Introduction
There is a very thin line between an eBook-reader and a PDF-reader. While the PDF-reader just needs to read PDFs, an eBook-reader is expected to optimize the process of reading an eBook on your computer.
Desired characteristics are the ability to:
- Read various formats including PDF, HTML, TXT and other formats;
- Organize books into categories for easy reference and to create favorite lists;
- Annotate, highlight and bookmark pages.
Choosing one best reader among the multitude available is both a tough task and also an insensible one. Once upon a time, the humble .txt format used to be the only form of data. Today, there are nearly unlimited formats. While in an ideal world one would prefer all of this data to be in an open format, the same cannot be expected in the real world. Our books are tied down in either .pdf or .lit or .pdb. So, one has to exercise discretion in selecting the best reader.
Among the various software discussed here, most aim to only present your book in an almost paperback-like format. Only a few try to organize them and add value to the same. Since the main purpose is to read books and not just text, preference is given to those that add value rather than just display your book in a fancy format.
Rated Products
Mobipocket Reader
A fully-featured reading solution with an intuitive interface, annotations and even a dictionary search
Platforms/Download: Blackberry | Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware
| Our Rating: 4.5/5 |
|
Read more...
Platforms/Download: Linux | Mac OS | Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware
| Our Rating: 4/5 |
Read more...
Other eBook Readers
- Tom's eTextReader reads rtf, html and txt files. Useful features are opening files directly from zip archives and a downloading tool for Project Gutenberg files. But the entire software is a little bit outdated. It lacks support for some commonly used formats.
- yBook is a beautiful piece of software whose main aim is to provide a 'paper book' experience on the computer screen. It even allows you to choose what color your pages are and provides a default two-page layout (which can be changed). It opens .txt, .pdb, .rtf and .htm files. This also has a Project Gutenberg downloader. If you want a simple reader that gives you a book-like relaxed read then this is it.
- Adobe Digital Editions, to be reviewed.
Related Products and Links
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Comments
Yes.. AlfaReader did look pretty good.. but unfortunately.. only free for 7 days.. after which you need to pay.. currently $9.95
"... AlfaReader is a lightweight and fast ebook reader ...":
http://www.alfareader.org/
Thanks for the tip. Not only does it have a decent reader that reads a lot of formats but they also have a Manager that catalogues your ebook collection - without buggering up your file structure (like Caliber) or duplicating all your files (like many readers). It handles audio books too.
Another overview of Windows eBook readers that some may find useful is at http://beebom.com/best-epub-reader-for-windows/ .
"yReader2" hasn't been updated for a couple of years, "Reader Library" has been shut down for a year, and this site is falling further and further behind the curve. What did you do to your volunteer editors?
Is this category still in need of an editor?
yBook2 has apparently not been updated since 2012. This particular TSA has not been updated for some time as well.
I'm not sure that Mobibook is still free. All the points on their website that looke like amy kind of download return a message that the resource has been removed.
Is available and working here:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Others/E-Book/Mobipocket-Reader.shtml
[Moderator's note: Link to direct download of file not allowed. Replaced with the link to the software page]
The final version (6.2) is available on various freeware sites, e.g. Softpedia, CNet, etc if you look around.
It's a very nice reader, it was my favourite for a long time. I only stopped using it because of problems making it portable (it requires Java Runtime installed) and because Calibre changed to offer a double-page "proper book" style of layout.
I've had some luck with making Java-dependent software portable but I never got around to putting much effort into Mobipocket.
It was the lack of a double-page layout really that put me off Calibre before and it now has that and a whole lot more : ) It really is very good.
For anyone interested sumatrapdf viewer can handle .mobi files as well. I am satisfied.
Just took a look at yBook. It's now at version 2 and can handle ePub.
http://www.spacejock.com/yBook.html
Here is a list of current features:
Runs on any Windows PC (Win95 or later)
Display your book on side-by-side or single pages.
Resize the pages, adjust the margins, set text and paper colour.
Text, html and RTF reader
PDB and PRC reader
ePub reader
Search for words or phrases
Automatic bookmarks
Text sizes from tiny to HUGE
No zooming, panning or scrolling
Direct download of all Gutenberg titles, with index.
Internationalised menus - Spanish, German, etc
Completely free to use: No registration, no adware, no spyware.
A bit late but........ Not only is this the best allround software of its type I've found, but:
1. It's free!
2. Very Well-written
3. The author's Site (He writes SF and programs) has extra goodies there.
http://www.spacejock.com/yBook.html
A great place for aspiring Authors, too.