Comments on: Rocket eBook, SoftBook and Gemstar machines revisited: A few lessons from history

By: Diana Roemer

Diana Roemer — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:18:06 +0000

Kelly: Did you ever find the power adaptor/charger? Oddly, I’ve lost mine TOO~! I’m wondering if the e-book is still supported — i.e., can you still buy e-books for it? Anyone? Anyone? Ferris? Thanks. DR

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:27:45 +0000

I have recently found my old Rocket Ebook but cannot find the power adapter for it. Anyone that has one, can you please tell me what Voltage the power adapter needs to be.
Thanks so much
Kelly

By: AC

AC — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 10:27:21 +0000

I own both the Rocket eBook and its descendant the eBookwise. Both are still functional but as you have pointed out many times, the DRM ruins everything. I can also say that the eBookwise is a step down from the Rocket eBook; the display isn’t nearly as clear and the memory cards are hard to find.

By: Bob Martinengo

Bob Martinengo — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:27:20 +0000

Speaking of 1998, I came across this essay on the future of publishing posted to the web that year. It’s fun to check the authors prognosticating abilities…

The New Publishing: Technology’s impact on the publishing industry over the next decade
By Gregory J. E. Rawlins
http://www.roxie.org/papers/publishing/pub.html

By: David Rothman

David Rothman — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:44:05 +0000

And it was great meeting you, Kassia, as well as the format-hip Kirk. We’ll root for Amazon to do folders and improve its book management. I didn’t own an actual Rocket eBook but at least used one–and came close with the Gemstar equivalent. Years later I still remember my excitement over beholding one in person.

To address another topic, dogs, about which you recently Tweeted, Carly can’t own one because of her allergies. Her Goldie almost killed her–rather unwittingly, of course (trip to the hospital and all that). Maybe we need to investigate new medical advances and see if she can at least borrow one of yours. For now, we’ll just have to content ourselves with stuffed animals, which, however, always side with Carly when we disagree.

David

By: Kassia Krozser

Kassia Krozser — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:08:06 +0000

Hi David — I, too, was a proud Rocket owner. It fell by the wayside due to the difficulties I had managing the books. But it also turned me into a believer.

So great to meet you in person!