MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Any authors using E-Ink Android Tablets? Experiences?

Quoth · 03-12-2021, 09:00 AM

I'd not use even something like Office 4.2, Word 2.0a or Office97 on eink.
Word 2.0a certainly works on a smaller screen. I archived my floppies to an Archive goldish CD. I wonder would it work on Android on Win 3.0 in Dosbox?

But I'd never go back to Wordstar, Word 2.0, etc. A navigation window when editing a novel is a must as is a separate window with a tabbed text editor for places, characters, timeline, events etc.

I did write my first three novels and millions of words of technical documents and programs on CP/M and DOS text only editors. I'd not go back except for short notes or maybe a chapter / scene. I have used Jota on Android for that.

The scrolling issue isn't a conventional flicker. A video is a poor way to see it. It's ghastly and exclusive to eink.

I gave away my last netbook, a chromebook sized thing with a FAR better OS. Originally a Linux, then XP and then Linux Mint with Mate Desktop. It's like editing through a letterbox. No space for navigation window and having to switch windows or desktops to read notes.

Also 10" eink are twice the price of a decent laptop. A 7.8" Boyue Likebook Mars is I think the best value affordable Android eink as it's a little cheaper than a Kobo Forma.

You'd need a 10" eink and a real keyboard and it will be rubbish for writing novels and nearly impossible creating final ePub (for Amazon KDP, Google, Smashwords) and PDF for paper POD.
You'd be relying on an always on WiFi to Broadband Internet and clunky Online tools lacking in privacy, security, ease of backup and accessiblity of connection/service. You couldn't pay me to do that.
I remember too the era of terminals and only having the document on someone else's server, even in the 1980s. Cloud computing is fine for collaboration or sharing to the public. A massive step backwards for your own creative work.

I've 35+ years experience creating, proofing and editing all sorts of documents and programs. The eink is great for reading. You'd want a 12" or larger screen and software that doesn't seem to exist and a better OS than Android to write AND final format books on eink. Even Windows 3.1 would be better. Or DR Gem.

What you want is a nice aspiration. I'd like to do it. But it's currently fantasy.

Certainly you can write plain drafts of chapters on any Android eink.

03-12-2021, 09:00 AM	#7
Quoth Still reading Posts: 14,231 Karma: 105299897 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	I'd not use even something like Office 4.2, Word 2.0a or Office97 on eink. Word 2.0a certainly works on a smaller screen. I archived my floppies to an Archive goldish CD. I wonder would it work on Android on Win 3.0 in Dosbox? But I'd never go back to Wordstar, Word 2.0, etc. A navigation window when editing a novel is a must as is a separate window with a tabbed text editor for places, characters, timeline, events etc. I did write my first three novels and millions of words of technical documents and programs on CP/M and DOS text only editors. I'd not go back except for short notes or maybe a chapter / scene. I have used Jota on Android for that. The scrolling issue isn't a conventional flicker. A video is a poor way to see it. It's ghastly and exclusive to eink. I gave away my last netbook, a chromebook sized thing with a FAR better OS. Originally a Linux, then XP and then Linux Mint with Mate Desktop. It's like editing through a letterbox. No space for navigation window and having to switch windows or desktops to read notes. Also 10" eink are twice the price of a decent laptop. A 7.8" Boyue Likebook Mars is I think the best value affordable Android eink as it's a little cheaper than a Kobo Forma. You'd need a 10" eink and a real keyboard and it will be rubbish for writing novels and nearly impossible creating final ePub (for Amazon KDP, Google, Smashwords) and PDF for paper POD. You'd be relying on an always on WiFi to Broadband Internet and clunky Online tools lacking in privacy, security, ease of backup and accessiblity of connection/service. You couldn't pay me to do that. I remember too the era of terminals and only having the document on someone else's server, even in the 1980s. Cloud computing is fine for collaboration or sharing to the public. A massive step backwards for your own creative work. I've 35+ years experience creating, proofing and editing all sorts of documents and programs. The eink is great for reading. You'd want a 12" or larger screen and software that doesn't seem to exist and a better OS than Android to write AND final format books on eink. Even Windows 3.1 would be better. Or DR Gem. What you want is a nice aspiration. I'd like to do it. But it's currently fantasy. Certainly you can write plain drafts of chapters on any Android eink.