Large Screen, E-Ink, Button-Based Readers?

[MarjaE]

I have been having worsening migraines.

Unfortunately computer monitors aggravate my headaches, and very small print, like most pdfs in e-readers, can also aggravate my headaches.

I have a sensory and coordination issues. Because of my coordination issues, it's hard to avoid accidental tapping, zooming, etc. with touchscreen-based devices. Because of my sensory issues, zooming hurts and triggers my migraines. Other animation also hurts.

I would like the ability to sideload my files and folders, keep them organized without app-specific libraries, and set my preferred fonts and font sizes with epubs. I would like the ability to read plain txt, html, epub, pdf, djvu, preferably odt, etc.

Any suggestions?

P.S. I would also like to be able to use Calibre and Ade without them stopping to catalogue everything. I currently use an sd card, with most of my books on the card, and remove the sd card before using either Calibre or Ade, to avoid this.

[MarjaE]

I sometimes have trouble with my Story Hd freezing up, or crashing, or failing to display certain pdfs and djvus.

It would be nice to have something more capable, but it really really has to be at least as accessible.

[MarjaE]

I know the Onyx Boox series have styli. Are they usable with buttons without everything going haywire from accidental touches?

[Rizla]

Not all the Onyx require a stylus. I think your best option is the large Onyx (M96?). It runs Android so is flexible, and I believe it has an A2 mode built-in which means the screen scrolls like LCD instead of flashing like normal e-ink. This is essential for browsing. You can find them on Amazon if you are in the States.

I'm not sure if you can plug a keyboard into it, and maybe you don't need that anyway. I personally an holding off until a e-ink device supports USB OTG so I am guaranteed to be able to plug a keyboard in and type on the device.

Edit: Okay, I see you need a stylus. I don't know anything about that. Onyx has a sub-forum here on mobileread. You can look there.

[MarjaE]

Thanks.

Tablets might also be an option, but most have touchscreens and bright glowing occasionally-flashing screens.

[MarjaE]

Touch devices are not an option, even with external controllers.

I wasted $25 on a controller and $70 on a tablet I will never be able to use.

Is it possible to use a Kindle dx to read epub, html, djvu, and so on?

[crc]

Originally Posted by MarjaE

Touch devices are not an option, even with external controllers.

I wasted $25 on a controller and $70 on a tablet I will never be able to use.

Is it possible to use a Kindle dx to read epub, html, djvu, and so on?

Not directly:

Content Formats Supported: Kindle (AZW), PDF, TXT, Audible (formats 4, Audible Enhanced (AAX)), MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML, DOC, RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion.

(from http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-DX-Wire...dp/B002GYWHSQ/)

[MarjaE]

*headdesk*

So are there any options? I am in the states, and can't use eBay or Newegg.

Since many people are unable to use touchscreen devices, why isn't there a market for accessible devices? I am not the only one, and I can see that older button-based devices, when they're available, sell for more than newer touchscreen-based ones.

[ab7vf]

MarjaE .... I have an older DXG that I bought on the 'close-out' sale ... I loaded Doukan 0.5.13 on it .. NEVER used amazon for anything ... It works for me on pdf, djvu, epub, and chm files ... Not 100% on everything but ...maybe?

Jim

[MarjaE]

Originally Posted by ab7vf

MarjaE .... I have an older DXG that I bought on the 'close-out' sale ... I loaded Doukan 0.5.13 on it .. NEVER used amazon for anything ... It works for me on pdf, djvu, epub, and chm files ... Not 100% on everything but ...maybe?

Jim

Thanks! That would definitely help. Though I might have better luck looking for software to make pdfs more readable on the smaller screens.

[rkomar]

Originally Posted by MarjaE

Thanks! That would definitely help. Though I might have better luck looking for software to make pdfs more readable on the smaller screens.

It depends on what you are reading. k2pdfopt is very good at converting PDF files into other PDF files, reflowed for different sized screens. I'm sure it would be fine for fiction (i.e. straight text). However, if you're trying to read technical works with large images and tables and equations, then even k2pdfopt may not produce something that is comfortable to read on a small screen.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by MarjaE

*headdesk*

So are there any options? I am in the states, and can't use eBay or Newegg.

Since many people are unable to use touchscreen devices, why isn't there a market for accessible devices? I am not the only one, and I can see that older button-based devices, when they're available, sell for more than newer touchscreen-based ones.

I don't understand why some people say it;s difficult to use a touch screen yet they say they can use buttons. Can someone please tell me why this is? Thanks.

[ab7vf]

Ok ... maybe just personal preference? ... Normally, I read holding the device in my left hand....Trying to hold and 'thumb-swipe' on a touch screen is not only annoying, but I have to "scrunch up" my grip to hold the device and swipe. Otherwise, its a 2 handed operation ... hold left, swipe right easier to just push the button under the thumb and ...SHAZAM ... a new page ...

As the op noted not all of us are blessed with wonderful health and/or perfect physical attributes

Jim

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I don't understand why some people say it;s difficult to use a touch screen yet they say they can use buttons. Can someone please tell me why this is? Thanks.

Jon,
They may be missing some fingers. Or have welded fingers. Or very swollen fingers, hands.
Or any other number of problems.
Buttons are not near as sensitive.

[MarjaE]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I don't understand why some people say it;s difficult to use a touch screen yet they say they can use buttons. Can someone please tell me why this is? Thanks.

Because one is a touchscreen and the other is a set of buttons?

I have coordination/proprioception issues, so I can't use touch devices without missing whatever I'm trying to do, and/or triggering something I'm not trying to do with unwanted tapping and/or gestures. I can disable tapping and gestures on the Mac. I had to install a kernal patch to do that on my previous Linux machine. I can't do that at all on most tablets and touch-based e-readers.

Basically touch screens make it easier for sighted people to trigger something, and harder for sighted people to avoid accidentally triggering the wrong thing.

I also have sensory issues, so I need to avoid bright screens, most animation, and especially zooming animation. I know Android has a number of options, in the accessibility menu, and the developer tools, to disable animation. But they don't disable zooming animation in the Home Screen on the Nuvision, or in certain reading apps.