DRAFT - A Beginner's Guide to WinCE Ebook Reader Software

Nate the great · 11-23-2008, 11:36 PM

*****
This guide has information that applies to all of Microsoft's Embedded Operating Systems. I wrote it with WinCE based devices in mind, but a lot of the software I mention is OS agnostic.
*****

The first thing you should know is that there are 3 families of CPUs that your device might be using, ARM, Mips, and SH3/SH4. The software written for one CPU will not work on another CPU. If you have a choice, try to use a device with an ARM CPU. It has the most software available.

The second thing you should know is that you will encounter device specific and OS specific peculiarities with the software. For instance, Mobipocket v4.9 will work on a particular WinCE 3.0 device, but won't work on another WinCE 4.2 device. Or, the PDF viewer for Mips CPU won't run reliably on any WinCE below v3.0.

The main way to find out if a program will work is to install it and test. Well, actually you should ask someone first, but there is no guarantee that they will have used the device or software in question.

Some devices are picky about where you can install programs. Some will let you install a program on CF card. Others will only let you install on to the devices RAM.

Types of Installation files
The files I've installed fell into 1 of two types: CAB and Executable. A CAB file is meant to be copied to the handheld and run from there. The executable is slightly more complicated. Some need MS ActiveSync to be installed and running. Others do not. You might even encounter a few that need to be copied to your handheld and run from there.

ActiveSync
You will probably want to install this. As you install more programs, you will very likely encounter one that comes packaged in an installer that demands ActiveSync.

The downside of ActiveSync is that it only runs on XP. There is a similar program for Vista, but I'm not sure that it is similar enough to fool the installer. Also, the Vista program doesn't support synchronization with WinCE devices below v4.2. You can find out more here.

**************
I'm just going to cover the big 4 formats (Mobipocket, MSReader, PDF, Ereader) right now, and discuss other reader software later.

Mobipocket Reader
Now, the first ebook reader you should use is Mobipocket. This is the only one that I know for certain has software for all 3 CPUs. You can find it here. You want one of the ones labeled "HPC". You might also try the one labeled "OldWindowsMobile". This will work on a lot of WinCE devices, and has a couple extra features. There are 2 small problems, though. The first is that this version of MobiReader doesn't support large images; it ignores them.The other problem is that it doesn't recognize the MOBI suffix you find on newer ebooks. It will read the ebook, you simply have to change it from something.MOBI to something.PRC.

BTW, there is a free activation code on Mobipocket's forum. Without it certain features will disappear after 2 weeks.

MSReader
The only reader I know of for LIT works only on ARM CPU. You can download it here. It works reasonably well, and can be authorized as a valid device. I think I encountered a third party LIT reader for Mips. If I find it again I will add a link. There is no MSReader for SH3/SH4.

Ereader
This appears to support all 3 CPU families. I haven't tested it, so I can't make any promises. Here is download page on ereader.com. This is not where I got it; that site has vanished. I'm going to have to put together a better set of download links for this.

PDF
Devices running WinCE 4.0 and later should come with a PDF viewer. I don't know of a PDF viewer for SH3/SH4. You can find ones for ARM and Mips here. Scroll down.

Almost forgot HTML/RTF/DOC/PPT
Most WinCE devices come with Pocket IE and Pocket Office, so you should have at least basic support of these documents.

P.S. I provided a number of links to various sites. When you're comfortable, you should look at the other software on those sites. There is some very useful stuff out there.

Nate the great · 11-27-2008, 08:16 PM

I've been thinking about this post, and realize I may have been too narrowly focused. Microsoft has had a bunch of different PDA Operating Systems besides WinCE (PocketPC, Windows Mobile, etc), and much of this post applies to them as well. But since I don't have any experience with them, I need to do some research.

I also need to explain what the various installation files are, and how they are used. Mentioning Mobipocket Desktop would also be a good idea.

Greg Anos · 11-27-2008, 10:38 PM

You missed Gower software's mu-book reader. It reads HTLM, RTF, TXT and some others.

Nate the great · 11-27-2008, 11:20 PM

I don't know that I would recommend it to anyone. It was very slow when I ran the Mips version on a couple different devices. But then again, I think I only used it for PDFs.

Nate the great · 11-27-2008, 11:36 PM

Okay, I tried it again. It was much slower than Mobipocket Reader at pagination, and turned pages slower as well.

My problem with adding uBook is that there are vast numbers of 7, 8, 9 year old devices out there that are still perfectly functional. uBook won't run well on them becuase of the older, weaker CPUs.

igorsk · 11-28-2008, 05:34 PM

PocketPC and Windows Mobile are based on WinCE kernel.

Nate the great · 11-28-2008, 05:46 PM

Yes, I knew that.

DaleDe · 11-29-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

Yes, I knew that.

Well, yes. I believe he was suggesting that this can be a confusing point for users and should be covered in the Tutorial. The wiki has information on this.

Dale

ondabeach · 05-20-2009, 04:46 AM

Hi All,

Check out ZuluReader, a new ebook reader app for Win Mobile and WinCE devices. It reads ePubs and RTF's. You can download it from my website www.zuluexpress.com.

Don't judge ZuluReader on the website though lol. I am an app developer not a web developer, at the moment the website is pretty yuck but ZuluReader is way cool (IMHO).

I am looking for beta testers, so download it and see waht you reckon. As a bonus you get Steve Jordans' ebook The Onuissance Cells included in the install.

Cheers.

jgray · 05-25-2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ondabeach

Hi All,

Check out ZuluReader, a new ebook reader app for Win Mobile and WinCE devices. It reads ePubs and RTF's. You can download it from my website www.zuluexpress.com.

Don't judge ZuluReader on the website though lol. I am an app developer not a web developer, at the moment the website is pretty yuck but ZuluReader is way cool (IMHO).

I am looking for beta testers, so download it and see waht you reckon. As a bonus you get Steve Jordans' ebook The Onuissance Cells included in the install.

Cheers.

You really need to change that home page so that some basic information is available without requiring javascript. With all the web exploits around, I won't enable javascript on unknown and untrusted web sites. If I can't at least see some basic information on a home page without scripting and/or flash, I will go elsewhere. Besides, what can you possibly be doing on a home page that absolutely requires javascript?

BTW, lots of Firefox users run the NoScript plugin. It is just safer surfing that way.

Faenad · 06-07-2009, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Okay, I tried it again. It was much slower than Mobipocket Reader at pagination, and turned pages slower as well.

My problem with adding uBook is that there are vast numbers of 7, 8, 9 year old devices out there that are still perfectly functional. uBook won't run well on them becuase of the older, weaker CPUs.

I used µBook reader on a variety of devices, encompassing various version of WM and WinCe, and it always worked well.

The only case where page turns were not instantaneous was with my Toshiba E800 with the processor on minimum speed (100Mhz instead of 400, with the processor having to manage a VGA screen).
It was very fast even with HP 6315 or 1910, which were very slow device.
Perhaps the problem only lies with Mips or SH3/SH4 processor. But these devices are very rare today, arm dominates the market since ages.

The great advantage of µBook reside in its customizability, allowing it to be adapted to every device and display size -and every taste-. I used it successfully on some weird CE devices like the Samsung Nexio tablet for example.

Faenad · 06-07-2009, 02:27 AM

Also, using these attached "fake dlls" will allow some otherwise incompatible windows Mobile programs to run correctly in WinCe.

You have to copy them in the window folder. You will probably want to use the ce.net-4.1 set.

With my Samsung Nexio tablet (running WinCe 4.0 I believe) I remember using successfully µBook, Tomeraider (for Wikipedia), Slovoed Dictionnary, and Acrobat Reader PPC 1.0 (as the 2.0 version was not working ).
All these programs also adapted themselves well to exotic resolution.

phenomshel · 06-15-2009, 07:43 PM

Thank you Nate, this answered most of my questions regarding ebook software on Win CE.

phenomshel · 07-05-2009, 12:28 AM

Nate, I found this link: http://www.hpcmonex.net/gear/gearedhosting.html ...it says it's MS Reader for MIPS. I downloaded it for future possible use, and the link works, but of course I have nothing to test it on.

Nate the great · 07-05-2009, 08:20 AM

I just tried it, and it doesn't work on WinCE 2.11.

11-23-2008, 11:36 PM	#1
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	DRAFT - A Beginner's Guide to WinCE Ebook Reader Software *** This guide has information that applies to all of Microsoft's Embedded Operating Systems. I wrote it with WinCE based devices in mind, but a lot of the software I mention is OS agnostic. * The first thing you should know is that there are 3 families of CPUs that your device might be using, ARM, Mips, and SH3/SH4. The software written for one CPU will not work on another CPU. If you have a choice, try to use a device with an ARM CPU. It has the most software available. The second thing you should know is that you will encounter device specific and OS specific peculiarities with the software. For instance, Mobipocket v4.9 will work on a particular WinCE 3.0 device, but won't work on another WinCE 4.2 device. Or, the PDF viewer for Mips CPU won't run reliably on any WinCE below v3.0. The main way to find out if a program will work is to install it and test. Well, actually you should ask someone first, but there is no guarantee that they will have used the device or software in question. Some devices are picky about where you can install programs. Some will let you install a program on CF card. Others will only let you install on to the devices RAM. Types of Installation files The files I've installed fell into 1 of two types: CAB and Executable. A CAB file is meant to be copied to the handheld and run from there. The executable is slightly more complicated. Some need MS ActiveSync to be installed and running. Others do not. You might even encounter a few that need to be copied to your handheld and run from there. ActiveSync You will probably want to install this. As you install more programs, you will very likely encounter one that comes packaged in an installer that demands ActiveSync. The downside of ActiveSync is that it only runs on XP. There is a similar program for Vista, but I'm not sure that it is similar enough to fool the installer. Also, the Vista program doesn't support synchronization with WinCE devices below v4.2. You can find out more here. ********** I'm just going to cover the big 4 formats (Mobipocket, MSReader, PDF, Ereader) right now, and discuss other reader software later. Mobipocket Reader Now, the first ebook reader you should use is Mobipocket. This is the only one that I know for certain has software for all 3 CPUs. You can find it here. You want one of the ones labeled "HPC". You might also try the one labeled "OldWindowsMobile". This will work on a lot of WinCE devices, and has a couple extra features. There are 2 small problems, though. The first is that this version of MobiReader doesn't support large images; it ignores them.The other problem is that it doesn't recognize the MOBI suffix you find on newer ebooks. It will read the ebook, you simply have to change it from something.MOBI to something.PRC. BTW, there is a free activation code on Mobipocket's forum. Without it certain features will disappear after 2 weeks. MSReader The only reader I know of for LIT works only on ARM CPU. You can download it here. It works reasonably well, and can be authorized as a valid device. I think I encountered a third party LIT reader for Mips. If I find it again I will add a link. There is no MSReader for SH3/SH4. Ereader This appears to support all 3 CPU families. I haven't tested it, so I can't make any promises. Here is download page on ereader.com. This is not where I got it; that site has vanished. I'm going to have to put together a better set of download links for this. PDF Devices running WinCE 4.0 and later should come with a PDF viewer. I don't know of a PDF viewer for SH3/SH4. You can find ones for ARM and Mips here. Scroll down. Almost forgot** HTML/RTF/DOC/PPT Most WinCE devices come with Pocket IE and Pocket Office, so you should have at least basic support of these documents. P.S. I provided a number of links to various sites. When you're comfortable, you should look at the other software on those sites. There is some very useful stuff out there.

11-27-2008, 08:16 PM	#2
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	my notes I've been thinking about this post, and realize I may have been too narrowly focused. Microsoft has had a bunch of different PDA Operating Systems besides WinCE (PocketPC, Windows Mobile, etc), and much of this post applies to them as well. But since I don't have any experience with them, I need to do some research. I also need to explain what the various installation files are, and how they are used. Mentioning Mobipocket Desktop would also be a good idea.

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11-27-2008, 10:38 PM	#3
Greg Anos Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,386 Karma: 35440406 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Pocketbook	You missed Gower software's mu-book reader. It reads HTLM, RTF, TXT and some others.

11-27-2008, 11:20 PM	#4
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	I don't know that I would recommend it to anyone. It was very slow when I ran the Mips version on a couple different devices. But then again, I think I only used it for PDFs.

11-27-2008, 11:36 PM	#5
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	Okay, I tried it again. It was much slower than Mobipocket Reader at pagination, and turned pages slower as well. My problem with adding uBook is that there are vast numbers of 7, 8, 9 year old devices out there that are still perfectly functional. uBook won't run well on them becuase of the older, weaker CPUs.

11-28-2008, 05:34 PM	#6
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	PocketPC and Windows Mobile are based on WinCE kernel.

11-28-2008, 05:46 PM	#7
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	Yes, I knew that.

05-20-2009, 04:46 AM	#9
ondabeach Groupie Posts: 193 Karma: 192 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Vanuatu Device: HTC touch Diamond, Ipaq 3115	Hi All, Check out ZuluReader, a new ebook reader app for Win Mobile and WinCE devices. It reads ePubs and RTF's. You can download it from my website www.zuluexpress.com. Don't judge ZuluReader on the website though lol. I am an app developer not a web developer, at the moment the website is pretty yuck but ZuluReader is way cool (IMHO). I am looking for beta testers, so download it and see waht you reckon. As a bonus you get Steve Jordans' ebook The Onuissance Cells included in the install. Cheers.

06-15-2009, 07:43 PM	#13
phenomshel ZCD BombShel Posts: 4,793 Karma: 8293322 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Frozen North (aka Illinois, USA) Device: iPad, STB Kindle Oasis	Thank you Nate, this answered most of my questions regarding ebook software on Win CE.

07-05-2009, 12:28 AM	#14
phenomshel ZCD BombShel Posts: 4,793 Karma: 8293322 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Frozen North (aka Illinois, USA) Device: iPad, STB Kindle Oasis	Nate, I found this link: http://www.hpcmonex.net/gear/gearedhosting.html ...it says it's MS Reader for MIPS. I downloaded it for future possible use, and the link works, but of course I have nothing to test it on.

07-05-2009, 08:20 AM	#15
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	I just tried it, and it doesn't work on WinCE 2.11.

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