Any RCA Reb 1100 users around?

[bart_simpson]

Yeah, I can confirm that attempting to upgrade 1.3.74 to 2.0.305 with an rb file in RocketLibrarian does not work with the rocket eBook.

Furthermore, the archived rocket site has a detailed changelog for 1.3.74, 1.3.75, and the final 1.3.80. I have 1.3.74 and there is pretty much no reason to upgrade for me:

Version 1.3.80
• This version of RocketEngine improves communications with the PC to reduce errors during the installation of future RocketEngine software.
Version 1.3.75
• This is a minor adjustment related to system improvements in our server software. Interaction with the server is improved. (There are no user-observable differences on the Rocket eBook.)
• NOTE - If the Rocket eBook has not been upgraded since version 1.2, version 1.3.75 will re-format the unit's memory. This will cause all content to be removed. Users will need to resend Rocket Editions from the RocketLibrarian or download from "Your Rocket Account" on the Web.

btw, I have the max 32MB ram upgrade, which had some crashy problems with lower firms.

I also discovered that Calibre rb files do not work so well. I converted a file to rb from lit that had a few footnotes--actually endnotes but Terry Pratchett likes to say footnote--and it was a huge 500K and intermittantly caused the rocket ebook device to reboot.

Converting the same LIT file with Book Designer (running on my old Windows XP Dell CPx) resulted in a 130K file and the footnotes work. All 4 of them, LOL. btw, I got Book Designer from the Brazillian archive and I think it needs Office >= 2000 to do its thing.

Is the USB cable for the REB1100 UC-E6, of Nikon CoolPix fame? Google AI says so, but I've noticed Google AI likes to tell you what you'd like to hear.

PS: I am constantly getting banned from viewing mobileread.com: At first it was just when I used Firefox. But yesterday I tried Chromium Ungoogled, lynx, links, w3m, Safari, and they were all giving me "mobileread.com is taking too long to respond." All that worked was my rinky-dinky little 16 year old Nook tablet and an old Sony phone (running firefox android).

[bart_simpson]

Originally Posted by bart_simpson

Is the USB cable for the REB1100 UC-E6, of Nikon CoolPix fame? Google AI says so, but I've noticed Google AI likes to tell you what you'd like to hear.

Nope. I found a UC-E6 and it will not fit in the REB 1100. So much for Google. What is that connector?

[Dr. Drib]

I have three of these in storage, cosmetically in excellent condition. When I get back to the U.S. (sometime in April?), I'm going to look through these. I have a crap-load of things that were in the box. I think I actually have two boxes.

Be careful - can't remember the term - of something that wiped the removable storage unit clean. I think it had to do with the order of removing it from the reader. (?)

I have such wonderful memories of using these great readers and the CRAZY way one had of transferring ebooks over a telephone line at that time of the technology. The first ebook I ever bought was Stephen King's latest collection of short stories. And it was joy to read.

I would buy something like them if I could find a screen that size - and with that lighting - and the INCREDIBLE ability to hold it with total relaxation.

[bart_simpson]

I find REB 1100 strangely compelling, even compared to modern devices. It is a nice size and seems to just fit in your hands like a book. I missed this device in its day. Being a poor student at the time, I remember trying to do everything with a second-hand Palm IIIxe. As the color Palms came out, the company descended into chaos and I switched to Sharp Zaurus SL PDAs but they never really matured before their time ended as well.

While not as sustainable as a (hacked) eBookMan, it is easy to repair the REB 1100 battery pack. The device is easy to disassemble and the only unusual tool needed is a handheld spot welder, currently about $30 on Amazon. 18650 batteries are sold in most head shops.

I'm not as wild about the old eBook as you need 6 oddly sized (not AA) NiMH batteries in series; rather than goof around with welding, I found a 7.2V NiMH 6-battery pack of the same size batteries for some strange radio transmitter. I guess you could use NiMH AA, but then the pack will be too long. To get the case to close you would have to cut plastic bits. At the end of the day, I still prefer the REB 1100 because 6 NiMH batteries are very heavy compared to 2 lipos.

My next best guess for the USB cable is Olympus CB-USB1. I will find out in a few days when it comes.

irda is hopeless, at least on my laptops: it bluescreens on my WinMe Armada 1700 and just will not do anything in Windows XP. Windows XP/2000? removed virtual com ports and I tried to use the free 3rd-party ircomm2k to put them back, but the restored virtual com port still does not work.

The reason I want to connect to Rocket Librarian is to change the font to something a bit thicker/bolder. Could there be a way to change fonts by copying ttf files to some magic folder or filename on the smartmedia card?

[bart_simpson]

Originally Posted by bart_simpson

My next best guess for the USB cable is Olympus CB-USB1. I will find out in a few days when it comes.

This is the cable. Works perfectly.

[250 Coupe]

For some reason, I stopped getting notifications about this thread. I'm happy to hear you've gotten as far as you have.
I think I have that usb cable also but don't currently have a machine old enough for the driver to work although there may be a laptop in the pile with XP on it. I'll have to take a look some year.
I have a battery pack for the 1100 in a desk drawer, I must have rebuilt at least one as I also have a couple of loose cells new in bag. They are the solder tab type so no need for a welder here altho I did eventually buy one just to have.