I have written several posts about how to read eBooks on Windows 8 (Surface RT / Pro). In this post, I will bring you the collection of mainstream Win 8 reading apps.
1. MetroReader ($1.49)
Supported formats: DRM-free EPUB, TXT
Metro reader is the first reading app for Windows 8, which supports the most popular eBook format EPUB as well as TXT. By using this app, users can read eBooks offline, set view modes, resize fonts, etc.
2. Nook for Win 8 / RT
Supported formats: Purchased Nook books
Nook for Win 8 / RT app offers users a platform to purchase various electronic titles including books, magazines, comics, etc. from Barnes & Noble. It supports reading-progress syncing, font adjusting, space / theme setting, free-sample fetching, 14-day free subscription, auto recommendation by theme, and the like.
3. Kobo for Win 8 / RT
Supported formats: Kobo books, DRM-free & Adobe DRM-protected EPUB / PDF
Kobo for Win 8 / RT app is reportedly to offer an access to over 1 million free classic titles. People can easily reach the hottest Kobo books on its home screen. Parallel to other reading apps, it allows readers to customize reading themes / fonts / layouts and store books on Kobo cloud.
4. Adobe Reader for Win 8 / RT
Supported formats: DRM-free & password-protected PDF
Free Adobe Reader app enables readers to quickly open general PDF files along with password-protected PDFs in various cases (email, web, devices, etc.). You can also use it to locate recently-read files, search for text, zoom text / images, bookmark, use link, share, email as attachments and so on.
5. Kindle for Windows 8
Supported formats: all Kindle formats (AZW serials, TPZ, PRC, MOBI)
Kindle for Windows 8 comes in an elegant way. You can pin Kindle books to Windows Start screen, set background color / font size / reading columns, highlight, take notes, look up word definitions, listen to Kindle books (text-to-speech function), etc. What’s more, you won’t miss any fabulous book at a budget (free) price.
6. Adobe Dgital Editions for Win 8 (not available)
Supported formats: DRM-free & Adobe DRM-protected EPUB / PDF
Adobe Digital Editions is a professional reading app supporting Adobe DRM protected PDF and EPUB files. Although there is no ADE for Windows 8 available, you can install ADE 1.7 or ADE 2.0 (.NET 3.5 required) on full Windows 8 devices. Win 8 RT devices are not supported by Adobe Digital Editions.
7. Calibre
Supported formats: DRM-free EPUB / PDF / MOBI
Calibre well supports DRM-free EPUB / PDF / Kindle MOBI books on PC / Mac. As with ADE, there is no Calibre for Windows 8 / RT version. Fortunately, we can install Calibre Windows (supporting XP, Vista, Win 7 / 8) or Calibre Windows 64 bit (supporting Vista, Win 7 / 8) depending on our systems. It does not support RT processor, either.
This presentation shows how to read eBooks on Windows 8 with above apps.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
6 eBook-related tools you can't miss
As an avid eBook-reader, you must have endured incompatible eBook formats and the confounded DRM restrictions for long. Here are 6 eBook-related tools you can't miss, which is sure to make your e-reading life even more flexible and convenience.
Amazon Kindle reading app undoubtedly belongs to the category that you can't miss. It gives you an easy access to Amazon's abundant eBook titles, including thousands of free & high-quality eBooks protected by exclusive Kindle DRM, which are not supported on non-Kindle apps or devices at all.
Parallel to protected Kindle AZW / TPZ / PRC books, considerable EPUB and PDF books purchased from non-Kindle stores are DRM protected as well. Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) can well support Adobe DRM protected EPUB and PDF books and deliver complete eBook managing functions to readers. In addition, you can use 3rd party reading apps with ADE supported such as Aldiko and Stanza, to read eBooks on portable devices: iPad, android tablets, etc.
You must have been familiar with the famous eBook converter, Calibre. Yes, it's magic, which can be used to convert eBook formats, edit eBook metadata, transfer eBooks, get books, subscribe to RSS/Blogs, Get books, etc. What's more, it's free!
Epubor Ultimate is an all-in-one software to help remove DRM from regular Kindle / EPUB / PDF / Nook books and convert eBook formats at one time. Thus you can feel free to purchase eBooks from most stores and then convert to formats supported on your eReader devices. If you are an Epubor patron, you will get a free link for hundreds of bestsellers from Epubor.
Compared to ADE, most people are still accustomed to open PDF files with Adobe Reader. It does not work on DRM-protected PDFs but offers strong support to PDF itself. Another professional PDF reader is Foxit Reader, which offers even stronger support to PDF files than Adobe Reader, however, there is only Windows version available.
Sometimes we need to create PDF files by ourselves, according to those existing documents. PDF Creator empowers you to convert any printable files, Word, Excel, Presentation, Webpage, JPEG, etc. to PDF with a simple "print" button. As a result, we can create a rough PDF eBook with ease. And it's free.
Amazon Kindle reading app undoubtedly belongs to the category that you can't miss. It gives you an easy access to Amazon's abundant eBook titles, including thousands of free & high-quality eBooks protected by exclusive Kindle DRM, which are not supported on non-Kindle apps or devices at all.
Parallel to protected Kindle AZW / TPZ / PRC books, considerable EPUB and PDF books purchased from non-Kindle stores are DRM protected as well. Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) can well support Adobe DRM protected EPUB and PDF books and deliver complete eBook managing functions to readers. In addition, you can use 3rd party reading apps with ADE supported such as Aldiko and Stanza, to read eBooks on portable devices: iPad, android tablets, etc.
- 3. Calibre
You must have been familiar with the famous eBook converter, Calibre. Yes, it's magic, which can be used to convert eBook formats, edit eBook metadata, transfer eBooks, get books, subscribe to RSS/Blogs, Get books, etc. What's more, it's free!
Epubor Ultimate is an all-in-one software to help remove DRM from regular Kindle / EPUB / PDF / Nook books and convert eBook formats at one time. Thus you can feel free to purchase eBooks from most stores and then convert to formats supported on your eReader devices. If you are an Epubor patron, you will get a free link for hundreds of bestsellers from Epubor.
- 5. Adobe Reader / Foxit Reader
Compared to ADE, most people are still accustomed to open PDF files with Adobe Reader. It does not work on DRM-protected PDFs but offers strong support to PDF itself. Another professional PDF reader is Foxit Reader, which offers even stronger support to PDF files than Adobe Reader, however, there is only Windows version available.
Sometimes we need to create PDF files by ourselves, according to those existing documents. PDF Creator empowers you to convert any printable files, Word, Excel, Presentation, Webpage, JPEG, etc. to PDF with a simple "print" button. As a result, we can create a rough PDF eBook with ease. And it's free.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Learn HTML and CSS for free!
HTML and CSS are basic skills for folks dealing with web services. People who haven't yet grasped these courses are always ready to search out free ways to learn about HTML & CSS. I stumbled across a post about this on IT World and then got to know learn.shayhowe.
This site offers free stuff to teach people how to build websites with HTML and CSS technology. There are guides for newbies and seniors respectively. However, I failed to find a way to get them downloaded directly from the site.
Consequently, I generated PDFs chapter by chapter and then merged separated chapters into one PDF based on the webpages so that people can read it (A Beginner’s Guide to HTML & CSS) offline. However, it totally depends on the original webpages, which comes with plenty of redundant & irregular content. Sorry...
Free download A Beginner’s Guide to HTML & CSS
This PDF is completely based on learn.shayhowe. Any commercial behavior is not permitted.
This site offers free stuff to teach people how to build websites with HTML and CSS technology. There are guides for newbies and seniors respectively. However, I failed to find a way to get them downloaded directly from the site.
Consequently, I generated PDFs chapter by chapter and then merged separated chapters into one PDF based on the webpages so that people can read it (A Beginner’s Guide to HTML & CSS) offline. However, it totally depends on the original webpages, which comes with plenty of redundant & irregular content. Sorry...
Free download A Beginner’s Guide to HTML & CSS
This PDF is completely based on learn.shayhowe. Any commercial behavior is not permitted.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Kindle Touch Software 5.3.2 new features
Amazon Kindle Touch has got Paperwhite-like features now. Viewed from this point, Amazon doesn’t show an obvious preference for Paperwhite. Great Job! Now let’s check what features the latest software has brought to us.
1. A new user interface
2. Whispersync for Voice
3. Enhanced Parental Controls
4. Book Covers
5. Time-to-Read
6. Recommended Content
7. Enhanced book samples
8. Navigate graphic novels, and comics
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Get free Kindle books in 5 ways
Free Kindle eBooks are always popular, especially when they come with high quality. One merit of eBooks is precisely that we can embrace a cloud of free eBooks without paying for them, along with dedicated reading devices. Among considerable sites for free books, I sort out 5 ones here so that you can get free Kindle books efficiently!
1. Amazon.
The best way is to go to Amazon directly. Checkthis link, you will get free Kindle book list in front of you. In this case, however, you are likely to spend more time to pick out the right one.
As you like, you can input and search for “free Kindle eBook” as well.
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| Get free Kindle books - Amaon Kindle |
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| Get free Kindle books - Daily Free Books - logo |
This is obviously a professional site delivering free eBooks, where you can get free books not only from Amazon Kindle but also from Smarshwords. Free eBooks can be displayed in multiple modes according to your setting. Anyway, you may well look for a desirable title as thou wilt.
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| Get free Kindle books - Daily Free Books - grid |
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| Get free Kindle books - Daily Free Books - list |
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| Get free Kindle books - Free Kindle Books |
I personally like this site very much. Kindle books are classified here and it’s easy to go to the right section and look for good titles.
Pixel of Ink is another site for getting free Kindle books, where hundreds of well-reviewed free Kindle books are covered, together with book description attached in the home page. Subscribe to Pixel of Ink and you need not to check the site regularly.
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| Get free Kindle books - Hundred Zeros |
As it describes, “Hundred Zeros is a frequently updated catalog of best-sellers that are free on Amazon”. You can easily get the most popular free Kindle books on the whole or select a category in terms of your own tastes.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Non-fiction eBooks/books you can’t miss
People always discuss the “best things” on communities. I was riveted by such a topic on quora the other day and let’s check the good non-fiction books that we can’t miss!
1. Guns of August by Barbara Tuchma
This is a highly recommended historical eBook to let you know about World War I.
2. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
This well-written eBook soon grasped readers’ attention and became a bestseller when it’s firstly published in 1996.
3. Drive by Daniel Pink
As The New York Times put, shattering new way to think about motivation.
4. Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
Now people think about food instead of exclusive eating when they are at fast food restaurant.
5. Half of the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof
Amazing stories in this book will give you strength.
6. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
As one of the best non-fiction reads, it is said to have changed the way many people think about food.
7. Letters of the Century by Lisa Grunwald and Stephen J. Adler
This book aims to deliver an emotional impact. According to the book's editors, "The difference between knowing that Americans were grateful to Jonas Salk and reading this letter to him is like the difference between knowing the words of a song and hearing it sung. Letters give history a voice."
1. Guns of August by Barbara Tuchma
This is a highly recommended historical eBook to let you know about World War I.
2. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
This well-written eBook soon grasped readers’ attention and became a bestseller when it’s firstly published in 1996.
3. Drive by Daniel Pink
As The New York Times put, shattering new way to think about motivation.
4. Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
Now people think about food instead of exclusive eating when they are at fast food restaurant.
5. Half of the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof
Amazing stories in this book will give you strength.
6. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
As one of the best non-fiction reads, it is said to have changed the way many people think about food.
7. Letters of the Century by Lisa Grunwald and Stephen J. Adler
This book aims to deliver an emotional impact. According to the book's editors, "The difference between knowing that Americans were grateful to Jonas Salk and reading this letter to him is like the difference between knowing the words of a song and hearing it sung. Letters give history a voice."
8. The Innovators Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen
Through this business book, Harvard professor Clayton M. Christensen tells you what you should do and what you shouldn’t, in a clear way.
9. A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn
You will get the true American history ahead of you through this book.
10. Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
Read this book, enjoy two historical stories and decide for yourself.
11. Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert
This is an immensely funny read, which will even drive people to make mistakes in a similarly funny way.
12. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
This is a book filled with wisdom, bringing moving and inspiring to the audience.
13. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
This book makes people laugh and think at the same time.
14. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
You are bound to resonate with David Sedaris, the bestselling author, through this humorous words.
15. The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
This is an enlightening book written by the bestselling author, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, which might change the way you think about the world through history, economics and other angles.
16. The Stuff of Thought by Steven Pinker
Steven Pinker's enthusiasm about language is bound to leave a deep impression on you.
17. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Interesting to read, The Tipping Point shows that ideas, messages and cognate things have ways to spread rapidly.
18. The Art of War
It tells you how to deal with conflicts in a courageous way.
There must be many other fascinating non-fiction books that this post has overlooked. Why not leave a comment below with a short description?
You will get the true American history ahead of you through this book.
10. Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
Read this book, enjoy two historical stories and decide for yourself.
This is an immensely funny read, which will even drive people to make mistakes in a similarly funny way.
12. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
This is a book filled with wisdom, bringing moving and inspiring to the audience.
13. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
This book makes people laugh and think at the same time.
14. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
You are bound to resonate with David Sedaris, the bestselling author, through this humorous words.
15. The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
This is an enlightening book written by the bestselling author, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, which might change the way you think about the world through history, economics and other angles.
16. The Stuff of Thought by Steven Pinker
Steven Pinker's enthusiasm about language is bound to leave a deep impression on you.
17. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Interesting to read, The Tipping Point shows that ideas, messages and cognate things have ways to spread rapidly.
18. The Art of War
It tells you how to deal with conflicts in a courageous way.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
How to use Office app on Kindle Fire
People often deal with office documents, especially Word on their mobile devices such as Kindle Fire, apart from regular entertainment ones. Here I will show you how to use a free app, Kingsoft Office for Android on Kindle Fire.
Firstly, make sure that the setting of “Allow Installation of Applications” is ON.
(Tap upper right corner)”More…” -> “Device” -> “Allow Installation of Applications” -> “ON”.
Secondly, download Kingsoft Office for Android on your Kindle Fire. In this case, your Kindle Fire is required to be Internet connected.
Method1:
Home -> “Apps” -> “Store”. Type in “Kingsoft Office for Android” and search for it. This app is inherently free, however, non-US users cannot download apps from amazon store, even free ones. Consequently, I recommend the second method to you.
Method2:
Launch Kindle Fire’s built in browser, google for “Kingsoft Office for Android free download” and go to Kingsoft’s official site to download. Never try to do this on Google store since Kindle Fire users have no way to download apps there (except for rooted ones). Tap “option” icon at the bottom of the download page, then “Download” icon, you will find the downloaded APK item. Tap to install.
Third, check this office app on Kindle Fire.
There are five icons in the upper right corner, which are used to open, create, share, remove and interactive. Tap the “WPS” logo in the upper left corner, you will get all related icons. Here we create a new document by tapping “New Document” under “Create” category.
Create a Word document.
On this app, we can edit, spell check, find and replace, insert all kinds of contents (picture, table, hyperlink, comment, Evernote, manual paint, etc.), set formats including style, encrypt and the like. Wow, what a powerful word app! One fly in the ointment is the typing. If you are a Kindle Fire HD user, add a bluetooth keyboard to it.
Create a Presentation (PPT) document.
Compared to Word, the Presentation function shows inferior performance. No rich models or Custom Animations are provided. We only can edit and play in a basic level.
Create a Spreadsheet (Excel) document.
Spreadsheet is famous for its ability to deal with all typed of data. Well, Kingsoft spreadsheet is strong as well to some extent. You can edit, insert a cloud of functions, ascending/descending, check data validation, edit cells and so on. Nevertheless, it’s not convenient to edit an excel file on Kindle Fire at all. Perhaps we shouldn’t count too much on a 7-inch tablet, which is not a computer after all.
When saving doc, you’d better save to “My Documents” folder. When the Kindle Fire is connected to computer with the USB cable, you will get your file under “documents” folder.
Apart from Kindle Fire, you can install this office app on other android devices (tablets and mobiles) like Kindle Fire HD, Nook HD, Nexus7, Samsung Galaxy and HTC mobile models. Thus all android can benefit from it.
All in all, this app is a good option for people who use office files on the go while they can turn to games or videos at intervals. However, if you are at home or at office, conventional MS Office software is still better.
Firstly, make sure that the setting of “Allow Installation of Applications” is ON.
(Tap upper right corner)”More…” -> “Device” -> “Allow Installation of Applications” -> “ON”.
Secondly, download Kingsoft Office for Android on your Kindle Fire. In this case, your Kindle Fire is required to be Internet connected.
Method1:
Home -> “Apps” -> “Store”. Type in “Kingsoft Office for Android” and search for it. This app is inherently free, however, non-US users cannot download apps from amazon store, even free ones. Consequently, I recommend the second method to you.
Method2:
Launch Kindle Fire’s built in browser, google for “Kingsoft Office for Android free download” and go to Kingsoft’s official site to download. Never try to do this on Google store since Kindle Fire users have no way to download apps there (except for rooted ones). Tap “option” icon at the bottom of the download page, then “Download” icon, you will find the downloaded APK item. Tap to install.
 |
| use Office-on Kindle Fire-install |
Third, check this office app on Kindle Fire.
There are five icons in the upper right corner, which are used to open, create, share, remove and interactive. Tap the “WPS” logo in the upper left corner, you will get all related icons. Here we create a new document by tapping “New Document” under “Create” category.
Create a Word document.
 |
| use Office-Word on Kindle Fire |
On this app, we can edit, spell check, find and replace, insert all kinds of contents (picture, table, hyperlink, comment, Evernote, manual paint, etc.), set formats including style, encrypt and the like. Wow, what a powerful word app! One fly in the ointment is the typing. If you are a Kindle Fire HD user, add a bluetooth keyboard to it.
Create a Presentation (PPT) document.
 |
| use Office-PowerPoint on Kindle Fire |
Compared to Word, the Presentation function shows inferior performance. No rich models or Custom Animations are provided. We only can edit and play in a basic level.
Create a Spreadsheet (Excel) document.
 |
| use Office-Excel on Kindle Fire |
Spreadsheet is famous for its ability to deal with all typed of data. Well, Kingsoft spreadsheet is strong as well to some extent. You can edit, insert a cloud of functions, ascending/descending, check data validation, edit cells and so on. Nevertheless, it’s not convenient to edit an excel file on Kindle Fire at all. Perhaps we shouldn’t count too much on a 7-inch tablet, which is not a computer after all.
When saving doc, you’d better save to “My Documents” folder. When the Kindle Fire is connected to computer with the USB cable, you will get your file under “documents” folder.
Apart from Kindle Fire, you can install this office app on other android devices (tablets and mobiles) like Kindle Fire HD, Nook HD, Nexus7, Samsung Galaxy and HTC mobile models. Thus all android can benefit from it.
All in all, this app is a good option for people who use office files on the go while they can turn to games or videos at intervals. However, if you are at home or at office, conventional MS Office software is still better.
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