Choosing for my 10 year old

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by NatCh

I think wowio is PDF files, locked ones too, unless I'm remembering something else .... (I haven't ever used them, so I could easily be mixed up)

You can't do much of anything with PDFs, locked ones especially I'm afraid.

An EB1150 is a bit large for a pocket, but yeah, it should probably be kept off playgrounds.

Locked PDF's cannot be read on any standalone Reader, not just the EB1150. The unit is pretty big to be placed in a pocket but this is what helps the reading experience since the page is about the size of a paperback book as opposed to a shirt pocket sized reader. The eb1150 does have an armored covering and the shape helps the user to hold firmly on to the device. While it can be broken it is unlikely to be dropped accidentally by slipping out of your hand. I suppose a case could be obtained to help protect the screen from damage in a backpack. I haven't looked for one but otterbox makes some very good rugged cases.

Edit: I don't see a proper size box from otterbox but the Seahorse SX-120 would seem to be ok.

Dale

[ProfJulie]

After reading this thread, I signed up with wowio and downloaded a few books to see how they work on a Pocket PC. This is what I discovered:

• wowio books are password protected, but they can be copied to and opened up on a pocket pc. FWIW, I was also able to copy and open the books on my Cybook.
  
• Unfortunately, they do not display well on a pocket pc. Reading them would require scrolling back and forth for each line of text. Unless the book is saved with tags, the books cannot be reflowed to work well with the smaller pocket pc screen. Because the books are password protected, I could not tag them in Adobe Acrobat after I downloaded them from wowio.
  
• Surprisingly, I could convert the wowio books into Mobipocket format, using Mobipocket's convert PDF option. The books aren't beautiful, but at least they can now be read on a Pocket PC with Mobipocket installed.
  

BTW, wowio seems like a really great place to get free books. I like their philosophy and I know I'll be downloading books from them.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by ProfJulie

After reading this thread, I signed up with wowio and downloaded a few books to see how they work on a Pocket PC. This is what I discovered:

• wowio books are password protected, but they can be copied to and opened up on a pocket pc. FWIW, I was also able to copy and open the books on my Cybook.
  
• Unfortunately, they do not display well on a pocket pc. Reading them would require scrolling back and forth for each line of text. Unless the book is saved with tags, the books cannot be reflowed to work well with the smaller pocket pc screen. Because the books are password protected, I could not tag them in Adobe Acrobat after I downloaded them from wowio.
  
• Surprisingly, I could convert the wowio books into Mobipocket format, using Mobipocket's convert PDF option. The books aren't beautiful, but at least they can now be read on a Pocket PC with Mobipocket installed.
  

BTW, wowio seems like a really great place to get free books. I like their philosophy and I know I'll be downloading books from them.

Have you received any advertisements yet? Good to know they are only password protected and not DRM'd. If they can be converted to Mobipocket then the mobi2imp.pl perl script will make them into fine eb1150 books.

Dale

[ProfJulie]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Have you received any advertisements yet? Good to know they are only password protected and not DRM'd. If they can be converted to Mobipocket then the mobi2imp.pl perl script will make them into fine eb1150 books.

Dale

Oh, so that's the catch then, eh? There was one advertisement in the front of the book....ah well.....I guess they have to make money somewhere.

[birchbarkcanoe]

Are there any cases you can SEE thru that protect it? Not just a carry case....or is this overkill?

Something light and.....dare I say ballistic?

Sue

[ProfJulie]

Otterbox!

http://www.otterbox.com/products/pda_cases/1900/

[birchbarkcanoe]

DaleDe mentioned he didn't see the size I needed in an otterbox?

Any ideas on it?

Sue

[birchbarkcanoe]

YO, this otterbox thing is nice......but almost as expensive as the ebookwise?

Anything good but less expensive, or a better source?

I am not buying for the military, just a standard boy, lol.

Sue

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by birchbarkcanoe

DaleDe mentioned he didn't see the size I needed in an otterbox?

Any ideas on it?

Sue

My favorite is otterbox. I have an email into them about coming up with a larger box for eBookwise and UMPC devices which are about the same size. Otterbox is good for PDA's with a readable screen for about $50.

Meanwhile the Seahorse box is cheap (about $20) and good for storage. The case that comes with the unit is fine for me but a 10 year old can be a bit forgetful. My thoughts are that, when using the device the child will be ok and careful. When tossed in a backpack the child will expect that it will protect itself and toss the bag around which could be problematic hence the idea for a little cheap insurance.

Dale

[kacir]

Originally Posted by birchbarkcanoe

Any suggestions?

an old second-hand PDA would be perfect.
I was using an old Cassiopeia A-20 for years.
With a reading device THE most important feature is big display.
The Cassiopeia A-20 or A-11 have unusually big display for this kind of device. They are also hopelessly obsolete and unusable for anything but reading books in their built-in pocket word.
Send me a private message if you want to know more.