Classic 1.4 Softroot - for me, more trouble than it was worth

LessPaul · 08-06-2010, 01:18 PM

It has been an interesting three days. After a first, failed attempt at installing the Nookdevs new softroot (which left my Nook completely useless) I was finally able to reboot to a factory default and daringly tried again.

The Nookdevs firmware is truly impressive. I love their versions of icons, and how the collection of buttons can be user modified. The apps are a bit cludgy, but nice. My problem comes from the fact that I softrooted for the sole purpose of accessing my Calibre library.

Awesome 1: The combined library. I do prefer the look/feel of the stock coverflow, but having both libraries integrated is very nice.

Problem 1: The softroot swaps the order of drives. There is a some reason that changing the drive letters doesn't help. When connected to Calibre, things that should go to the internal card to to the external, and vice versa.

Problem 2: Calibre has updated the online catalog file to better meet standards. This breaks Nookdevs / Calibre compatibility. I was able to hack Calibre such that it worked, but I don't like taking steps backwards in order to move forward.

Problem 3: The Nookdevs software responsibly accesses only WiFi (not the B&N Network) but has some sort of trouble staying connected. There is a tool to separately address this, but it is just an extra step I'd rather no deal with. (Yes, I am that lazy.)

Bleh 1: Other than the merged libraires, the additional apps were not particularly handy for me. I've always got a PC or a netbook close by which can better manage files. For those who don't, I can see the immense value the Nookdevs package could provide.

Bleh 2: One of the cool things I'd hoped I would be able to do with the Softroot was play Pandora Radio. But this is still a bit of a hack and is not (yet) smoothly intetgrated.

The latest softroot is close but no cigar. I was adequately impressed such that I'll give the next version a shot, as I am sure the problems I encountered will be big issues for many users, and will likely be addressed in the near future.

Its a really cool package, including some well-thought out tools which add quite a bit for the power user. I'll miss the cool icons. But the niggling problems degraded my user experience more than they improved it.

FourOhFour · 08-06-2010, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LessPaul

Problem 2: Calibre has updated the online catalog file to better meet standards. This breaks Nookdevs / Calibre compatibility. I was able to hack Calibre such that it worked, but I don't like taking steps backwards in order to move forward.

If you're talking about Trook, there's an update that fixes that. In Trook, select nookDevs and install nookMarket. In nookMarket find "Trook craftycoder". Tap and hold to uninstall Trook. Find it again, and install it.

Kindle Addict · 08-07-2010, 01:27 AM

It's great that you tried softrooting (twice) - apps are in the early stages and free, but I'm sure that the apps will improve...

I may be able to address a few of your issues:

"Problem 1: The softroot swaps the order of drives."

This doesn't happen on a Mac, and for Windows, there's a pretty straightforward drive letter re-assignment that seems to work (here).

"Problem 2: Calibre has updated the online catalog file to better meet standards."

Sorry - I haven't experienced this, but hacking is what Nookdevs is about - that's half the fun!

"Problem 3: The Nookdevs software responsibly accesses only WiFi (not the B&N Network) but has some sort of trouble staying connected."

Nookdevs WiFi disconnects when the WiFi isn't being used - I haven't had disconnects when accessing the B&N store, or the Web. The "stay connected" helper app is when you access your Nook via VNC as the underlying VNC server doesn't keep the WiFi connected.

"Bleh 1: Other than the merged libraires, the additional apps were not particularly handy for me."

I know what you mean, although I like the PDF viewer for rotation and zoom. I'm also having fun with Android sources and am currently modifying an Andriod z-machine for playing interactive fiction (Twisty).

"Bleh 2: Pandora Radio...is still a bit of a hack"

Agreed.

Maybe it work be worthwhile to try again in a couple of months to see how things have progressed. With so many Andriod apps, it shouldn't be too long before a significant number are modified to run on the Nook.

DarthV · 08-09-2010, 11:07 AM

If you have a decently large collection of material in My Documents, the nookdev My Library is awesome. Be kind of cool if they ever add in drop down menu for series name like how they handled authors.

beartard · 08-09-2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LessPaul

Bleh 2: One of the cool things I'd hoped I would be able to do with the Softroot was play Pandora Radio. But this is still a bit of a hack and is not (yet) smoothly intetgrated.

To be fair, the Pandora app wasn't developed by the nookdevs guys. It was made by Pandora for release to the Android market (for use on smartphones). That's why it seems like a kludge...it is. Having said that, once it is set up, it does work well.

DuncanWatson · 08-11-2010, 06:07 PM

I have been running my Nook for a while and upgraded to the new softroot when it was released. It has been just plugging away without problems for me. I leave my nook in airplane mode almost all the time so obviously we have different ideas how networking should work on a ereader.

Rich_D · 08-12-2010, 08:01 PM

I softrooted just to get the combined library and search features. An added bonus for me was being able to remove all the buttons except for my library and settings. I just want to read on my reader.

jettrue · 08-14-2010, 09:40 AM

I pretty much agree with you, I was also underwhelmed with the softroot, but I'm keeping it because I want the combined library, AND I really really love the original solid matte icons that came with the earliest nook firmware. Gloss icons, blah. This isn't an iPhone.

bgalbrecht · 08-15-2010, 01:45 AM

BTW, don't try to softroot a Nook WiFi running the 1.4.1 firmware, it will brick your Nook.

MangaEbooker · 08-15-2010, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgalbrecht

BTW, don't try to softroot a Nook WiFi running the 1.4.1 firmware, it will brick your Nook.

I feel as though there should be a sticky of this, its very important....

sarahsbloke · 08-15-2010, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgalbrecht

BTW, don't try to softroot a Nook WiFi running the 1.4.1 firmware, it will brick your Nook.

Should read "Don't try to softroot any Nook running 1.4.1 firmware"

MangaEbooker · 08-16-2010, 03:53 PM

I feel as to something is wrong here, I just installed Softroot and my battery has went down from 92 to 85 in 15 mins.....

08-06-2010, 01:18 PM	#1
LessPaul Connoisseur Posts: 50 Karma: 160 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dewitt, MI Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2021 / PC / iPad	1.4 Softroot - for me, more trouble than it was worth It has been an interesting three days. After a first, failed attempt at installing the Nookdevs new softroot (which left my Nook completely useless) I was finally able to reboot to a factory default and daringly tried again. The Nookdevs firmware is truly impressive. I love their versions of icons, and how the collection of buttons can be user modified. The apps are a bit cludgy, but nice. My problem comes from the fact that I softrooted for the sole purpose of accessing my Calibre library. Awesome 1: The combined library. I do prefer the look/feel of the stock coverflow, but having both libraries integrated is very nice. Problem 1: The softroot swaps the order of drives. There is a some reason that changing the drive letters doesn't help. When connected to Calibre, things that should go to the internal card to to the external, and vice versa. Problem 2: Calibre has updated the online catalog file to better meet standards. This breaks Nookdevs / Calibre compatibility. I was able to hack Calibre such that it worked, but I don't like taking steps backwards in order to move forward. Problem 3: The Nookdevs software responsibly accesses only WiFi (not the B&N Network) but has some sort of trouble staying connected. There is a tool to separately address this, but it is just an extra step I'd rather no deal with. (Yes, I am that lazy.) Bleh 1: Other than the merged libraires, the additional apps were not particularly handy for me. I've always got a PC or a netbook close by which can better manage files. For those who don't, I can see the immense value the Nookdevs package could provide. Bleh 2: One of the cool things I'd hoped I would be able to do with the Softroot was play Pandora Radio. But this is still a bit of a hack and is not (yet) smoothly intetgrated. The latest softroot is close but no cigar. I was adequately impressed such that I'll give the next version a shot, as I am sure the problems I encountered will be big issues for many users, and will likely be addressed in the near future. Its a really cool package, including some well-thought out tools which add quite a bit for the power user. I'll miss the cool icons. But the niggling problems degraded my user experience more than they improved it.

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08-07-2010, 01:27 AM	#3
Kindle Addict kindict Posts: 64 Karma: 208 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Kindle 2, Kobo, iPad, Nook	It's great that you tried softrooting (twice) - apps are in the early stages and free, but I'm sure that the apps will improve... I may be able to address a few of your issues: "Problem 1: The softroot swaps the order of drives." This doesn't happen on a Mac, and for Windows, there's a pretty straightforward drive letter re-assignment that seems to work (here). "Problem 2: Calibre has updated the online catalog file to better meet standards." Sorry - I haven't experienced this, but hacking is what Nookdevs is about - that's half the fun! "Problem 3: The Nookdevs software responsibly accesses only WiFi (not the B&N Network) but has some sort of trouble staying connected." Nookdevs WiFi disconnects when the WiFi isn't being used - I haven't had disconnects when accessing the B&N store, or the Web. The "stay connected" helper app is when you access your Nook via VNC as the underlying VNC server doesn't keep the WiFi connected. "Bleh 1: Other than the merged libraires, the additional apps were not particularly handy for me." I know what you mean, although I like the PDF viewer for rotation and zoom. I'm also having fun with Android sources and am currently modifying an Andriod z-machine for playing interactive fiction (Twisty). "Bleh 2: Pandora Radio...is still a bit of a hack" Agreed. Maybe it work be worthwhile to try again in a couple of months to see how things have progressed. With so many Andriod apps, it shouldn't be too long before a significant number are modified to run on the Nook.

08-09-2010, 11:07 AM	#4
DarthV Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2010 Device: Nook WiFi	If you have a decently large collection of material in My Documents, the nookdev My Library is awesome. Be kind of cool if they ever add in drop down menu for series name like how they handled authors.

08-11-2010, 06:07 PM	#6
DuncanWatson Kindle Convert Posts: 190 Karma: 62704 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Woodinville, WA, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook (all)	I have been running my Nook for a while and upgraded to the new softroot when it was released. It has been just plugging away without problems for me. I leave my nook in airplane mode almost all the time so obviously we have different ideas how networking should work on a ereader.

08-12-2010, 08:01 PM	#7
Rich_D Fanatic Posts: 581 Karma: 1314896 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA Device: Android phone, Kobo Glo HD, nook ST with Glo (backup)	I softrooted just to get the combined library and search features. An added bonus for me was being able to remove all the buttons except for my library and settings. I just want to read on my reader.

08-14-2010, 09:40 AM	#8
jettrue Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Android	I pretty much agree with you, I was also underwhelmed with the softroot, but I'm keeping it because I want the combined library, AND I really really love the original solid matte icons that came with the earliest nook firmware. Gloss icons, blah. This isn't an iPhone.

08-15-2010, 01:45 AM	#9
bgalbrecht Wizard Posts: 1,806 Karma: 13399999 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US Device: Nook Simple Touch, Kobo Glo HD, Kobo Clara HD, Kindle 4	BTW, don't try to softroot a Nook WiFi running the 1.4.1 firmware, it will brick your Nook.

08-16-2010, 03:53 PM	#12
MangaEbooker Connoisseur Posts: 83 Karma: 24 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Nook	I feel as to something is wrong here, I just installed Softroot and my battery has went down from 92 to 85 in 15 mins.....