Quote:
Originally Posted by Althelney
... I haaaated my kindle 4's native UI. I never did anything with it, but this time around I'm determined to.
|
Sorry, but I can't resist a question: Why did you buy it if you knew you are going to hate it?
I might understand if you wanted to buy Voyage, because there are no readers with comparable display resolution at the moment.
I was in a very similar situation two years ago ;-).
I have been using PocketBook e-book readers for a long time and I got used to wide format support and extensive customization options for reading app and UI in general.
Two years ago I was staying in the USA and I have purchased a Paperwhite (version 1), because at the time it was the only front-lit device. The delivery times for Paperwhites ordered through Amazon were very long and I discovered they had a few units in local Staples store. So I got one.
I loved the way the hardware looked and felt in hand. When I started to use it I knew I would never want non-lit e-ink reader.
I disliked rather wide bezel that made Paperwhite much less pocketable than my previous reader with 5 inch display. I missed hardware page-turning buttons.
I *strongly* disliked the UI. I was extremely frustrated that I couldn't set formatting options I was used to from my previous reader. I thought I would get used to the way the text is presented - lots of people are happy with their Kindles. I never got used to it. The moment another manufacturer came with a front-lit reader I sold my Paperwhite and purchased different reader.
In the meanwhile I have installed *everything* that was available at the time, trying to make the UI more bearable. I spent considerable time scouring the net looking for hacks and trying to force my reader to be something it was never meant to be.
One of the first things I installed was Duokan. That was at the time quite non-trivial operation because it installed to Chinese interface by default and I had to use picture walk-through to set it into English. I got lost in Chinese menu several times on my way. Somehow I was very underwhelmed by Duokan and even though I have kept it on the reader (you can select what you want to use when you cold-boot the reader) I was only very rarely using it.
I have also installed a few hacks (JBPatch) that let me modify the font sizes and tweak other things. I have installed more fonts using USE_ALT_FONTS (a method that ceased to work after firmware update) Those made life easier.
I have installed Coolreader that could be started by entering Coolreader "book" in the standard library UI and that let you browse for a book in a directory structure and that could open things line mobi files.
I have installed KUAL and all associated apps and some of those were quite interesting from usability point of view. Among them was a different veriosn of Coolreader, I think.
Gradually I grew tired of pissing against the wind and at the first opportunity I bought other brand that came with a front-lit model. At this moment there is wide choice of different models, even with Android that you can configure to your liking without resorting to hacks.
In the meanwhile, do not connect your new Kindle to the net (besides registering), because it might update itself and you might be unable to install hacks on it. Amazon is very good at patching holes used to install hacks and while I had my Paperwhite there was long time when we did not have hacks for the newest firmware.