Is there a way of reading an ebook or digital book, while lying on my
side in a dark room?

Greetings, mike!

Indeed there is! Here is what has worked for me:

The Mighty Bright Clip-on Reader's Light
http://web.archive.org/web/20040528055209/http://www.schulmerichbells.com/Images/SRLight01.jpg

in an E-pinions Review by dlstewart:
"What I like Best 

* Many uses -- I find more all the time 
* Folds into compact, portable size 
* The arm holding the light rotates 
* The light shines at any angle 
* Can either clip onto something or stand on its base 
* The base is broad enough to stand without tipping 
* Uses batteries or an AC adapter 

The Mighty Bright light comes in a variety of colors (black, green,
purple, blue, gray, as well as fluorescent colors). It is available
for purchase in a package with just the Mighty Bright Light, or it can
be purchased as a Deluxe Kit that includes the adapter and extra
bulbs. I purchased the light by itself for $9.95 and later purchased
an adapter.

This light comes folded in the box. When folded, the light measures 5"
long x 2 5/8" wide x 2" deep."

You can read the full text of the Review here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_103806242436

and a Review by kamel622 here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_116202376836

I recommend that you purchase it packaged with an adapter, if you can
find it that way.


You can order this the next time you order books from Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001DUA0Q (Blue Yonder)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001DUA24 (Razzleberry)

or purchase it locally at:

JoAnn Fabrics
http://www.joann.com/store_locator/locator_main.jhtml

Waldenbooks
http://www.bordersstores.com/walden/feature.jsp?file=waldenlocator

Borders
http://www.bordersstores.com/locator/locator.jsp

and possibly
Barnes and Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/frames/storeLocator/storeLocator_findstore_home.asp

Before rating this Answer, if you have questions about the information
that I have presented, please post a Request for Clarification, and I
will be glad to see what I can do for you.

Regards,

aceresearcher

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Request for Answer Clarification by mikedr-ga on 28 May 2004 23:07 PDT

Thank you all for the informative discussion and please don't laugh if
these questions seem elementary:

What is a PDA?

What is the generic name for these "readers"? That is, if they were
tested by Consumer Reports, what would CR call them as a group?

Are they readers first, or pocket computers first?

When I search for iPak, I find a device. When I search for Mobipocket
I seem to find a service. Is this right? What are the different brand
names for the readers?

Thanks, Mike

---

Clarification of Answer by aceresearcher-ga on 29 May 2004 10:07 PDT

Mike,

People come to Google Answers for -- not surprisingly, answers.

No one is going to be laughing if you ask for more information on
things which you do not know, or do not know well (or, if they are
laughing, they'll be answering to **ME**).

A PDA is a "Personal Digital Assistant", a hand-held, miniature form
of computer which may have a large or small amount of functionality
(for example, a Palm Pilot).
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=pda

The PDA information can be found on Consumer Reports' A to Z index:
http://www.consumerreports.org/main/content/display_gateway.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=334381&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=333133&CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=55057&bmUID=1085850052761


I guess what I and the Commenters are trying to discern is exactly
which aspect of reading e-Books disturbs your wife:
- the light from your computer / PDA screen?
- the noise from the audio?
- the ambient light from lamps or other sources in the room which you
need to be able to read your screen comfortably?
- or is something else the issue?

Depending on the answer to the above question, your solution will vary.

If you can post here a more detailed description of what exactly it is
that is disturbing your wife, I can make sure that you get a solution
that meets your needs.

Thanks,

aceresearcher

---

Request for Answer Clarification by mikedr-ga on 29 May 2004 12:44 PDT

It is the light in the room that is bothering my wife. If the solution
lies in a PDA, I will need to be able to use the controls in a dark
room. I doubt if this will be a problem.

I am only mildly computer savy, so ease of access to books/magazine
will be crucial.

Thanks for your thoroughness.

Mike

---

Clarification of Answer by aceresearcher-ga on 01 Jun 2004 07:33 PDT

<< Thanks for your thoroughness. >>

You are most welcome! I hope that the Mighty Brite works as well for
you as it has for me.

Best Wishes,

ace

I don't think that addresses the question.  This seems to be more of a
light to clip on to a regular book to allow reading.  The question was
specifically in regards to an e-book or digital book.  Most PDAs and
dedicated digital book readers have a lighted screen which will allow
reading in the dark.  My  iPaq for instance will allow reading of
e-books in several different formats with the proper software.  It has
an adjustable brightness level, which in a darkened room does not need
to be set very bright to allow reading and still not awaken someone
else.

Does your IPAQ allow you to reverse the screen colors?  I had an old
PDA which would allow me to change the background to black and the
text to white.  This made it easy to read but cut way down on the
brightness of the screen.  Just a thought.

It depends on the program.  Mobipocket reader allows you to set
whatever text and background colors you want.  I'm not sure about
Microsoft Reader, which is the reader that comes with it, and I don't
have it with me right now. I don't think it does though.  Those are
the two I use most, but there are a number of other programs out
there.