ePub on the iPhone with Stanza/Feedbooks

[Hadrien]

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

WOW! I am very impressed, Hadrien! I have used the Fictionwise ereader, and the bookshelf apps, but the stanza interface is much better than either of those.

I imagine they will all have their uses, but the formatting, and functionality of the Stanza app is far more useful. Almost limitless "font" sizing, and the navigation is superior.

I am looking forward to the eInk market getting software this advanced. The iPod Touch is getting to be my favorite reader (for the moment).

You should thank the Lexcycle team then (Marc for example) ! On my end, I'll continue on improving the API, and work with Lexcycle to bring more neat features to the iPhone.

[pagansoul]

I like reading on my iphone. I downloaded 4 free ebooks off the Stanza Library 1) Moby Dick 2) The Creature 3) Pride & Prejudice and 4) The Time Machine and didn't have a single problem. They were all loaded via Edge and took very little time but I also have my iphone hooked up to a power source at work so I think that helps. I love that I could change the font to Arial and make it Dark Green.

[jerryleejr]

Originally Posted by pagansoul

I like reading on my iphone. I downloaded 4 free ebooks off the Stanza Library 1) Moby Dick 2) The Creature 3) Pride & Prejudice and 4) The Time Machine and didn't have a single problem. They were all loaded via Edge and took very little time but I also have my iphone hooked up to a power source at work so I think that helps. I love that I could change the font to Arial and make it Dark Green.

Could you post some screen shot??

JJ

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Do you know where the release notes are? I don't see them on the web site anywhere. I want to see what they added since the version I have.

BOb

Dunno which version you have, but they've added "export to iPhone" in the latest version. Dunno what else - but that part mattered to me.

[Hadrien]

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

Dunno which version you have, but they've added "export to iPhone" in the latest version. Dunno what else - but that part mattered to me.

Hmm isn't "export to iPhone" a feature to export as iPhone bookmarklets rather than to sync with the application ?

[Hadrien]

Just checked the list of top free apps on the App Store:
#66 Stanza
#74 eReader
If you take a look, something such as the app for Typepad is #63. This means that applications dedicated to e-books on the iPhone are fairly successful so far, and Stanza is leading the pack.

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by Hadrien

Hmm isn't "export to iPhone" a feature to export as iPhone bookmarklets rather than to sync with the application ?

Sorry, yeah. I hadn't actually tried it yet. The 'sync w application' part is under TOOLS -- "enable sharing" and "allow anonymous sharing". Haven't gotten it to work yet, but we have too many network zones at work for my iphone and my mac to be on the same zone. Will try at home.

HAVE experienced what someone said -- the mac application totally wedges itself and will no longer start at all, unless you turn both the above options
OFF before you quit it. I imagine that will be fixed in the next version!

[Hadrien]

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

Sorry, yeah. I hadn't actually tried it yet. The 'sync w application' part is under TOOLS -- "enable sharing" and "allow anonymous sharing". Haven't gotten it to work yet, but we have too many network zones at work for my iphone and my mac to be on the same zone. Will try at home.

HAVE experienced what someone said -- the mac application totally wedges itself and will no longer start at all, unless you turn both the above options
OFF before you quit it. I imagine that will be fixed in the next version!

Stanza is still in a beta state, maybe you should mention such problems to Lexcycle directly ?

Try support@lexcycle.com for such feedback.

[Barcey]

Originally Posted by Hadrien

Just checked the list of top free apps on the App Store:
#66 Stanza
#74 eReader
If you take a look, something such as the app for Typepad is #63. This means that applications dedicated to e-books on the iPhone are fairly successful so far, and Stanza is leading the pack.

They must track this by each country. I checked my iTunes Store (Canada) and

# 42 eReader
# 61 Stanza

[Hadrien]

Originally Posted by Barcey

They must track this by each country. I checked my iTunes Store (Canada) and

# 42 eReader
# 61 Stanza

That would explain the bad french translations that they've got for most of the apps too...

Time.com just featured Stanza as one of the top 11 apps: http://www.time.com/time/specials/pa...823554,00.html

It's more 70,000 books than 20,000 books by the way...

[carlosgp]

This app has the potential of being the best ebook reader in pdas or smartphones. Right now is superb, and still is their first version. Lexcycle seem a very dynamic company and I'm sure they will improve their software fast. The potential of the iPhone as ebook platform is huge with ebook readers like this one .

[tlrowley]

I think Stanza has great potential, but I don't like how they handle serving their books. Unless I'm missing something, my book has to be currently open on the desktop in order to download it to my iPhone. And it only works locally.

For serving, I prefer Bookshelf, which I know is a paid-for app, because I can leave the server running on my MacPro and download my books while I'm out and about.

If Stanza had a better serving solution in place, I think they'd win handily - I think they're a better reader experience.

[Hadrien]

Originally Posted by tlrowley

I think Stanza has great potential, but I don't like how they handle serving their books. Unless I'm missing something, my book has to be currently open on the desktop in order to download it to my iPhone. And it only works locally.

For serving, I prefer Bookshelf, which I know is a paid-for app, because I can leave the server running on my MacPro and download my books while I'm out and about.

If Stanza had a better serving solution in place, I think they'd win handily - I think they're a better reader experience.

You could also set up your own catalog, but you need to be a bit of a techy (XML). With their current catalog system, they just need a simple GUI though, to make this easy enough to use.

[tlrowley]

Originally Posted by Hadrien

With their current catalog system, they just need a simple GUI though, to make this easy enough to use.

That's what I'm hoping for They'll be a clear-cut winner with that added, IMO.

[jerryleejr]

Just a quick question, We are just talking about Non DRM books here correct? Or can I buy and Epub format from say Books on Board and read it with Stanza?

JJ