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

[Robertb]

Dear All:

The ad and rebate were purposely held out of the FRY's ad over the three day weekend BECAUSE it was all over the internet that the EZ Reader would be on sale. Now, you would think they would like this but they do NOT. FRYs forbids (I never knew before) vendors to tip off anybody about their sales.

SO... because I tipped off people and built up a lot of enthusiasm for the sale... the ad was withheld and NOT run to punish me.

I cannot argue with FRYs on this. They have their own ways.

I apologize for trying to build up enthusiasm which I thought FRYs and MobileRead Forum people would appreciate. FRYs did NOT appreciate my efforts.

I now have to shut up and say nothing further. I am sorry.

[ahammer]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

The ad and rebate were purposely held out of the FRY's ad over the three day weekend BECAUSE it was all over the internet that the EZ Reader would be on sale. Now, you would think they would like this but they do NOT. FRYs forbids (I never knew before) vendors to tip off anybody about their sales.

SO... because I tipped off people and built up a lot of enthusiasm for the sale... the ad was withheld and NOT run to punish me.

I cannot argue with FRYs on this. They have their own ways.

I apologize for trying to build up enthusiasm which I thought FRYs and MobileRead Forum people would appreciate. FRYs did NOT appreciate my efforts.

I now have to shut up and say nothing further. I am sorry.

that is just kind of dumb.. guess they do not want to let other companys know about the sells thou.

[cvkemp]

Robert do we have a time frame on when the site will be up and when the firmware will be available. I love the fact that ezreader is moving to epub etc.

chuck

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Yes, it would be great if Jinke can put a clock/calender feature on it. The problem is that libraries lending eBooks seems to be a North American phenomena.

You don't actually need an (accurate) clock, all you need is a way to set the date. There is a hack to allow this on the EZ Reader, see Library eBooks Readable = Win. This could easily be made a standard part of the system menus. A better approach would be to get the date automatically when connected via USB, but I don't know if this is a standard USB capability. On the Cybook there is a similar "work around" which involves copying a text file containing the date into a specific directory. There are other possible approaches, for example you could use the file creation date to reset the clock if it is more recent that the current system date (this takes advantage of the clock on your desktop PC which sets the date when the file is copied to the device).

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by cvkemp

Robert do we have a time frame on when the site will be up and when the firmware will be available. I love the fact that ezreader is moving to epub etc.

chuck

Dear chuck:

I will check with the website designer today. The last I heard was it would open in about two weeks. Shortly after the opening we will post the firmware upload that will allow Adobe Digital Editions. In about 6 weeks we will post a second firmware uplaod that will put Fictionwise eReader as well on the EZ Reader.

Yes, I also love the idea it is finally about to happen!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

You don't actually need an (accurate) clock, all you need is a way to set the date. There is a hack to allow this on the EZ Reader, see Library eBooks Readable = Win. This could easily be made a standard part of the system menus. A better approach would be to get the date automatically when connected via USB, but I don't know if this is a standard USB capability. On the Cybook there is a similar "work around" which involves copying a text file containing the date into a specific directory. There are other possible approaches, for example you could use the file creation date to reset the clock if it is more recent that the current system date (this takes advantage of the clock on your desktop PC which sets the date when the file is copied to the device).

Thank you!! Your tip is going directly to our head tech to try to implement!!
Great Help!!

[AJ Starr]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

You don't actually need an (accurate) clock, all you need is a way to set the date. There is a hack to allow this on the EZ Reader, see Library eBooks Readable = Win. This could easily be made a standard part of the system menus. A better approach would be to get the date automatically when connected via USB, but I don't know if this is a standard USB capability. On the Cybook there is a similar "work around" which involves copying a text file containing the date into a specific directory. There are other possible approaches, for example you could use the file creation date to reset the clock if it is more recent that the current system date (this takes advantage of the clock on your desktop PC which sets the date when the file is copied to the device).

Thanks for the link. I think I remember reading it when it came out, that is what prompted my question. Right now, the libraries that I have access to do not rent ebooks. I keep checking though. Fortunately I can get audio books, and I am very happy there. I can't wait to get the Pocket Pro so I can use the TTS for the ebooks I don't have audio on now.

Yes I know it will be electronic. I have an electronic TTS software now that I can convert my txt to audio. It's not perfect but I get used to it.

[griffonwing]

Robert


Will the TTS audio be updateable/replaceable? Let's say I find a voice package that I greatly enjoy, and feel comfortable listening to. Would I be able to overwrite your voice files with a different set?

Or perhaps have a second file installed and be able to choose one or the other? This would really help if, for instance, I was listening to a book from a womans point of view (female voice), or a mans point of view (male voice).

[ahammer]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

Robert


Will the TTS audio be updateable/replaceable? Let's say I find a voice package that I greatly enjoy, and feel comfortable listening to. Would I be able to overwrite your voice files with a different set?

Or perhaps have a second file installed and be able to choose one or the other? This would really help if, for instance, I was listening to a book from a womans point of view (female voice), or a mans point of view (male voice).

you just want to put your and your parots voice on it... you know it to be true.

[Musicman]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear chuck:

I will check with the website designer today. The last I heard was it would open in about two weeks. Shortly after the opening we will post the firmware upload that will allow Adobe Digital Editions. In about 6 weeks we will post a second firmware uplaod that will put Fictionwise eReader as well on the EZ Reader.

Yes, I also love the idea it is finally about to happen!

Robertb,

Thanks for the update on the new site.

I am looking forward to the new firmware, but I am also looking to buy a couple of ebooks from the site as a show of support.

I am sure your first sale will come from someone here..... I wonder whom...

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

Robert


Will the TTS audio be updateable/replaceable? Let's say I find a voice package that I greatly enjoy, and feel comfortable listening to. Would I be able to overwrite your voice files with a different set?

Or perhaps have a second file installed and be able to choose one or the other? This would really help if, for instance, I was listening to a book from a womans point of view (female voice), or a mans point of view (male voice).

Dear Griffonwing and ahammer:

Yes, I concur that Griffonwing simply wants to exchange the female voice for his parrot's voice!!

I will have to check with Jinke to see if this is remotely possible. I have no idea. Really, you cannot tell whether the voice they have now is male or female. It is nice and clear, I think it is female; but everyone has a different opinion.

I will ask Tech Support to find out but NOBODY in this world yet (I bet) has ever asked this question. It is a machine voice!!

Cannot you just find a beautiful young pirate girl with an eye patch and shiver her timbers?? Take her on a trip looking for buried treasure together. Pour rum over her!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Musicman

Robertb,

Thanks for the update on the new site.

I am looking forward to the new firmware, but I am also looking to buy a couple of ebooks from the site as a show of support.

I am sure your first sale will come from someone here..... I wonder whom...

Dear Musicman:

I can use the support!! Thank you!! We will get you some good books!

You have not happened to run accross any good looking female pirates lately, have you? Griffonwing seems to have had too much grog and wants me to change a machine voice. ALL of us need to stick together!!

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Robertb

I will ask Tech Support to find out but NOBODY in this world yet (I bet) has ever asked this question. It is a machine voice!!

The Kindle 2 has a male (default) and a female voice for its TTS.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Griffonwing and ahammer:

Yes, I concur that Griffonwing simply wants to exchange the female voice for his parrot's voice!!

Our African grey parrot can speak with a great female voice! And he can do a very good male voice imitation from that Volkswagen commercial. Volkswagen, das Auto!

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Cannot you just find a beautiful young pirate girl with an eye patch and shiver her timbers?? Take her on a trip looking for buried treasure together. Pour rum over her!

If she has a timber for me to shiver, I will not board that vessel.