Cheapest way to edit/input text on the Reader

neilm2 · 11-12-2006, 09:55 PM

O.K. this topic is a little goofy but what the heck... The cheapest way I know of to input/edit text on the Sony Reader is through an old PDA. I have a 4-year-old iPaq 3850 Pocket PC with an SD slot. I pop my SD card out of the Reader and stick it into the iPaq where I can edit both text and rtf files. When I put the card back in the Reader, my files are up to date.

You can probably find a functional Pocket PC (with SD slot) for $50 or so on eBay. I know this isn't as nifty as the iLiad's text input, but it's a patch. Does anybody know a cheaper way to edit/input text on the Sony Reader?

Snappy! · 11-12-2006, 10:48 PM

Maybe getting a Palm would be better since graffitti is easier? Or at least last I checked! :P

NatCh · 11-13-2006, 12:30 AM

True, but can you save in TXT or RTF on a Palm? I've never tried it, so I have no idea.

yvanleterrible · 11-13-2006, 09:52 AM

Now why would we want to turn the reader into a PDA. It does not have the refresh rate necessary for the most common applicationss used. Eink being a static display is very well served the way it is applied right now with the PRS.

The Iliad is the best machine to use as a PDA.

Cthulhu · 11-13-2006, 11:50 AM

yvan Grosni:

I think that he's saying that a cheap old PDA with SD slot can be used to edit text viewed on the Reader....think of the PDA as those clunky add-on keyboards and the Reader as the PDA.
Why one would buy another gadget on not simply edit on a PC is beyond me.
Ah! Maybe...No. Was thinking it would be cheaper than a USB card reader, but am pretty sure those are below $40.00. Maybe for MAC/Linux people?

Neil, why would I buy another device to mimic functions that I have, in much more elegant interface, on a PC?

NatCh · 11-13-2006, 12:58 PM

'cause then you wouldn't have to carry the PC around with you, Cthulu.

Seriously though, while there are probably only a few folks who are interested in doing this, it's good that there's a way for those who are interested to pull it off.

The idea doesn't appeal to me, personally, as I'm happy with my Palm for such things, but that doesn't mean others shouldn't do it if they want to. More power to 'em.

Besides, if that capability sells a few more units, then the market is that much bigger, and we get that much closer to standards, and more content availability, and better prices, and ....

Cthulhu · 11-13-2006, 01:38 PM

I'm not trying to stop anyone from innovating, or from buying the Reader, or even from purchasing PDA's from ebay on the cheap.

I just didn't want a person to overly complicate their lives is all.

I think that maybe this thread would have done well to be incorporated in the tricks & other cool stuff thread.

One thing that I believe would be super awesome is something akin to spreadsheet supoort on the Reader. Then I could edit something on Documents To Go, say, on my Treo, save it the card, then see it on the Reader.

Snappy! · 11-13-2006, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

True, but can you save in TXT or RTF on a Palm? I've never tried it, so I have no idea.

You can with a 3rd party app, some of which are free. 8)

NatCh · 11-13-2006, 09:10 PM

Well there you go. Thanks, Snappy!

neilm2 · 11-13-2006, 09:58 PM

I threw the question out there because I occasionally get the urge to write on my reader. When I read RSS feeds (downloaded with Rss2book) ,I want to make notes to follow up on items. I also keep lists on my Reader (schedules, directions, etc.), which always seem to beg for updating. Sure I can hook the Reader up to a computer, but like Natch menioned, sometimes I'd rather not carry around a PC. Call it iLiad envy, but my secret dream is to edit what I see on the Reader's screen.

BTW, a side benefit to my Reader's sidekick PDA is I can use it to download Sony Reader books from manybooks.net over WiFi. Now I can add new books to my Reader on the road without a PC.

Cthulhu · 11-14-2006, 11:29 AM

Neil--

Now I take your meaning. Your description does indeed sound like a good way modify files when Out of the Office or on the fly. With the title "cheapest," I was bristling at purchasing additional gear as "cheap." But I understand.

For myself, ever since I read Greg Bear's _Slant_ where characters have "pads" that can connect to the internet, store their personal files, and hail a bus, I've wanted a Reader sized PDA. ;-

11-12-2006, 09:55 PM	#1
neilm2 Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 12 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader	Cheapest way to edit/input text on the Reader O.K. this topic is a little goofy but what the heck... The cheapest way I know of to input/edit text on the Sony Reader is through an old PDA. I have a 4-year-old iPaq 3850 Pocket PC with an SD slot. I pop my SD card out of the Reader and stick it into the iPaq where I can edit both text and rtf files. When I put the card back in the Reader, my files are up to date. You can probably find a functional Pocket PC (with SD slot) for $50 or so on eBay. I know this isn't as nifty as the iLiad's text input, but it's a patch. Does anybody know a cheaper way to edit/input text on the Sony Reader?

11-13-2006, 09:58 PM	#10
neilm2 Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 12 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader	I threw the question out there because I occasionally get the urge to write on my reader. When I read RSS feeds (downloaded with Rss2book) ,I want to make notes to follow up on items. I also keep lists on my Reader (schedules, directions, etc.), which always seem to beg for updating. Sure I can hook the Reader up to a computer, but like Natch menioned, sometimes I'd rather not carry around a PC. Call it iLiad envy, but my secret dream is to edit what I see on the Reader's screen. BTW, a side benefit to my Reader's sidekick PDA is I can use it to download Sony Reader books from manybooks.net over WiFi. Now I can add new books to my Reader on the road without a PC. Last edited by neilm2; 11-13-2006 at 11:24 PM.

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11-12-2006, 10:48 PM	#2
Snappy! Addict Posts: 260 Karma: 4256 Join Date: Feb 2006 Device: SHARP Zaurus C1000	Maybe getting a Palm would be better since graffitti is easier? Or at least last I checked! :P

11-13-2006, 12:30 AM	#3
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	True, but can you save in TXT or RTF on a Palm? I've never tried it, so I have no idea.

11-13-2006, 09:52 AM	#4
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Now why would we want to turn the reader into a PDA. It does not have the refresh rate necessary for the most common applicationss used. Eink being a static display is very well served the way it is applied right now with the PRS. The Iliad is the best machine to use as a PDA.

11-13-2006, 11:50 AM	#5
Cthulhu Technologist Posts: 488 Karma: 585237 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: I'm between Cities Device: SONY Reader PRS-500	yvan Grosni: I think that he's saying that a cheap old PDA with SD slot can be used to edit text viewed on the Reader....think of the PDA as those clunky add-on keyboards and the Reader as the PDA. Why one would buy another gadget on not simply edit on a PC is beyond me. Ah! Maybe...No. Was thinking it would be cheaper than a USB card reader, but am pretty sure those are below $40.00. Maybe for MAC/Linux people? Neil, why would I buy another device to mimic functions that I have, in much more elegant interface, on a PC?

11-13-2006, 12:58 PM	#6
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	'cause then you wouldn't have to carry the PC around with you, Cthulu. Seriously though, while there are probably only a few folks who are interested in doing this, it's good that there's a way for those who are interested to pull it off. The idea doesn't appeal to me, personally, as I'm happy with my Palm for such things, but that doesn't mean others shouldn't do it if they want to. More power to 'em. Besides, if that capability sells a few more units, then the market is that much bigger, and we get that much closer to standards, and more content availability, and better prices, and ....

11-13-2006, 01:38 PM	#7
Cthulhu Technologist Posts: 488 Karma: 585237 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: I'm between Cities Device: SONY Reader PRS-500	I'm not trying to stop anyone from innovating, or from buying the Reader, or even from purchasing PDA's from ebay on the cheap. I just didn't want a person to overly complicate their lives is all. I think that maybe this thread would have done well to be incorporated in the tricks & other cool stuff thread. One thing that I believe would be super awesome is something akin to spreadsheet supoort on the Reader. Then I could edit something on Documents To Go, say, on my Treo, save it the card, then see it on the Reader.

11-13-2006, 09:10 PM	#9
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Well there you go. Thanks, Snappy!

11-14-2006, 11:29 AM	#11
Cthulhu Technologist Posts: 488 Karma: 585237 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: I'm between Cities Device: SONY Reader PRS-500	Neil-- Now I take your meaning. Your description does indeed sound like a good way modify files when Out of the Office or on the fly. With the title "cheapest," I was bristling at purchasing additional gear as "cheap." But I understand. For myself, ever since I read Greg Bear's _Slant_ where characters have "pads" that can connect to the internet, store their personal files, and hail a bus, I've wanted a Reader sized PDA. ;-

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