Maemo needs a decent ebook reader

Steven Lake · 09-20-2009, 10:48 PM

Hey guys, not sure how many of you use the n8xx or any other Maemo powered devices from Nokia, but for those who don't know, it's a completely open source embedded OS built on Linux. So anyone from the community can develop for it if they want. The downside is, other than a rather poorly done port of fbreader, Maemo doesn't have a proper ebook reader.

So I figured that if any of you here were interested, and you can code, you could possibly look into either porting a good quality ebook reader to the Maemo platform, or even writing one. More info on Maemo can be found at maemo.org. I'm merely posting this because I know that the Maemo folks would love a proper ebook reader. I've seen plenty of talk on it lately.

Nate the great · 09-20-2009, 10:50 PM

What's wrong with FBReader?

Steven Lake · 09-20-2009, 10:57 PM

From what I've been hearing, it doesn't support enough formats, nor supports them properly. I myself don't use the n8xx for an ebook reader, but others do, so I'm sorta writing on their behalf using info I've ready. There's quite a few discussions on it over at talk.maemo.org if you want to dig further into specifics.

ghostyjack · 09-29-2009, 04:49 PM

I use FBReader on my N800 for reading ebooks all the time and have no problems with the reading experience, yes the library could do with improving but format support it pretty good.

I suggest that before you start compaining about a piece of software, you try it yourself first.

dreams · 09-29-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostyjack

I use FBReader on my N800 for reading ebooks all the time and have no problems with the reading experience, yes the library could do with improving but format support it pretty good.

I suggest that before you start compaining about a piece of software, you try it yourself first.

I don't believe it was a complaint on Lord Raiden's part, but based on what he has read on the other site. I believe the post was made because this could be a item of interest to those who like to code. (see below quotes from his posts).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Raiden

..... I'm merely posting this because I know that the Maemo folks would love a proper ebook reader. I've seen plenty of talk on it lately.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Raiden

.... I myself don't use the n8xx for an ebook reader, but others do, so I'm sorta writing on their behalf using info I've ready. There's quite a few discussions on it over at talk.maemo.org if you want to dig further into specifics.

Nate the great · 09-29-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostyjack

I use FBReader on my N800 for reading ebooks all the time and have no problems with the reading experience, yes the library could do with improving but format support it pretty good.

I suggest that before you start compaining about a piece of software, you try it yourself first.

I've used it, and I agree somewhat with the OP. There are a number of places where FBReader could benefit from a redesign. For example, the interface is suboptimal (from a usability standpoint).

brecklundin · 09-29-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Raiden

Hey guys, not sure how many of you use the n8xx or any other Maemo powered devices from Nokia, but for those who don't know, it's a completely open source embedded OS built on Linux. So anyone from the community can develop for it if they want. The downside is, other than a rather poorly done port of fbreader, Maemo doesn't have a proper ebook reader.

So I figured that if any of you here were interested, and you can code, you could possibly look into either porting a good quality ebook reader to the Maemo platform, or even writing one. More info on Maemo can be found at maemo.org. I'm merely posting this because I know that the Maemo folks would love a proper ebook reader. I've seen plenty of talk on it lately.

It's not the app it's the DRM license fees needed to add other formats...it is that simple. Sure FBReader is pretty much a dead end app for the OS200x versions of the NIT OS, well for most cases, other than bug fixes and such...that is because Nokia boned the NIT user community in directions they took not only the device but also the OS...BTW, OS2008 basically wrecked the camera functionality on the N800 and Nokia could have cared less and the sychophants running rough shod over the user community went along with it. Basically all the NIT's were for was to allow Nokia to beta test devices which would eventually be used for phones like the N900.

And yeah, you are right about FBReader being a bit weird...and since they moved the forums from InternetTabletTalk.com under the actual Maemo umbrella, it can be somewhat hard to find the threads on the site which explain, in great detail, how best to setup FBReader. If you go to the site you might be able to sleuth out the right threads...once you get it running, I think you will really like most of what FBReader gives you...there is a lot of control in the config even one tab just for NIT's.

ghostyjack · 09-30-2009, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreams

I don't believe it was a complaint on Lord Raiden's part, but based on what he has read on the other site. I believe the post was made because this could be a item of interest to those who like to code.

Maybe I came across a bit strong on my response.

I was just trying to point out that if you feel there is something wrong with a piece of software, then you should perform some research on the actual software itself, not just base everything on other peoples opinions. That way you could provide a more informed view on the issues and highlight them to the community.

Not all aspect of FBReader are bad.

rogue_ronin · 09-30-2009, 07:11 PM

No, FBReader is definitely usable. I read with it a lot on my 770 while I was in Thailand.

But it has quirks, and development is, well, not stalled exactly (they just came out with a beta) but not moving at great speed. They work much more on their Java version, and they seem neurotically focused on adding format support -- not on adding usable features, or refining the interface. It's trying to be all things, when they should pick maybe two or three formats and run with it. (ie: epub, fb2 and xhtml)

Bookmarks are killer for me -- I like to correct my ebooks, and without bookmarks I cannot note the errors. Bookmarking has been on their todo list for approximately 10^52 years.

CSS doesn't work, either, so HTML and ePub are iffy. Even fb2 isn't that hot (can't do much layout.) Without layout, you cannot get even mildly complex documents to look good.

So, it's usable, but quirky. And there are not a lot of choices on Linux where ebook-reader software is concerned. It seems to be: FBReader, text only, pdf or your browser.

In the Calibre section, I noted that Calibre's ebook-viewer is an excellent app that would be great as a stand-alone viewer. Installing Calibre to the Nokia tablets is overkill, though, and to the Smart Q series as well.

But ebook-viewer is tightly integrated with Calibre. It would take some effort, I expect, to pry it loose. Still, it reads CSS and has bookmarks. It uses Webkit to render, so it looks good. If a coder wanted to work on something like that, it's probably an easier job than coding from scratch.

$.02

m a r

09-20-2009, 10:48 PM	#1
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	Maemo needs a decent ebook reader Hey guys, not sure how many of you use the n8xx or any other Maemo powered devices from Nokia, but for those who don't know, it's a completely open source embedded OS built on Linux. So anyone from the community can develop for it if they want. The downside is, other than a rather poorly done port of fbreader, Maemo doesn't have a proper ebook reader. So I figured that if any of you here were interested, and you can code, you could possibly look into either porting a good quality ebook reader to the Maemo platform, or even writing one. More info on Maemo can be found at maemo.org. I'm merely posting this because I know that the Maemo folks would love a proper ebook reader. I've seen plenty of talk on it lately.

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09-20-2009, 10:50 PM	#2
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	What's wrong with FBReader?

09-20-2009, 10:57 PM	#3
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	From what I've been hearing, it doesn't support enough formats, nor supports them properly. I myself don't use the n8xx for an ebook reader, but others do, so I'm sorta writing on their behalf using info I've ready. There's quite a few discussions on it over at talk.maemo.org if you want to dig further into specifics.

09-29-2009, 04:49 PM	#4
ghostyjack Guru Posts: 718 Karma: 1085610 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol, England Device: PRS-T1, 1825PT, Galaxy Tab, One X, TF700T, Aura HD, Nexus 7	I use FBReader on my N800 for reading ebooks all the time and have no problems with the reading experience, yes the library could do with improving but format support it pretty good. I suggest that before you start compaining about a piece of software, you try it yourself first.

09-30-2009, 07:11 PM	#9
rogue_ronin Banned Posts: 475 Karma: 796 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Honolulu Device: Nokia 770 (fbreader)	No, FBReader is definitely usable. I read with it a lot on my 770 while I was in Thailand. But it has quirks, and development is, well, not stalled exactly (they just came out with a beta) but not moving at great speed. They work much more on their Java version, and they seem neurotically focused on adding format support -- not on adding usable features, or refining the interface. It's trying to be all things, when they should pick maybe two or three formats and run with it. (ie: epub, fb2 and xhtml) Bookmarks are killer for me -- I like to correct my ebooks, and without bookmarks I cannot note the errors. Bookmarking has been on their todo list for approximately 10^52 years. CSS doesn't work, either, so HTML and ePub are iffy. Even fb2 isn't that hot (can't do much layout.) Without layout, you cannot get even mildly complex documents to look good. So, it's usable, but quirky. And there are not a lot of choices on Linux where ebook-reader software is concerned. It seems to be: FBReader, text only, pdf or your browser. In the Calibre section, I noted that Calibre's ebook-viewer is an excellent app that would be great as a stand-alone viewer. Installing Calibre to the Nokia tablets is overkill, though, and to the Smart Q series as well. But ebook-viewer is tightly integrated with Calibre. It would take some effort, I expect, to pry it loose. Still, it reads CSS and has bookmarks. It uses Webkit to render, so it looks good. If a coder wanted to work on something like that, it's probably an easier job than coding from scratch. $.02 m a r

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