kepub vs epub render engines

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

% doesn't work. 50% of a book with 300,000 words is not the same as a 125,000 word book.

It tells you how far you've got. All books OUGHT to have the approximate number of words excluding Front matter, TOC and End Matter at the start where the copyright/author / publish data is.

The % or progress bar works for me.

Printed books only have page number (not x of y) and the progress is obvious. I'd only use the page number on a printed book with an index, so for a novel it simply lets me know two leaves aren't stuck together or a leaf or two hasn't fallen out.

[hobnail]

Originally Posted by Quoth

The % or progress bar works for me.

Printed books only have page number (not x of y) and the progress is obvious. I'd only use the page number on a printed book with an index, so for a novel it simply lets me know two leaves aren't stuck together or a leaf or two hasn't fallen out.

For a while I had my Kobo set for only the progress bar but I prefer having the percentage as well as the progress bar. If I can have it only display the percentage (or time remaining) I'll try that.

As you say, the progress in a printed book is obvious, it's simply from the thickness of how many pages you've read versus how many remain. Time remaining for the book I also like; I switched to it last night when I was close to the end of a book.

For an ebook novel I find page numbers completely useless compared to percentage read or time left. Page 184 of 554 doesn't tell me as much as 30% does.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by hobnail

As you say, the progress in a printed book is obvious, it's simply from the thickness of how many pages you've read versus how many remain. Time remaining for the book I also like; I switched to it last night when I was close to the end of a book.

For an ebook novel I find page numbers completely useless compared to percentage read or time left. Page 184 of 554 doesn't tell me as much as 30% does.

I really don't get the fixation on having "real" page numbers on devices with no pages, so share your view. I do wish that the progress bar and percentage count did not include appendices etc.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

I really don't get the fixation on having "real" page numbers on devices with no pages, so share your view. I do wish that the progress bar and percentage count did not include appendices etc.

What's to get? I want to know how long the book is I'm going to read, whether it's the equivalent of a 200 pages shortie or a 1000-pages doorstopper. Neither the percentage nor the progress bar will tell me that. And the kepub page numbers won't either, because they're not constant and depend on things like font, font size and line spacing.

I don't need to keep the page number in my sight constantly. On my Libra I only have the progress bar active. But I can look at the page numbers when I want to do so, and occasionally I do.

[hobnail]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

I really don't get the fixation on having "real" page numbers on devices with no pages, so share your view. I do wish that the progress bar and percentage count did not include appendices etc.

Reminds me of this book I read several years ago. I didn't glance at the table of contents or anything and just started reading it and then at about 3/4s of the way through it ended, surprising me; the remaining was his references/bibliography.

https://www.amazon.com/World-Arms-Gl.../dp/0521618266

[Ripplinger]

Originally Posted by hobnail

For an ebook novel I find page numbers completely useless compared to percentage read or time left. Page 184 of 554 doesn't tell me as much as 30% does.

And for me, I find the percentage completely useless. You don't know if you're 30% through 500 pages or 50 pages.

Originally Posted by Sirtel

What's to get? I want to know how long the book is I'm going to read, whether it's the equivalent of a 200 pages shortie or a 1000-pages doorstopper. Neither the percentage nor the progress bar will tell me that. And the kepub page numbers won't either, because they're not constant and depend on things like font, font size and line spacing.

This covers me as well. But I prefer seeing the page numbers and shown as 245 / 546 for example.

There is no wrong way, use whatever method you prefer. I'm just very thankful that with Kobo readers we have the ability to make the choices we want to see on the page, thanks to our dedicated readers here who keep us supplied with patches every firmware.

[RobertJSawyer]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

I really don't get the fixation on having "real" page numbers on devices with no pages, so share your view. I do wish that the progress bar and percentage count did not include appendices etc.

Academics want this; they have to cite precise locations.

Book clubs find this helpful, too -- "okay, look at what this guy did on page 96!."

Yes, they are fairly useless for books read by a single user in isolation without needing to ever cite a passage -- but there are many ways to use and enjoy a book.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by RobertJSawyer

Yes, they are fairly useless for books read by a single user in isolation without needing to ever cite a passage -- but there are many ways to use and enjoy a book.

I have to disagree. I find that ADE page numbers gives ne a reference on how large the eBook is. So as an individual, page number the way ADE does it works for me. ADE page number are based on 1024 bytes of compressed text is one page. KePub pages are worthless as they are one screen equals one page. Tat doesn't give me an indication of how large the book is as I can change the font size (which I do sometimes) and the page numbers then are all different and thus useless.

[stumped]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I have to disagree. I find that ADE page numbers gives ne a reference on how large the eBook is. So as an individual, page number the way ADE does it works for me. ADE page number are based on 1024 bytes of compressed text is one page. KePub pages are worthless as they are one screen equals one page. Tat doesn't give me an indication of how large the book is as I can change the font size (which I do sometimes) and the page numbers then are all different and thus useless.

I compromise: I see the ADE page numbers displayed in calibre library ( via the count pages plug in) so that I know how big a book is before i transfer it to Kobo. I then have no need so see silly little ADE numbers appearing on the right side of my reader screens.

I like the kepub numbers, I always read at the same font size etc setting so I have a pretty good idea of now long it takes to read say 50 kepub "pages" on my device settings
( also, its roughly double the ADE value on my device settings, which is easy to remember - a 250 ADE page book is about 500 kepub pages

[NiLuJe]

@stumped: This. <3. Plus a quick peek once in a while at the 'time left to read' features in one shape or form if I'm on a clock. Otherwise, full-screen, no distraction.

[stumped]

time left in chapter & such like don't work for me because I abuse the algorithms by skip scanning boring sections.
pages left in chapter , however defined & calculated, is great. it helps decide whether to stop reading at sleep time or go for "just one more" chapter.
I aim to complete a chapter, then I will turn one page more just to see how long the next one is, before bookmarking and closing.

[Sirtel]

Time left to read doesn't work for me either, because my reading speed is exceedingly uneven and I often stop for a few minutes - to pet a cat, go get someting from the kitchen, look out the window, drink, eat, whatever.

As to any chapter progress, I couldn't care less. I've never felt any obligation to finish a chapter. I usually stop in the middle of the page and pick up from there the next day.

[rantanplan]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

As to any chapter progress, I couldn't care less. I've never felt any obligation to finish a chapter. I usually stop in the middle of the page and pick up from there the next day.

OMG!
I couldn't do that! I need to reach a section where there's a clear structural break in the story, otherwise I can't stop.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by rantanplan

OMG!
I couldn't do that! I need to reach a section where there's a clear structural break in the story, otherwise I can't stop.

Well, everyone is different. I've read about George Sand that she was a very disciplined writer and worked a fixed amount of hours every day, writing novels. And whenever she finished a novel and there was an hour left, she immediately started writing a new novel, so that the remaining hour wouldn't go to waste.

[geek1011]

Originally Posted by stumped

( also, its roughly double the ADE value on my device settings, which is easy to remember - a 250 ADE page book is about 500 kepub pages

^ same for me (it's exactly double, +/- 5 pages).