Ever download an eBook on your work computer only to realize that you can't read it on your PDA or even your PC at home? Thank DRM. But it looks like some relief is on the way, at least if you can blame Adobe for your DRM restrictions.
In what we assume is a response to complaints from everyone who has ever tried downloading a DRM restricted eBook, Adobe has finallyannounced that the next version of its Digital Editions eBook reader will make it easier to transfer copy protected documents from one machine to another.
Right now, Digital Editions and Acrobat use an "easy activation" scheme, which basically just lets you read a document on the machine you initially used to download it. Digital Editions 1.5 will use "named activation," which means you can read documents on any machine as long as you're running the proper software with your Adobe ID.
Digital Editions 1.5 will even examine your existing library and convert eBooks you've previously downloaded from easy to named activation, freeing you up to take your eBooks on the go. You'll only be able to convert the activation types on the same machine you used to download the document, so if you were planning on buying a new computer, Adobe recommends hanging onto your old PC until Digital Editions 1.5 comes out. Whenever that is.
It turns out the iLiad ships with a stripped down version of the Minimo web browser for reading HTML files. Out of the box, you can't browse the web with this version of Minimo. But Adam B has released an update that effectively unlocks Minimo on the black and white device.
Minimo is not an official Mozilla project, but the mobile web browser is based on Mozilla code and hosted on Mozilla.org. Now that Mozilla has announced plans to develop a mobile version of Firefox, we suspect there won't be much more development in the Minimo space.
The New York Times reports that there are two major developments coming on the e-book front. And by major developments, we mean big name companies plan to launch products or services that will make the world shrug and then move on with their business.
Amazon is expected to launch its Kindle e-Book reader in October. According to the New York Times, the device will cost between $400 and $500 and include the ability to download content over a Wi-Fi connection. No computer needed. While that does set the device apart from previous e-book readers, the price tag is still a bit high considering you can buy a lot of books for $400.
The Kindle will reportedly come with some freebies like reference books and the ability to read RSS feeds. We can barely contain our enthusiasm while we flip through the same content on our PDAs.
Google, on the other hand plans to monetize its Book Search service with more than paid links. An upcoming upgrade will allow you to access full versions of some books for a fee. Currently you only get snippets of most books available on Google Book Search. No word on whether Google plans to offer downloadable versions of the books or if you'll need to plop down in front of your computer for a good read.
These two approaches raise a good question. Is the reason that e-books haven't taken off because of the hardware or the software? Do we need better e-book reading devices that mimic or improve the experience or reading a paper book? Or are there enough devices out there for people who want them, but a lack of content (particularly DRM-free content)?
As printed pieces slowly seem to be getting phased out of our lives, eBooks are shifting to the digital lifestyle many of us crave.
So the screens are smaller, and the cravings of the printed page aren't there, but HarperCollins believes that devices like the iPhone are where the future of where books lie. The publisher has announced that they have launched a special eBook service that will work with Apple's new iPhone. The service is called Browse Inside, and will allow users to take a peek at the first 10 pages of upcoming publications. If users like what they see, they can then pre order the title from their device.
The Browse Inside platform will also work with other devices that are Flash enabled, but given the all the iPhone hype they have to pump up the whole iPhone compatibility thing.
Today I'm going to show you an easy way to download eBooks for your phone or PDA.
I've been reading eBooks on my PDA for years. For a while, I was convinced that I could actually read faster, and get more out of books on a handheld device. The small screens actually organize text in such a way that your eyes don't have to scroll very far from left to right, making speed reading a little easier.
Adding bookmarks with eBook readers isn't quite as simple as bending a page or sticking a piece of paper between the pages, but many modern eBook readers allow you to create multiple digital bookmarks, highlight text, and easily search for text within a document.
But the main reason I still read paper books is because there's still a much larger selection of hardbound and paperback titles than digital texts.
Have you ever wanted to learn about Ruby (the programming language) or learn more of it, or just know what they call what you already know? This little e-book will help you out. It is free, and is available online, for download, or as a printed copy (not free). Mr. Neighborly's Humble Little Ruby Book is a great resource for programmers and newbies alike. You will find out about Jeff, the dancing ficus, which isn't quite the same as cartoon foxes, chunky bacon, and elves with pet hams (good form you know...) but it is quite good anyhow. Don't know what Ruby even is? Well, all the more reason to go find out. It is "a programmer's best friend." Dang, I thought my best friend was my light-up USB dog, Fluffy...never mind.
Google not as fun as it used to be? Getting too much done at work? Take a gander at 55 Ways to Have Fun With Google, a book you can get as a free PDF download or in print for $16.50. Many of the chapters will be familiar to Google aficionados, like Ego-Googling and Googlewhacking, but there are some more original time-killers in there, too. This is the perfect book if you're ever stranded on a desert island with nothing but Google to keep you company.
Karl Fogel is no stranger to open source development. He makes a living
writing programs (and enjoys playing piano as well). In fact, Karl spent 5 years toiling on the Subversion project. So he took his experience, zoomed way out of the process,
and explains it all in a book: Producing Open Source Software. It's very
well-written, in plain words, and cuts to the heart of the matter: herding squirrels. Not really, but there is a lot of
great info on the purpose, point, and procedures common to open source software. I'll agree with Karl, it's too easy to
just say it's fun to write apps, and hope to slap together a group to do just that. Great read for those of you looking
to get into the oss world. By the way, you can buy the book from O'Reilly, but the link I provided will also take you
the PDF and other ebook format versions...
Over at Engadget, Ross
Rubin's "Switched On" article has an interesting analysis: Adobe has a unique opportunity
to stomp Microsoft in the e-book sector. Ask anyone who's tried using ebooks of all flavors, be it a PDF crammed
onto a Palm device, or a dedicated piece of hardware using an even more proprietary format (Sony I'm looking in your
direction), and they'll likely tell you that the experience is either terrible or just bearable. However, as Rubin
suggests, electronic ink devices are beginning to make real market headway, so Adobe could target these devices,
implement their own tools into the workflow, and thus corner the e-book market. An interesting analysis, and I'm
inclined to agree. Besides, who doesn't love PDF's? Come on Adobe, learn from Microsoft and strongarm those
manufacturers into using only your technology. You can brand approved devices with the "Reads fer
sure" logo!
It's like the Gutenberg
project for kids' books. The Baldwin Online Children's
Literature Project is the full title of a project whose mission states, "The Baldwin Project seeks to make
available online a comprehensive collection of resources for parents and teachers of children. Our focus, initially, is
on literature for children that is in the public domain in the United States." The site is the brainchild of Lisa
Ripperton, a home schooling mom with a background in the classics and software development. Her husband is also a
software person, and they share a love of books.
So the Baldwin project is the digitization of children's
books (initially) that are in the public domain. There are hundreds of books available so far, complete with pictures,
tables of contents, etc. There are all free, and some aren't even in print anymore. According to Lisa you can print
these, provided you aren't going to use them commercially. To next time a kid asks you to read them a story, no
excuses, just print out a book.
Today I'm going to show you an easy way to download eBooks for your phone or PDA. 
Over at Engadget, Ross
Rubin's "Switched On" article has an interesting analysis: 
It's like the Gutenberg
project for kids' books. The 
