Even more specialized than ereaders : the wikireader

sebastienbillard · 10-13-2009, 08:36 AM

Just discovered this http://thewikireader.com/index.html

(Not interesting at all, though I wonder if Wikipedia could be converted in some way in an ebook ?)

Slite · 10-13-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebastienbillard

Just discovered this http://thewikireader.com/index.html

(Not interesting at all, though I wonder if Wikipedia could be converted in some way in an ebook ?)

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31041

sebastienbillard · 10-13-2009, 08:58 AM

Thanks Slite ! (yes it was doubtful a such amount of data could be managed that way)

ficbot · 10-13-2009, 09:01 AM

I would not buy a dedicated device just for that. Anyway, it seems like it updates via a file on a memory card, if that's so I don't see why they don't just make it a full ebook reader with a built-in wikipedia app. I do like that you don't need wireless like the Kindle does, but it seems to me like if you have a device, and you have a memory card, you may as well expand your focus a tiny little bit and wind up with something that can do other things too.

I guess they are targeting schools and people who might have bought old paper encyclopedias, but most schools have computers and kids can read Wikipedia on the internet, so I am not seeing the utility here.

ahi · 10-13-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ficbot

I would not buy a dedicated device just for that.

It's $99... cheaper than most paper encyclopedias.

I personally would indeed buy a device like that... but not if it was tied into some stupid cell phone company's network coverage. I'd want to be able to operate off of wi-fi, and also have a reasonable size cache (with some intelligent ways of managing it [e.g.: 'save this page for offline reading']).

- Ahi

poohbear_nc · 10-13-2009, 09:25 AM

Yes - it's limited - but I do see a use for it. I have become addicted to using the dictionary on my Kindle while reading, and accessing Wikipedia. I read a lot of older literature (classics if you will), and it's helpful while reading Dickens for example to be able to instantly look up locations, older word usage, historical figures, etc.
So, if I am reading a pbook and encounter similar terms to be looked up, a device of this sort could be very useful so that I don't have to stop reading and use a laptop, cellphone, etc. Just type in the term. Might even be faster than getting Wikipedia up & running on a Kindle.
Klunky, limited, but could be a lot of fun for older non-tech readers or youngsters you don't want banging on your laptop.
Pricey for static content though.

Mike L · 10-13-2009, 09:57 AM

I would rather use Kindlepedia (http://www.edukindle.com/downloads/kindlepedia/). Not a dedicated device, and it doesn't give you the entire content in one go, but it's a very convenient way of getting specific articles onto a Kindle.

ardeegee · 10-13-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ficbot

I would not buy a dedicated device just for that.

I HAVE bought a device like that. Had forgotten about it's existence until just now, but I paid somewhere around $200 for one of these in the early 1990s:

http://pnylab.com/pny/products/encyclopedia/main.html

When these are hacked to be general ebook readers (around 1/83rd of a second after they hit the streets) I want one.

Hellmark · 10-13-2009, 10:50 AM

I am a wiki addict, and a gadget freak, however I'd rather spend $50 more for a first gen kindle, and read wiki, and everything else.

DMcCunney · 10-13-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebastienbillard

Just discovered this http://thewikireader.com/index.html

(Not interesting at all, though I wonder if Wikipedia could be converted in some way in an ebook ?)

It's been done. There is a reduced version of Wikipedia in TomeRaider 3 format, and an effort in progre3ss to convert it for Plucker, an offline HTML reader for Palm OS. (The chap behind it is on MR as "Hacker", and pops up occasionally in the forums.)

The major issue is the sheer volume of data. You can more or less get the text into a (huge) ebook file, but don't even think about the graphics...
______
Dennis

Hellmark · 10-13-2009, 10:53 AM

That's the reason why I've not tried on my 505. The massive amount of data would make it choke. You split each article into it's own article, and it would take forever indexing. You keep them as one, and it would run out of power before it loads it.

poohbear_nc · 10-13-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellmark

I am a wiki addict, and a gadget freak, however I'd rather spend $50 more for a first gen kindle, and read wiki, and everything else.

What tempts me is the ability to stay in whatever you're reading and look up something instantly - like the current dictionary function on K2 & DX - without stopping, turning on Whispernet, changing screens, etc.

Almost be fun to think about Velcro-ing a slim version of a Wikereader inside a Kindle cover - on the opposite side - and have it available as you read.

Hellmark · 10-13-2009, 11:23 AM

It would be great if the dictionary function of the K2s could be used for wiki as well. I wikibinge bad enough as is....

WT Sharpe · 10-13-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebastienbillard

Just discovered this http://thewikireader.com/index.html ...

Does it have a touchscreen? With only three buttons, looking up an article could be time-consuming!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ficbot

... it seems like it updates via a file on a memory card ...

How does it update? memory card? USB? wireless?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahi

It's $99... cheaper than most paper encyclopedias.

Not a bad price.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahi

... some intelligent ways of managing it ...

I'd need to be able to connect it to my computer somehow in order to quote from it whenever necessary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike L

I would rather use Kindlepedia (http://www.edukindle.com/downloads/kindlepedia/). Not a dedicated device, and it doesn't give you the entire content in one go, but it's a very convenient way of getting specific articles onto a Kindle.

Thanks for that link. It must be new -- McAfee SiteAdvisor hasn't yet rated it.

Hellmark · 10-13-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Does it have a touchscreen? With only three buttons, looking up an article could be time-consuming!

Yes, on screen keyboard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

How does it update? memory card? USB? wireless?

Download and transfer to an SD Card.

10-13-2009, 08:36 AM	#1
sebastienbillard Connoisseur Posts: 72 Karma: 60 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	Even more specialized than ereaders : the wikireader Just discovered this http://thewikireader.com/index.html (Not interesting at all, though I wonder if Wikipedia could be converted in some way in an ebook ?)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
All-round device,or specialized E-book?	dream88	General Discussions	32	05-23-2010 10:52 PM
A brief review of the WikiReader	Nate the great	News	0	02-02-2010 11:05 AM
Wikireader - Hands On Review	poohbear_nc	News	30	10-30-2009 08:38 PM
The Wikireader: Right Gadget, Wrong Implementation?	berniej	Alternative Devices	3	10-14-2009 02:16 PM

10-13-2009, 08:58 AM	#3
sebastienbillard Connoisseur Posts: 72 Karma: 60 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	Thanks Slite ! (yes it was doubtful a such amount of data could be managed that way)

10-13-2009, 09:01 AM	#4
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	I would not buy a dedicated device just for that. Anyway, it seems like it updates via a file on a memory card, if that's so I don't see why they don't just make it a full ebook reader with a built-in wikipedia app. I do like that you don't need wireless like the Kindle does, but it seems to me like if you have a device, and you have a memory card, you may as well expand your focus a tiny little bit and wind up with something that can do other things too. I guess they are targeting schools and people who might have bought old paper encyclopedias, but most schools have computers and kids can read Wikipedia on the internet, so I am not seeing the utility here.

10-13-2009, 09:25 AM	#6
poohbear_nc Now what? Posts: 58,846 Karma: 135181808 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	Yes - it's limited - but I do see a use for it. I have become addicted to using the dictionary on my Kindle while reading, and accessing Wikipedia. I read a lot of older literature (classics if you will), and it's helpful while reading Dickens for example to be able to instantly look up locations, older word usage, historical figures, etc. So, if I am reading a pbook and encounter similar terms to be looked up, a device of this sort could be very useful so that I don't have to stop reading and use a laptop, cellphone, etc. Just type in the term. Might even be faster than getting Wikipedia up & running on a Kindle. Klunky, limited, but could be a lot of fun for older non-tech readers or youngsters you don't want banging on your laptop. Pricey for static content though.

10-13-2009, 09:57 AM	#7
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	I would rather use Kindlepedia (http://www.edukindle.com/downloads/kindlepedia/). Not a dedicated device, and it doesn't give you the entire content in one go, but it's a very convenient way of getting specific articles onto a Kindle.

10-13-2009, 10:50 AM	#9
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,549 Karma: 3799999 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: O'Fallon, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3	I am a wiki addict, and a gadget freak, however I'd rather spend $50 more for a first gen kindle, and read wiki, and everything else.

10-13-2009, 10:53 AM	#11
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,549 Karma: 3799999 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: O'Fallon, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3	That's the reason why I've not tried on my 505. The massive amount of data would make it choke. You split each article into it's own article, and it would take forever indexing. You keep them as one, and it would run out of power before it loads it.

10-13-2009, 11:23 AM	#13
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,549 Karma: 3799999 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: O'Fallon, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3	It would be great if the dictionary function of the K2s could be used for wiki as well. I wikibinge bad enough as is....

Advert

Advert