Glo Kobo Software Update 2.5.2

[buffaloseven]

Looking at the changes 2.0.0 onwards, it's clear to me that Kobo is making changes towards making a more mass-market friendly device, and based on the people I know, it's working.

Personally I enjoy the title bar. I agree with many saying the top and bottom bars could be a bit thinner, but I don't object to them existing.

I'm a little curious why, in a medium that has no traditional limitations (more pages doesn't weigh more or cost more) and takes no effort to turn a page, one would be outraged over plus or minus a line of text. We're not talking space restrictions of a smartphone or anything here.

Perhaps I just don't get it. Of all the bugs that have shown up in Kobo firmware since 2.1.0, I feel like I'm in bizzaro-world when the book title seems to get the biggest outrage.

[david_e]

Originally Posted by Quexos

*Click* as in they hung up on you ?
I think that says it all. Guys I don't think we can expect to have a choice in this matter, Kobo's policy seems to be about forcing changes on people and to hell with what we want or need. It's as if those in charge to decide what changes will be implemented and which won't be, are bureaucrats and not book lovers because if they don't understand that the most fundamental reason to read e-books instead of paper books is the choice one should have in on-screen options then one might as well read paper books where there is no option whatsoever and a printed page will remain so till the end of times or till it becomes dust.
So we can't get through to them and this is the end of this issue. I'll stay on 2.5.1 (at least I can do that much) and will wait for REAL 7" screens where 7" can be actually used for reading

Can you tell me who it was decided that the fundamental reason to read an ebook was the choice of screen options? Was that you, you who just prior to that statement was complaining about people with no understanding making decisions for others?

This whole subject has devolved to the point of hilarity. If losing a line or two of text is truly this upsetting to anyone, their problems aren't with Kobo.

Regarding the update itself, is it normal for one reader to update and not another? My Mini updated Thursday night or Friday morning. My Aura, however, hasn't received it yet. I'm comfortable with the fact it gets here when it gets here, I just thought it was odd one would receive it and not the other. Is this standard behavior?

[Ad2]

Originally Posted by booklover6

Preferences --> Plugins --> Device Interface plugins ---> Kobo ---> customize plugin. It's in that box.

Brilliant. Thanks muchly booklover6.

[samhy]

Originally Posted by John F

As for the comments "if you don't want the new functionality, don't upgrade the firmware", do you really think this is a viable alternative. I can see how this plays out...
[...]
Anyone want to do the Tier 2 support?

Originally Posted by BWinmill

Jane: Hi I'm having a problem with my reader.
[...]
Mark: *click*

Originally Posted by Quexos

*Click* as in they hung up on you ?
I think that says it all.
[...]
So we can't get through to them and this is the end of this issue. I'll stay on 2.5.1 (at least I can do that much) and will wait for REAL 7" screens where 7" can be actually used for reading

But, Quexos, that was just a joke, a make-believe phone call, nothing more than that. All right?

[Ad2]

For me, I would prefer having the option of no title on the screen - and ideally a small space at the top (maybe one line) and a small space on each side (maybe two characters in width).

An eReader to me is all about reading and the reading experience - this means the less page turns the better (which also lengthens battery life), no distracting info on the screen, and a small space around the text so it is not crammed up against the border/bezel. When I use an eReader I spend nearly all of the time reading - so actual reading is the most important aspect of an eReader. I only spend a small proportion of the time doing non-reading things such as going through the book library, changing font size, etc. So I can live with small niggles or bugs in other aspects but prefer the focus to be on making the reading as enjoyable an experience as possible.

[Little_bear]

Originally Posted by buffaloseven

Personally I enjoy the title bar. I agree with many saying the top and bottom bars could be a bit thinner, but I don't object to them existing.

I don't know if I can say that I enjoy it, but definitely it doesn't bother me. And now, if it is there anyway, I would prefer to have also the author's name listed near the title since I am very bad remembering names.

[booklover6]

I actually like the title on the top, even on the small screen of my mini. As I often read multiple books at a time, it helps to see what the heck I'm reading with a glance.

I do wish I could see "time left in chapter" with a glance instead of having to tap. But at least the pages left in the chapter gives me a good idea..

[John F]

Originally Posted by david_e

...
This whole subject has devolved to the point of hilarity. If losing a line or two of text is truly this upsetting to anyone, their problems aren't with Kobo.

...

I'm guessing it may be more than a line or two. In previous versions, I could get margins all the way down to zero, which would probably add another line. Plus, the font size selection isn't fine enough, so add another line. Plus the line spacing doesn't go low enough, so there is another couple of lines.

And hasn't the size of the bottom footer increased over time?

[Quexos]

I don't understand your attack, it seems to be lacking a point. Why do you care so much that there be no option to have a full screen text or not ?
Be happy with the available options if they content you, wish others that what they want is also implemented eventually and that will be a good start.
The fundamental difference between a paper book and an e-book is that the former has static never changing pages, the latter has dynamic, interactive options which is what electronics is mostly about for users.

Originally Posted by david_e

Can you tell me who it was decided that the fundamental reason to read an ebook was the choice of screen options? Was that you, you who just prior to that statement was complaining about people with no understanding making decisions for others?

It may be hilarious to you because you probably missed the point. It's not two lines and certainly not one it's at least 4 lines lost with top and bottom added. That's roughly the difference between a 6" and a 7" reader and so on but I've already elaborated on this so I'll call it a day.
Oh and your last line in my quote implying that this is not an issue with Kobo but that we are crazy is insulting and I resent it.

Originally Posted by david_e

This whole subject has devolved to the point of hilarity. If losing a line or two of text is truly this upsetting to anyone, their problems aren't with Kobo.

[Quexos]

Well that was not clearly implied. I took it for face value, silly me
Then I guess there is still hope for a future firmware, time will tell.

Edit: Also the fact remains that Kobo never implemented the bottom margin page count space as an option but as a forced element and for a long time. So I'll keep my hopes at bay concerning a change in this "imposed elements" policy.

Originally Posted by samhy

But, Quexos, that was just a joke, a make-believe phone call, nothing more than that. All right?

[volpo]

About the new firmware:

Title bar is something I could do without but it's an imperfect world. I tried it out on a Kepub and so MEH...I updated so I'd, at least, have the latest firmware. Yes it does shrink the screen maybe 1-2 lines.

I didn't like some new feature on a car I bought once. Still bought and used it.

KOBO, wants it so we get it. Next....

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by guma

You're perfectly right that this title bar issue should not be called a bug.
But neither should customer complains about a firmware change that affects the very core functionality of a device be called whinging.

I'm not sure if I agree that it is core functionality. Dropping support for cbr/cbz or dropping the ARM renderer for epubs so ADEPT DRMed epubs are no longer usable would be what I would consider core functionality. Losing 2 of the 5 lines I gained going to the Aura? An annoyance but not core functionality.

Regards,
David

Originally Posted by Quexos

I think that says it all. Guys I don't think we can expect to have a choice in this matter, Kobo's policy seems to be about forcing changes on people and to hell with what we want or need.

I wanted people to realize that Kobo probably doesn't want to listen to hysterical users, which is exactly what some people sound like.

But if you want to take away the forced changes message, I'd just like to point out that the decision was made long before Kobo was dreamt up. The decision was made when consumer electronics switched from masked ROMs to EEPROMs and flash memory. It is a design decision that allowed vendors to make changes after a product was produced. It was a design decision that allowed vendors to ship incomplete and buggy products with minimal fear of the consequences. It also bred an expectation for feature updates from consumers. If you don't believe that, just look at how enthusiastic people are to get iOS and Android updates. Or Kobo updates for that matter, until they discover their pet bug/feature hasn't been fixed.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by John F

I'm guessing it may be more than a line or two. In previous versions, I could get margins all the way down to zero, which would probably add another line. Plus, the font size selection isn't fine enough, so add another line. Plus the line spacing doesn't go low enough, so there is another couple of lines.

And hasn't the size of the bottom footer increased over time?

Hmmm... in epubs, I use 0 margins and text goes to within a millimeter of the screen edge. Font size? Yes, since the font size I use is one of the inbetween ones so I have to edit the configuration file to set it. Again, virtually all my ebooks have been edited to have a consistent start font size so font size changes between books are not needed. Line spacing? Again, set when editing the ebook. I like line-height: 1.1.

As for the size of the bottom bar, I actually measured it on a Glo around 2.1.5 -- why not use metal calipers on your plastic screen the little guy on my left shoulder muttered -- and just checked it on the Glo now and the height hasn't changed that I could notice.

Regards,
David

[Jaden]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Look at the number of messages whinging that the full screen sleep or power off image has a bar or slide on it. Do you ever wonder what type of person spends their time gazing adoringly at the sleep/power off screen on their ereader? Why not turn it on and read a few pages instead?

"Visual" people that like to look at something beautiful? Hope that helps.

I don't "whin(g)e" about it just because I said I don't like it. It's nothing I can't live with, but still I think it's anything but pretty.

Also I don't spend my time gazing adoringly at the sleep/power off screen. I'd rather read. But a pretty cover is a plus - if it wasn't, no publisher would spend any time to design something special. We'd all get black text on white for every book.

Originally Posted by gouni

Vote for the glo mini.

I want one as well. Aura to read at home, Glo Mini "to go".

Originally Posted by david_e

The very core functionality??? I think you stepped a little too far out on the ledge with that description.

And there I thought reading was the core functionalty of an ereader. Silly me.