OpenInkpot, the project for creating free/open source firmware for Hanlin/lBook eReader v3 just started: project page (http://openinkpot.org/). Future similar hardware, such as v9 will probably also be suported.

We're currently in early stage of development, making the working kernel, kdrive (X.org) and base libraries and welcome any volunteers - hardware/kernel/unix/X hackers at the moment, application developers a bit later, when the infrastructure will be more mature.

Seems like a great project. Hope eventually you'll get all the source code you need from jinke. Keep up the good work! :)
PS: There are already few comments on your project at the end of this (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17190) thread ;)

Seems like a great project. Hope eventually you'll get all the source code you need from jinke. Keep up the good work! :)


Seems that we will have all necessary drivers by looking at device, reading datasheets and reverse-engineering earlier than Jinke/gpl-violations will come to agreement :)

Nice start, I'm just going to buy Hanlin V3 soon and being developer myself this project is very interesting to me.

Nice start, I'm just going to buy Hanlin V3 soon and being developer myself this project is very interesting to me.

Welcome!

A quick question before I buy it - can I flash lBook firmware files on original chinese Hanlin?

A quick question before I buy it - can I flash lBook firmware files on original chinese Hanlin?

Should be possible: books' hardware is identical, and several people flashed chinese firmware on lBook.

However, we did not see anyone with Hanlin v3 who tried to flash lBook's firmware, so we have no either positive nor negative experience.

Should be possible: books' hardware is identical, and several people flashed chinese firmware on lBook.

However, we did not see anyone with Hanlin v3 who tried to flash lBook's firmware, so we have no either positive nor negative experience.

What are actually the difference between the firmwares?

What are actually the difference between the firmwares?

I don't know for sure, but it seems that fixes in Russian/Ukraininan support and in .fb2 handling appear in lBook firmware first and only then ported back to the Hanlin.

is this actually a functioning OS that can be put on a hanlin and used to read books? or still in early development?

is this actually a functioning OS that can be put on a hanlin and used to read books? or still in early development?

It's in early development, but even with very little information from Jinke, a lot of progress has been made already - http://openinkpot.org/wiki/ComponentsStatus so it looks pretty likely they will have a functioning OS eventually...

We've got firmware for nfsboot, so you can flash it and run actual system from the NFS share on your computer.

Mail with instructions and links is here: http://groups.google.com/group/openinkpot-hackers/browse_thread/thread/25195215c5bf3d6f

We've got a blog: http://blog.openinkpot.org/

We've got a blog: http://blog.openinkpot.org/

Looks like you are making great progress. X11 running is a great accomplishment. Looks like you are still focused on underpinnings but an interesting side trip would be to get a reader functioning on the device.

Dale

Looks like you are making great progress. X11 running is a great accomplishment. Looks like you are still focused on underpinnings but an interesting side trip would be to get a reader functioning on the device.
Dale

Well, actually after getting the correct framebuffer kernel driver, X11 just started without any hassle. We're going to build some suitable X11 toolkit soon, so it will be possible to write/port graphical applications.

I have a Chinese Hanlin V3, and I've flashed the lBook firmware. Works like a charm. There seem to be no compatibility issues between the two. Mine has a cooler logo, though :)

We've got a blog: http://blog.openinkpot.org/

This is totally cool! How do you move the mouse? :) Would this run on my Chinese version of V3. I understand it has less internal memory. Is it easy to revert to the proprietary V3 image? In other words could I try it out and then return to the old version?

This is totally cool! How do you move the mouse? :) Would this run on my Chinese version of V3. I understand it has less internal memory. Is it easy to revert to the proprietary V3 image? In other words could I try it out and then return to the old version?

What mouse? OpenInkpot is very promising but not ready for prime time yet. Do you have a ROM image of your current version? You would need that to be able to return to that version.

Dale

I have a Chinese Hanlin V3, and I've flashed the lBook firmware. Works like a charm. There seem to be no compatibility issues between the two. Mine has a cooler logo, though :)

Thanks for info!

This is totally cool! How do you move the mouse? :)

Well, we should hide the cursor anyway, as there is no mouse. But X cursor is very recognizable, so you can say "well, the thing has booted correctly" just after quick look a it.

Would this run on my Chinese version of V3. I understand it has less internal memory. Is it easy to revert to the proprietary V3 image? In other words could I try it out and then return to the old version?

http://openinkpot.org/wiki/V3FirmwareUpgrade <- firmware flashing instruction (either original or our). You may get original one from jinke site.

Would this run on my Chinese version of V3. I understand it has less internal memory. Is it easy to revert to the proprietary V3 image? In other words could I try it out and then return to the old version?

It *should*. Both ukrainian and chinese devices should be identical: 64mb of flash, and our firmware currently contains only NFSboot kernel (=1mb).

It is quite hard to brick the device, so you may reflash it to original version anytime, just use the recipie from the link I've posted in previous comment.

So, if I understand correctly, the Hanlin will be able to act as USB-Host? And thereby use a USB-Keyboard at some point int the future?

That is the real difference between buy and not buying the Jink for me.

Fantastic Project, by the way. I'd love to give it a shot.

It should be possible, but nobody managed to make it working yet.

And yes, USB port is unpowered, so you'll need external power.

Excellent!
Thank you.

I'll be able to get a baterry powered USB hub and not waste any power.