The problem is that pdf is not reformat able by nature. Yes, there is reflow mode in Acrobat Reader, but at first Acrobat Reader is not available for most e-book readers (especially for e-ink devices),
and second even with reflow function reading of complex content (technical books, magazines etc.) is not comfortable. Bad formatted pdf’s and wide white spaces make the situation even worse.

The only way how this problem can be solved (at least based on my experience) to cut original pages into smaller pages with removing white spaces.
This is exactly what program do. But comparing with similar software PDFCropper is much more flexible, that allows to prepare books with much better quality in a very short time.

Currently PDFCropper can produce text and image pdf’s. Later additional output formats (lrf, lrs, wolf etc.) will be added.

PDFCropper web-site currently is under construction. But it is already available for downloading:

PDFCropper v1.0 RC2 – http://rapidshare.com/files/79718571/Setup.exe.html

Trial version of PDFCropper is fully functional, but output pages are shuffled and include watermark (which by the way displays registration code that you need for obtaining license).

There are no yet tutorial or help available. But I prepared “How To” demo-video:

http://rapidshare.com/files/79717770/PDFCropper_-_How_To.swf.html

Also, anyone interesting in software, can send me example pdf, and I will send back resulted pdf prepared via application.

You can ask any questions about using or installing software (and details about purchasing the license) via e-mail:
vstefanyuk@gmail.com

P.S. Application is implemented by using Java. You have to have installed Java environment version 1.5 or higher.
Also Ghostscript has to be installed. In case if it is not, application will propose you to download.

I think the prices at the Sony store are good, but they should lower them more quickly when a hardback is published in paperback. There is a very good and expanding selection.

As for PDF support, it is simple to convert to a readable PDF if you are dealing with a minimally formatted PDF. If there are headers and footers and text blocks, it is very difficult, if not impossible. Additionally, any large-print PDF from Fictionwise is easy to read.

As for the 2 GB size limit on SD cards, that’s a lot of books. I do hope for an eventual firmware upgrade to address that.

Thanks in advance.

Pros: the increase in fonts and the sharing of books for more than one person.

Cons: No clock or backlight.

We do alot of traveling and it might not be perfect but better than carrying 6 to 10 books.

Mobipocket already includes this functionality, so my guess is that hardware requirements probably were to keep the overall mobipocket user experience as similar as possible across platforms. The early photos definitely see to indicate a keyboard. The boxy form factor might be intended for people have to set it down to make frequent notes.

Good post and a lot of food for thought. I admit being tempted by the Sony Reader. It’s a nice looking machine, lightweight, and would easily fit in a woman’s purse although it’s just a bit big for jeans pocket (where my Palm goes).

I agree they need to up their tools to convert. From my standpoint as a publisher as well as a reader, the biggest thing they could do would be to create a publisher tool like Mobipocket has done, making it easy for us to convert our books to their format and offer them either through the Sony store or directly through our own shopping carts.

Still, I’m grateful they’re out there helping beat the drums for eReading. Will a dedicated eReader ultimately make sense? Not sure–between iPhone-like devices and ultraportable tablet computers, the market space for a non-cheap reader seems compressed. But even if the market ultimately fades (like the PDA market did), that doesn’t mean there isn’t an opportunity in the meantime.

Rob Preece
Publisher, http://www.BooksForABuck.com