Right after beta1, 0.1-beta2 is released with numerous fixes for bugs found during the testing (many thanks to the-ebook.org users!).

Changes since 0.1-beta1:
* zipped firmware files are added to tar.bz2-ed
* directories are sorted before files
* fb2 files with several authors are handled correctly
* live version now uses .exe.fb2 startup file instead of .exe.txt (compatibility with firmware versions which do not use CoolReafer for .txt files)
* margins and tab indent settings are added to FBReader
* No more mouse cursor
* Fixed FBReader crash on .fb2 files with quetionable formatting of footnotes
* Removed useless "unknown author" and "folder" text labels

Known problems (to be fixed in 0.1):
* SD card eject sometimes results in device lookup
Known problems (to be fixed in 0.2):
* live version sometimes hangs
* Changing language in bookshelf does not work
* Clock can't be set up
* Series name and number in series of .fb2 file are not displayed in bookshelf

User's guide: http://openinkpot.org/wiki/InstallationGuide
Installation guide: http://openinkpot.org/wiki/UsersGuide

Downloads: http://openinkpot.org/pub/releases/0.1/beta2/

Excellent! Been waiting for support of the 512MB devices, just downloaded, installed on to my existing SD card (live SD version), ran the script and up and running with no issues. This is very easy.

This is looking very good, nice clean interface and the ability to manage documents on the device. I can now delete files after I've read them.

Still early work, and a little slow at present, but definitely worth having a play with this.

Now, be gently with me.

I have a Cybook. Can I use this soft/firmware on my reader?

Why would I want to?

Now, be gently with me.

I have a Cybook. Can I use this soft/firmware on my reader?

Why would I want to?

Short answer, No.

Currently openinkpot only works on Hanlin V3 and rebrands thereof.

This is looking very good, nice clean interface and the ability to manage documents on the device I can now delete files after I've read them..


Really cooooool feature!! I have been missing it in the original firmware since the first day.

Hi. I'm the main developer for Madshelf. Many people have been clamoring for a delete function (I have no use for it myself, but it seems a popular request), so I'm glad you like it. If you have any other feature requests, let me know. As for cybook support, it is in progress and already quite far along (Madshelf is ready, the rest of OI nearly so).

As for the question "why would I want to [install OI on Cybook]?", the answer is simple: because soon it will do everything that cybook's firmware does and more, and the things that cybook's firmware already does, OI will do better. That, and it's open, so it is fully customizable. So the question will soon be:
Why would I keep cybook's limited original firmware?

Cheers!

because soon it will do everything that cybook's firmware does and more, and the things that cybook's firmware already does, OI will do better.


Does that include support for mobiDRM? What about other DRM formats?


That, and it's open, so it is fully customizable. So the question will soon be:
Why would I keep cybook's limited original firmware?


I considered putting Rockbox on my iPod gen 4. While it did do things that my iPod didn't do, for example play flac and ogg... it did nothing that I "wanted". So, I saw no reason to install it. I would have the same answer for CyBook base firmware. If it does everything you want there would be no reason to put another firmware on it.

Anyway... I tried to see what madshelf was and did. I went here (http://openinkpot.org/wiki/MadShelf) but it didn't really tell me anything... Is there an documentation? A list of features at least?

Thanks.

BOb

Hi. I'm the main developer for Madshelf. Many people have been clamoring for a delete function (I have no use for it myself, but it seems a popular request), so I'm glad you like it. If you have any other feature requests, let me know. As for cybook support, it is in progress and already quite far along (Madshelf is ready, the rest of OI nearly so).

As for the question "why would I want to [install OI on Cybook]?", the answer is simple: because soon it will do everything that cybook's firmware does and more, and the things that cybook's firmware already does, OI will do better. That, and it's open, so it is fully customizable. So the question will soon be:
Why would I keep cybook's limited original firmware?

Cheers!

Will it be able to read Mobipocket DRM-protected books, without the need of using potentially illegal tools to strip protection? Original firmware does that.

Also, isn't Cybook version development is now on hold indefinitely, as Cybook version developer's Cybook broke and he's waiting for any information from Booken concerning replacing it?

How will OI handle PDF files? Will it reflow PDF text like Sony Reader does, or will it allow zooming, but keep PDF in original proportions, like Cybook original firmware does?

Does OI's PDF reader handle technical documents as well as Cybook original firmware already?

Or, in other words, how soon is soon? ;)

Will it be able to read Mobipocket DRM-protected books, without the need of using potentially illegal tools to strip protection? Original firmware does that.
Does OI's PDF reader handle technical documents as well as Cybook original firmware already?

Or, in other words, how soon is soon? ;)

Actually, I looked at the web site... I had similar questions. I could be wrong but from what I read OI is the basic OS/kernal which applications are written on top of. Madshelf is the file/ebook browser (I think) while there is a reader, which I think is FBReader.

But I would love to hear more details about this, and how it works. The Wiki is pretty sparse.

BOb

Hi. I'm the main developer for Madshelf. Many people have been clamoring for a delete function (I have no use for it myself, but it seems a popular request), so I'm glad you like it. If you have any other feature requests, let me know. As for cybook support, it is in progress and already quite far along (Madshelf is ready, the rest of OI nearly so).


Moving files would be a good feature. I usually move the books I have read to a special dirctory.

Anyway... I tried to see what madshelf was and did. I went here (http://openinkpot.org/wiki/MadShelf) but it didn't really tell me anything... Is there an documentation? A list of features at least?


It has directory support that works pretty well also on the Cybook. Since I do not use DRM:ed files the directory support is enough for me to switch to OI when it is reasonable stable and works on the Cybook.

Moving, copying, deleting files: they are all already implemented and stable. Madshelf reads tags from different formats and does all sorts of other nifty stuff. It is also skinable.
PDF support is on its way - MadPDF is already working (I'm the main dev on that one, too). MadPDF will have panning, zooming, dynamic trimming; it will be a PDF reader/viewer fully adapted to eink readers.
For the DRM stuff, that's not my department. The IRC channel (#openinkpot on OFTC) is a good place to ask questions.

But this is a community project, so join the community to get the specific features you want!

Note: if you want to help develop apps, it is possible to develop on your desktop machine, using EFL (the Enlightenment Foundation Libraries), which means you don't have to necessarily know about cross-compiling and other advanced things.

But this is a community project, so join the community to get the specific features you want!

Note: if you want to help develop apps, it is possible to develop on your desktop machine, using EFL (the Enlightenment Foundation Libraries), which means you don't have to necessarily know about cross-compiling and other advanced things.

I started to join in this but got distracted by deadlines in the work that pays the salary. But I will return to OI soon...

And as quickhand says, it is easy to join if you want to develop application. For me irc and git that was the only new things I had to read about.

quickhand

By your description, at the PDF level reflowing the text is not contemplated.
Did I understand that correctly?

Best regards,

Questions "is FOO planned" or "will it support BAR" are meaningless. Best answers are "who cares?" and "probably, if you implement it".

OI will have all the functionality that is implemented by volunteers (volunteers from the project point of view - they can be paid by some other organization to work on OpenInkpot), and plans change quickly.

Is PDF reflowing contemplated? Of course! We were just talking about it the other day, and some are quite eager to have it (including yours truly). But the best way to make sure OI has all the lovely features you want is to join the team.

Thank you for your clarification.

Hi. I'm the main developer for Madshelf. Many people have been clamoring for a delete function (I have no use for it myself, but it seems a popular request), so I'm glad you like it. If you have any other feature requests, let me know.

Really liking the ability to delete, copy, move on the device. Also like the appearance of madshelf in OI, seems lighter than the original firmware.

It would be great to be able to mark as read (manually, rather than just tagging a file after it has been partially viewed).

Also, more entries per screen would be great, assuming navigation other than by 0-8 is possible.

I've been using OI almost exclusively since this release, seems quite stable.

I am intending to implement tags (similar to emblems in gnome) as well as custom file filters in a future version of madshelf. Madshelf has pretty straightforward code, so even with minimal programming experience, contributing is possible. I'm a little tied up right now in getting MadPDF working (this will be the full-featured PDF viewer for OI), but new features will appear in Madshelf soon.

I considered putting Rockbox on my iPod gen 4. While it did do things that my iPod didn't do, for example play flac and ogg... it did nothing that I "wanted". So, I saw no reason to install it.

Maybe you should have actually tried it? I waited months for RockBox to get to a state where it was usable on the Sansa e260, and despite rather depressing status reports went ahead and tried it.

The difference was amazing. The sansa went from being an OK device with terrible firmware to something quite different. And this has only improved over time. Even audio quality improved to the point where I can't tolerate the original firmware at all.

The same will be true of OI - it is early days yet, but there is a huge amount of potential here. As with all of these kinds of projects, they'll be ready when they are ready. Patience is required.

I am intending to implement tags (similar to emblems in gnome) as well as custom file filters in a future version of madshelf. Madshelf has pretty straightforward code, so even with minimal programming experience, contributing is possible. I'm a little tied up right now in getting MadPDF working (this will be the full-featured PDF viewer for OI), but new features will appear in Madshelf soon.

Fantastic! Tagging and filtering would take care of just about everything and be far more flexible. Wish I had programming skills. Definitely looking forward to future developments.

Anyone still following this thread will be happy to know that I've implemented tagging and filtering in the most recent version of Madshelf, as well as SQLite based caching for book info. So for example, you could assign the tag "read" to books you've read, or "favorite", and then filter using these tags. You can also define filters to choose only MOBI files, for example, or only supported book formats, and you can use these filters in any combination. Also, you could, for example, tag books that are yours, and those that belong to your girlfriend/boyfriend, and choose to show only your books. It's going to be cool, but it's not packaged yet, so be patient.

Perfect. I am more and more tempted to buy a Bebook so I can get this functionality that for me is very useful.

:thanks: pretty cool

Thank you! I'm really looking forward to this.

Any timescale for a CyBook version now that Tribble has, I believe, sent you a CyBook?

Any timescale for a CyBook version now that Tribble has, I believe, sent you a CyBook?

Well, I have not received any cybook yet. I've sent him my address twice, but Tribble hasn't answer.

Is anyone actively working on a port for the PRS line? Specifically the 505?

It looks like a very interesting project.

Is anyone actively working on a port for the PRS line? Specifically the 505?

It looks like a very interesting project.

Wenjie Zhang was working on the 505 as part of Google's Summer of Code. His blog (http://openinkpot.org/wiki/ProgressOfWenjieGsoc)'s last post was in August.

jekhor has got a 505, but not yet had his hands on it.

jekhor has got a 505, but not yet had his hands on it.

Good luck to him! I'd switch firmware in a heartbeat.

Good luck to him! I'd switch firmware in a heartbeat.

AFAICT, OI will run just fine 505 in "live" version, running from SD or MemoryStick. As there are two card slots, we'll think is it feasible to do a "install" version.

AFAICT, OI will run just fine 505 in "live" version, running from SD or MemoryStick. As there are two card slots, we'll think is it feasible to do a "install" version.

Best news I've heard this month :) -- Any Idea when we can test the live version on the 505?

Best news I've heard this month :) -- Any Idea when we can test the live version on the 505?

Wow, me too. It's raining outside but it just got sunny. I just posted something about this too, count me in as a beta tester whenever you can get it out. I'd switch in a heartbeat too.

Fantastic! Tagging and filtering would take care of just about everything and be far more flexible. Wish I had programming skills. Definitely looking forward to future developments.

If tagging could read epub meta-data it would be awesome.

You can count me as an interested beta user also for the 505 if you could tell us how to get our hands on it.

You can count me as an interested beta user also for the 505 if you could tell us how to get our hands on it.

Our answer is probably:
jekhor has got a 505, but not yet had his hands on it. ..waiting for jekhor.

I thought when he said that OI should run in "Live" mode made it sound like it was already out for testing.

I thought when he said that OI should run in "Live" mode made it sound like it was already out for testing.

I did d/l the live tarball and tried to run it via igorsk's script w/o success. I figured since it was arm-based code it was worth a shot.

I thought when he said that OI should run in "Live" mode made it sound like it was already out for testing.

I think he meant that there was no need to burn the flash. I suspect the Sony version can be run using the autorun feature that is supported for SD cards on the Sony. This has already been used to support puzzles and games as well as a dictionary. There is no reason it couldn't support FBReader or seemly most of an OS, or at least a shell access. The dictionary support already has T9 capability that could be used to do command line stuff.

Dale

There is no reason it couldn't support FBReader or seemly most of an OS, or at least a shell access.

We are going to run single executable using "autorun" feature - kernel reloader. This will replace Sony kernel in memory with OI one and will kickstart OI boot process without any use of Sony software.

Using any Sony software will compromise the goal of the project: *free* (as a speech) Linux distribution.

We are going to run single executable using "autorun" feature - kernel reloader. This will replace Sony kernel in memory with OI one and will kickstart OI boot process without any use of Sony software.

Using any Sony software will compromise the goal of the project: *free* (as a speech) Linux distribution.

Thanks for the confirmation. Sounds like a good way to go.

Dale

The new version of madshelf with tagging and filtering is now packaged and ready. I've got it installed on my V3 and it's working like a charm :)

The new version of madshelf with tagging and filtering is now packaged and ready. I've got it installed on my V3 and it's working like a charm :)

Cool, where to find it to try it out??

http://openinkpot.org/pub/SLIND/pool/core/s/sqlite3/clydesdale/libsqlite3-0_3.5.9-6.oi1_armel.deb
http://openinkpot.org/pub/SLIND/pool/media/m/madshelf/clydesdale/madshelf_0.1-15_armel.deb

Download both files and put them on the SD card. First open the libsqlite3-0_3.5.9-6.oi1_armel.deb in the bookshelf and then open madshelf_0.1-15_armel.deb. The installation progress is not visible, you should wait for some seconds and then the bookshelf should appear again.

Thanks!

That was an easy and painless install, now to figure out how to use it...I like the fact that filtering is optional so I can either show a tag on books that are read, or only have unread books shown. Or make vast swathes of books disappear by only showing Favourites.

Simple choices that will make managing lots of books easier I think.

You know, there's an even knewer version of madshelf that shows series names, and has three different file modes (folder mode, all files in location including subdirectories, and all files everywhere). You might want to get a hold of it, it's worthwhile. Also, take a look at the filters.xml file in $HOME/.madshelf/ - you'll have to ssh to the device, but there you can create your own filters using logical combinations of criteria. I'll be documenting the filters.xml format soon.

This is the newer version:
http://openinkpot.org/pub/SLIND/pool/media/m/madshelf/clydesdale/madshelf_0.1-17_armel.deb

Series names will be shown only after updating the libextractor:
http://openinkpot.org/pub/SLIND/pool/core/libe/libextractor-oi-extras/clydesdale/libextractor-oi-extras_0.1-6_armel.deb