Please have pity on an ignoramus (very long)

[ziegl027]

Thanks for the tip! I would really, really like to avoid editing if at all possible in the first place. I'm not sure if the file I provided is representative of the journal on the whole, honestly. It was in a "free to everybody" supplement, not the subscribers-only journal. There are other journals I would be using, too, of course.

Does anybody know if the note-taking (highlight, etc) and search functions would work with a protected PDF?

[Kent Walters]

ziegl027,

As far as the iRex DR1000S is concerned, here are my answers to your questions:

1) PDF files— Display well on the DR. Regarding the issue mentioned later in the thread, about annotating locked PDFs: The DR stores annotations (scribbles) in a seperate file, whether the PDF is locked or not, so, as long as you only want to see them on the DR, they will be there. You probably won’t be able to merge the files on your computer, though.

2) Taking notes— See above for the 1000S. For your question, “Does Irex have a reputation of living up to such promises?” The answer is NO. I suggest waiting for favorable reviews (here, not commercially), and updates, before buying the DR800.

3) Stylus— The 1000S uses a Wacom tablet that requires a Wacom PenAbled stylus; they are plentily available, but they are not what I’d call ‘cheap.’ As long as you have not turned off all buttons, you can use the DR without a stylus--if you have turned off all buttons, and lose the stylus, you’ll need to reset, and will lose all unsaved notes. If you’re just reading, and you are not taking notes, you don’t need the stylus at all, and can turn the Wacom tablet off, saving battery power.

4) File organization—The DR allows organizing files just as on your computer, excepting the ability to use shortcuts/pointers/aliases. My understanding is that the Sony and Amazon offerings allow only a flat filesystem: no sub-folders/directories (I don’t get the point...).

5) Bookmarks—Yes, you can bookmark any page or pages, in as many documents as you want to, but... Lots of bookmarks (800 to 1000) seem to cause problems, at least for some. I use few, so I can’t help.

6) Ease of transfer—When connected, the computer sees the DR’s SD card as an attached drive; it appears the same as when the card is read thru a card reader.

7) Random notes—You can take random notes, however you can’t name the files (i.e. no ‘save as’ ability). You can store empty pre-named notes, like project 1, ToDo, Work Project, etc., to help with organization.

8) Wireless— If you don’t see a need, don’t make it a part of your buying decision. As I understand it, iRex's Free part will be limited; again, wait and see.

And last, you said:

I’m sure I’ll come up with more stupid questions, bear with a poor ignorant soul!

The only stupid thing would be to realize your ignorance and do nothing about it! Ask questions; head for the light!

Kent Walters

[ziegl027]

Originally Posted by Kent Walters

ziegl027,


2) Taking notes— See above for the 1000S. For your question, “Does Irex have a reputation of living up to such promises?” The answer is NO. I suggest waiting for favorable reviews (here, not commercially), and updates, before buying the DR800.

Thanks! A part of me smells some kind of a rat here. I mean, WHY are they not including the note-taking in the initial rollout? It's on their other units so it's familiar technology to them. They claim that the unit is *going* to have it, so it's not like the Sony 300/Pocket that lacks the background mechanics and is marketed to (and priced for) people who do not need it. I just don't get it. Unless the new iRex is out, with note-taking ability, with rave reviews here, by the time Christmas rolls around, it's off the table as far as I'm concerned.

I do like the "look" of the mythical Plastic Logic Reader. Maybe it will actually exist and have a track record by the time I am ready to replace my first reader (which is looking more and more like it will be either a Sony 600 or 900).