-Dangerous Dreams

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...well written and engaging ...real and believable characters... I recommend this book without reservation.

Ed Morris, Magazine Editor

Free ebook

MS Reader (lit)

Acrobat Reader (pdf)

Mobipocket Reader (prc)

Palm Reader (pdb)

Company: Microsoft

Where to get it:

Format: .lit

Platforms: Pocket PC, Windows (PC), Tablet PC

• I like this reader a lot. It does a good job of simulating the "paper book" reading experience.

• Little things that make a difference: The Microsoft Reader keeps track of your library of ebooks and remembers your place in each book. Cool.

Company: Adobe

Where to get it:

Format: .pdf

Platforms: Darn near everything on the planet - handheld and PC.

• This is the most well known and accepted document format in the world. Some ebook devices already support this format (like Pocket PC and palm) and others are on the way to doing so.

• The Acrobat Reader has plenty of options to control your reading environment such as changing the zoom or layout of the display.

• It is tried and true but does not have some of the "book like" features that readers targeted specifically at ebooks have incorporated into their reader products.

Where to get it:

Format: .prc

Platforms: Palm OS, Windows CE, PocketPC, Symbian OS, Franklin eBookMan and Windows

• This reader is a focused ebook reader with lots of functions giving you complete control over your ebook reading experience.

• The only thing I do not like about this reader is that Mobipocket is really pushing the purchase of the "Pro" edition. In fact, you have to look and dig a bit before it is clear that the standard (less features) addition is free.

• ...but it is.

Where to get it: (free reader link on left)

Format: .pdb

Platforms: Palm OS, Pocket PC, Windows, Macintosh.

• palm's ebook reader is once again a product designed specifically to read ebooks. Unlike Mobipocket, palm makes it clear and easy to understand that the basic reader is free and how to get it.

• The Pro version of the palm Reader is also available for a fee ($). It, of course, has more features than the free version. It is up to you to determine if they are worth paying for.

Where to get it: (free reader link at bottom)

Format: .kml

Platforms: Hiebook and Windows.

• Once again, this is a reader specfically designed to read ebooks. It is based on XML, which is a markup language and has numerous functions to make the ebook reading experience more "book like."

• Used with the Hiebook device, this is probably the closest you can get to the printed book experience.

Where to get it: Not Available (see summary)

Format: .imp

• These devices are longer available for sale and as best I can tell the Gemstar Reader is part of the base software in the unit.

Where to get it:

Format: .RB

• These devices are longer available for sale. I haven't tried to use this reader yet but here is the link. Have fun!