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Micah · 03-12-2013, 04:14 PM

Thanks for the clarifications and for updating the matrix data. That's page is a great service to the community.

I totally get the value of things like integration with the Dropbox API, and support for user-added OPDS feeds. I know that if we invested the time/money to add that, we'd get/keep a LOT more users (though that isn't really our goal.) Having a "vanilla" browser in the app (e.g. URL address field) does not make as much sense to me. As there are just so many advantages to using the primary browser (bookmarks/bookmarklets, etc)

Our goals are a little different than some of the other ebook app makers. Many of them are trying to build a huge user base as part of their long term, venture funded business model. Though often times the actual business model is a bit unclear to me. I would assume that most will either eventually sell user generated data to third parties, or begin monetizing their user base by delivering targeted advertising to them. Some others, like Subtext are now focused on the education market. I would guess some of the others will similarly pivot moving forwards.

We make our living selling ebook software and services to indie and regional booksellers, as well as some publishers, and we don't have any investors to please. Bluefire Reader itself is largely for fun as I really enjoy having some direct contact with people who love reading as much as I do. I'm really gratified when people find the app useful, particularly for library books as I think libraries are really important to a civil society. It is also really great to get feedback on how to improve the app. As you have done so well (Thanks!)

Things like line and para spacing, indenting, hyphenation controls are VERY high on our wish list, as at the end of the day for me, it is all about reading, and what makes that most pleasant, productive and immersive.

03-12-2013, 04:14 PM	#912
Micah Bluefire Reader dude Posts: 329 Karma: 1089156 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Seattle Device: Ipad	Thanks for the clarifications and for updating the matrix data. That's page is a great service to the community. I totally get the value of things like integration with the Dropbox API, and support for user-added OPDS feeds. I know that if we invested the time/money to add that, we'd get/keep a LOT more users (though that isn't really our goal.) Having a "vanilla" browser in the app (e.g. URL address field) does not make as much sense to me. As there are just so many advantages to using the primary browser (bookmarks/bookmarklets, etc) Our goals are a little different than some of the other ebook app makers. Many of them are trying to build a huge user base as part of their long term, venture funded business model. Though often times the actual business model is a bit unclear to me. I would assume that most will either eventually sell user generated data to third parties, or begin monetizing their user base by delivering targeted advertising to them. Some others, like Subtext are now focused on the education market. I would guess some of the others will similarly pivot moving forwards. We make our living selling ebook software and services to indie and regional booksellers, as well as some publishers, and we don't have any investors to please. Bluefire Reader itself is largely for fun as I really enjoy having some direct contact with people who love reading as much as I do. I'm really gratified when people find the app useful, particularly for library books as I think libraries are really important to a civil society. It is also really great to get feedback on how to improve the app. As you have done so well (Thanks!) Things like line and para spacing, indenting, hyphenation controls are VERY high on our wish list, as at the end of the day for me, it is all about reading, and what makes that most pleasant, productive and immersive.