FAQ #?

I know this is FAQ #8 but it’s been so long, I’d forgotten. Let’s chalk it up to my high opinion of our e-edition readers’ skills. It has absolutely nothing to do with negligence on my part. Right…

Whatever the reason, I want to share with you a new(er) feature available on the e-edition that I think has been overlooked. *drum roll* Subscribers, you now have an “e-book” option. Hooray!

If you’re cheering, great. If you’re staring blankly, don’t worry. I’m about to explain exactly what an e-book is and how you can take advantage of it.

An e-book is a digital version of an actual book that you can download to a mobile device, Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader, iPhone or PC. Magazines, newspapers and other printed materials also come in an e-book format, including the e-edition – which is a bit ironic, since it’s already in digital form.

With the e-edition, you have the ability to download any issue from the last seven days, although the steps are slightly different depending on what device you’re using to download. I’m going to include the steps for smartphones and those for iPhones, specifically. Each available format has a help link next to it with downloading instructions.

To begin, click the e-book link in the e-edition header.

The third link under the search box.

That will bring you to a page listing all the digital formats available for download.

Links to instructions and e-books.

For smartphones:

Step 1. You’ll need to download Mobipocket, available for several devices. Follow the instructions on the website to download. An e-book directory should be created automatically after you’re done installing, which is where you’ll save your e-book issues.

Step 2. Once you have your digital reader installed, go back to the e-book page and select the “e-book” link next to “Mobile Device.” You may have to log-in using your regular username and password.

Step 3. At that point, you’ll see a list of all the issues available to download. Choose the one you want and save it to that e-book directory I mentioned earlier.

***Blackberry users, make sure the file name ends with “.mobi” You may have to rename the file.

Step 4. Open Mobipocket and look for the e-edition in your list of e-books.

Step 5. Read. Unless you did this just to prove how cool your smartphone is and how technologically savvy you are. In that case, carry it around with and show people your massive unread library of e-books.

For iPhone/iPod:

Step 1. Download an e-book reader from the App Store. We recommend Stanza, because it’s good and it’s free.

Stanza Library - Online Catalog

Step 2. Go to the Stanza library and select “Online Catalog.”

Step 3. Hit the + in the lower right-hand corner and choose “Add Web Page.”

Step 4. Create a name, such as ARN e-edition, and enter the following URL: http://eedition. reporternews.com/ebook. php. Save it.

making spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacemaking spacem k Step 5. Go back to the online catalog and choose the web page you just created. You’ll be taken to the main e-book page where you can then select iPhone/iPod. A list of issues available for download will come up. Choose one and select download when prompted.

Step 6. To read, go to your Stanza library and open the issue you downloaded.

What’s the point?

You might have a screaming Internet connection on your phone, but for those of us who live in the real world, it can take a while for the e-edition to load if you’re viewing it in your mobile browser. And if stop reading in the middle, thinking you’ll come back and finish later? Forget about it. It’ll have to load all over again.

With an e-book, you only have to download once, and then it’s in your library for all eternity… or until you delete it. But, the point is, it’s there, and you can go back as many times as you like and read at your leisure. It’ll even hold your place for you if you need to go back to the home screen for some reason. You know, like if your boss comes in and tells you to quit reading the paper and get back to work.

So, that’s your FAQ of the month, er… week. Come back next week for another scintillating installment of Frequently Asked Questions. Same time (maybe), same place (definitely). Be here.