Newbie questions on KPW2

[axelPW2]

Hello everybody, I am new to this area. I have recently bought a Kindle Paperwhite 2 that I am proud of and after reading a fair share of threads on this forum a have put down a list of specific questions, with the hope that the knowledgeable people in here will make light for me (Thank you!):
1. Kindle Paperwhite is definitely not a tablet, but how much can be pushed in the direction of being a Linux tablet?
2. What Linux distro does Kindle Paperwhite run?
3. One of the important reasons to jailbreak is about installing new screensavers. Wherefrom can I download these new screensavers?
4. How frequent are the silent Amazon updates that will damage/cancel the jailbreak / customization? In other words, how frequently do I have to redo the jailbreaking and the rest of the customization?
5. How to proceed with updates, now I am running on v5.4.2 and I have seen that v5.4.3 is bringing some improvements. As far as I’ve understood, Kindle has always updated automatically. Can I update to v5.4.3 without registration, i.e. off-line?
6. Shall I proceed first with the off-line update and only then with the jailbreaking or the other way around?
7. Having in mind the limitations of the hardware: B&W screen, no sound, no physical buttons, etc, what are the additional known applications possible to install after the jailbreak with or w/o rooting? E.g. application launcher, files manager, epub reader, new fonts, browser and webmail, mailer, weather station display, monitor/ input device, taking screenshots, calculator, etc Are these the right links for downloading applications: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=203326 or https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...16#post1044016
8. Is it any other browser available for KW2 besides the experimental browser? If positive, then wherefrom can I download it?
9. How can I use wifi e.g. for browsing, Wikipedia, dictionaries without compromising the anonymity to Amazon (to prevent data exchange with Amazon for doing unwanted/unexpected updates)? Keeping my Kindle in airplane mode isn't ideal for me.
10. What other external hardware can be used in conjunction with the KPW2? Is it possible to connect an external keyboard, does the built-in USB provide host services?

Thank you in advance for any valuable hints!

[HarryT]

Moved to the dev forum, where these questions are far more appropriate.

The main thought that occurs to me, however, is that if you want a general-purpose tablet, then that's what you should buy, rather than buying a bookreader, and trying to turn it into a third-rate tablet.

[knc1]

Originally Posted by axelPW2

Hello everybody, I am new to this area. I have recently bought a Kindle Paperwhite 2 that I am proud of and after reading a fair share of threads on this forum a have put down a list of specific questions, with the hope that the knowledgeable people in here will make light for me (Thank you!):
1. Kindle Paperwhite is definitely not a tablet, but how much can be pushed in the direction of being a Linux tablet?
2. What Linux distro does Kindle Paperwhite run?
3. One of the important reasons to jailbreak is about installing new screensavers. Wherefrom can I download these new screensavers?
4. How frequent are the silent Amazon updates that will damage/cancel the jailbreak / customization? In other words, how frequently do I have to redo the jailbreaking and the rest of the customization?
5. How to proceed with updates, now I am running on v5.4.2 and I have seen that v5.4.3 is bringing some improvements. As far as I’ve understood, Kindle has always updated automatically. Can I update to v5.4.3 without registration, i.e. off-line?
6. Shall I proceed first with the off-line update and only then with the jailbreaking or the other way around?
7. Having in mind the limitations of the hardware: B&W screen, no sound, no physical buttons, etc, what are the additional known applications possible to install after the jailbreak with or w/o rooting? E.g. application launcher, files manager, epub reader, new fonts, browser and webmail, mailer, weather station display, monitor/ input device, taking screenshots, calculator, etc Are these the right links for downloading applications: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=203326 or https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...16#post1044016
8. Is it any other browser available for KW2 besides the experimental browser? If positive, then wherefrom can I download it?
9. How can I use wifi e.g. for browsing, Wikipedia, dictionaries without compromising the anonymity to Amazon (to prevent data exchange with Amazon for doing unwanted/unexpected updates)? Keeping my Kindle in airplane mode isn't ideal for me.
10. What other external hardware can be used in conjunction with the KPW2? Is it possible to connect an external keyboard, does the built-in USB provide host services?

Thank you in advance for any valuable hints!

As HarryT wrote, you have the wrong device.

1) Almost anything that does not require audio I/O.
2) Amazon/Lab126 creation (known to some as: Linux Wet Dream).
3) Check the thread of the same title.
3+) Common practice here is to have the "release" packages attached to the first post of the description thread.
4) Schedule is known only to Amazon.
4+) Never, if you install the modification to control OTA updating.
5) Yes, details on the Amazon support site.
6) Your choice on the PW2.
7) All applications you mention are available.
8) Read the descriptions of the browsers posted on this forum.
9) Preventing data exchange with Amazon and controlling OTA updates are two different subjects. Both have solutions on this forum.
10) No. and No.

Now that you have been moved to the correct forum, try the FGA next:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=237083

[axelPW2]

Originally Posted by knc1

As HarryT wrote, you have the wrong device.

8) Read the descriptions of the browsers posted on this forum.

Thank you all for the quick answers!
I have bought this e-book reader for the right purpose to read books, but I expect more out of it since carrying anothre object with me. And I own several tablets as well.

Knc1, kindly ask you to name at least one good browser for KPW2, just need the word to place it into the forum search window, I will handle the rest. I have been doing some search already and pls believe me that it is not that obvious. Is the SkipStone browser all right?
Thank you!

[knc1]

Sorry, but I can not provide any first hand review information, I do not own a PW2 myself.

The alternate browsers work was done mostly during the Kindle-Touch / Kindle-Paperwhite era.

There are users here of the various browsers, but I am unsure if any of them have been run on the PW2.
I'll leave that question to the users of the applications.

In addition to the Skipstone browser is another one that was showing promise, the Midori browser.
http://midori-browser.org/
(Also a web-kit base browser, but a much newer version of web-kit than what Amazon is using.)

The last that I recall (dis-claimer: I have a faulty memory), the author of that effort was having some problems with pop-up windows that over-layed parts of the keyboard.

Someone that was (or is) using it could probably give a better description of its current status.

The author of that effort (twobob) has not had any hobby time available recently, so I know that a PM to him now will not get a response.
He will be back when he gets back.

There may have been several other minor efforts on other browsers, I have forgotten those details.

- - - -

You have probably found out by now that there isn't an index page for the PW2 (yet).
But any user could add one (the top part of the pages is mostly boiler plate - cut/paste/edit should get it started).

[icantbebothered]

Originally Posted by knc1

The last that I recall (dis-claimer: I have a faulty memory), the author of that effort was having some problems with pop-up windows that over-layed parts of the keyboard.

Someone that was (or is) using it could probably give a better description of its current status.

Midori is currently at release candidate 4, and working nicely on PW1 and touch. AFAIK nobody has tried running it on a PW2. But it shouldn't explode (neither should skipstone). Amongst other things, I like its tendency not to crash. And the pop-up windows are a thing of the past.

[knc1]

Its looking good now. At one time, it used to choke on Mobileread's Javascript.

Thanks for the update on its status.

[axelPW2]

Thank you all for the good advice on browsers.

Today I have updated off-line via cable from v5.4.2. to 5.4.3.1, it went all right.
Out of curiosity I have tried to see if possible to downgrade back to 5.4.2 and have copied the previous update file to the Kindle. In a strange way the old update file is disappearing/getting deleted in the Kindle everytime I disconnect it from the computer. Is this normal?

Also while connected to the PC via the USB cable, i.e. the Kindle screen is displaying USB Drive mode, I cannot go to another screen for as long as the USB cable is connected, even if the Kindle is ejected from the computer. The touch screen does not respond in any area, even if the message on the screen says that I should be able to read or shop with Amazon while charging via USB. Is this normal?
Thank you!

Happy Easter to everybody!

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by axelPW2

Also while connected to the PC via the USB cable, i.e. the Kindle screen is displaying USB Drive mode, I cannot go to another screen for as long as the USB cable is connected, even if the Kindle is ejected from the computer. The touch screen does not respond in any area, even if the message on the screen says that I should be able to read or shop with Amazon while charging via USB. Is this normal?

If you're running Windows 7 or 8, right click on the Kindle drive in Windows Explorer, and select "Eject" from the pop-up menu. That will take the Kindle out of USB drive mode. Doing "Eject" from the USB applet in the system tray does NOT do so.

[axelPW2]

Originally Posted by HarryT

If you're running Windows 7 or 8, right click on the Kindle drive in Windows Explorer, and select "Eject" from the pop-up menu. That will take the Kindle out of USB drive mode. Doing "Eject" from the USB applet in the system tray does NOT do so.

Thank you HarryT for your superfast answer, problem solved. I am running WinXP, but there is an Eject line in the Context Menu of Windows Explorer, which does the trick.

What about the automatic deletion of the older update file, is Kindly Linux set for doing that?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by axelPW2

What about the automatic deletion of the older update file, is Kindly Linux set for doing that?

I'm afraid I can't help you out with that one. Perhaps somebody else knows?

[knc1]

Originally Posted by axelPW2

Thank you all for the good advice on browsers.

Today I have updated off-line via cable from v5.4.2. to 5.4.3.1, it went all right.
Out of curiosity I have tried to see if possible to downgrade back to 5.4.2 and have copied the previous update file to the Kindle. In a strange way the old update file is disappearing/getting deleted in the Kindle everytime I disconnect it from the computer. Is this normal?

Most likely answer: YES

The Kindle updater uses signed packages that are model locked.
If the package is not appropriate, it will be silently deleted.
You should be able to find more information in one of the log files.

Prior to very recent firmware revisions, the updater did not compare current vs. package firmware versions.
I.E: It would allow what was actually a down-grade in firmware version.

Evidently, the updater routine has been "enhanced" by Amazon/Lab126 to now prevent "down-grades" by using an older firmware packages.

Disclaimer: I do not own a PW2 - I have no direct knowledge of the current situation.

[NiLuJe]

Yup, since 5.4.2.1, you can't downgrade that way. Check around this thread, the exact same question was answered yesterday .

[axelPW2]

Thank you all for the answers! Additionally I have noticed that even the valid update packages are being deleted after being processed.

I have done the jailbeak, also installing the other packages as per https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=232290 down to point no 17 where it says that I need Linux computer. But I do not know if appropriate to continue since I intend to use the wifi connection very frequently, but I am also interested in preventing data exchange with Amazon.

The KUAL Launcher is great, although as Windows user I was expecting a dropdown window from the Home or Menu icons for accessing the programs. Not all the extensions are working that I have downloaded from the twobob post #3 on https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=203326. Wii have to try those applications listed under twobob post #1.

One other remark after the jailbreak is that the display light does not come optically to zero, even if the cursor on the scale is at zero. I was expecting complete extinguishing. Is this correct?

[NiLuJe]

Yup, that's what I just said. Since 5.4.2.1, you can't downgrade that way.

As or the rest: please, for the love of all that is holy, DO NOT, EVER, blindly follow instructions if you have no idea what they're for, and, worse, what they actually do.
In the same vein, don't install everything under the sun just because you can, or just because it's there.

TL;DR: the average Joe doesn't need 90% of what's mentioned in there. Just follow the JB instructions and its FAQ (which is designed to give you an idea of what you actually really need to install depending on what you want to do with your device, instead of just telling you to do stuff with no explanation).

As for the light: completely normal behaviour, nothing to do with the JB.