Computer users of all ages and varieties have been reading and enjoying TidBITS for years. Now, thanks to the advent of the Newton MessagePad, Newton users can enjoy reading TidBITS in the palm of their hand! TidBITS reader Allan Marcus <allan_marcus@lanl.gov> uses 4D and AppleScript to convert TidBITS issues into Newton book format (starting with issue 200), and usually has each issue available within a day or so of its setext appearance.

The Newton books have the same word-for-word text content as the setext files most Mac users read. On the Newton MessagePads, though, readers can make notes around the text, copy text to the common Note Pad, leap to any given page or find any text, and mark pages for later reference. It's also an extremely handy way to read each issue!

Each Newton book issue of TidBITS (beginning with issue 200) can be found in:

ftp://ftp.amug.org/pub/newton/books/tidbits- books/
ftp://newton.uiowa.edu/pub/newton/software/mac /books/tidbits/
http://newton.uiowa.edu/