Palm Pilot

historyb · 01-22-2008, 09:32 PM

Hi,

I'm new here. I have a question and I did a search, but I didn't find anything. I have an opportunity to get a Palm Pilot 1st Gen and I was wonder if anyone knew if it would read e-books?

Thank you

Here is a Picture of it:

curtw · 01-22-2008, 11:28 PM

Yes, it will work.

It looks like you may have to use the original DocReader (http://www.freewarepalm.com/utilities/docreader.shtml), but if by any chance this device has been upgraded to OS 2.0, I'd recommend CSpotRun (http://www.32768.com/bill/palmos/cspotrun/).

Whatever you do, I hope you're not paying much more than $5 for this Palm. A Palm III, which will have four times the memory and a backlight, as well as run better readers like TealDoc and iSilo, will run ~$10 on eBay.

Also, if you don't have a computer with an old-fashioned serial port, you'll have to buy a separate USB adapter (another $20) to get files onto the device, in which case you might be better off looking for a first or second-generation Handspring Visor (just a little more expensive than a Palm III, but shipped with USB).

Good luck!

Curt

NatCh · 01-23-2008, 12:04 AM

I'd agree with curtw's assessment, it'll run some form of reading application, though you might have some issues getting one that will fit in its rather limited memory (and still leave any space for books). That's a Gen 2, BTW, just to pick nits -- the Gen 1's were called simply "Pilot" rather than "PalmPilot." The name changed when 3Com bought them from US Robotics.

Here's a pic of a 1st Gen:

Wow, that brings back memories ....

That model probably has 1 MB of memory, at a guess, either that or 512kB for that model. I'd say $5 is probably about right these days, unless you're trying to find a pristine specimen for your own personal museum or something.

curtw · 01-23-2008, 12:15 PM

Thanks for clearing that up, NatCh! I knew that the original Pilot was only 512K, but I could have sworn that I had seen CSpotRun working on one that looked identical to the posted photo. What a test of long-term memory that was!

If I were in the market today for a monochrome Palm OS device for e-book reading, I would probably look for either a Handera 330 (first semi-high-res screen, 'virtual' graffiti area, SD or CF for storage) or a Sony S320 (VERY readable display, fits in a shirt pocket, Memory Stick for storage)

NatCh · 01-23-2008, 12:29 PM

Glad it was interesting to someone besides me, curtw!

Somewhere I still have my original Pilot 5000, shattered screen and all (I broke it while on a business trip to South Portland Maine in March of '98, about 20 minutes before I upgraded to a PalmPilot Professional). I plan to keep it for posterity, as long as I can keep finding good places to hide "posterity's" things from the wife, that is.

historyb · 01-23-2008, 01:24 PM

Thank you all for your answers. The one in the picture was a demo model and it was put up for 19.00, went to ebay and found a palm 3 for 12. Placed a bid on it now I found others, hope I get out bid.

Edit: I hope I don't get outbid now

NatCh · 01-23-2008, 01:25 PM

Good for you! I hope it goes well for you.

historyb · 01-23-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

I'd agree with curtw's assessment, it'll run some form of reading application, though you might have some issues getting one that will fit in its rather limited memory (and still leave any space for books). That's a Gen 2, BTW, just to pick nits -- the Gen 1's were called simply "Pilot" rather than "PalmPilot." The name changed when 3Com bought them from US Robotics.

Here's a pic of a 1st Gen:

Wow, that brings back memories ....

That model probably has 1 MB of memory, at a guess, either that or 512kB for that model. I'd say $5 is probably about right these days, unless you're trying to find a pristine specimen for your own personal museum or something.

Thank you, on gizmo's site where there selling it, they have it under first gen. I emailed them and they said they don't know much about it they just drop ship it.

curtw · 01-23-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

<snip>I plan to keep it for posterity, as long as I can keep finding good places to hide "posterity's" things from the wife, that is.

that's what attics are for. I've got my old faithful NAD cassette deck, a 16mm silent film projector, my first CD player, a Palm III with a smashed screen, and two Hayes modems hidden away. If we ever move, I'm a dead man.

NatCh · 01-23-2008, 03:54 PM

Wow! A Hayes modem! I'd love to have one of those.

Wonder if e-bay has them ....

My wife would flat out kill me if I started acquiring new old, useless junk!

historyb · 01-25-2008, 12:45 AM

Well this is what I won:

I been look at all the software for it. The best software will be the reader

DMcCunney · 01-25-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by historyb

Well this is what I won:

I been look at all the software for it. The best software will be the reader

Er, what is it?

My current ebook reader is a Palm OS PDA, and I know something about the options available.

Which model is it, what version of Palm Os does it run, how much memory does it have, and can it take expansion cards?
______
Dennis

curtw · 01-25-2008, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

Er, what is it?

Looks like a Palm III, which has 2 MB of RAM for applications + files. There's a utility called FlashPro that has a way to get at another megabyte or so of "hidden" flash memory, but it was not otherwise expandable.

historyb,

With this kind of memory limitation, I'd definitely recommend iSilo. Its files compress down about 40% smaller than a "standard" doc. fictionwise sells in that format, and the converter for plaintext and HTML is free.

historyb · 01-25-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

Er, what is it?

My current ebook reader is a Palm OS PDA, and I know something about the options available.

Which model is it, what version of Palm Os does it run, how much memory does it have, and can it take expansion cards?
______
Dennis

It's a Palm 111e with 2 mb ram it runs 3.5.x not sure what OS yet. I know there are a ton of software out there for it.

historyb · 01-25-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curtw

Looks like a Palm III, which has 2 MB of RAM for applications + files. There's a utility called FlashPro that has a way to get at another megabyte or so of "hidden" flash memory, but it was not otherwise expandable.

historyb,

With this kind of memory limitation, I'd definitely recommend iSilo. Its files compress down about 40% smaller than a "standard" doc. fictionwise sells in that format, and the converter for plaintext and HTML is free.

Thank you. I had some txt that I converted to pdb and I was surprised to see it compressed the file that much. I was think of using the ereader.

01-22-2008, 09:32 PM	#1
historyb Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: in a house Device: KOBO Wireless	Palm Pilot Hi, I'm new here. I have a question and I did a search, but I didn't find anything. I have an opportunity to get a Palm Pilot 1st Gen and I was wonder if anyone knew if it would read e-books? Thank you Here is a Picture of it: Last edited by historyb; 01-22-2008 at 10:59 PM.

01-22-2008, 11:28 PM	#2
curtw Outside of a dog Posts: 863 Karma: 4457646 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston, TX Device: Kindle Voyage	Caveat emptor. Yes, it will work. It looks like you may have to use the original DocReader (http://www.freewarepalm.com/utilities/docreader.shtml), but if by any chance this device has been upgraded to OS 2.0, I'd recommend CSpotRun (http://www.32768.com/bill/palmos/cspotrun/). Whatever you do, I hope you're not paying much more than $5 for this Palm. A Palm III, which will have four times the memory and a backlight, as well as run better readers like TealDoc and iSilo, will run ~$10 on eBay. Also, if you don't have a computer with an old-fashioned serial port, you'll have to buy a separate USB adapter (another $20) to get files onto the device, in which case you might be better off looking for a first or second-generation Handspring Visor (just a little more expensive than a Palm III, but shipped with USB). Good luck! Curt Last edited by curtw; 01-22-2008 at 11:43 PM.

01-23-2008, 01:24 PM	#6
historyb Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: in a house Device: KOBO Wireless	Thank you all for your answers. The one in the picture was a demo model and it was put up for 19.00, went to ebay and found a palm 3 for 12. Placed a bid on it now I found others, hope I get out bid. Edit: I hope I don't get outbid now Last edited by historyb; 01-23-2008 at 02:08 PM.

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01-23-2008, 12:04 AM	#3
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	I'd agree with curtw's assessment, it'll run some form of reading application, though you might have some issues getting one that will fit in its rather limited memory (and still leave any space for books). That's a Gen 2, BTW, just to pick nits -- the Gen 1's were called simply "Pilot" rather than "PalmPilot." The name changed when 3Com bought them from US Robotics. Here's a pic of a 1st Gen: Wow, that brings back memories .... That model probably has 1 MB of memory, at a guess, either that or 512kB for that model. I'd say $5 is probably about right these days, unless you're trying to find a pristine specimen for your own personal museum or something.

01-23-2008, 12:15 PM	#4
curtw Outside of a dog Posts: 863 Karma: 4457646 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston, TX Device: Kindle Voyage	Thanks for clearing that up, NatCh! I knew that the original Pilot was only 512K, but I could have sworn that I had seen CSpotRun working on one that looked identical to the posted photo. What a test of long-term memory that was! If I were in the market today for a monochrome Palm OS device for e-book reading, I would probably look for either a Handera 330 (first semi-high-res screen, 'virtual' graffiti area, SD or CF for storage) or a Sony S320 (VERY readable display, fits in a shirt pocket, Memory Stick for storage)

01-23-2008, 12:29 PM	#5
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Glad it was interesting to someone besides me, curtw! Somewhere I still have my original Pilot 5000, shattered screen and all (I broke it while on a business trip to South Portland Maine in March of '98, about 20 minutes before I upgraded to a PalmPilot Professional). I plan to keep it for posterity, as long as I can keep finding good places to hide "posterity's" things from the wife, that is.

01-23-2008, 01:25 PM	#7
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Good for you! I hope it goes well for you.

01-23-2008, 03:54 PM	#10
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Wow! A Hayes modem! I'd love to have one of those. Wonder if e-bay has them .... My wife would flat out kill me if I started acquiring new old, useless junk!

01-25-2008, 12:45 AM	#11
historyb Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: in a house Device: KOBO Wireless	Well this is what I won: I been look at all the software for it. The best software will be the reader