Astak Mentor eBook readers with WiFi and Touchscreen (read-only)

[AJ Starr]

Originally Posted by TheJohnNewton

Obviously this won't help your current situation but man does it point to the need for ONE standard format that works on all devices. Why do consumers need to even know about formats? Seems a failure of the ebook industry to me though granted it's a young industry.

Here! Here! I agree totally!

[Robertb]

Dear All:

There have been some phone calls to Astak asking why the EZ Reader only supports three fonts. This is not what I said. I said that there are three Font SIZES you can choose onthe EZ Reader.

You are essentially unlimited about fonts for the EZ Reader. The following was posted on our website but here it is again to help everyone:

How to add to the Font Library on EZ Reader!

(Must be True Fonts and only works with WORD and TXT files).

1. Pick a website where you can download free fonts. One is: www.webpagepublicity.com/free_fonts.html
2. After you download the chosen fonts, insert an SD Card into your EZ Reader and hook-up to your computer via USB.
3. This will bring up the file names (if any) on that SD card.
4. On the left side you will find a choice called “Add A New Folder”.
5. Create a new folder that says: “fonts”. Be exact. Do not put anything else… just “fonts”. This will be found on your SD Card root directory. It must say "fonts"!
6. Copy your font(s) to this “fonts” folder on the SD Card.
7. Disconnect USB and Insert SD card into EZ Reader.
8. Turn On your EZ Reader. When Main Menu is displayed, press the round “OK” button, which will bring up a pop-up menu on bottom left of screen.
9. Press #6 (Settings).
10. Press #3 which will bring you to the Font Replacement Interface.
11. Select the font (or one of the fonts) you just put on the SD card.
12. To go to your default font just switch back as outlined in User Manual (just like you would anytime that you switch fonts).

I hope that this helps and I will have more info soon on the forced switch to eReader Firmware. Thank you, Wallcraft, for helping calm fears on this. The end result will be a TRUE Open Format on the EZ Reader where other formats can easily be added.

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

There have been some phone calls to Astak asking why the EZ Reader only supports three fonts. This is not what I said. I said that there are three Font SIZES you can choose onthe EZ Reader.

You are essentially unlimited about fonts for the EZ Reader. The following was posted on our website but here it is again to help everyone:

How to add to the Font Library on EZ Reader!

(Must be True Fonts and only works with WORD and TXT files).

1. Pick a website where you can download free fonts. One is: www.webpagepublicity.com/free_fonts.html
2. After you download the chosen fonts, insert an SD Card into your EZ Reader and hook-up to your computer via USB.
3. This will bring up the file names (if any) on that SD card.
4. On the left side you will find a choice called “Add A New Folder”.
5. Create a new folder that says: “fonts”. Be exact. Do not put anything else… just “fonts”. This will be found on your SD Card root directory. It must say "fonts"!
6. Copy your font(s) to this “fonts” folder on the SD Card.
7. Disconnect USB and Insert SD card into EZ Reader.
8. Turn On your EZ Reader. When Main Menu is displayed, press the round “OK” button, which will bring up a pop-up menu on bottom left of screen.
9. Press #6 (Settings).
10. Press #3 which will bring you to the Font Replacement Interface.
11. Select the font (or one of the fonts) you just put on the SD card.
12. To go to your default font just switch back as outlined in User Manual (just like you would anytime that you switch fonts).

I hope that this helps and I will have more info soon on the forced switch to eReader Firmware. Thank you, Wallcraft, for helping calm fears on this. The end result will be a TRUE Open Format on the EZ Reader where other formats can easily be added.

Robert B

The free fonts link for the EZ Reader has changed:
http://www.webpagepublicity.com/free-fonts.html


Thank you,

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by TheJohnNewton

Obviously this won't help your current situation but man does it point to the need for ONE standard format that works on all devices. Why do consumers need to even know about formats? Seems a failure of the ebook industry to me though granted it's a young industry.

Dear John Newton:

Believe me, when I first got into eBook Reader manufacturing I blindly assumed that ALL of the major formats would sooner or later get together for the common good of all. Since then I have become sick over the crap that happens in the industry over formats. Amazon wants to sell books supposedly. Then why restrict Mobipocket? Would it not be to Amazon's advantage to have people from any device load Mobi and then order their books?

Yes, I agree on the frustration over formats. Astak wants to be Open Format. Load whatever you like. Unfortunately, not everybody is as great as Fictionwise in working towards this goal. I do not mind Amazon saying no to Astak... but at least grant support for those who purchased already. Seems to me that is in their interest too,

At IDPF this year I hope to get a chance to talk on this issue. In the meantime, we have Fictionwise working night and day to offer the SDK we need. WHEN this comes out we will give explicite instructions and try to also get other formats up on our website (www.mobiebook.com) so people can add what they want easily and quickly and without hassle. Maybe, just maybe, David can at least get Goliath to cooperate a little. I do not have any rocks in my sling for Goliath... I just want to see the industry pull together to support the consumer. IF we all cooperate then the eBook Reader industry on a whole will grow wildly and everybody is happy!

There, I vented some pent-up anger about this disgusting format war.

Robert B

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear John Newton:

Believe me, when I first got into eBook Reader manufacturing I blindly assumed that ALL of the major formats would sooner or later get together for the common good of all. Since then I have become sick over the crap that happens in the industry over formats. Amazon wants to sell books supposedly. Then why restrict Mobipocket? Would it not be to Amazon's advantage to have people from any device load Mobi and then order their books?

Yes, I agree on the frustration over formats. Astak wants to be Open Format. Load whatever you like. Unfortunately, not everybody is as great as Fictionwise in working towards this goal. I do not mind Amazon saying no to Astak... but at least grant support for those who purchased already. Seems to me that is in their interest too,

At IDPF this year I hope to get a chance to talk on this issue. In the meantime, we have Fictionwise working night and day to offer the SDK we need. WHEN this comes out we will give explicite instructions and try to also get other formats up on our website (www.mobiebook.com) so people can add what they want easily and quickly and without hassle. Maybe, just maybe, David can at least get Goliath to cooperate a little. I do not have any rocks in my sling for Goliath... I just want to see the industry pull together to support the consumer. IF we all cooperate then the eBook Reader industry on a whole will grow wildly and everybody is happy!

There, I vented some pent-up anger about this disgusting format war.

Robert B

Indeed you did vent, Robert.. Feel better? *laugh*. You poor man. I do agree with you. I have one question though. If I buy an EZReader, and I go to buy a book...what format would be the best to buy?

[TheJohnNewton]

Well I have hope that eventually it will work out and we will have many less formats and much less confusion. Really I don't get Amazon's stance though. If they sold ebooks that worked on all readers they would simply crush all other ebook vendors. If they do it just to sell Kindles then I'd say the Kindle is good enough to stand on it's own. They don't need to do that irritating lock the customer into one platfrom thing (I btw RARELY buy an ebook from Amazon for this reason) they can just focus on making the Kindle a quality reader and not worry about crippling their ebook product.

Good luck with your ereader and with talking some sense into the other industry folk :-)

[Robertb]

Dear All:

There have been requests for the EZ Reader in colors. I have four of each color: Pealescent White, Maroon, Metallic Red, Rich Silver, and Electric Blue. That is all I have right now. If anybody wants one of them, they are brand new and in the box. They are fully working EZ Reader devices.

I have attached a photo of the five colors and a larger one of each. As always, they will come with the crush-resistant leather case and the ear buds and eight free classic titles.

This is all I have right now. Some of you on MobileRead Forum have asked for them in colors... so here you go. They are only available to MobileRead forum users. The price is $299 plus shipping (tax if applicable). You can pay by Pay Pal!! Call Walter at 408-452-8788 to place the order.

Once these 20 are gone it may be months before we get more in of the colors.

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Indeed you did vent, Robert.. Feel better? *laugh*. You poor man. I do agree with you. I have one question though. If I buy an EZReader, and I go to buy a book...what format would be the best to buy?

Dear Shel:

Maybe I am predjudiced, and there are a lot of others on here that can answer better than me. I like eReader format by Fictionwise, as Fictionwise is a great place to buy books and that is their format. Then, when ePub really blossoms, it can lead right in. Also, they have a huge selection and take care of their customers.. that much I know. Plus, the two brothers who own Fictionwise are likely the two nicest people in the industry.

Wallcraft knows so much more on formats than I know. I want to answer your question but I know I may be jaded and others are not.

I KNOW you had asked about COLOR eReaders and I did post that we are selling four of each color right now. I showed shots of all the colors in my post today; and listed the phone number.

Yes... venting did help!!

Robert B

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Shel:

Maybe I am predjudiced, and there are a lot of others on here that can answer better than me. I like eReader format by Fictionwise, as Fictionwise is a great place to buy books and that is their format. Then, when ePub really blossoms, it can lead right in. Also, they have a huge selection and take care of their customers.. that much I know. Plus, the two brothers who own Fictionwise are likely the two nicest people in the industry.

Wallcraft knows so much more on formats than I know. I want to answer your question but I know I may be jaded and others are not.

I KNOW you had asked about COLOR eReaders and I did post that we are selling four of each color right now. I showed shots of all the colors in my post today; and listed the phone number.

Yes... venting did help!!

Robert B

*Whimper....* LOL Robert, you tease!!! I won't have the money until Feb. 6, so I guess I'll be waiting on colors...

Thanks for the input on formats!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

*Whimper....* LOL Robert, you tease!!! I won't have the money until Feb. 6, so I guess I'll be waiting on colors...

Thanks for the input on formats!

No commitment on your part or mine, but pick a color and will try to hold.

Robert B

[ccccclark]

nm nm nm

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by ccccclark

After messing around for a couple of hours on a Friday night getting the Python scripts to remove the DRM and getting sick and tired of having to install yet more on my PC (and accidentally installing the ASK.com toolbar with the torrent client I had to install), I've decided I'm just going to sell my EZ Reader. I do software development all day, this is the last thing I want to hack around with.

I will just consider the $60-70 in DRM Mobibooks as a loss and whatever I lose from the $300+ dollars I invested in the reader.

This whole format thing really irks me off. I am not willing to switch to another DRM format that I don't even know will be supported in the future and by what readers.

If anyone is interested in buying let me know. I will take the highest bidder. I could care less if it goes for $5 at this point.

It is great hardware and Astak has great customer service, but this format switch defeats the very purpose that led me to the EZ Reader in the first place.

I am going with the Sony as soon as I get some bills paid off.

That is exactly what Amazon wants you to do. They are clearly trying to kill competition in America. You do know that standard Hanlin firmware will continue to work on the device, don't you? There is no reason you have to upgrade to new Astak firmware.

Dale

[ccccclark]

nm nm nm

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Robertb

No commitment on your part or mine, but pick a color and will try to hold.

Robert B

Robert, I pm'd you.

Shel

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by ccccclark

One post on another board suggested downloading the Hanlin firmware with the Mobipocket "just in case".

I posted that, because if Amazon is serious about its "no Hanlin's in the US" requirement they will force Jinke to only distribute new firmware (containing MobiPocket Reader) to non-US owners of the device. So far Jinke, and all its partners, have allowed anyone to download any of the firmware versions and they all work on all Hanlin V3s. However, they no longer completely control their own firmware because now it contains software licensed from MobiPocket.

I suggested downloading the exiting Jinke firmware to your PC so that you can be certain it will be available for your EZ Reader if you need it. Astak does not have the firmware they shipped publicly available on their web site, but I assume they will provide a copy if it is ever needed. If you already have a working copy then you don't need to ask.