Sharp Doc & e-book Reader

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Sharp DOC Reader 3.0 is high quality & reliable E Book & Doc reader for the Embedded Linux based Sharp Zaurus series of devices. It will enable you to read 1000s of documents, e-books, reference manuals. The reader can read .pdb and .prc files in Aportis DOC format, MobileDB & zTXT(popularly known as Weasel Reader). It has an attractive GUI along with features like page management, bookmarks, multiple font sizes, word search. So carry & read 1000s of books & lot of information on your Sharp Zaurus. It has a very use friendly File Explorer that helps you view and select the book you want to read. Whats New in Version 3.0 ? Includes MobileDB format support. File Explorer to Browse and select the files on your Sharp. Other Useful External Links : I found this link that will let you convert text, pdf, ms-word documents into AportisDOC format, which can be read by our Sharp Doc Reader. http://www.aportis.com/tryme/download/AportisDoc/aportisdocconverter.html Many of the PDB e-books & docs on the below links mostly are supported by our Sharp Doc Reader. http://www.memoware.com http://www.fictionwise.com http://www.pdabookstore.com http://www.baen.com

Latest Reviews

A good multi-format e-book reader: by Rommel P. Feria, MSc., PhD cand. from The Philippines
on Dec 7, 2002; Sharp DOC Reader Review Sharp DOC and E-Book Reader version 2 Review

I have used a PalmOS, WindowsCE, PocketPC and even a SavajeXE-based PDA before I finally settled on using the Sharp Zaurus SL-5500, a GNU/Linux-based PDA. Each platform has its advantages and disadvantages, which I'd rather not discuss here since I am reviewing an application and
not the PDA.

One of the common gripes of a Zaurus, or Z, user is then lack of applications compatible with those available on other platforms. Applications, however, are fast being ported or developed for the Z-users. One of such is the Sharp DOC Reader by ComCreation, Inc. It is an e-book reader that supports .prc and .pdb files in DOC format. A popular format used by PalmOS-based e-book viewers. As of version 2, Sharp DOC Reader now supports the zTXT format.

Sharp DOC Reader
The application is packaged in a single zipped file containing three files: the ipk installation file, a document detailing the installation instructions and a short user manual. Installation is straightforward - just copy the ipk file, run Add/Remove Software, select Install and select docreader. Sharp DOC Reader installs flawlessly on my Z's 128MB SD card. Now off to reading my e-books.

Simply click on the docreader icon to fire up the application. The first thing you see is a list of your e-books. Selecting an e-book for display is as easy as tapping on the title.

Sharp DOC Reader allows you to set, delete and jump-to bookmarks, open a new e-book, enter a string to search within the document, a zoom-in/out feature
and the previous and next page buttons. It is very easy to use.

Closing the application simply requires you to tap on the Close-Window button next to the OK button on the upper-right corner of the reader.

Critique and Conclusion
Sharp DOC Reader installation was a breeze. However, I have encountered problems using the reader because I do not use Qtopiadesktop nor do I use
Intellisync to transfer files between my Z and the computer. I have tried installing my e-book files in different subdirectories - from /home/root/Documents to /mnt/card/Documents - without any luck. The Sharp DOC Reader could not find my e-books. It may be because I installed the application on the SD card instead of RAM ? but the installer should have displayed an error or warning if it is not supported.

After tinkering with the application short of re-installing it to RAM, ComCreation's Thomas John informed me that the application is looking for
the files in the CCdocreader folder, which is automatically created when you install Sharp DOC Reader to RAM and used QtopiaDesktop to transfer files. I
created the subdirectory and transferred my e-books there and lo and behold! It worked! I think this should be added to the Sharp DOC Reader FAQ.

Now that I can read e-books, there are some minor quirks that I want to point out like there is no page number or at least display the total number
of pages calculated based on the fontsize and number of lines displayed. This should be very important specially when using the "Jump To Page" option.

Opening an e-book is limited to files inside a specific subdirectory. I prefer it if the user is given an option to select a particular e-book by
navigating through subdirectories.

Overall, the Sharp DOC Reader is a very useful utility for reading DOC and zTXT e-books. I wish that version 3.0 will support Secure DOC format
already.
Atlast a Reader for the Sharp: by Scott Brown from Ontario, Canada
on Nov 24, 2002; At last a Reader for the Sharp, it supports most of the stuff i can get on memoware.com. Since I purchased my Sharp, not having a Reader has been my biggest complaint.