Another use for E-Reader???

lcbannon · 08-08-2009, 06:02 PM

We are taking a car trip soon and was wondering if anyone had ever made their own ebook with restaurant info, places you want to stop, hotel info, phone #'s e5c. All the basic stuff that you need a couple of Frommer's guides for.

Thought it would be lots handier than getting the pc out everytime.

Elsi · 08-08-2009, 06:17 PM

This is a very good idea. And, you can also make a book when you get home. Keep a diary while you travel, you know what I mean: how many miles you drove, restaurants you ate at, which sights you stopped for, funny things the kids did, etc.

slayda · 08-08-2009, 06:21 PM

Haven't used it for that but I keep a list of my medications and surgeries on mine since it is usually with me at the doctor's office and they always want to know that.

I also keep a calendar on mine.

sayhello · 08-08-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slayda

Haven't used it for that but I keep a list of my medications and surgeries on mine since it is usually with me at the doctor's office and they always want to know that.

Ooo... what a great idea! I just went through that on Friday, and a list on my 505 would have been perfect!

Sayhello

Kokomo Lee · 08-10-2009, 07:38 PM

I attended a conference in late May. Before I left, I loaded a copy of the conference schedule. I also loaded a copy of my "master trip info" (flights, hotel reservations, names and phone numbers of my appointments).

The documents came in very handy when I had to do some re-scheduling during the conference!

heatherc · 08-11-2009, 12:26 PM

I've heard knitters (myself included) comment on keeping patterns on the reader.

LDBoblo · 08-11-2009, 12:51 PM

Hmm...I'm not the itinerary-traveler type, but if I were, I'd prefer pencil/pen and paper to an ebook reader. A simple, reasonably durable notebook is more portable, versatile, reliable, and a lot less heartbreaking to drop off a mountain or into a pool.

Or you mean traveler guides? I guess it would be ok on an ebook reader, but I can't imagine it being all that useful. Navigation across several books is just a pain in the butt with an ebook reader device right now. If I want it all on a digital format, I guess I'd prefer a netbook or something where I could much more quickly access the information, but even then, I think I'd be fine toting 2-3 guide books (or one Frankensteinian rebound guide) which are far faster and more accessible and disposable.

I suppose the only thing I'd use the reader for on a trip, other than novels obviously, would be a single page document that says "I have no money" in 2-3 relevant languages that I could pull out and show to any possible assailants or extortionists abroad. That could be a lifesaver right there.

ficbot · 08-11-2009, 12:59 PM

When I used to live near a bus stop where the bus only came every 45 minutes, I had a copy of the bus schedule on my iPod Touch as an eReader doc...

PennyPie · 08-11-2009, 02:44 PM

Hmmm...newbie here...how do you create your own book? With a PDF creator program? Heard Adobe is pretty expensive. Are there free/inexpensive PDF creators you use, or is there another technique.
I'm thinkin' this has lots of possibilities!!!!
Penny

LDBoblo · 08-11-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PennyPie

Hmmm...newbie here...how do you create your own book? With a PDF creator program? Heard Adobe is pretty expensive. Are there free/inexpensive PDF creators you use, or is there another technique.
I'm thinkin' this has lots of possibilities!!!!
Penny

This is an odd thread to post such a question in...you should really try to find the appropriate place to post. I'll give you a simple answer anyway.

If you don't demand OpenType fonts or certain features, then a convenient way to go is to use OpenOffice Writer, which has a very decent export to pdf function built-in. I actually use this fairly often as it's got some nice features of its own. I don't do it for most of my final book settings because it doesn't work with OpenType yet. C'mon next version!

Others basically are just printer drivers that you can get...some I think are free, some are cheap, and others are expensive. I don't use these but I know there are a number of them around the net, and I'm sure some of them work well.

It's a stretch if you're not a designer, but other Adobe programs like InDesign also allow saving as pdf.

If you like the extra labor, you can look into TeX solutions as well.

slayda · 08-11-2009, 03:47 PM

Why create books in PDF? There are other, easier, more useful, and better formats. E.g. Doc, RTF, Epub.

LDBoblo · 08-11-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slayda

Why create books in PDF? There are other, easier, more useful, and better formats. E.g. Doc, RTF, Epub.

Because not everyone is satisfied with the look of those formats on an ebook reader. Of course, ebook readers are not really good for aesthetics anyways, but some of us are control freaks with our content.

PennyPie · 08-11-2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

This is an odd thread to post such a question in...you should really try to find the appropriate place to post. I'll give you a simple answer anyway.

I'm sorry if I was out of place, but the opening of the thread was asking if folks

Quote:

had ever made their own ebook with restaurant info, places you want to stop, hotel info, phone #'s e5c. All the basic stuff....

I was merely looking to find out the HOW it was done. I thought a natural extension of the what would be the how...since we're at varying levels of expertise in this technology thing.

Slayda says There are other, easier, more useful, and better formats. E.g. Doc, RTF, Epub. I'll look into that as well. And thanks, LDBoblo, for the info about the Open Office...I've heard of it, even sold it at my store...will give it a try!

doreenjoy · 08-11-2009, 09:33 PM

I've found all kinds of documents that are handy to have on a reader.

I use it for listing restaurants I like, and I put bus schedules on my reader, too.

I also copy & paste driving directions into an RTF, then put the RTF on my reader. I hate having paper lying all over the car.

Another use: I have an RTF with important phone numbers and contact information for my spouse and doctors. It's on my reader under "In Case of Emergency." This isn't for first responders, it's for me to be able to make calls in case I have become separated from my cell phone but still have my reader.

slayda · 08-11-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doreenjoy

I've found all kinds of documents that are handy to have on a reader.

I use it for listing restaurants I like, and I put bus schedules on my reader, too.

I also copy & paste driving directions into an RTF, then put the RTF on my reader. I hate having paper lying all over the car.

Another use: I have an RTF with important phone numbers and contact information for my spouse and doctors. It's on my reader under "In Case of Emergency." This isn't for first responders, it's for me to be able to make calls in case I have become separated from my cell phone but still have my reader.

I've been thinking of adding my contacts list from my PDA. Since I retired I don't carry the PDA with me very often but I usually have my reader.

08-08-2009, 06:02 PM	#1
lcbannon Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Sony PRS 505	Another use for E-Reader??? We are taking a car trip soon and was wondering if anyone had ever made their own ebook with restaurant info, places you want to stop, hotel info, phone #'s e5c. All the basic stuff that you need a couple of Frommer's guides for. Thought it would be lots handier than getting the pc out everytime.

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08-08-2009, 06:17 PM	#2
Elsi Wizard Posts: 2,366 Karma: 12000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: Kindle; Sony PRS 505; Blackberry 8700C	This is a very good idea. And, you can also make a book when you get home. Keep a diary while you travel, you know what I mean: how many miles you drove, restaurants you ate at, which sights you stopped for, funny things the kids did, etc.

08-08-2009, 06:21 PM	#3
slayda Retired & reading more! Posts: 2,764 Karma: 1884247 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Alabama, USA Device: Kindle 1, iPad Air 2, iPhone 6S+, Kobo Aura One	Haven't used it for that but I keep a list of my medications and surgeries on mine since it is usually with me at the doctor's office and they always want to know that. I also keep a calendar on mine.

08-10-2009, 07:38 PM	#5
Kokomo Lee Keeps on Ticking... Posts: 79 Karma: 42864 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pacific NW Device: Kindles, iStuff, Nexus and a partridge	I attended a conference in late May. Before I left, I loaded a copy of the conference schedule. I also loaded a copy of my "master trip info" (flights, hotel reservations, names and phone numbers of my appointments). The documents came in very handy when I had to do some re-scheduling during the conference!

08-11-2009, 12:26 PM	#6
heatherc Enthusiast Posts: 42 Karma: 20 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Alberta Device: Sony PRS505	I've heard knitters (myself included) comment on keeping patterns on the reader.

08-11-2009, 12:51 PM	#7
LDBoblo Wizard Posts: 1,385 Karma: 16056 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Asia Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Sony PRS-505	Hmm...I'm not the itinerary-traveler type, but if I were, I'd prefer pencil/pen and paper to an ebook reader. A simple, reasonably durable notebook is more portable, versatile, reliable, and a lot less heartbreaking to drop off a mountain or into a pool. Or you mean traveler guides? I guess it would be ok on an ebook reader, but I can't imagine it being all that useful. Navigation across several books is just a pain in the butt with an ebook reader device right now. If I want it all on a digital format, I guess I'd prefer a netbook or something where I could much more quickly access the information, but even then, I think I'd be fine toting 2-3 guide books (or one Frankensteinian rebound guide) which are far faster and more accessible and disposable. I suppose the only thing I'd use the reader for on a trip, other than novels obviously, would be a single page document that says "I have no money" in 2-3 relevant languages that I could pull out and show to any possible assailants or extortionists abroad. That could be a lifesaver right there.

08-11-2009, 12:59 PM	#8
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	When I used to live near a bus stop where the bus only came every 45 minutes, I had a copy of the bus schedule on my iPod Touch as an eReader doc...

08-11-2009, 02:44 PM	#9
PennyPie Cocoa & Toast...mmmmmm... Posts: 275 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio Device: Sony PRS-700, iPhone	Hmmm...newbie here...how do you create your own book? With a PDF creator program? Heard Adobe is pretty expensive. Are there free/inexpensive PDF creators you use, or is there another technique. I'm thinkin' this has lots of possibilities!!!! Penny

08-11-2009, 03:47 PM	#11
slayda Retired & reading more! Posts: 2,764 Karma: 1884247 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Alabama, USA Device: Kindle 1, iPad Air 2, iPhone 6S+, Kobo Aura One	Why create books in PDF? There are other, easier, more useful, and better formats. E.g. Doc, RTF, Epub.

08-11-2009, 09:33 PM	#14
doreenjoy 01000100 01001010 Posts: 1,889 Karma: 2400000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Polyamorous	I've found all kinds of documents that are handy to have on a reader. I use it for listing restaurants I like, and I put bus schedules on my reader, too. I also copy & paste driving directions into an RTF, then put the RTF on my reader. I hate having paper lying all over the car. Another use: I have an RTF with important phone numbers and contact information for my spouse and doctors. It's on my reader under "In Case of Emergency." This isn't for first responders, it's for me to be able to make calls in case I have become separated from my cell phone but still have my reader.

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