MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Classic 1.4 Softroot

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.

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.