eReader vs. Zac Bedell’s BookShelf: Two iPhone e-reading apps compared
How does eReader compare with BookShelf?
DearAuthor.com’s Jane wrote up the two over the weekend and liked Bookshelf more. All the screenshots show Bookshelf, since we’ve already given you some first views of eReader.
The free eReader among other things can read DRMed books in that format. But Jane had problems making use of already-bought books, and eReader crashed on her.
Bookshelf, the work of programmer Zachary Bedell, also acted up. But a better version is on the way. Jane liked the look and feel better much better than eReader’s. Bookshelf can read .txt, nonDRMed, HTML, 
Mobipocket and Plucker and 
FictionBook 2. While Bookshelf costs $9.95, she recommends it for people with existing e-libraries. You can even use a related program, Shelfserver, to share public domain material with other readers—something that Jane has in mind. (Screenshots from Jane.)
Related: A reply from Steve Pendergrast at Fictionwise, which owns eReader. eReader, too, will soon release an improved version—with more formats as well as the ability to pick up files from other stores and public domain sites.
Update from Jane, 12:21 p.m.: “I’ve set up a shelfserver, and I am soliciting authors for some original free fiction to put on there…I really like Shelfserver App.” Exciting news. More details from her to come!
Also of interest: Andy’s experiences with the Stanza e-reading app for the iPhone (”problematic”). He prefers eReader. I’ll be curious to know Andy’s thoughts on Zach’s Bookself.
July 14th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
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