Editing Franklin eBookMan

{{Refimprove|date=December 2007}}
[[Image:Ebookman-ebm911.jpg|thumb|Franklin eBookMan EBM-911]]
The [[Franklin Electronic Publishers|Franklin]] '''eBookMan'''  is a discontinued handheld device made to read [[ebook]]s. This gadget, made from 1999 until 2002, has standard  [[Personal Digital Assistant|PDA]] functions and can play and record sounds. It has a black on green touchscreen, contains 8 or 16 MB of [[Random access memory|RAM]], and uses its own proprietary [[operating system]].  Its [[handwriting recognition]] system accepts nearly natural handwriting. 

Three models of eBookman were produced: the 900 (8 Mb memory - no backlight), the 901 (8 Mb memory - backlight) and the 911 (16 Mb memory - backlight). All come with an [[MultiMediaCard|MMC]] (not [[Secure Digital|SD]]-compatible for the 8Mb model, but properly compatible with the 16Mb models.) slot which allows for memory expansion. The eBookMan can read contacts and appointments from [[Microsoft Outlook]]; synchronization with a Windows PC is done through a [[USB]] cable. 

Early eBookMan units lost all information stored on them when the batteries were changed. Franklin acknowledged the problem, and replaced all defective units at no charge. Its [[digital rights management]] system is tied directly to the hardware, which resulted in an immediate problem for marketing: it was not possible to try the device in-store since it wouldn't work until the user connected it to an Internet-linked PC and downloaded their own registered version of the OS. Support was provided via a home page at Franklin, now removed, which when development ceased in 2002 was still describing the device as 'new'.

Although [[research and development]] on the eBookMan ceased in 2002, new eBookMans continued to be available from [[Ectaco]]. As of April 30, 2011, all support and downloads for eBookMan were discontinued.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.franklin.com/ebookman/ |title=Franklin Shop Online - Welcome to the World of Ebookman |access-date=2011-08-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830194726/http://www.franklin.com/ebookman/ |archive-date=2011-08-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.franklin.com/ebookman/ |title=eBookman information page |access-date=2020-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531013942/http://www.franklin.com/ebookMan/|archive-date=2010-05-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  

There is an active user base. Some users have written programs for the eBookMan. Many games were developed and a free version of the [[Mobipocket]] reader was developed for the eBookMan to take the place of the underpowered Franklin reader which came with the device.

==See also==
* [[List of e-book readers]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|www.franklin.com/ebookman/}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019035838/http://www.pcworld.com/article/48373/article.html |date=October 19, 2012 |title=PC World review Apr 30, 2001 }} 

[[Category:Personal digital assistants]]
[[Category:Dedicated ebook devices]]