Comments on: Two weeks with an Astak 5”: Formats and shortcomings http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:10:31 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Rick http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/comment-page-1/#comment-1151126 Rick Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:30:05 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/#comment-1151126 Oh, I suppose I should point out, if it isn't evident enough, that I returned my 6 inch Astak and resumed ebook reader shopping. Oh, I suppose I should point out, if it isn’t evident enough, that I returned my 6 inch Astak and resumed ebook reader shopping.

]]> By: Rick http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/comment-page-1/#comment-1151124 Rick Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:25:59 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/#comment-1151124 Bev, I recently bought the six inch Astak and found the LIT disappointing....the font was too small, and not adjustable to my taste. With the Nook here, I really wish Astak would drop the price significantly, (like into the 150.00 range), since it by no means can compete. Then I could buy one paint peeling off and all and be at peace. Bev, I recently bought the six inch Astak and found the LIT disappointing….the font was too small, and not adjustable to my taste.

With the Nook here, I really wish Astak would drop the price significantly, (like into the 150.00 range), since it by no means can compete. Then I could buy one paint peeling off and all and be at peace.

]]> By: Bev L http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/comment-page-1/#comment-1149461 Bev L Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:29:15 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/#comment-1149461 Chris, will you be playing with LIT ebooks on the Astak? Since its ability to read LIT format is one of the unique features of this device, and since I have hundreds of LIT ebooks, I'd really like to know how it handles them. Chris, will you be playing with LIT ebooks on the Astak? Since its ability to read LIT format is one of the unique features of this device, and since I have hundreds of LIT ebooks, I’d really like to know how it handles them.

]]> By: Chris Meadows http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/comment-page-1/#comment-1149450 Chris Meadows Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:32:20 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/#comment-1149450 No, it handles PDFs somewhat worse than the Sony. For one thing, the Sony had no issues with reading the "Bronte's Egg" PDF file. I could turn it 90 degrees and read it half a page at a time with no problem. When I turned the PDF 90 degrees in the Astak, it crashed when I tried to page down. That's "worse" in my (e-)book. Likewise with the missing half a page when it reflowed <i>Dragon Warriors</i>. As I said, the Sony did not lose that first half-page, even if it did put the title in the middle. No, it handles PDFs somewhat worse than the Sony.

For one thing, the Sony had no issues with reading the “Bronte’s Egg” PDF file. I could turn it 90 degrees and read it half a page at a time with no problem.

When I turned the PDF 90 degrees in the Astak, it crashed when I tried to page down. That’s “worse” in my (e-)book.

Likewise with the missing half a page when it reflowed Dragon Warriors. As I said, the Sony did not lose that first half-page, even if it did put the title in the middle.

]]> By: Loyd Phillips http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/comment-page-1/#comment-1149445 Loyd Phillips Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:16:07 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/#comment-1149445 Please pardon me but there are some errors of fact in the review that I think your readers should get clarified. A fix in the form of a firmware update came out two weeks ago on November 5, 2009. I have a Pocket Pro and I installed the update when it came out. I have used it daily for two weeks and still have a full charge. The Pocket Pro uses folders to store books. They work like directories in MS Windows. In fact, you can put an SD chip in your PC and create the folders in Windows Explorer, then drag-and-drop ebooks into the appropriate folder. For example, I have one called Fiction and one called nonFiction in the root. Under Fiction I have Classics, Science Fiction, etc. Going down I organize them by author's name. This method works better than putting all your books in the root or top folder. The Pocket Pro handles PDF files as poorly as other, small eBook readers. PDF was designed to print on 8.5 by 11 paper or view of a larger, PC monitor. The Pocket Pro, like the other 5-inch readers coming out, was designed to be an inexpensive device small enough to fit in a purse or jacket pocket. If a PDF supports reflow, the Pocket Pro will reflow the text, but it has the same flaws as my Sony PRS505, errors that are generic to PDF documents on smaller screens. Please pardon me but there are some errors of fact in the review that I think your readers should get clarified.

A fix in the form of a firmware update came out two weeks ago on November 5, 2009. I have a Pocket Pro and I installed the update when it came out. I have used it daily for two weeks and still have a full charge.

The Pocket Pro uses folders to store books. They work like directories in MS Windows. In fact, you can put an SD chip in your PC and create the folders in Windows Explorer, then drag-and-drop ebooks into the appropriate folder. For example, I have one called Fiction and one called nonFiction in the root. Under Fiction I have Classics, Science Fiction, etc. Going down I organize them by author’s name. This method works better than putting all your books in the root or top folder.

The Pocket Pro handles PDF files as poorly as other, small eBook readers. PDF was designed to print on 8.5 by 11 paper or view of a larger, PC monitor. The Pocket Pro, like the other 5-inch readers coming out, was designed to be an inexpensive device small enough to fit in a purse or jacket pocket. If a PDF supports reflow, the Pocket Pro will reflow the text, but it has the same flaws as my Sony PRS505, errors that are generic to PDF documents on smaller screens.

]]> By: Greg Schofield http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/comment-page-1/#comment-1149432 Greg Schofield Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:53:03 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/#comment-1149432 Good review -- well balanced. Because of that I just purchased one, and I think it will serve me well. If TTS worked with Epub and decent voices could be purchased it would be perfect as a handy reader. Good review — well balanced.

Because of that I just purchased one, and I think it will serve me well.

If TTS worked with Epub and decent voices could be purchased it would be perfect as a handy reader.

]]> By: Michael Harris http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/comment-page-1/#comment-1149407 Michael Harris Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:24:42 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/#comment-1149407 Regarding the battery life. As I understand it, just pressing the off button locks the keyboard so that you don't accidentally press a key, but it doesn't actually turn off the processor. This lets it turn on quickly, but it doesn't set it into true low-power mode. A longer press of the off button actually turns it off. So, if you are someone who charges it every day or so then a keyboard lock is no problem and the battery life is fine. If, however, you intend to leave it alone for a few days you need to turn it off more permanently. Also, there are reports from a few folks that the battery needs to be conditioned. Wait, before you jump in with claims that these batteries don't have memory effects, that's not really the claim. The idea is that since these are smart batteries, the charging chip is the thing that needs to be 'trained'. It needs to see the maximum and minimum voltage so that it can understand the range that is truly available. I'm not a battery guru, so I can't report on the truth of this -- it could be just an urban myth. However, I have seen many reports from folks who claim success with conditioning this device as well as others with 'smart' cell phone batteries. MLH Regarding the battery life. As I understand it, just pressing the off button locks the keyboard so that you don’t accidentally press a key, but it doesn’t actually turn off the processor. This lets it turn on quickly, but it doesn’t set it into true low-power mode. A longer press of the off button actually turns it off.

So, if you are someone who charges it every day or so then a keyboard lock is no problem and the battery life is fine. If, however, you intend to leave it alone for a few days you need to turn it off more permanently.

Also, there are reports from a few folks that the battery needs to be conditioned. Wait, before you jump in with claims that these batteries don’t have memory effects, that’s not really the claim. The idea is that since these are smart batteries, the charging chip is the thing that needs to be ‘trained’. It needs to see the maximum and minimum voltage so that it can understand the range that is truly available. I’m not a battery guru, so I can’t report on the truth of this — it could be just an urban myth. However, I have seen many reports from folks who claim success with conditioning this device as well as others with ’smart’ cell phone batteries.

MLH

]]> By: BBusyB / http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/comment-page-1/#comment-1149395 BBusyB / Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:08:07 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/11/19/two-weeks-with-an-astak-5-formats-and-shortcomings/#comment-1149395 Good review, thought I should comment on a couple of points. * File navigation - Yes its a bit of a pain, having to keep pressing the next page key. A nice option, which unfortunately they don't publicize is that if you keep the next page key pressed for a few seconds, you skip 10 pages instead of one, so if you have 90 pages of files like me, you can skip to reasonably close to the actual file. * Navigation in Mobipocket - Using the TOC is possible, but unfortunately the documentation is not very clear about how to do so. When you are on the TOC page, click on the options menu and select "Follow Link". This brings up a input panel, where you enter the number that appears next to the link you want to follow. While a little cumbersome it does work, I just wish the documentation was little clearer Good review, thought I should comment on a couple of points.

* File navigation – Yes its a bit of a pain, having to keep pressing the next page key. A nice option, which unfortunately they don’t publicize is that if you keep the next page key pressed for a few seconds, you skip 10 pages instead of one, so if you have 90 pages of files like me, you can skip to reasonably close to the actual file.

* Navigation in Mobipocket – Using the TOC is possible, but unfortunately the documentation is not very clear about how to do so.

When you are on the TOC page, click on the options menu and select “Follow Link”. This brings up a input panel, where you enter the number that appears next to the link you want to follow.

While a little cumbersome it does work, I just wish the documentation was little clearer

]]>