Tom's eTextReader for Windows

User Reviews

• This is the absolute best ebook reader out there.

  sandiesaysMarch 6, 2009

  Pros

  It's free. It has options to change font, color, layout, it forms chapters, it has bookmarks, it remembers the last page you read, and so much more.

  Cons

  none really.

  Summary

  I really love this software. Thanks to the guy offering it, FREE and thanks for having it available to download on cnet. Download this and don't waste time with the others, the other ones I've tried are mostly junk and not even in the same league as Tom's eTextReader.

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• Nice reader. It could be improved.

  cesarinternationalDecember 5, 2008

  Pros

  Nice for reading. You just press the arrow keys to go to the next page, and back. You can select, drag, and paste text.

  Cons

  It did not have a way for scrolling with a mouse or doing anything with a mouse once the window was selected (only with the keyboard).

  Summary

  It could be improved to display all kind of files, specially internet pages, but I think that was not the actual / original intent of the software. It displays the source text of htm (web page) files when I wanted to actually see the regular view (no toggle for that either view that I know of). It does not display pictures (no option for that to togle pictures off or on). I did not see an option for displaying a single page. It displays two pages by default. It creates and displays a table of contents with just a click. I did not like that it displayed all of the fonts in a couple of fonts: regular for regular text and all uppercase for titles even if the titles are not in uppercase. I wanted to display the fonts in the original condition (the original caps, bold, and underlined). It allows to change the font displayed, but it would apply for all of the text. I think it would let you edit the text in one of the options there, but I am not sure. It looks like it does not create an icon on the desktop (I did not find it). It does not let you know when the installation is finished. I noticed it was finished because I found the software listed in the Start Menu. It is good that it has an unistall menu button in that menu, but I would keep the program. It has a File-Open in the menu to open files, but not an address bar to look at pages on the Internet. I wanted a wysiwyg version of internet pages. This viewer is basically for reading plain texts, no pictures or web pages.<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Dec 5, 2008<p/>You can change the size of the window with the mouse and right click to see the main menu. The left click can be used for selecting text to be drag it to a Word document or something else. The scroll wheel did not work with the program and the left button did not work for clicking on the forward and backward buttons (the buttons appear there, but clicking on them did not do anything).

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• Great Program

  fearlessguy1April 27, 2007

  Pros

  This Program works great . It's free. I had it going in a few minutes no problem. I like that when you close a book and then open it again it just opens to the page where you left off with out even setting a book mark and does that with mulitple books you are reading . I liked that you can resize the type face easily and change pages with the space bar or arrow keys on your computer. Two thumbs up for me.

  Cons

  you have to push the escape key to get rid of drop down help menu, that doesn't seem to leave after you bring it down . a very minor grip.

  Summary

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• Just great

  nitinbaliMarch 10, 2007

  Pros

  Works very nice

  Cons

  nothing so far

  Summary

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• This is a real e-reader

  malvarcoJuly 26, 2005

  Pros

  Small and does what it's meant for. Simple to turn the pages using the spacebar. Easy to bookmark. You can customize fonts and "paper" color. You start where you left with a couple of clicks. Fast, never hangs, works on any PC using Windows 95,98,XP,NT,ME,2000... you name it.

  Cons

  None if you learn how to take the most out of it.

  Summary

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• Not Too Bad

  November 18, 2003

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

  It is sure nice to have a free reader such as this. It works. On the downside, it is counter-intuitive. What are the two most important things in an E-book reader? It is font size and turning the pages. Bookmarking comes in a close second. To turn the pages, there is not the usual button to click on. There is no button in site. You are supposed to scroll your mouse over and undefined middle area of the viewable page and wait till your mouse pointer becomes a double sided arrow. Normally, you would think a single click of the mouse would turn the page. And the kicker is once this double sided arrow becomes visible, do not click as you usually would. Instead, you must right click to progress to the next page. If you do what comes naturally and left click, you will head in the wrong direction. Left clicking turns the pages in reverse. The other critical feature that you need in a reader is to increase the font size to your satisfaction. This is the first thing I needed to do. However, you will have to go on an Easter egg hunt to find out how to simply increase the font size. At first, I thought it wasn't even adjustable. However, after coming through a poorly constructed help menu, I did find out that the only way to increase font size was using the keyboard (plus and minus keys). The bookmarking is adequate. For a free program, I can't complain. However, it does not stand up to critical review. You will have to train yourself to stay away from left clicking to turn your pages. Obviously, the reader will need to readjust to this counter intuitive feature. I still find myself left clicking to progress through the books in selective moments when I lose my focus. So don't relax...you must always think about that right click! You may say that is no big deal, but when it happens, and you don't know where the hell you are in the book, you will not remember that you did something wrong. All you will know is confusion until you remember that the book navigation is counter intuitive.

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• The best reader I've ever used!

  May 1, 2003

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

  This reader not only has text & html capabilities, it also has a built-in zip tool to let you read downloaded zip files without having to unzip them. I've tried about all the free readers available & this one is without a doubt the best available. I've recommended it to friends & familiy. I ALWAYS load it as a "must have" on any computer I use. The author is also accessible & will happily assit you with any problems you experience.

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• March 7, 2003

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

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• very nice

  November 2, 2002

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

  i like this alot,so much nicer to read an ebook like this rather than in .doc(msword) format.well thought out too,give it a try

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