Things you can do with your iLiad

[Adam B.]

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.

1. Reading
   1. Formats you can read
      • PDF
        1. Zoom in and out of PDF's. Allows you to view documents not formatted for the iLiad's screen
        2. View PDF's in Portrait and Landscape mode. Also helps viewing documents
        3. Follow Hyperlinks and move back and forward
        4. Scribble on any PDF document. You can later merge the scribbles on your desktop.
        5. Bookmark specific pages inside a PDF.
        6. Automatically zoom and browse PDF's that are in column format. Helpful for technical articles.
        7. Use gestures to perform various functions inside a PDF.
        8. Read in full screen, without the bottom tool bar.
      • Mobipocket
        1. Read DRM protected and non DRM'ed Mobipocket books.
        2. Increase the font size of text within a mobipocket book.
        3. Look up words in a dictionary while you're reading.
        4. Browse a book by the table of contents
      • HTML
      • TXT
      • Unencrypted LIT files.
      • Microsoft Word documents, RTF documents
      • Microsoft Excel Files
   2. Supported by FBReader (Registry Installer)

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

      • RTF
      • CHM
      • OEB
      • OPF
      • FB2
      • TCR
2. Other Media
   • JPG
   • PNG
   • BMP
   • 2 Audio Playing Applictions Support: Content Lister Based & Graphical Application
     • MP3
     • OGG
     • WAV
     • MOD
3. Internet Connectivity
   • Surf the Web using Dillo or Minimo
   • Download new comics daily.
4. Play Games
   • Chess
   • Mahjongg
   • Interactive Fiction
   • Sudoku. Also available at Feedbooks.com
   • GnuGo (in text mode)
5. For Developers and Linux geeks
   • Open a terminal on the iLiad
   • Install an SSH server and have it automatically started at boot
   • Browse the file system on the iLiad and move files around.
   • Use the iLiad as a Wacom tablet on your Linux computer.
6. Security store your passwords and keep them updated with your PC, Mac, or other mobile devices.
7. Keep a Calender, Contacts, and Todo List on the iLiad.
8. Edit simple text files and programming source code.
9. Connect a USB Keyboard to your iLiad
10. Use as a Compact Flash and MMC/SD card reader for your PC.
11. 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).
12. Take screenshots of running programs on the iLiad.
    

[TomK]

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?

[astra]

Originally Posted by TomK

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....

[MarkRPenn]

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

[Adam B.]

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.

[ig88]

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.

[MarkRPenn]

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) has no files - how do I instal that?

I can't find anything on either.

Cheers,

Mark

[nekokami]

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?

[MarkRPenn]

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)

[Adam B.]

Originally Posted by MarkRPenn

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).

[mocelet]

Originally Posted by nekokami

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.

[nekokami]

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

[mocelet]

Originally Posted by nekokami

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"

[daudi]

I followed this thread to set it up on linux and it just worked first time.

[nekokami]

Originally Posted by daudi

I followed this thread 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.