 | TomeRaider markets itself as an "...application that views compressed; indexed and formatted text files at amazing speeds. From small e-texts to 35-megabyte encyclopedias, TomeRaider has the versatility and design handle any kind of text or reference work. Over 1,200 TomeRaider files are freely available; including entire encyclopaedias, dictionaries, movie guides, bibles, novels as well as extensive English and foreign language dictionaries." The TomeRaider .zip file downloaded easily form the website. It synced easy as well. You also have to install the PC based import utility. YMMV. My hardware includes an IBM 600X ThinkPad and a Palm m505. First thing I did was visited the website to get some FREE .tr files to view. I am learning Hungarian, so I downloaded the English to Hungarian dictionary, which has 67,229 entries including phrases and idioms. Using the PC based import utility, you just browse to pick up the file you want to sync on the Palm, you can even rename the file if you want or use the default. The import utility then converts the file to one readable by TomeRaider and puts in the HotSync Manager for the sync. I would recommend that you create a "TomeRaider" folder for these .tr files. Just makes it easier to find the files you want to sync with TomeRaider. The Tome Raider home screen is a simple layout. Each file is listed alphabetically in their category. Number of entries are shown if it is a dictionary or database list. File sizes in kBs are shown for each document. You have the option of creating and editing new categories, beaming documents and deleting documents from the home screen. Note that TomeRaider is NOT linked to the original file and it is NOT an editor. Just a reader. Once you click on a document to read, you can scroll using the scroll bar or tap on the upper or lower half of the screen. There's a 'back to previous' screen icon, search icon, search next icon and bookmark icon at the bottom of the screen. Like other document readers, TomeRaider doesn't like fancy formating. My 105 page word document with multiple sections, complex formating, imbedded pics and charts, and numerous tables was stripped of the complex formatting and was very complicated to read. You can also download TomeRaider for Windows from their website to create your own dictionary or database from basic .txt files. I haven't tried this software yet, but I will soon and update this review. TomeRaider's advantage I found is its numerous dictionaries and other reference documents that are available for FREE on their website. For that alone, I would recommend purchasing it. Again, I would not recommend creating or editing very complex documents with TomeRaider or other document readers I have seen so far. |