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Old 05-04-2007, 09:12 PM   #54
alex_d
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Posts: 303
Karma: 187
Join Date: Dec 2006
Device: Sony Reader
ashkulz, that page reflowing sounds pretty cool. will it only take out big spaces, or could you do something subtle like decrease line spacing? Actually, for that, you'd probably be better off trying something drastic like modifying the pdf itself. (It's nearly impossible to increase boldness that way... believe me, I've tried... but font kerning should be easier.)

Another thing you should put in the backend is the ability to render any subsection of a page. JAP used this feature as the basis of the tool, and for a suitably powerful gui it would allow the greatest flexibility.

My next project I think will be to start writing a new gui for the Sony Reader. (The knowledge for doing this is a bit scattered right now, but I've talked with some people who collectively seem to have all the pieces.) At first i'll focus on the core rendering to speed up page-turns (very important for nonfiction/textbooks that I read) and improve quality. I'll do this by implementing page caching and change the the refresh policy in a way that lowers battery life (i.e. no more black-white flashing but rather multiple refreshes). Cold page turns should go from the 2s they are now (for rastered .lrf) to 0.25s or less. Also I'll implement page-number entry and folder-based navigation (and maybe panning, zooming, and even searching... although searching won't be straightforward seeing as I'll still be using an image-based book format). I know none of the above things are an issue for you, ashkulz, with your fancy 1100, but hopefully it'll be the start of a good project.

I've also given some thought to a better font-enhancement algorithm vs edge enhancement that would essentially do autohinting on bitmaps. I'll try experimenting a bit with that (but I have a feeling it'll be incredibly processor-intensive).
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