Another use for E-Reader??? - Page 2

PennyPie · 08-11-2009, 10:42 PM

I also have a boat I live in on weekends. Don't have internet access at the marina to hunt for recipes nor the space to bring cookbooks aboard. I mistakenly downloaded some PDF cookbooks from my computer to my Sony & rather than deleting them, am now planning on using them when looking for something to cook!
I also like the idea of adding a few pages of pertinent info as mentioned in above posts. I don't carry a purse, nor do I have a PDF so a way to keep important info available sounds like a great idea. Just have to start thinking outside the box!!

LDBoblo · 08-11-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PennyPie

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

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!

Yeah, if you want to conveniently create documents, you can do so very simply by making txt or RTF files without any extra software. You can also do conversions to ebook files like epub and lrf using tools like Calibre, which is supported pretty strongly across these fora. If you're simply making lists or you don't especially care about the aesthetic quality of ebooks (it seems very few people do, judging by the quality of the offerings on this site), these are convenient and have some flexibility in text resizing.

PDF is by far the best choice for those of us who are very anal-retentive when it comes to setting up books with rigid and precise formatting standards, multiple fonts, rigid page numbers, and all the things that other formats can't do that makes a good book look like a good book. Perhaps it's wasted on rubbish e-ink screens, but it's nice to at least sometimes feel a bit like you're reading a real book, and not just a glorified text file on a glorified calculator.

Ea · 08-12-2009, 06:57 AM

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

You can print or export to PDF from many text editing applications such as Word or OpenOffice or Pages (Mac) or ... etc.

In some cases you might need to install a virtual PDF "printer" on your computer, but they can be found for free. You'll also need to create custom page size, of course, that fits the ebook reader. I use 11x9.5 cm page size for a 6" screen. You might need to make some trials until you find a setup that works for you.

I've started to make a custom cookbook. I often find recipes on the Internet (and I don't have a printer), and I keep up my own "cook book" blog with tips and recipes - I need to remember all my good tips and 1-person recipes - so it's very little extra work to create a custom PDF.

richman · 08-12-2009, 10:28 AM

great Idea to think about ways to use the ereader for things other than reading ebooks. Thanks everybody for the tips.

As I was reading your comments, I too was thinking of importing my skype phone contact stuff in .rtf format.
Also, I guess I could type a shopping list on my computer and just transfer it over to ereader and take it for shopping or a do list. And after it's done, delete it from ereader.

I look forward to seeing other ideas about putting stuff on it.

lcbannon · 08-12-2009, 11:23 AM

Branching out here but can you hook up an ereader to the MP3 player in your car like they do IPods???

HarryT · 08-12-2009, 12:35 PM

Yes, but believe me, you really don't want to use your 505 as an MP3 player

. Even the cheapest "real" MP3 players wipes the floor with it. The MP3 player on the 505 is one of those things that the marketing people probably said they "had to have". It is primitive in the extreme, and "dangerous" too. It doesn't have a "stop" button, only a "pause", and it's all too easy to leave it playing accidentally and drain the battery flat.

Much safer not to have any MP3 files on the device. Use the Reader to read, and a real MP3 player for music.

lcbannon · 08-12-2009, 08:42 PM

Thanks for the heads up on that, guess I will just use it to put info on, lots of good ideas here.

PennyPie · 08-12-2009, 10:04 PM

How bout audio books? Does it save the place you were listening to when you stop it, like the ebooks?
Penny

dordale · 08-13-2009, 01:05 AM

Penny--Don't know about saving your place in audiobooks and I listen to quite a few. But as Harry said you're much better off buying a cheap mp3 player (there are quite a few that will remember your position).

I actually bought a used Apple iPod Nano (older generation) off of eBay for about $30 over a year ago and I consider it to be about the perfect player for audio books.

The two things that are always in my purse (unless I'm using them) are my Reader and my iPod Nano...oh yeah, I keep my iPod Touch in there too. I'd be devistated if I ever lost my purse!

dordale

acastillo · 08-21-2009, 01:08 PM

Great thread-- I had the same idea but luckily found this one before I began a new thread.

I use either Microsoft Word or OpenOffice to create .rtf or PDF files for:

1: Flight information and confirmation codes (to be able to print out passenger passes at the hotel).
2. Trip itinerary - including "travel guide" information about sightseeing, places of interest, etc.
3. Recipes - (although I keep the my reader far away from the stove and other places where accidents can occur).
4. RSS feeds - through Feedbooks, I get personalized "newspapers" downloaded so that I get blog updates, photography tips, weather, etc.
5. Church info - on Sunday mornings, I usually download the appropriate readings so that I can read along during mass. I have also downloaded the common prayers used during mass.
6. Meeting itinerary and minutes - I am a member of several boards and if they send out the minutes of the past meeting and the upcoming meeting's agenda, I put those on my 505 and take that to the meeting.
7. Speech notes - if I am giving a presentation or speech, I will often put my notes (in VERY LARGE FONTS) instead of taking up note cards.

In general, I will put things on the 505 instead of printing. Alot of times, I would print information out, use the information, and then end up with a lot of scratch paper. Now, I only print if I have to give the information to someone else. If the information is for me, I put it on my 505.

I use my 505 for many day-to-day activities. In fact, I almost use my reader for more things than for reading books.

KindleKid · 08-21-2009, 07:24 PM

How do you use your calendar for your reader? I've been using Sigil with each day as its own task so I can quickly access a day under my table of contents. I'm interested to know how others do it

Quote:

Originally Posted by slayda

I also keep a calendar on mine.

Elfwreck · 08-21-2009, 07:37 PM

I put custom-made bus schedules on mine when I'm going somewhere new. 511.org is the SF Bay Area public transit planning site, and I get schedules from there, and then edit them into Reader-sized pages and PDF them, so I've got nice 4-page "ebooks" with the times, prices, maps and additional details (like the phone number of my contact person) with me.

Patricia · 08-21-2009, 07:38 PM

I keep my address book on my reader. It's on my computer as a .doc, font size 18, and displays very well on the 505.

When travelling I download information from tourist websites, convert it into LRF and keep it on the reader.
A kind forum member also pointed me in the direction of Wikitravel: http://wikitravel.org/en/Main_Page
where I've found a very useful Portuguese phrase book, as well as a lot of other information.

Ea · 08-22-2009, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

I put custom-made bus schedules on mine when I'm going somewhere new. 511.org is the SF Bay Area public transit planning site, and I get schedules from there, and then edit them into Reader-sized pages and PDF them, so I've got nice 4-page "ebooks" with the times, prices, maps and additional details (like the phone number of my contact person) with me.

I just had DOH!!

moment - I tend to lose my bus schedules or forget them or they are just a nuisance, but I bring my reader with me often Thank you for reminding me

Be Szpilman · 08-23-2009, 06:19 PM

I love reading my old journal (diary) entries on the reader. It would be nice to keep the whole diary in there, but also dangerous

I simply save the text into a txt and load on! Then delete after reading, pretty effortless and a much better way than reading from the PC.

What I'd really like to use my sony reader, now, is as a web terminal to which I could instantly send articles from pages (e.g. blogs) I'm browsing to be read comfortably, hassle-free. For now I can only dream..

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08-11-2009, 10:42 PM	#16
PennyPie Cocoa & Toast...mmmmmm... Posts: 275 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio Device: Sony PRS-700, iPhone	I also have a boat I live in on weekends. Don't have internet access at the marina to hunt for recipes nor the space to bring cookbooks aboard. I mistakenly downloaded some PDF cookbooks from my computer to my Sony & rather than deleting them, am now planning on using them when looking for something to cook! I also like the idea of adding a few pages of pertinent info as mentioned in above posts. I don't carry a purse, nor do I have a PDF so a way to keep important info available sounds like a great idea. Just have to start thinking outside the box!!

08-12-2009, 10:28 AM	#19
richman Addict Posts: 269 Karma: 58 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: sony prs-505 BLUE,itouch,netbook	great Idea to think about ways to use the ereader for things other than reading ebooks. Thanks everybody for the tips. As I was reading your comments, I too was thinking of importing my skype phone contact stuff in .rtf format. Also, I guess I could type a shopping list on my computer and just transfer it over to ereader and take it for shopping or a do list. And after it's done, delete it from ereader. I look forward to seeing other ideas about putting stuff on it.

08-12-2009, 11:23 AM	#20
lcbannon Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Sony PRS 505	Branching out here but can you hook up an ereader to the MP3 player in your car like they do IPods???

08-12-2009, 12:35 PM	#21
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,556 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Yes, but believe me, you really don't want to use your 505 as an MP3 player . Even the cheapest "real" MP3 players wipes the floor with it. The MP3 player on the 505 is one of those things that the marketing people probably said they "had to have". It is primitive in the extreme, and "dangerous" too. It doesn't have a "stop" button, only a "pause", and it's all too easy to leave it playing accidentally and drain the battery flat. Much safer not to have any MP3 files on the device. Use the Reader to read, and a real MP3 player for music.

08-12-2009, 08:42 PM	#22
lcbannon Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Sony PRS 505	Thanks for the heads up on that, guess I will just use it to put info on, lots of good ideas here.

08-12-2009, 10:04 PM	#23
PennyPie Cocoa & Toast...mmmmmm... Posts: 275 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio Device: Sony PRS-700, iPhone	How bout audio books? Does it save the place you were listening to when you stop it, like the ebooks? Penny

08-13-2009, 01:05 AM	#24
dordale Wizard Posts: 1,731 Karma: 3472866 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Sony PRS-650 & 350; Kindle Voyage; Kobo Aura HD, Aura One, and Forma	Penny--Don't know about saving your place in audiobooks and I listen to quite a few. But as Harry said you're much better off buying a cheap mp3 player (there are quite a few that will remember your position). I actually bought a used Apple iPod Nano (older generation) off of eBay for about $30 over a year ago and I consider it to be about the perfect player for audio books. The two things that are always in my purse (unless I'm using them) are my Reader and my iPod Nano...oh yeah, I keep my iPod Touch in there too. I'd be devistated if I ever lost my purse! dordale

08-21-2009, 01:08 PM	#25
acastillo Enthusiast Posts: 49 Karma: 806 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Device: Sony PRS-505, Apple iPad	Great thread-- I had the same idea but luckily found this one before I began a new thread. I use either Microsoft Word or OpenOffice to create .rtf or PDF files for: 1: Flight information and confirmation codes (to be able to print out passenger passes at the hotel). 2. Trip itinerary - including "travel guide" information about sightseeing, places of interest, etc. 3. Recipes - (although I keep the my reader far away from the stove and other places where accidents can occur). 4. RSS feeds - through Feedbooks, I get personalized "newspapers" downloaded so that I get blog updates, photography tips, weather, etc. 5. Church info - on Sunday mornings, I usually download the appropriate readings so that I can read along during mass. I have also downloaded the common prayers used during mass. 6. Meeting itinerary and minutes - I am a member of several boards and if they send out the minutes of the past meeting and the upcoming meeting's agenda, I put those on my 505 and take that to the meeting. 7. Speech notes - if I am giving a presentation or speech, I will often put my notes (in VERY LARGE FONTS) instead of taking up note cards. In general, I will put things on the 505 instead of printing. Alot of times, I would print information out, use the information, and then end up with a lot of scratch paper. Now, I only print if I have to give the information to someone else. If the information is for me, I put it on my 505. I use my 505 for many day-to-day activities. In fact, I almost use my reader for more things than for reading books.

08-21-2009, 07:37 PM	#27
Elfwreck Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,187 Karma: 25133758 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area, California, USA Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3 (Past: Kobo Mini, PEZ, PRS-505, Clié)	I put custom-made bus schedules on mine when I'm going somewhere new. 511.org is the SF Bay Area public transit planning site, and I get schedules from there, and then edit them into Reader-sized pages and PDF them, so I've got nice 4-page "ebooks" with the times, prices, maps and additional details (like the phone number of my contact person) with me.

08-21-2009, 07:38 PM	#28
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	I keep my address book on my reader. It's on my computer as a .doc, font size 18, and displays very well on the 505. When travelling I download information from tourist websites, convert it into LRF and keep it on the reader. A kind forum member also pointed me in the direction of Wikitravel: http://wikitravel.org/en/Main_Page where I've found a very useful Portuguese phrase book, as well as a lot of other information.

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08-23-2009, 06:19 PM	#30
Be Szpilman Fetch that LRF Posts: 63 Karma: 44 Join Date: Jul 2008 Device: Sony Reader PRS-505, Treo 650	I love reading my old journal (diary) entries on the reader. It would be nice to keep the whole diary in there, but also dangerous I simply save the text into a txt and load on! Then delete after reading, pretty effortless and a much better way than reading from the PC. What I'd really like to use my sony reader, now, is as a web terminal to which I could instantly send articles from pages (e.g. blogs) I'm browsing to be read comfortably, hassle-free. For now I can only dream..