One of the issues I have is that there is so much material out there in at least 4 or5 formats. I'm still learning. I currently prefer Html and Adobe Reader. I'm trying to read stuff not start a publishing co. I've not used MS Reader so perhaps... Can it deal with other formats?

sparkx:

I currently prefer Html and Adobe Reader. I'm trying to read stuff not start a publishing co. I've not used MS Reader so perhaps... Can it deal with other formats?

No, and in my view it doesn't need to, the lit format is working the best for me accross PocketPC, TabletPC and PC (and now the UMPC).

Adobe (PDF) has the nasty habbit of sometimes not wanting to re-flow multi column documents, resulting in a not so nice experience while reading on a small screen.

MS-Readers use of ClearType on PocketPC's makes for a very nice reading experience (this was before XP/Vista had it) and with a Word add-on you can easily convert documents to .lit format.

frblckstr:

No, and in my view it doesn't need to, the lit format is working the best for me accross PocketPC, TabletPC and PC (and now the UMPC).

The biggest problem I have with the current ebook formats is that they are closed, DRM-based formats.  I'd love to try the new UMPC-optimized MS Reader application, but I already own a pretty large collection of ebooks in the eReader format.  In addition, MS Reader is such a closed format that it only works on MS operating systems, meaning that if I started using their format going forward then I wouldn't be able to read the books on my Palm OS based Treo...

This, of course, is just a variation of the same DRM nonsense that is going on with music and video as well.  Ultimately, I don't think digital media is ever going to really overtake its non-digital counterparts until the industries finally come up with some standards that ensure interchangability.  This is the kind of stuff that the general public shouldn't even have to think about...

-Jeff

rossl:

Sorry about the slight delay - looks like I missed your original post.

We haven't forgotten about the Microsoft Reader for UMPC. The Reader team is working on getting this out the door, so never fear, it is on the way. I don't have anything more concrete for you than that right now, but it's coming...

Ross

Ross, any update on Microsoft Reader for UMPC?

I know some of the forum has posted a link to the Samsung OX download that includes it, but I've yet to find it on Microsoft's download site for an "official" version for all UMPC's. By the way, glad to hear from some of the team again!  Thanks, O...

UPDATE: Sorry for the confusion! Saw sparkx's post in the ereader and did not realize the referal to the home page of OrigamiProject.

Hurray for the OX team! Can't wait to try it and OXv2.

No problem!

The link should be http://origamiproject.com/blogs/team_blog/archive/2007/07/09/23780.aspx

Ross

Great improvement, thanks.