Reader without connectivity - Page 2

darknessangel · 06-28-2010, 11:15 AM

No USB? and no wifi/3G? 0_o So tell me how is/would the device be able to transfer books? Just SD card? That's a no, no. Really, I'm... I'm vexed... even the SD card can be a "security breach". Slip up SD card with ultra-mega-evil supervirus inside the reader get it out, into a company comp and X_x.

If I was your friend I would get an "old" reader still in its original package. Let the guys inspect it and leave it at work FOR-EVER! Otherwise, I don't see him getting something like that in the pentagon or whatever high sec facility he works in.

GJMS

BenLee · 06-28-2010, 12:19 PM

LOL, It might be easier to just buy regular books

capidamonte · 06-28-2010, 03:07 PM

May have to think outside the box a little, but don't expect the powers-that-be to be either perceptive or reasonable.

As I said earlier, he's thinking Nintendo DS -- as it is apparently acceptable -- others have them at work, b/c they're not perceived as a threat.

It's managing perception, not reality, that counts in most things. A device that has a microSD card for instance, with no USB port, would likely pass a cursory inspection.

It's not as if one needs a device to bring an SD card into the place. A pocket or even a shoe would do, never mind if you wanted to get "clever" and sew it into clothing or a hide it in a sandwich. This is security theatre after all, as most "security" is.

Maybe an old Franklin eBookMan? Off to check specs...

fjtorres · 06-28-2010, 06:22 PM

I'm pretty sure Ebookman had native USB, the cradles were for serial connection.
(I think it needed special drivers for the PC to see it, though.)
Might be able to sneak in an Ebookwise 1150 since it needs special drivers to work with PCs. They could try plugging it and see it won't connect.
(Since it relies mostly on the SmartMedia card it might even be possible to fill in the ports with epoxy and lose no meaningful functionality.)

Interesting problem, really.

Thing is you have to go pretty far back, techwise, to get something *without* native USB and at that point there might not be many ways to read ebooks on it.
The one device I *know* for sure meets those requirements and is good enough to read ebooks on is the old Jornadas 'cause I used one for several years.

capidamonte · 06-28-2010, 10:06 PM

Well, there's the old RocketBook, which was serial. But I think he might be looking for something smaller.

The Jornada's look interesting -- can they be screen-rotated? (Did you ever put linux on yours?)

fjtorres · 06-29-2010, 01:21 PM

Yes, I think they did screen rotation but I never bothered. Ditto with Linux.
I had the Star Trek-style flip-up hard cover so portrait worked best.
Plus I *loved* the side-mounted rocker switch for paging. Beautiful ergonomics.
The Firmware was PPC 2002/3 which is still supported by a lot of apps.
Battery life was decent, for the time.
Hmm, here's one review:
http://www.thenakedpc.com/al/jornada560.html
I think I saw one on ebay for under $60.

Marcy · 06-29-2010, 04:05 PM

I think what your friend is looking for is a pbook. Because any ebook reader has to have a way to get content on it. And they all use wifi/bluetooth/etc and/or a USB port.

People have mentioned old outmoded readers, but with these you'll have the problem of obsolete formats and un-replaceable hardware.

-Marcy

darknessangel · 06-29-2010, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenLee

LOL, It might be easier to just buy regular books

Heed the words of this gentleman! Just go for regular books!

GJMS

capidamonte · 06-29-2010, 07:46 PM

Guys/Gals,

Really, please. Cut with the pseudo-ironic suggestions about buying paper books. It's not helping. Do you really think you're solving the problem?

Perhaps you think you're helping. A lot of people think that if they can't figure out an answer, then the question should be abandoned. Or declare the question impossible or inappropriate. I don't get that myself, but it's true. They then jump on something obvious and declare victory.

If the question was "I need an object that can convey the written word, preferably not electronic" I think the solution you suggest would be valid. But do you think that question would honestly be asked?

If you can't help, that's okay. You're not going to lose any points.

ATDrake · 06-29-2010, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capidamonte

May have to think outside the box a little, but don't expect the powers-that-be to be either perceptive or reasonable.

As I said earlier, he's thinking Nintendo DS -- as it is apparently acceptable -- others have them at work, b/c they're not perceived as a threat.

I vote for the DS. It seems to pass the PTB's (or should that be PHBs?) "safety" requirements, and from what I've seen on MR before, it seems to be surprisingly useful on the e-reading front.

Selection will probably be pretty limited, but at least if your friend gets bored, he can always use it to play games.

Here's a recent thread about the classic books available in whatever format the DS uses, with a couple of people who've actually tried it listing the pros and cons.

Here's a somewhat older thread about actually getting the DS to work as an e-reader, I think. Apparently one has to install/tweak some particular things?

But it seems like one can read plaintext and ePub format files after, which should give your friend a wide variety of available reading.

Hope this helps.

capidamonte · 06-30-2010, 04:13 PM

ATDrake -- thanks!

That does help. I've sent him a link, plus some of the good suggestions from earlier in the thread.

I keep feeling like there's something obvious... has anyone hacked a digital picture frame?

baileywick · 06-30-2010, 04:32 PM

I work at a national laboratory. Our policy is that personal electronic equipment with no recording or transmitting capability may be brought into a cleared area IF a Personal Electronics Form is filled out, approved, and kept with the device at all times.

We also have a requirement that such a device must be kept at least 3 feet from all classified material.

My thought is that an ebook reader with the SD card removed and no USB cable carried in with it would suffice. My Cybook Gen 3 has enough room on the built-in memory for many books to be stored.

BenLee · 06-30-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capidamonte

Guys/Gals,

Really, please. Cut with the pseudo-ironic suggestions about buying paper books. It's not helping. Do you really think you're solving the problem?

Perhaps you think you're helping. A lot of people think that if they can't figure out an answer, then the question should be abandoned. Or declare the question impossible or inappropriate. I don't get that myself, but it's true. They then jump on something obvious and declare victory.

If the question was "I need an object that can convey the written word, preferably not electronic" I think the solution you suggest would be valid. But do you think that question would honestly be asked?

If you can't help, that's okay. You're not going to lose any points.

Very sorry.

capidamonte · 06-30-2010, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenLee

Very sorry.

Aw, heck. Don't worry about it. I was in a cranky mood.

I do have a bug up my butt about this sort of thing, though, generally. "Can't help? That's fine. Don't interfere," is my default policy, and I mistakenly assume that it is the default for other people. (I lapse occasionally, of course.)

I know that folks are just eager to be social, and that's a good thing. Text is not a "hot" medium, and intentions can be misread or go unnoticed.

Logseman · 07-04-2010, 07:41 AM

The Pocketbook 360 has a microSD card slot, and it has a wall-charger. If he can securely manage content inside the microSD card, there shouldn't be any trouble. He can even update the firmware with no USB, as he can upload the firmware inside the card and plug the reader with the wall charger.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
iPad wireless connectivity	Johannes	Apple Devices	21	08-21-2010 11:19 PM
Internet connectivity	Francesco	Amazon Kindle	9	08-20-2010 11:27 AM
iLiad question about connectivity	zerospinboson	iRex Developer's Corner	0	04-15-2008 08:23 AM
Connectivity Issues	cen	iRex	3	03-31-2008 03:18 AM
Sony Reader Connectivity Question	JEMelby	Sony Reader	5	07-13-2007 05:25 PM

06-28-2010, 11:15 AM	#16
darknessangel Addict Posts: 297 Karma: 1018140 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: PRS-505, iPad	No USB? and no wifi/3G? 0_o So tell me how is/would the device be able to transfer books? Just SD card? That's a no, no. Really, I'm... I'm vexed... even the SD card can be a "security breach". Slip up SD card with ultra-mega-evil supervirus inside the reader get it out, into a company comp and X_x. If I was your friend I would get an "old" reader still in its original package. Let the guys inspect it and leave it at work FOR-EVER! Otherwise, I don't see him getting something like that in the pentagon or whatever high sec facility he works in. GJMS

06-28-2010, 12:19 PM	#17
BenLee eReader Junkie Posts: 304 Karma: 1220 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New York City, NY Device: Kindle + Sony	LOL, It might be easier to just buy regular books

06-28-2010, 03:07 PM	#18
capidamonte Not who you think I am... Posts: 374 Karma: 30283 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Honolulu Device: PocketBook 360 -- Ivory	May have to think outside the box a little, but don't expect the powers-that-be to be either perceptive or reasonable. As I said earlier, he's thinking Nintendo DS -- as it is apparently acceptable -- others have them at work, b/c they're not perceived as a threat. It's managing perception, not reality, that counts in most things. A device that has a microSD card for instance, with no USB port, would likely pass a cursory inspection. It's not as if one needs a device to bring an SD card into the place. A pocket or even a shoe would do, never mind if you wanted to get "clever" and sew it into clothing or a hide it in a sandwich. This is security theatre after all, as most "security" is. Maybe an old Franklin eBookMan? Off to check specs...

06-28-2010, 06:22 PM	#19
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	I'm pretty sure Ebookman had native USB, the cradles were for serial connection. (I think it needed special drivers for the PC to see it, though.) Might be able to sneak in an Ebookwise 1150 since it needs special drivers to work with PCs. They could try plugging it and see it won't connect. (Since it relies mostly on the SmartMedia card it might even be possible to fill in the ports with epoxy and lose no meaningful functionality.) Interesting problem, really. Thing is you have to go pretty far back, techwise, to get something without native USB and at that point there might not be many ways to read ebooks on it. The one device I know for sure meets those requirements and is good enough to read ebooks on is the old Jornadas 'cause I used one for several years.

06-28-2010, 10:06 PM	#20
capidamonte Not who you think I am... Posts: 374 Karma: 30283 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Honolulu Device: PocketBook 360 -- Ivory	Well, there's the old RocketBook, which was serial. But I think he might be looking for something smaller. The Jornada's look interesting -- can they be screen-rotated? (Did you ever put linux on yours?)

06-29-2010, 01:21 PM	#21
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	Yes, I think they did screen rotation but I never bothered. Ditto with Linux. I had the Star Trek-style flip-up hard cover so portrait worked best. Plus I loved the side-mounted rocker switch for paging. Beautiful ergonomics. The Firmware was PPC 2002/3 which is still supported by a lot of apps. Battery life was decent, for the time. Hmm, here's one review: http://www.thenakedpc.com/al/jornada560.html I think I saw one on ebay for under $60.

06-29-2010, 04:05 PM	#22
Marcy Guru Posts: 897 Karma: 950683 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kobo Libra2	I think what your friend is looking for is a pbook. Because any ebook reader has to have a way to get content on it. And they all use wifi/bluetooth/etc and/or a USB port. People have mentioned old outmoded readers, but with these you'll have the problem of obsolete formats and un-replaceable hardware. -Marcy

06-29-2010, 07:46 PM	#24
capidamonte Not who you think I am... Posts: 374 Karma: 30283 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Honolulu Device: PocketBook 360 -- Ivory	Guys/Gals, Really, please. Cut with the pseudo-ironic suggestions about buying paper books. It's not helping. Do you really think you're solving the problem? Perhaps you think you're helping. A lot of people think that if they can't figure out an answer, then the question should be abandoned. Or declare the question impossible or inappropriate. I don't get that myself, but it's true. They then jump on something obvious and declare victory. If the question was "I need an object that can convey the written word, preferably not electronic" I think the solution you suggest would be valid. But do you think that question would honestly be asked? If you can't help, that's okay. You're not going to lose any points.

06-30-2010, 04:13 PM	#26
capidamonte Not who you think I am... Posts: 374 Karma: 30283 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Honolulu Device: PocketBook 360 -- Ivory	ATDrake -- thanks! That does help. I've sent him a link, plus some of the good suggestions from earlier in the thread. I keep feeling like there's something obvious... has anyone hacked a digital picture frame?

06-30-2010, 04:32 PM	#27
baileywick Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Santa Fe NM Device: Kindle Voyage, Nexus 7	I work at a national laboratory. Our policy is that personal electronic equipment with no recording or transmitting capability may be brought into a cleared area IF a Personal Electronics Form is filled out, approved, and kept with the device at all times. We also have a requirement that such a device must be kept at least 3 feet from all classified material. My thought is that an ebook reader with the SD card removed and no USB cable carried in with it would suffice. My Cybook Gen 3 has enough room on the built-in memory for many books to be stored.

Advert

Advert

07-04-2010, 07:41 AM	#30
Logseman Orisa Posts: 2,001 Karma: 1035571 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ireland Device: Onyx Poke 5	The Pocketbook 360 has a microSD card slot, and it has a wall-charger. If he can securely manage content inside the microSD card, there shouldn't be any trouble. He can even update the firmware with no USB, as he can upload the firmware inside the card and plug the reader with the wall charger.