I am in college pursuing an engineering degree, and am also paralyzed from the neck down due to a C2 spinal cord injury. I can get all of my textbooks converted into electronic text (.pdf, .txt, .doc, etc.) by the Alternative Media Access Center (AMAC). I have always gotten all of my math and science books scanned into .pdf (A4) format as it preserves all of the diagrams, exercises, pictures, and so on (all non-text). I am now attempting to get them converted into A5 or A6 as I would really love to use an e-reader (it's kind of tedious for a C2 quadriplegic to try to flip back and forth through a book ; ) My problem is I sent back my iLiad due to a bunch of technical issues and have no way of testing the files that AMAC is sending me to see if they work. Mine and AMAC's goal is to be able to view textbooks the way one views purposefully made ebooks with nice size legible font while at the same time keeping all of the nice technical diagrams, tables, and formulas. I need help on two fronts:

1. Because I do not currently own an e-reader, I would really appreciate a few volunteers to test the various files AMAC will be sending me in their various attempts to reach Mecca. Perhaps one person with a Sony, one with an iLiad, and another with a Kindle?

2. We might have some extra flexibility in the conversion process as AMAC has access to the publishers original digital file. I would really appreciate some input and ideas about how to go about reaching the end goal.

Thanks!
Justin

My Kindle should be showing up in a few days, I'd be happy to help when that happens.

I would be happy to help on the Sony side.

Awesome! Thanks guys! I'll be getting their first conversion attempts tomorrow. I'll ask them to try and keep the files under a MB or so. Do you think email would be the best way to get the files to you guys?

Sure, that works

I have an Iliad and I would love to give it a try for you.

Asim

Sad update: AMAC has tried resizing the PDF's to no avail. The limitation is the actual physical size of the original book, i.e. if the original paper version is 6"x8", the scanned .pdf version is 6"x8" as .pdf retains the original format and layout. I can get any of the books in word .doc format which makes it editable, but I then lose all pictures, diagrams, formulas, etc. in the process. It looks like I'll just have to get a physically larger e-reader if I ever want to use one for math or science textbooks :( I want to to thank you guys again for your willingness to help out. Again I feel very appreciative to have access to a community like this.

On a side note, do you happen to know if or when a larger screen e-reader is coming out? I remember seeing something about the Hanlin v9 a few weeks ago. I guess I should head over to the Future Readers section to find out more.

Justin

I got one of my textbooks in .doc format if you guys are still open to helping out.

Please feel free to email me at any time.