eReader works!

Thanks for the tip on eReader. After a few false starts, I got it working. It integrates perfectly with my Fictionwise bookshelf.

That's one more step away from my Palm Pilot. Now, if I could only find a replacement for Handy Shopper, I'd be a happy camper.

Burt

 

I just installed eReader from Fictionwise.com. It is lovely. It seems to be fully compatible with the many books I have on my Fictionwise bookshelf.

I want frosting on my cake. Does anyone know of an English dictionary that is compatible with eReader, i.e., it allows direct dictionary look up from within an eReader book?

The best one I have found is the one I use on my Palm Pilot, The Collins English Dictionary. It is probably too soon to expect that one on the Android platform. I would happily pay for something similar.

Both Fictionwise.com and eReader.com advertise that eReader allows direct look up from "compatible dictionaries." But neither of them shows any "compatible dictionaries" on their websites.

Thanks,

Burt

 

Hi Burt,

I'm having the same issue. I've downloaded the eReader (which is great, even for beta), but I can't seem to get my downloaded dictionary from eReader.com (M-W 11th Collegiate and the thesaurus, too) to link--when I highlight a word to get a definition, it doesn't do much but open another screen with the word (and then it crashes if I touch the bar at the bottom and makes me force close three screens).

Looking up words in both dictionary and thesaurus doesn't bring any definitions or synonyms up, too, and that's been frustrating. The list of "compatible dictionaries" includes mine, but that's not helping. I've written to eReader.com and hope to get an answer soon. I'll post here to help, but if you hear anything beforehand, I hope you'll post a solution, too (or contact me directly).

Take care,

Ivan

 

Went to my old Palm eReader directory, and saw Merriam-Webster. Wanted to be sure that was the integrated dictionary I used on the Treo. Found confirmation,plus other integrated dicts.
eReader.com: Dictionaries and Thesauri

 

Hi!

I'm using the same dictionary but now I remember something about the eReader needing to be in a different place than the dictionary to work. Not sure exactly. I tried downloading dict/thesaurus to main memory & it worked! Then everything started crashing & I couldn't find dict & thes anymore just the bk in my sd card. I tried reformatting my phone & it didn't work. I'm giving up on the reference books until I hear from eReader.

 

Does this help?
----

you must open the reference book you wish to use as your default from the bookshelf at least once before trying to use the look-up feature. After that, you may look up a word in any eBook you happen to be reading using eReader! Just press your finger on the word and hesitate a moment (approximately 1 second). After pressing your finger on a word you can also drag your finger to highlight several words or a phrase. Select ​

 

Hi,

Thanks for your help! Unfortuunately it didn't work--maybe its only for the iphone, those directions? Anyway, I hope ereader.com gets back to me soon!

Take care,

I.

 

Hello again!

I tried your suggestion one more time, this time downloading my dictionary using wi-fi instead of 3G and that might have done the trick! I'm happy to report that your suggestion and forwarded instructions worked!!! I hope the program remains stable but for now I'm just overjoyed!

THANK YOU!

Take care,

I.

 

This is interesting. I'd be interested in anyone with experience with the Webster Collegiate Dictionary.

I'm puzzled because I emailed FictionWise tech support and the response I got said that the Android system does not support dictionary lookup. She said, "maybe in the next upgrade." She said there was no known timeframe, so I stopped looking.

If this really works, I'd be delighted. I'd be willing to spring for the 25 bucks or so for the dictionary. I really miss lookup.

Burt

 

Heya Burt,

Yes, it works (so far it's worked once, haven't checked again)!

I don't know about Fictionwise, but I contacted eReader (they haven't contacted me back yet).

Anyway, it seems like the whole "download, open dictionary once before opening up a novel" to get things going works.

I'm curious if it will work for you, too.

Take care,

I.

 

Hi Ivan,

I never could defer gratification.

I just tried to order Webster's New World College Dictionary on FictionWise. I got a warning in my cart saying that this book was not available in my preferred format. It said that it was only available in secure eReader format.

This may be a dumb question, but do you know if this format is ok on eReader Pro?

Thanks,

Burt

 

Hi Burt,

It's not a dumb question at all, but I'm not sure I can answer it because I don't have the New World Dictionary, I have the 11th Collegiate Dictionary from M-W (and it works on eReader Pro). I've only bought ebooks from eReader.com, never from Fictionwise (still haven't despite the merger).

What about just buying a dictionary from eReader.com and skipping Fictionwise altogether?

Take care,

I.

 

What eReader SW are you guys installing from Fictionwise - they don't list any that is compatible w/Android...what am I missing here?

 

I got mine from ereader.com (eReader.com: eReader Rewards FAQ).

If you walk through all the links from the ereader home page, it takes you through the Android option.

I think the FictionWise page needs some updating.

 

eReader does seem to be more up-to-date.

Here's a link for various phones/platforms:

eReader.com: Get the Latest Software from eReader.com!

 

Thanks, that worked.

Does eReader include an automatic timed page forward option? I prefer that when reading when I'm on an exercise machine...

 

It works!

I just downloaded from FictionWise following in your footsteps (using Wi-Fi). Then I followed iPhone2Droid's suggestion to open the dictionary and look up a word before trying a direct lookup. Then I tried a few direct lookups from within a few ebooks. Success from the first try.

BTW, I tried to order the 11th Collegiate Dictionary on ereader.com as you suggested. Ereader.com sent me immediately to the New World College Dictionary. Don't know why.

I'm not that familiar with ereader.com, so I went back to my mainstay, FictionWise, and ordered from there. (Like I said, I can't defer gratification.)

I'm delighted. Thank you for all the help.

Burt

 

You're welcome, Burt! Glad we all could help each other.

That's interesting about the New World dictionary. I wonder if that's the replacement or something...anyway, if the Fictionwise-bought dictionary works, hey, more power to you and instant gratification! I know that's what I love about ebooks (getting them quickly without shipping), and now that I can get ebooks relatively instantly on my phone...YES.

Redflea: The eReader for Android is in beta, so it's very basic in its functioning--no automatic page turning so far as I've found--it's not as fancy as the eReader for my Palm PDA. One day, and soon, I believe.

Speaking of working out, I'm off to do just that!

Take care,

I.

 

Hey Burt,

Sorry about the New World Dictionary being such a disappointment!

I'd suggest writing to the store and asking for a refund or an exchange for a better dictionary--it's not doing what a dictionary should be doing and I think that's grounds for an exchange (so they're not losing any money, if that's their "nonrefundable" concern). Also, "nonrefundable" can usually be bent if you speak to someone and they realize the lack of quality in a particular product--especially if you promise to let your entire social and work circle know about it.

My M-W 11th Collegiate works fine for my eReader. I'm surprised it wasn't available on the web site (I just went there to see if I could locate it for you through my own online bookshelf, but there's something wrong with eReader.com right now).

Anyway, sorry again for the trouble. I think you could get your money's worth by contacting them. Please let me know if you try and the outcome!

Take care,

I.

 

It's worth a try. I'm glad to hear your 11th Collegiate works well. Maybe I'll propose an exchange and see what happens.

Burt

 

Hey Burt,

Bad news. I was reading and decided to test the dictionary again. FAIL.

So I closed my eBook, opened the dictionary, did a search. FAIL.

Opened my eBook again, looked up a word. SUCCESS. (But the pronunciation key was messed up.)

Looked up another word. FAIL.

Apparently, only some words are accessible, and the dictionary itself cannot be used on its own yet.

I did get two replies finally from Fictionwise (it's been what, a week or more since I wrote to them?). First email: "It works, it's a big book, but it works, we tried it." Minutes later, second email: "Please ignore that first email, it doesn't work, we're working on it, sorry."

I wrote back, let them know that they were late in responding according to their promise and policy, that we had found success on this forum, and that a message needed to be put out there that they were aware of this problem and were on it (so customers weren't needlessly confused and frustrated).

Then today, when I tried to use the dictionary and it was unsuccessful, I wrote back to support again, explained the situation, and again reiterated that a message to the customers was necessary and good business practice. I also mentioned that I'd be posting here since we are getting more info and support here than at Fictionwise/eReader.

Grr.

I.

 

eReader for Android was one of the first things I downloaded to my new Droid after my Palm Treo died last week. I always save my .pdb files for books I've purchased, from whatever source, to my computer and I had no problem just copying those .pdb files to my memory card. I've been able to open and read all of the files I've copied into the microSD that way, but I've had the same experience with the dictionary/look-up function as described in earlier posts. Does anyone know how eReader.com plans to inform us of updates to the beta eReader for Android?

 

Hi Ivan,

I'm really sorry to hear that you are sharing my experience with your dictionary. I was hoping to move to it after the dust settled with Fictionwise.

They gave me a refund! (I would much rather have a solid dictionary, but they did right by me.)

Don't give up on Fictionwise. I have been happily dealing with them since about 2001. It's a good company. If there is any blame to be laid here, I think it is with Wiley, not Fictionwise.

Please shout out here if you discover anything that works. I will do the same.

Cheers,

Burt