Question(s) about device details

[Metal Mick]

Hi all,

I don't have ready access to any ereader manuals but I was wondering about the firmware and other aspects of the ereaders.

Firstly, Are there releases of firmware or other updates of what I can only describe as their operating systems? In other words, do bugs appear in their function and how are these addressed, if at all?

Secondly, I am somewhat tired of Times Roman and Ariel, fine typefaces though they are. Do any readers allow for loading of custom fonts?

Finally, which ereaders allow for the largest variations in text sizes?

Cheers,

[speedtouch]

The firmware, unless I am way off base, is the OS of the eReader. Sometimes there are bugs and yes, they are looked into and addressed. Usually the next version of firmware corrects those bugs. I don't know about other eReaders, but the PocketBook 301+ does allow you to install any font you'd like. Again, not sure about the others, the PB 301+ can make the text absolutely massive or extremely tiny, to the point where it's nearly impossible to read.

[fjtorres]

1 - Yes, ebook readers do show glitches and bugs. And yes, firmware updates to fix known issues are a fact of life. And yes, some ebook readers do crash and/or hang in use. Stability can be a issue for some, file compatibility for others. As a simple rule of thumb, the more a gadget attempts to do, the more vulnerable it will be to software issues, which means the vendor has to devote more attention to software quallity control. Some vendors are *very* good at this and their products are as close to bullet-proof as a gadget can be; others... not so much. One of the (many) virtues of these Forums is that in the device-specific areas you can see which devices have which issues and how the vendor addresses them. Studying the issues in those forums can be a very productive way to spend pre-purchase research time.

2a- Some (but not all) ebook readers allow the use of arbitrary truetype fonts for ebook display. Some only allow a choice between several included fonts. Others feature just a single standard font. Among the more limited models, you might find hacks that allow by-passing these limitations. Be aware that just because the reader allows these features, doesn't mean that every ebook uses them. Commercial ebooks using Adobe DRM can come with hardwired formatting and embedded fonts that cannot be overridden. It is part of the ePub spec. Content delivered in the form of pdf files pretending to be ebooks rarely allow much if any typographical controls. Similar restrictions apply to *some* Kindle ebooks that come in the "Topaz" format instead of the more common mobipocket-derived azw format. Also, many implementations of the Adobe-DRM reader app do not allow font face selection at all. As above, due dilligence is required to avoid unpleasant surprises.

2b- Font scaling is a very common feature. Most readers offer it but be aware that true font-size selection by point size (or equivalent) is *not* common. More common is the use of zoom-factors that offer up a fixed set of text display sizes. Size selection can range from near-infinte in the best readers and apps to three or less. There are at least two reader platforms that offer (almost) full end-user typographical controls with arbitrary Truetype fonts and single-point size controls but this is not a common feature and, as above, many DRM'ed ePubs do not allow this. If this feature is important to you you may need to become familiar with the relevant DRM removal techniques so that you can use the more flexible reading apps rather than the DRM-fluent ones. There is a blog by somebody calling themselve "Apprentice Alf" that offers a good overview of the procedures involved.

Finally, it's unclear just which offers the "largest" variation because screen size is going to impact this. Some models offer up to twelve hard-wired sizes while others offer up less choices that cover a broader range of sizes. Arguably, the larger ebook readers like the Kindle DX and upcoming Pocketbook 901 will offer the largest *usable* variation simply by being able to support larger sizes.

If what you really mean is which reader platforms offer the most flexible text controls for DRM-free ebooks, then today that would be the Pocketbook line of readers or the Hanlin V3 series running the OpenInkpot alternate firmware. Other readers, however, offer up non-supported hacks that can extend the device's native flexibility so it is really going to be a matter of how much effort do you want to put into customizing the device.

In choosing an ebook reader, the very first thing you really need to decide upfront is where you are going to get the ebooks. Especially the commercial DRM'ed ebooks. If you are comfortable buying from Amazon that is going to lead you one way, if you prfer Sony or Barnes and Noble, it will lead you in other ways. If the bulk of your reading will be DRM-free ebooks, then your choices expand to encompass the entire market.

Once you decide on an ebookstore commitment (or lack there-of) then you should focus on the two areas of Firmware quality and support and end-user typographical controls, so you are on the right track.

My suggestion is to sample the various device specific forums next to get a feel for what they can each offer you.

Good luck.

[bjones6416]

I admit to knowing just enough to be dangerous, but about the font size issue...

If you need much larger (or smaller) fonts to read comfortably, I think that when doing a conversion in Calibre you can actually set the size of the "baseline" font so that, for instance, on the Sony Reader, your small size could start out whatever size you choose, and your medium and large would change accordingly.

I haven't actually done this, but I think I've seen it mentioned in the Calibre part of the forums.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by bjones6416

I admit to knowing just enough to be dangerous, but about the font size issue...

If you need much larger (or smaller) fonts to read comfortably, I think that when doing a conversion in Calibre you can actually set the size of the "baseline" font so that, for instance, on the Sony Reader, your small size could start out whatever size you choose, and your medium and large would change accordingly.

I haven't actually done this, but I think I've seen it mentioned in the Calibre part of the forums.

You can do that, but it's only necessary because the early Sony models provide such a limited range of font sizes. Most modern devices provide a wide range of sizes ranging from "ridiculously small" to "outrageously large".

[Metal Mick]

Hi all,

many thanks for the replies. I have not digested them yet.

I am off to the National Indoor (archery) shoot and will be gone for two days.

Cheers,

[Dulin's Books]

Good Luck- I used to shoot quite allot but havent for years. I've been thing of getting anew bow..

[Metal Mick]

Hi everyone,

thanks to all who responded. the information you've provided is very valuable. I don't mind if a manufacturer releases new firmware to fix things - I just wanted to be sure that fixes were on the way (more or less), because I seem to invariably want to do some thing-or-other on a device that just happens to be problematic.

Font sizes are important, for my wife's eyes are not that good, and I'd like her to be able to use the device too.

The thing that triggered this was my research into Augen's "The Book", which is an interesting device, but the forum questions (http://augen.lefora.com/2010/04/27/e-book-reader/) and answers didn't do a lot for me: a question about font sizes got the answer "1"; and also a question regarding the firmware was unilluminating. It may be a language barrier issue.

Incidentally the release date for The Book is now early August.

Finally, the Indoor was a mix: mine and my daughter's first Indoor since 2006 - she came 9th and me 7th Nationally. We shot 18 metres and to score a 10 we had to hit a ring 2 cm in diameter. Not too bad, but we cold both have done much better.

Thank you all again.

[Dulin's Books]

Well it sounds like good shooting for not having done an indoor comp in 4 years.

I look for new ebook readers everyday and this is this first time i can remember seeing that particular design. Id be very wary about buying it.

edit: oh i just found this i missed over the 4th while i was watching fireworks http://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/201...-ebook-reader/

[Metal Mick]

Hi,

I am wary of it. It sounds good on paper (is it a taboo to use that term here? <vbg>), but most things do.

Cheers,

[mike_bike_kite]

Originally Posted by Metal Mick

Are there releases of firmware or other updates of what I can only describe as their operating systems?

I was going to give a short helpful explanation of the differences of firmware and operating systems but now, after 30 minutes typing, I've decided all I'd be doing would be muddying the waters. Let's just say that firmware is a program to control a device and, once loaded, will stay there until it's physically replaced by something else. Operating systems are bigger, more generic and are loaded afresh each time you start your computer.

[BenLee]

Originally Posted by Metal Mick

Hi,

I am wary of it. It sounds good on paper (is it a taboo to use that term here? <vbg>), but most things do.

Cheers,

LOL

Things only sound good on "e-paper" here

[Metal Mick]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

1 - <snip>
In choosing an ebook reader, the very first thing you really need to decide upfront is where you are going to get the ebooks. Especially the commercial DRM'ed ebooks. If you are comfortable buying from Amazon that is going to lead you one way, if you prfer Sony or Barnes and Noble, it will lead you in other ways. If the bulk of your reading will be DRM-free ebooks, then your choices expand to encompass the entire market.
<snip>

Hi fjtorres, et al,

as I learn more, the paragraph above becomes far more relevant to my choice, and it is not the first time I have heard those words or similar ones. Perhaps it was my newness to the topic or the allure of particular features overrode my sensibilities, but until now, the source of material has not been a huge consideration. Now I see it as of great importance.

Again, many thanks to all.