> have you tried downloading a book, or=A0files from a PC,
> [to an e-reader for use in the field]?
It's easy, if a bit tedious, to prepare a PDF in color using images scanned=
from printed material:
-- scan the material (image, text, handwritten notes) to a JPG file
-- import the JPG to a word processing program
-- annotate using the word processing program
-- save the document as PDF
With some experimentation, you can format the document specifically for the=
screen of your smart phone (generally 3.5 to 4.3 inches, measured diagonal=
ly), for an e-reader (5 to 7 inches), or for the screen of a computer table=
t like an iPad (7 to 10 inches). Or you can just use your device's ability=
to zoom the PDF in and out.
I'm sure the original copyright holder would not be pleased, but such is li=
fe in the digital age.
One problem with color screens is that they are very hard to read in direct=
sunlight. Several companies (Qualcomm Mirasol, Pixel Qi, others) are work=
ing on color screens that are legible in daylight, but to my knowledge they=
are not commercially available. The Notion Ink Adam tablet offered the Pi=
xel Qi screen as an option, but those are sold out at the moment. Daylight=
readable color screens have the additional advantage of using less power t=
han traditional LCD displays.
I should mention that LCD displays don't work reliably when heated up by di=
rect sunlight. My Olympus LS-10 display went all dark when I left it recor=
ding in the sun one day with the ambient temperature about 95*F / 35*C. Th=
e display returned to normal after a few minutes in the shade.
--oryoki
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