Original title : "Don't turn around.... the Kommisar is...."

Okay, in order to better organize the vast amounts of information that exist relating iphones/ipod touches into reading devices, it seems a bit of an activity is in order.

This is what I'd like to see. Each of us goes out and brings back concise, useful information about the various ways that the iphone/ipod touch can be used as an ereader of books or news We need options for each sort of format, ways to get them on the device, what does the best job, etc.

Hopefully this makes sense.... if not, perhaps just focus on working these questions out. If I can get some help collecting the sources, I can promptly put together a universal document regarding the issue for everyone.

I just got my girlfriend: (Exhbit A) a ipod touch for her anniversary and graduation present. She's not a huge reader, but I want to set it up so if she wants to be she can! But I think she's a good example - lots of people are evidently reading on the iPhone, et al. (though not as many who have downloaded the app, I bet!) but are not necessarily tech savy.

Whatcha think?

Exhibit A:

Nice looking lady!

Hmm.. changing the subject heading didn't fix it. That's too bad. I was crazy on ambien when I made the post.

Oh, and thanks! I have no idea why I included a picture

Hmm.. changing the subject heading didn't fix it. That's too bad. I was crazy on ambien when I made the post.

i kind of like the title as it is (so intriguing i read the thread to find out what / who the kommisar is...) but if you *really* *really* want to change the title, i can do that. ;)

(if i do change the title i'm going to add the original title to the first post as some sort of surreal non-sequitur though. :D)

It is funny, no doubt... I'm just not sure it'll fulfill the need of the post - getting people to cooperatively get some resources compiled.

So maybe change it, but feel free to keep my madness on display!

how's that ?

Most excellent, thank you!

This is what I'd like to see. Each of us goes out and brings back concise, useful information about the various ways that the iphone/ipod touch can be used as an ereader of books or news We need options for each sort of format, ways to get them on the device, what does the best job, etc.


Hope I got this post right.

I have been playing around with an old itouch for a for weeks now.
The best and most flexible reader I have found so far: textReader.

http://code.google.com/p/iphonetextreader/

Its free and supports loads of formats.
But needs a hacked iphone/itouch. Since mine is 1G and old, didnt have any issues with that.

-Just install it via cydia.
-Then use the iphonebrowser to copy the docs into the itouch.
http://code.google.com/p/iphonebrowser/
Preferably someplace under the /private/var/mobile/.
-textReader allows you to browse the file system and select files.
-Just read off. I found it quite good to use.

I havent figured out how to use stanza yet as I dont have convenient wifi access to pair it with the desktop stanza or calibre.

Assume that since you have a Kindle, you will want to get the Amazon app for her iTouch if you haven't already and register her iTouch on your Kindle account. The recent software upgrade did make reading easier on the Touch. And fortunately, using it is really straight forward and easy.

The other ebook app that I like is Stanza now that it mates with Calibre. This, of course assumes that your ebooks are not DRM'd. Only Epub formated books are readable on the iTouch, but Calibre will do the conversions. There are really good instructions posted here at MR about 3 months ago. If you need any more detailed instructions on either software, give a shout.

One other app that I use alot is the USA today app, free from the Apple store. Since I travel frequently, this allows me to keep in touch with headlines in the U.S.

Hope she loves her iTouch as much as I do mine. For a small package, it has an enormous amount of functionality.

cheers

You should create a wiki page with your results. :)