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RMOP · 10-31-2025, 04:47 PM

I have an OLD PalmOS application, namely the Oxford American Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus, published by HandMark (now defunct, AFAIK) in 2003. It consists of an Application file, Oxford DDT V1.04.prc (588kb), a Data file, OxfordText.pdb (5006kb) and a Serial Number. The .pdb extenstion suggests a standard PalmOS eBook such as are all of my MobiPocket eBooks on my old Palm T|X. But, that is not the case. The Application looks very much like MobiPocket, but isn't. Unless the Oxford DDT application is installed, the OxfordText can't be viewed. It installs to the SD card in the Launcher directory, but is invisible to the Palm MobiPocket reader.

Anyone know anything about this particular .pdb eBook format? I added it to Calibre, but it is not readable there (nor convertable). It appears to have some sort of DRM which prevents its being read anywhere outside of the associated application.

10-31-2025, 04:47 PM	#1
RMOP Zealot Posts: 102 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, TabPRO 8.4, Galaxy Light, Sony PRS-300	Odd PalmOS .pdb file type? I have an OLD PalmOS application, namely the Oxford American Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus, published by HandMark (now defunct, AFAIK) in 2003. It consists of an Application file, Oxford DDT V1.04.prc (588kb), a Data file, OxfordText.pdb (5006kb) and a Serial Number. The .pdb extenstion suggests a standard PalmOS eBook such as are all of my MobiPocket eBooks on my old Palm T\|X. But, that is not the case. The Application looks very much like MobiPocket, but isn't. Unless the Oxford DDT application is installed, the OxfordText can't be viewed. It installs to the SD card in the Launcher directory, but is invisible to the Palm MobiPocket reader. Anyone know anything about this particular .pdb eBook format? I added it to Calibre, but it is not readable there (nor convertable). It appears to have some sort of DRM which prevents its being read anywhere outside of the associated application.