Quote:
Originally Posted by davidfor
Easy, it isn't a core function of an ereader. When you start a project like this, you write a list of things you need to do and want to. You then put them in order of need and implement as many as you can in with the time, resources and money you have. At the time, something like the PIN lock probably seemed unimportant. If they started from scratch now, it might be done earlier.
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Um, no. We were putting PIN locks (AND multiple users) on LCD gadgets in 1988 and 2003 projects. We didn't bother with the 2006 4G VOIP handset running Debian Linux and Firefox with only touch screen as it was purely proof of concept.
Actually the software of EVERY eInk eReader I've had/tried (5 differnent Kindles, Sony, iRiver Story Cover, Kobo H20) is pretty rubbish at "library" management and only bare minimum for reader. The Apps on phones / tablet/Laptop identically useless at book/library management and only really an advantage for convenience or non-book content (Amazon stupidly now has three kinds of "eBook" branded Kindle two of which do not work on ANY eInk Kindle. The Kindle Fire is NOT a Kindle, it's a crippled LCD Android tablet and worse than simply getting a decent Android tablet and adding an eReader App.
The Kindle seems to be a hurriedly slapped together GUI with the guts of the Mobireader (they bought) slapped on Android with GUI stripped.
The Kobo is a poor GUI and slightly better reader app stuck on a more regular Linux. It is prettier now with current release, but the home screen is now less functional, and the one thing better on Kobo was home screen and annotations. The Annotations stats are gone. At least the annotation per book can still be extracted via Calibre, though the python script now doesn't work. Amazon Kindle seems to stupidly create one text file for ALL annotations, though it's usable on PC.
I use my eReaders for three things:
1) Reading loads of books, some bought on Smashwords or Amazon, but mostly Gutenberg. The big publishers charge too much, so I buy theirs on paper.
2) Manuals and tech stuff (why I have a DXG and got 6.8" H20)
3) Reading / proofing /annotating my own writing. Up to 18 revisions on some books, ten complete, about 9 in development. Saving even just on PAPER has paid for Kobo OR Kindle DXG or PaperWhite. Add toner and I've saved cost of all three.
However the software is a joke (actual reader not too bad, but that is simple as the content is basically like HTML and interface is basically a paginating web browser). I've written a Document Archive system, two physical library management systems, a document manager and a wordprocessor with hierarchical document links (a little like hypertext, except if you make a link and the document doesn't exist you can start editing it). So I'm qualified to point and laugh at their efforts that are worse than some final year student projects I've mentored.