Just ordered my PEz this morning

tmclough · 02-04-2010, 11:57 AM

Well, I've finally done it! After lurking around on these forums for a couple of years, and reading reviews and comments on various ebook readers, I've finally ordered myself a one--an Astak EZ Reader Pocket Pro. I can't wait for it to arrive so I can charge it up and use it (probably at the same time!)!

I've read various people's posts on MobileRead saying how they actually read ebooks on a portable reader faster than than they read pbooks--I'm just hoping that that's what will happen for me as well. Also, as I posted in the Poll about best features, I'm glad that the PEz doesn't doesn't have wireless internet access, so I won't be so tempted to surf the web as much, especially when I'm at the local library.

You're all a wonderful group of people to turn to in case I have any problems, and it sounds like a wonderful product, which I honestly hope it turns out to be!

Robertb · 02-04-2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmclough

Well, I've finally done it! After lurking around on these forums for a couple of years, and reading reviews and comments on various ebook readers, I've finally ordered myself a one--an Astak EZ Reader Pocket Pro. I can't wait for it to arrive so I can charge it up and use it (probably at the same time!)!

I've read various people's posts on MobileRead saying how they actually read ebooks on a portable reader faster than than they read pbooks--I'm just hoping that that's what will happen for me as well. Also, as I posted in the Poll about best features, I'm glad that the PEz doesn't doesn't have wireless internet access, so I won't be so tempted to surf the web as much, especially when I'm at the local library.

You're all a wonderful group of people to turn to in case I have any problems, and it sounds like a wonderful product, which I honestly hope it turns out to be!

Dear tmclough:

Welcome to the Astak Dedicated Forum. It is a fun place and we try to keep things upbeat and all happy. I work for Astak.

You will find yourself reading faster and longer on the Pocket PRO (PEZ is a trademark from a candy company and we cannot call it that). But, E-Ink screens cause no eye strain and you will find your eyes do not get tired or water. That is why devices like this are ideal for reading!

You are going to really enjoy the Pocket PRO. I love my own and most others seem overjoyed.

Yes, NOT having wireless, to me, seems like a blessing. The browsers on Ebook Readers are tiny and you cannot surf the web on them anyway (none of them are that strong). BUT... having full control of your library and keeping prying hands and eyes out is great! Plus... most people store their eBooks on an SD card and if you ever lose the card you have everything you need for a new card right on your computer.

Welcome to our happy group!!

MobileWombat · 02-05-2010, 05:10 AM

Decision made

Astak 5" it is (Well two of them actually)
don't want to have to fight my girlfriend for it

(she will probably win)

to all on the forum, the info has been great.

Solicitous · 02-05-2010, 06:17 AM

Congrats on your decision. After getting mine the only regret I had was not buying mine sooner - I absolutely love it.

Not sure how far you have travelled amongst these forums but a good piece of software to download is Calibre - used for ebook file conversion.

Robertb · 02-05-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MobileWombat

Decision made

Astak 5" it is (Well two of them actually)
don't want to have to fight my girlfriend for it

(she will probably win)

to all on the forum, the info has been great.

Dear MobileWombat:

Hello. I work for Astak and just wanted to thank you for your decision. You are really only going to understand what we all feel here when you get one. The Pocket PRO is pretty amazing!

Be forewarned. Buying a Pocket PRO for a woman melts their hearts! You may be subjected to unspeakable bouts of passion at all hours of the day or night. You may find yourself growing tired! Of course, your MobileRead Forum is a perfect place to post details!

Actually, I think SO many women on here will agree that your thoughtfulness on such a present speaks very highly for you!!

MobileWombat · 02-10-2010, 10:48 PM

They Arrived today, so less than 1 week from placing order to delivery.

am at work a moment, so waiting for night time (hehe).

am impressed with the case and size / weight, can't wait until I can charge it up and drop some books onto it.

Javed · 02-11-2010, 01:23 AM

MobileWombat, that's great they have arrived. Looking forward to reading what you both think of your new Pocket Pros!

CCampbell202 · 02-11-2010, 10:43 AM

I received mine on Tuesday! I let it charge overnight and I have dropped a load of books on it to read. So far I am liking everything about it. The size, the feel, the options with zoom and the way it displays the information. I did have problems with .LIT files so I used Calibre to convert it to ePub which I think looks great. I am also experimenting with how to store the files on my SD card. I think i am pushing for author/series/series_index - title. I also got the free reading light and it is great. I truly believe I got the best product out there.

polly · 02-11-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCampbell202

I received mine on Tuesday! I let it charge overnight and I have dropped a load of books on it to read. So far I am liking everything about it. The size, the feel, the options with zoom and the way it displays the information. I did have problems with .LIT files so I used Calibre to convert it to ePub which I think looks great. I am also experimenting with how to store the files on my SD card. I think i am pushing for author/series/series_index - title. I also got the free reading light and it is great. I truly believe I got the best product out there.

I use the same order for my books. If you have them entered in Calibre with correct series information, you can let Calibre do all of the work organizing them on the PEz. In Calibre, go to Preferences then click Add/Save. Click the tab for Saving Books and you'll see a text box for the save template. Put the following expression in the box to control how Calibre saves files for you.

{author_sort}/{series}/{series_index:0>2s} - {title}

With this, Calibre will create the folders for you and put the series number at the beginning of each book. If there's no series information, Calibre will put the book in the author's folder. Click the little arrow to the right of the Save to Disk button and you can choose to only save your preferred format.

One other note though, if you care about bookmarks. The current firmware will forget the bookmarks if there are spaces in the folder name. I don't use bookmarks so I don't remember the fix, but there's a way to get Calibre to insert an underscore for the author's name.

theducks · 02-11-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCampbell202

I received mine on Tuesday! I let it charge overnight and I have dropped a load of books on it to read. So far I am liking everything about it. The size, the feel, the options with zoom and the way it displays the information. I did have problems with .LIT files so I used Calibre to convert it to ePub which I think looks great. I am also experimenting with how to store the files on my SD card. I think i am pushing for author/series/series_index - title. I also got the free reading light and it is great. I truly believe I got the best product out there.

If your series are always by the same Author (team), that works.

Calibre recently added a new feature to create folders by the first character (usually a letter

)

Sample_Title (by) Just Me

Usage Examples:
{authors[0]}/{authors} = J/Just Me
{author_sort[0]}_Authors/{authors} = M_Authors/Just Me

Not shown, but works

Titles_beginning_with_{title[0]}/{title} = Titles_beginning_with_S/Sample_Title

Robertb · 02-11-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

If your series are always by the same Author (team), that works.

Calibre recently added a new feature to create folders by the first character (usually a letter

)

Sample_Title (by) Just Me

Usage Examples:
{authors[0]}/{authors} = J/Just Me
{author_sort[0]_Authors}/{authors} = M_Authors/Just Me

Not shown, but works

Titles_beginning_with_{title[0]}/{title} = Titles_beginning_with_S/Sample_Title

Dear Polly and the Ducks:

As I know nothing about Calibre I count on people like you to help on that subject. I am really grateful!! Than you for being so willing to help others!

Robertb · 02-11-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCampbell202

I received mine on Tuesday! I let it charge overnight and I have dropped a load of books on it to read. So far I am liking everything about it. The size, the feel, the options with zoom and the way it displays the information. I did have problems with .LIT files so I used Calibre to convert it to ePub which I think looks great. I am also experimenting with how to store the files on my SD card. I think i am pushing for author/series/series_index - title. I also got the free reading light and it is great. I truly believe I got the best product out there.

Dear CC:

Thank you for your post. I am overjoyed that you are happy and off to a great start. Yes, using Calibre for .LIT seems to be the ideal way to go. I am happy that you like the Mighty Bright reading light.

Just an update on Mighty Bright. Mighty Bright purchased a Slate Blue Pocket PRO yesterday. My contact there loves it and it she will use it personally. BUT... first she will loan it to Mighty Bright R&D to see what type of special "made espressly for Astak Pocket PRO" lighting they can come up with! There has been talk about something that will put LEDs on the sides with no flex. Not sure yet, but perhaps a plastic "cover" clip-on that fits the top of the Pocket PRO snugly and provides flawless lighting with no bright spots and no need to remove it.

We will see what the good folks at Mighty Bright come up with!!

Anyway, CC, I am particularly happy you are off to a fine start!!

tmclough · 02-11-2010, 04:33 PM

Well, mine arrived today, about 4 hours ago.

I've been spending most of that time formatting and reformatting using Calibre, and using different original files (public domain books only, so far). Problems still exist between the originals, Calibre, Astak, and what I actually would prefer. So far, it seems to me that ePub is better for me than Mobi, but that may change some day (maybe even today).

But then again, I'm a nerd, so I have what it takes to experiment with every option until I get the desired results. Also because I'm a nerd, I prefer to use Calibre's command-line options to (re-)format, and I also prefer my own folder structures (which may very well vary from one series or author to another).

I haven't had to open the user manual yet, as everything I've done on it so far I've read here at MR.

tmclough · 02-14-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmclough

I've read various people's posts on MobileRead saying how they actually read ebooks on a portable reader faster than than they read pbooks--I'm just hoping that that's what will happen for me as well.

So, after a few hours of finagling with formatting, I finally got down to actually reading a couple of ebooks, both of which I had been reading in pbook format. Not only can I read faster, I can read incredibly faster! With better concentration as well! All because of adjustable font sizes--I have been reading ePubs with font size XL (5 out of 9).

Just yesterday, I finished reading one chapter and read a whole other chapter in one book (a book with slow reading, especially for the first half of the book, which I'm still in), and two whole chapters in the other book (shorter chapters, with lighter, fun reading). The whole chapter in the first book alone would have probably taken several days to read in pbook format; the two whole chapters in the second book would probably have taken a day or so each.

So, in conclusion, I have just this to say:

IndecisiveMe · 02-14-2010, 05:19 PM

It sounds like you love your PEz! I'm already a fast reader, so I can't imagine how much faster I could be, maybe a book will take me one day instead of two if I really love it now! (when I finally make that big decision to actually ordre a reader!)

02-04-2010, 11:57 AM	#1
tmclough Connoisseur Posts: 66 Karma: 500010 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Greenfield, MA Device: Astak EZ Reader Pocket PRO	Just ordered my PEz this morning Well, I've finally done it! After lurking around on these forums for a couple of years, and reading reviews and comments on various ebook readers, I've finally ordered myself a one--an Astak EZ Reader Pocket Pro. I can't wait for it to arrive so I can charge it up and use it (probably at the same time!)! I've read various people's posts on MobileRead saying how they actually read ebooks on a portable reader faster than than they read pbooks--I'm just hoping that that's what will happen for me as well. Also, as I posted in the Poll about best features, I'm glad that the PEz doesn't doesn't have wireless internet access, so I won't be so tempted to surf the web as much, especially when I'm at the local library. You're all a wonderful group of people to turn to in case I have any problems, and it sounds like a wonderful product, which I honestly hope it turns out to be!

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02-05-2010, 05:10 AM	#3
MobileWombat Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Device: omnia i900; Sony PSP; Acer Aspire; A shiny new Astak EZ Reader	Decision made Astak 5" it is (Well two of them actually) don't want to have to fight my girlfriend for it (she will probably win) to all on the forum, the info has been great.

02-05-2010, 06:17 AM	#4
Solicitous Wizard Posts: 1,434 Karma: 1525776 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: TAS, Australia Device: Astak Pocket Pro (Black), 2 x Kindle WiFi (Graphite), iPod Touch 4G	Congrats on your decision. After getting mine the only regret I had was not buying mine sooner - I absolutely love it. Not sure how far you have travelled amongst these forums but a good piece of software to download is Calibre - used for ebook file conversion.

02-10-2010, 10:48 PM	#6
MobileWombat Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Device: omnia i900; Sony PSP; Acer Aspire; A shiny new Astak EZ Reader	They Arrived today, so less than 1 week from placing order to delivery. am at work a moment, so waiting for night time (hehe). am impressed with the case and size / weight, can't wait until I can charge it up and drop some books onto it.

02-11-2010, 01:23 AM	#7
Javed Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,270 Karma: 1126878541 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Astak Pocket PRO, iPod Touch, PRS-650	MobileWombat, that's great they have arrived. Looking forward to reading what you both think of your new Pocket Pros!

02-11-2010, 10:43 AM	#8
CCampbell202 Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Astak EZ Reader Pro	I received mine on Tuesday! I let it charge overnight and I have dropped a load of books on it to read. So far I am liking everything about it. The size, the feel, the options with zoom and the way it displays the information. I did have problems with .LIT files so I used Calibre to convert it to ePub which I think looks great. I am also experimenting with how to store the files on my SD card. I think i am pushing for author/series/series_index - title. I also got the free reading light and it is great. I truly believe I got the best product out there.

02-11-2010, 04:33 PM	#13
tmclough Connoisseur Posts: 66 Karma: 500010 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Greenfield, MA Device: Astak EZ Reader Pocket PRO	Well, mine arrived today, about 4 hours ago. I've been spending most of that time formatting and reformatting using Calibre, and using different original files (public domain books only, so far). Problems still exist between the originals, Calibre, Astak, and what I actually would prefer. So far, it seems to me that ePub is better for me than Mobi, but that may change some day (maybe even today). But then again, I'm a nerd, so I have what it takes to experiment with every option until I get the desired results. Also because I'm a nerd, I prefer to use Calibre's command-line options to (re-)format, and I also prefer my own folder structures (which may very well vary from one series or author to another). I haven't had to open the user manual yet, as everything I've done on it so far I've read here at MR.

02-14-2010, 05:19 PM	#15
IndecisiveMe Addict Posts: 276 Karma: 106 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Pocketbook 360, Sony PRS-T1	It sounds like you love your PEz! I'm already a fast reader, so I can't imagine how much faster I could be, maybe a book will take me one day instead of two if I really love it now! (when I finally make that big decision to actually ordre a reader!)

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