, the original PDF (perhaps first run through PDFCROPPER) may work "as is" on the iLiad. The iLiad does not reflow PDFs, but the various versions of IPDF support displaying PDF pages in pieces on the fly. Note this (which is essentially what PDFLRF does as a preprocessing step) is not "reflowing". When reflowing a PDF, the location of text on the page is changed - and this does not work with scans (which are images) unless they are run through OCR first.

You might want to try viewing the PDF on the iLiad in "continuous" mode as-is, to see if it is readable. Zoom in to eliminate margins. If that's not enough, try landscape/continuous mode. I think most texts would be readable this way. The only ones I find difficult are multi-column pages (you want one of the column iPDF solutions for that).

Thank you friends for the prompt replies and wonderful suggestions. I will try these on my Iliad and get back to you. It should arrive today or tomorrow, and I am quite excited about that. Yes, wallcraft, pdflrfwin outputs lrf only. Yes again, you are right, what I want is to "re-piece" the pages and not reflow them.

As far as the note attachments go, something I got very excited about was that they are very easily imported into Evernote (www.evernote.com) which will subject them to OCR (for free) and catalogue all your notes in a searchable, online database - an example note here

http://www.evernote.com/pub/patnpm/public

Although I accept that if you aren't already an Evernote user this might be rather a niche use.

As far as the note attachments go, something I got very excited about was that they are very easily imported into Evernote (www.evernote.com) which will subject them to OCR (for free) and catalogue all your notes in a searchable, online database - an example note here

http://www.evernote.com/pub/patnpm/public

Although I accept that if you aren't already an Evernote user this might be rather a niche use.
Now that is seriously cool. Which of the phrases you wrote (if any) were successfully indexed by Evernote?

The page allows you to search - the search box is in the upper right hand corner and you can see what it recognises.

given that using the iLiad as your CF card reader frequently results in the FS of the CF card corrupting, might it be a good idea to remove this as a 'feature' from the list?

The page allows you to search - the search box is in the upper right hand corner and you can see what it recognises.
I just tried that. Wow. Pretty impressive. I'm going to try uploading some of my notes from my iLiad today, I think. :)