Microsoft Reader

Microsoft Reader
Filename extension	.lit
Developed by	Microsoft
Latest release	2.4.1
Extended from	.chm
Standard	No

Microsoft Reader
Developer(s)	Microsoft
Initial release	August 2000
Final release	2.1.1 (Windows 98, NT 4.0, 2000, Me, XP) 2.6.1 (Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Windows Vista (with Origami Experience Pack or Touch Pack)); 2.4.2 (Windows Mobile 6)
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Type	E-book reader
License	Proprietary freeware
Website

Microsoft Reader was a Microsoft application for the reading of e-books, originally released in August 2000.

Microsoft Reader was available for download from Microsoft as a free application for computers running Windows. It can also be used on a Pocket PC, where it has been built into the ROM since Windows CE 3.0. Microsoft Reader was not supported on newer Windows Phone 7 devices, but it was compatible with Windows Mobile.

Microsoft Reader displays books in the .LIT (shortened from "literature") format, an extension of the Microsoft Compressed HTML Help format to include DRM.^[2] These e-books can be purchased and downloaded from online stores.

The notable features of Microsoft Reader are ClearType for increased readability on small screens, highlighting and doodling designed for quick note-taking, text notes, and searching. The PC version also has an optional plugin for text-to-speech, enabling books to be read out loud.

In August 2011, Microsoft announced they were discontinuing both Microsoft Reader and the use of the .lit format for ebooks at the end of August 2012, and ending sales of the format on November 8, 2011.^[3]

Compatibility

Operating Systems	Latest version	Release Date
Windows 95	1.5	2000-08-08
Windows NT 4.0, 98, 2000, Me	2.1.1	2003-06-26
Windows XP, 2003, Vista (with Origami Experience Pack or Touch Pack), Home Server, 2008	2.6.1	2007-07-10
Pocket PC 2000	1.0 (in ROM)	2000-04-19
Pocket PC 2002	2.4	2005-03-24
Windows Mobile 2003, 2003 SE, 5.0	2.4.1	2005-11-23
Windows Mobile 6.0, 6.1	2.4.2	2009-09-10

Copy protection

Books accessible by Reader can be protected, or unprotected, only allowing access to protected books if the user has activated the software. This can be accomplished by registering using their Passport account. Only six Reader installations can be activated per account, after which, Microsoft requires the user to request further activations.

Version history

Desktop

Version	Operating systems	Release date	Major changes
1.5	Windows 95, NT 4, 98, 2000, Me	2000-08-08	Initial version for desktops
2.0	Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, Me, XP	2001-10-03	Major overhaul Supports premium eBooks
2.5	Windows XP	2002-06-25	Support for Tablet PCs Pen and Ink features
2.1.1	Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, Me, XP	2003-06-26	Security update
2.6	Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Vista Ultimate Edition (with Origami Experience Pack or Touch Pack)	2007-07-09	Audible support for the newer audio formats Security and Performance updates

Pocket PC

Version	Operating systems	Release date	Major changes
1.0	Windows Mobile 2000	2000-04-19	Initial version for Pocket PCs.
2.0	Windows Mobile 2002	2001-10-03	Compatible with Windows Mobile 2002 Major overhaul Supports premium eBooks^{[clarification needed]}
2.2.1	Windows Mobile 2002, 2003	N/A
2.2.2		2003	Compatible with Windows Mobile 2003
2.2.3		2004-02-04	Fixes activation problems
2.3	Windows Mobile 2002, 2003, 2003 SE	2004-07-13	Compatible with Windows Mobile 2003 SE
2.4	Windows Mobile 2002, 2003, 2003 SE	2005-03-24
2.4.1	Windows Mobile 2003, 2003 SE, 5, 6.0	2005-11-23	Compatible with Windows Mobile 5 and 6
2.4.2	Windows Mobile 2003, 2003 SE, 5, 6.0, 6.1	2009-09-10	Compatible with Windows Mobile 6.1

Read in Microsoft Reader

Version	Operating systems	Release date	Major changes
1.1	Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, Me, XP	2001-09-04	Initial version with support for Word 2000 and 2002
1.1.3	Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, Me, XP, 2003, Vista, Home Server, 2008	2006-02-21	Conversion support for Word 2003. Supports Word 2000, 2002, and 2003. Not compatible with Office 2007

Software Development Kit

Version	Operating systems	Release date	Major changes
1.5	Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, Me, XP, 2003, Vista, Home Server, 2008	2001-10-04	Initial version

Text to Speech

Version	Operating systems	Release date	Major changes
1.0	Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, Me, XP, 2003, Home Server	2005-05-19	Initial version

Creating .LIT files

Read in Microsoft Reader is an add-on, available from Microsoft, that can be used in conjunction with Microsoft Word (versions 2000, 2002 and 2003) to create .LIT extension e-books. This software is not fully compatible with Office 2007.

Third party

There are some third party apps and tools that allow converting and reading of MS .LIT format on various devices; for example:

Calibre; an open source e-book library manager that runs on many environments; It can convert .LIT format files.
Lexcycle Stanza; a freeware program for reading eBooks; can read .LIT format, supports iOS.
Convert LIT; an open source .LIT file converter; runs on both Windows & Mac OS systems.

References

^ "Microsoft Reader".
^ Handbook of Data Compression Authors David Salomon, Giovanni Motta, David (CON) Bryant Edition 5, illustrated Publisher Springer, 2009 ISBN 1-84882-902-7, ISBN 978-1-84882-902-2 Length 1359 pages
^ "Microsoft is discontinuing Microsoft Reader effective August 30, 2012, which includes download access of the Microsoft Reader application from the Microsoft Reader website."Microsoft Reader

[microsoft-reader-1] "Microsoft Reader".

[2] Handbook of Data Compression Authors David Salomon, Giovanni Motta, David (CON) Bryant Edition 5, illustrated Publisher Springer, 2009 ISBN 1-84882-902-7, ISBN 978-1-84882-902-2 Length 1359 pages

[3] "Microsoft is discontinuing Microsoft Reader effective August 30, 2012, which includes download access of the Microsoft Reader application from the Microsoft Reader website."Microsoft Reader

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