MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - ASUS EEE PC as e-book reader?

mogui · 05-18-2008, 07:22 AM

The EEE comes with FBReader. There is no icon for it under any of the tabs in the user interface, but just navigate the File Manager to /usr/bin/FBReader and set it as a favorite. Then it is easy to get to.

FBReader will read many popular eBook file formats. I have used the common ".prc" files, rich text files, HTML files and plain text. See the FBReader site here for more information about file types. There is also the native ".fb2" type and the Open Reader format file type which are automatically loaded into the library if they are found on the file path (configurable). FBReader is an open-source project, so it has an evolutionary advantage over most other readers.

The FBReader screen can be made to rotate. I like to hold the EEE like a book, with the keyboard section in my right hand. It is no heavier than a hardback novel and my hand is right there by the down arrow for page turning. The screen can be rotated by typing "R", and you can go into the tools menu to tell FBReader which direction you prefer it to rotate. By pressing "Enter" the FBReader will go into full-screen mode.

As I said, the EEE is light enough to hold like a book. I find myself using all the same reading positions I use when holding a hardback book. Those of you who like to fold the cover back will be out of luck here, but I don't care because I don't like you much anyway. You have ruined too many of my paperbacks.

Many of you would not think seriously of reading on your laptop, but the ability to hold the EEE like a book makes it do-able. The screen fonts are configurable and so is line spacing. You can make it look the way you want it to. If you are lucky enough to have a belly, it makes a nice prop when reading. If not, then I suggest ice cream and lots of rest.

We all know that the battery on the EEE lasts about 2,8 hours. Even less, if you are listening to your tunes on it while you read. Asus is now shipping the EEE with the 4400 mAh battery rather than the 5200 because (I have read) of shortages. There are rumors of a 7600 mAh battery on the horizon. Those of you with eInk readers are giving me a big hahaha rght now because your battery life is so superior. but I have a secret weapon. It is a long power cord. I can plug in my EEE right next to my favorite reading spot. So I am not thinking of my EEE as a portable reading device that can be free from it's umbilicus.

So what do I do on a long plane ride? I use my Sony Reader, of course. My Treo is always in my pocket so I usually have a book going on it too. You can always buy more battery packs for the EEE, but carrying five or six of them for a long flight just doesn't appeal to me. This is where the eInk readers really shine.

I have read many posts that say eInk is easy on the eye. But, you know, I can vary the brightness of the backlight on my Treo and my EEE just from the keyboard, so it is very easy to find a comfortable reading level.

So who would buy an EEE to use as an eBook reader? Someone who wants to have the functionality of a laptop and is able to use the device plugged-in most of the time, and who needs a good quality reader that can handle many different file flavors.

05-18-2008, 07:22 AM	#34
mogui eNigma Posts: 503 Karma: 1335 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The Philippines Device: HTC G1 Android FBReader	Pros and cons of the Asus EEE as an eBook reader The EEE comes with FBReader. There is no icon for it under any of the tabs in the user interface, but just navigate the File Manager to /usr/bin/FBReader and set it as a favorite. Then it is easy to get to. FBReader will read many popular eBook file formats. I have used the common ".prc" files, rich text files, HTML files and plain text. See the FBReader site here for more information about file types. There is also the native ".fb2" type and the Open Reader format file type which are automatically loaded into the library if they are found on the file path (configurable). FBReader is an open-source project, so it has an evolutionary advantage over most other readers. The FBReader screen can be made to rotate. I like to hold the EEE like a book, with the keyboard section in my right hand. It is no heavier than a hardback novel and my hand is right there by the down arrow for page turning. The screen can be rotated by typing "R", and you can go into the tools menu to tell FBReader which direction you prefer it to rotate. By pressing "Enter" the FBReader will go into full-screen mode. As I said, the EEE is light enough to hold like a book. I find myself using all the same reading positions I use when holding a hardback book. Those of you who like to fold the cover back will be out of luck here, but I don't care because I don't like you much anyway. You have ruined too many of my paperbacks. Many of you would not think seriously of reading on your laptop, but the ability to hold the EEE like a book makes it do-able. The screen fonts are configurable and so is line spacing. You can make it look the way you want it to. If you are lucky enough to have a belly, it makes a nice prop when reading. If not, then I suggest ice cream and lots of rest. We all know that the battery on the EEE lasts about 2,8 hours. Even less, if you are listening to your tunes on it while you read. Asus is now shipping the EEE with the 4400 mAh battery rather than the 5200 because (I have read) of shortages. There are rumors of a 7600 mAh battery on the horizon. Those of you with eInk readers are giving me a big hahaha rght now because your battery life is so superior. but I have a secret weapon. It is a long power cord. I can plug in my EEE right next to my favorite reading spot. So I am not thinking of my EEE as a portable reading device that can be free from it's umbilicus. So what do I do on a long plane ride? I use my Sony Reader, of course. My Treo is always in my pocket so I usually have a book going on it too. You can always buy more battery packs for the EEE, but carrying five or six of them for a long flight just doesn't appeal to me. This is where the eInk readers really shine. I have read many posts that say eInk is easy on the eye. But, you know, I can vary the brightness of the backlight on my Treo and my EEE just from the keyboard, so it is very easy to find a comfortable reading level. So who would buy an EEE to use as an eBook reader? Someone who wants to have the functionality of a laptop and is able to use the device plugged-in most of the time, and who needs a good quality reader that can handle many different file flavors. Last edited by mogui; 05-18-2008 at 07:30 AM.