Would you install software from the user community?

design256 · 10-23-2006, 10:02 AM

It won't be too long before we have some apps and fixes that are of use to the wider community - for example complete RSS feeds, and a simple registry fix to repoint the news/books/docs buttons to external media.

Question is, if there was a straightforward, documented way of doing this, tested by the users of this forum, would people use it?

Or would you prefer to wait for officially supported upgrades?

CommanderROR · 10-23-2006, 11:19 AM

Unfortunately I know absolutely nothing about coding and hacking, but I've been trying to follow your achievements over the last days/weeks anyway. I hardly understood a word, and at the moment that is making me very hesitant about trying anything, but as soon as things become a bit more "user-friendly", I'll almost certainly start trying things.

I did things like putting Linux or DOS on my PocketPC in the past, so I'm not a complete stranger to doing stuff like that, but I prefer to wait for a well-explained more-or-less foolproof hacking/flashing procedure...:-)

design256 · 10-23-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommanderROR

Unfortunately I know absolutely nothing about coding and hacking, but I've been trying to follow your achievements over the last days/weeks anyway. I hardly understood a word, and at the moment that is making me very hesitant about trying anything, but as soon as things become a bit more "user-friendly", I'll almost certainly start trying things.

I did things like putting Linux or DOS on my PocketPC in the past, so I'm not a complete stranger to doing stuff like that, but I prefer to wait for a well-explained more-or-less foolproof hacking/flashing procedure...:-)

That almost certainly mirrors what many people are thinking. We would probably post a Type this in to enable updates set of instructions with clear instructions and screenshots for users to follow.

Once done, all updates could be installed at a single click or downloaded from the unofficial Iliad repository by pressing the network button and choosing an option from a menu.

jæd · 10-23-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by design256

Or would you prefer to wait for officially supported upgrades?

While everyones work on these hacks is to be congratulated, I'm currently not planning to implement them on my Illiad... If the Illiad no-longer received updates from Irex then I probably would look into them, but Irex can decide to patch this, and other possible security holes when they feel like.

I'm waiting for an officially supported SDK which hopefully will allow me to use these hacks, but also gives more documentation on the calls.

pdam · 10-23-2006, 11:57 AM

The main problem I have is that there is no easy way to reset to factory default or similar. I really wouldn't mind trying software ... if, should it trash my machines software I could get back to a basic state ... Once a non-technical user (like me) can do this - I'll happily install and try software, until then - the potential risk of prolonged downtime is too high.

vranghel · 10-23-2006, 12:45 PM

Right now i wouldn't be willing to install anything from the community. Its not that they are not doing a great job, it's because the (more) knowledgeable community needs some time to figure out things for themselves, then they can focus on creating/developing apps that the rest of the non-code-savyy users can confidently install and run on their iLiad with minimum risk.

I'd like to congratulate the the users who put time into figuring out the innards of the iLiad OS, and trying to mold it to their (and other's) needs.

b_k · 10-23-2006, 01:44 PM

if there was a (preferably supported) way to reflash the iLiad from a brick, I would do it. But as of now I don't want to repeat it's journey to the netherlands.

VillageReader · 10-23-2006, 02:45 PM

I voted that I would install if there was a proven hack - of course, subject to being something I was interested in. As it stand now, my biggest hope is a DRM solution to expand the books available to read (yeah, I know & have contributed to pro/con on DRM, but I'm not making the rules, the publishers are, and I don't have the time to buy a paper copy then go find a hacked version to load on the Iliad to be semi-legitimate).

R2D2 · 10-23-2006, 04:21 PM

We still need the option to backup and restore the os before I feel good doing experiments on the expensive gadget it is.

Or did I miss something in all the great progress while being myself in suspend mode?

slayda · 10-23-2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R2D2

We still need the option to backup and restore the os before I feel good doing experiments on the expensive gadget it is.

Or did I miss something in all the great progress while being myself in suspend mode?

Ditto. I feel the same.

ath · 10-24-2006, 03:00 AM

Installing anything random on a specialized device is too great a risk -- if things stop working, there's usually time and cost to spend before pre-installation status is restored. That destroys the appliance value: to me, it's a reading device. There's no point in in installting anything on it, unless it improved reading, say, by allowing new bok formats. But I think such software would need to come with a guarantee that essentialy said "if our software bricks your device, we pay for it to be restored".

arivero · 10-24-2006, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ath

But I think such software would need to come with a guarantee that essentialy said "if our software bricks your device, we pay for it to be restored".

Yep, I think microsoft issues such guarantee.

arivero · 10-24-2006, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slayda

Ditto. I feel the same.

As of today, it is possible to reinstall freshly a system 2.7 but it only works if the iLiad is not stuck. We could add some tricks to the start-up script to get some recovery from the insertion of a card, but on the other hand iRex is working, they told, in the same direction.

CommanderROR · 10-24-2006, 09:48 AM

great news...if you manage to improve on that some more then custom software will almost certainly become a viable option for more than a few people on this form!!!

nekokami · 10-27-2006, 01:57 PM

I voted yes, with directions. I code, but not on this platform, and I'd need pretty specific instructions the first couple of times I tried to install something. I would also wait until I felt the software was tested by others enough to have a low brick risk. (And, of course, I'd need to wait until I actually have an iLiad.)

In fact, the ability of others to code software for this is a key point in my (growing) decision to purchase an iLiad. Companies sometimes abandon products or go out of business. With an active developer community, it may still be possible to get use from the product.

View Poll Results: Would you install software onto your Iliad developed by the user community?
I am a geek and have already got dropbear running	10	22.22%
Yes please, I'm keen to give it a go, just tell me exactly what to do	23	51.11%
I'm nervous about it but would try if every one else had	10	22.22%
No way - I'm only every going to install Irex-supported upgrades	2	4.44%
Voters: 45. You may not vote on this poll

10-23-2006, 10:02 AM	#1
design256 Connoisseur Posts: 78 Karma: 103 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ipswich, UK Device: Irex Iliad	Would you install software from the user community? It won't be too long before we have some apps and fixes that are of use to the wider community - for example complete RSS feeds, and a simple registry fix to repoint the news/books/docs buttons to external media. Question is, if there was a straightforward, documented way of doing this, tested by the users of this forum, would people use it? Or would you prefer to wait for officially supported upgrades? Last edited by design256; 10-23-2006 at 10:08 AM.

10-23-2006, 04:21 PM	#9
R2D2 Mad Scientist Posts: 294 Karma: 242 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Germany Device: Zaurus, HTCMagician, iLiad	We still need the option to backup and restore the os before I feel good doing experiments on the expensive gadget it is. Or did I miss something in all the great progress while being myself in suspend mode? Last edited by R2D2; 10-23-2006 at 04:29 PM.

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10-23-2006, 11:19 AM	#2
CommanderROR eink fanatic Posts: 2,022 Karma: 4924 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Germany Device: STAReBOOK, iRex Iliad, Sony 505, Kindle 2	Unfortunately I know absolutely nothing about coding and hacking, but I've been trying to follow your achievements over the last days/weeks anyway. I hardly understood a word, and at the moment that is making me very hesitant about trying anything, but as soon as things become a bit more "user-friendly", I'll almost certainly start trying things. I did things like putting Linux or DOS on my PocketPC in the past, so I'm not a complete stranger to doing stuff like that, but I prefer to wait for a well-explained more-or-less foolproof hacking/flashing procedure...:-)

10-23-2006, 11:57 AM	#5
pdam Groupie Posts: 199 Karma: 100 Join Date: Aug 2006 Device: iLiad, iPaq, Psion5&7, Blackberry	The main problem I have is that there is no easy way to reset to factory default or similar. I really wouldn't mind trying software ... if, should it trash my machines software I could get back to a basic state ... Once a non-technical user (like me) can do this - I'll happily install and try software, until then - the potential risk of prolonged downtime is too high.

10-23-2006, 12:45 PM	#6
vranghel Addict Posts: 285 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Vancouver, Canada Device: Proud Iliad owner	Right now i wouldn't be willing to install anything from the community. Its not that they are not doing a great job, it's because the (more) knowledgeable community needs some time to figure out things for themselves, then they can focus on creating/developing apps that the rest of the non-code-savyy users can confidently install and run on their iLiad with minimum risk. I'd like to congratulate the the users who put time into figuring out the innards of the iLiad OS, and trying to mold it to their (and other's) needs.

10-23-2006, 01:44 PM	#7
b_k Übernerd Posts: 238 Karma: 74 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Device: iRex iLiad	if there was a (preferably supported) way to reflash the iLiad from a brick, I would do it. But as of now I don't want to repeat it's journey to the netherlands.

10-23-2006, 02:45 PM	#8
VillageReader Evangelist Posts: 430 Karma: 2718 Join Date: May 2006 Device: Iliad	I voted that I would install if there was a proven hack - of course, subject to being something I was interested in. As it stand now, my biggest hope is a DRM solution to expand the books available to read (yeah, I know & have contributed to pro/con on DRM, but I'm not making the rules, the publishers are, and I don't have the time to buy a paper copy then go find a hacked version to load on the Iliad to be semi-legitimate).

10-24-2006, 03:00 AM	#11
ath Addict Posts: 222 Karma: 110 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Malmo, Sweden Device: iLiad, Sony PRS-505, Kindle Paperwhite & Oasis	Installing anything random on a specialized device is too great a risk -- if things stop working, there's usually time and cost to spend before pre-installation status is restored. That destroys the appliance value: to me, it's a reading device. There's no point in in installting anything on it, unless it improved reading, say, by allowing new bok formats. But I think such software would need to come with a guarantee that essentialy said "if our software bricks your device, we pay for it to be restored".

10-24-2006, 09:48 AM	#14
CommanderROR eink fanatic Posts: 2,022 Karma: 4924 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Germany Device: STAReBOOK, iRex Iliad, Sony 505, Kindle 2	great news...if you manage to improve on that some more then custom software will almost certainly become a viable option for more than a few people on this form!!!

10-27-2006, 01:57 PM	#15
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	I voted yes, with directions. I code, but not on this platform, and I'd need pretty specific instructions the first couple of times I tried to install something. I would also wait until I felt the software was tested by others enough to have a low brick risk. (And, of course, I'd need to wait until I actually have an iLiad.) In fact, the ability of others to code software for this is a key point in my (growing) decision to purchase an iLiad. Companies sometimes abandon products or go out of business. With an active developer community, it may still be possible to get use from the product.

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