loading ebooks on palm III from Mint

starkadder · 03-27-2009, 02:01 PM

Hello,
I can't afford an ebook reader so I bought an old Palm IIIxe. I installed Mint because I have been told that Gnome is the best system to synch with a PDA.
I was delighted to find Gnome Pilot already available in Cassandra and I can synch the Palm without trouble.
I don't know how to load text or PDF onto the thing though, I have enabled the "file" conduit but I am offered no "one time actions". I imagine that the PDA need some sort of reader software. Can anyone help?

MS3FGX · 03-27-2009, 02:08 PM

A device like that has no native support for text files, beyond loading them up as notes. You would want to install some sort of a reader, though you are limited due to how old an edition of Palm OS it runs.

This reader will work on Palm OS 3.5, but I have never used it and can't comment on how well it works.

starkadder · 03-28-2009, 01:53 AM

Thanks MS3FGX,
I take your point about the old Palm OS but I've downloaded your suggestion and put it in the "my pda" home folder provided by Gnome pilot. However, I can, as yet, see no obvious way to install the software onto the handheld device in order to see if it works.
I've heard that it's possible to replace the Palm OS with a Linux alternative, perhaps that's the way forward.
Thanks again,
Starkadder.

MS3FGX · 03-28-2009, 03:30 PM

You can install Linux on some of the relatively newer Palm devices, but not one that old.

To install a .pdb file onto the Palm, there should be a file sync conduit of some type that you can put the file into. Once it is transferred over the the Palm, it will automatically be installed.

starkadder · 03-29-2009, 01:53 AM

Thanks again MS3FGX,
I've been doing some research during our time zone difference and by synching the PDA via Windows XP (using the Palm installation CD) I have downloaded and installed ereader. I have also discovered that Kword allows a "save as" in PDB so I'm on my way.
Your contribution is much appreciated.