MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Reader Question: How do you read technical books (.pdf/.chm/.html)?

RWood · 10-03-2007, 04:45 PM

* What kind of device do you read the technical e-books on?

A regular PC.

* What original formats do you use, and how do you prepare/convert them?

PDF is the main format. Since most of them come from the outside I am at the mercy of the company preparing them. CHM is the most problematic format for me.

Those documents that are prepared here are mostly in PDF including a Tech User Manual for one company in Sony Reader format. We have used special PDF format and LRF format. The jury is still out.

* Are you happy with your solution? What would be better?

For 95% of the documents, yes. They are reference so search is a requirement. While I would like more material on the Sony Reader that is not an option at this point.

* Does your solution require perfect eyesight?

No. I wish I had it. Most of the people I work with need glasses to read (OK, there is one; but I suspect that she has LASIX surgery and took the one near and one far option.)

* Have you given up and decided to read the paper versions for now?

No, not an option. To get a paper version of most of the material would mean to print the PDF. Few of them are available in hardcopy.

10-03-2007, 04:45 PM	#2
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	* What kind of device do you read the technical e-books on? A regular PC. * What original formats do you use, and how do you prepare/convert them? PDF is the main format. Since most of them come from the outside I am at the mercy of the company preparing them. CHM is the most problematic format for me. Those documents that are prepared here are mostly in PDF including a Tech User Manual for one company in Sony Reader format. We have used special PDF format and LRF format. The jury is still out. * Are you happy with your solution? What would be better? For 95% of the documents, yes. They are reference so search is a requirement. While I would like more material on the Sony Reader that is not an option at this point. * Does your solution require perfect eyesight? No. I wish I had it. Most of the people I work with need glasses to read (OK, there is one; but I suspect that she has LASIX surgery and took the one near and one far option.) * Have you given up and decided to read the paper versions for now? No, not an option. To get a paper version of most of the material would mean to print the PDF. Few of them are available in hardcopy.