PDF reader compatible with eInk?

[rfog]

Hello all!

I'm looking for a PDF reader that:

A) Write annotations inside PDF in standard PDF annotation format.
B) Compatible with eInk without screen flickering, scrolls...
C) Any way to sync across Dropbox (it must read/write direct into Dropbox or I can use FolderSync to sync my changes).

I've tried (and blocking problem, "scroll" means that is not possible to make page change without flickering/slow scroll, "tap" means is not possible to advance page with a "tap"):
-Stock Neo Reader 3: Once a PDF is open, it uses its internal cache and is not aware if PDF is modified externally (via FolderSync, for example), even if you close it and reopen.
-MoonReader+: does not annotates inside PDF.
-FoxitReader: scroll, tap, saves every time after opening a PDF even if you haven't modified it, and takes a lot of time to save it.
-Adobe: scroll, tap
-PDF Reader (from PSPDFkit): scroll, tap
-KOReader: extremely buggy, autisms, crashes (so buggy I've not had time to check if it annotates into standard annotation PDF way)
-FBReader: does not annotate, does not have list of annotations

Are someone using a PDF viewer with annotations that will be able to work smoothly with an eIkn device and have the things I want?

Thanks in advance.

[Markismus]

It’s odd. I had some issues with Koreader at the beginning, too. I think it was the version Onyx shipped. However, you can download a current version from their GitHub page. I’ve had no problems with Koreader on my Note Pro with firmware 2.3.1 since.

It’s superior in dictionary support, but you can’t scribble, though. It sees the scribbles drawn in Neoreader and you can write annotations. However, the keyboard in Neoreader can use whatever you install, while Koreader’s remains basic.

At the moment I use Neoreader for study material and Koreader for reading.

[rfog]

Originally Posted by Markismus

It’s odd. I had some issues with Koreader at the beginning, too. I think it was the version Onyx shipped. However, you can download a current version from their GitHub page. I’ve had no problems with Koreader on my Note Pro with firmware 2.3.1 since.

It’s superior in dictionary support, but you can’t scribble, though. It sees the scribbles drawn in Neoreader and you can write annotations. However, the keyboard in Neoreader can use whatever you install, while Koreader’s remains basic.

At the moment I use Neoreader for study material and Koreader for reading.

I tested a 2020 July version and worked horrible in my Nova 2. I got some fighting discussion with a Koreader developer about software quality and stopped using it. I think in one month they haven't made it work in my Nova 2 (BTW, in my Galaxy Tab S6 didn't worked very well as well).

I prefer to pay and have a product of quality.

[Markismus]

Ah, yes fighting discussions...you're one of those. Succes in your endeavors.

[Ken Maltby]

"Them be fighting words!" Anyone who thinks a back and forth discussion on the Internet = a fight, needs to get out more.

I sure am liking KOReader on my new Onyx Boox Note 2. I have had no problems with it at all, and I was quite leery of trying an Onyx device.

Luck;
Ken

[rfog]

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

"Them be fighting words!" Anyone who thinks a back and forth discussion on the Internet = a fight, needs to get out more.

I sure am liking KOReader on my new Onyx Boox Note 2. I have had no problems with it at all, and I was quite leery of trying an Onyx device.

Luck;
Ken

Sorry, my poor English. Discussion. Cross of words (without handkerchief-on-face ).

I was very leery to try an Onyx as well after being used the original one (that with the "round 4-way central button" one), but both Poke 2 and Nova 2 are very reliable, despite the fact the hyphen issue with NeoReader.

What I want to do here is go beyond original device intentions.

[Markismus]

About those hypen. I found a directory /system/usr/hyphen-data with tex like hyphen files in it. I will try and test with a Dutch pattern whether it impacts Neoreader.

[rfog]

Originally Posted by Markismus

About those hypen. I found a directory /system/usr/hyphen-data with tex like hyphen files in it. I will try and test with a Dutch pattern whether it impacts Neoreader.

Do you have it rooted? I haven't tried yet access to that folder, but solution could be the same as I did some years ago for Boox when they had a SDK: replace the hyphenation file (I think was Russian) by the one wanted, EN or perhaps ES in my case (I don't mind read English with Spanish hyphenation, other way is a nightmare to me).

[Markismus]

I looked somewhat further into it. As I couldn’t find any Dutch hyphenation files in the utf8-hyphen package, I searched for a reason. The reason seems to be that it uses a general rules package with language specific deviation files.
So just adding Dutch isn’t an option within that package.

I’ve rooted the Note Pro via the dirty cow exploit. However, ypu’re still limited by the SELinux context. Kingroot 5.0.4, IIRC, rooted it and says it is able to give apps root permission. However, I haven’t checked whether this circumvents the context limitation.

I think that the best option is to turn hyphenation off in Neoreader. Introduce a custom default css file with extra options such as no hyphenation in paragraphs.

[rfog]

Originally Posted by Markismus

I think that the best option is to turn hyphenation off in Neoreader. Introduce a custom default css file with extra options such as no hyphenation in paragraphs.

Can that be done without rooting it? If yes, do you know the folder were to put it?

[Markismus]

I found the installation apk of Neoreader somewhere*, so the straightforward approach would be to alter the package and install it. Still, I do not know how Neoreader handles it’s default styles. I still need to spend some time with it.

___________
*The location is /system/app/kreader2-release. When I try to install it in Total Commander, I get the message:

This package is already installed!
Package name: NeoReader V3.0
...

[Markismus]

Opening the file as a zip-file allows to browse through the content. In the directory assets there is a file Dutch.pattern, which does contain correct hyphenation patterns!

So the question changes to: Why doesn’t Neoreader use it for Dutch books. How does it determine the language of a book? (Not by changing the system language; I tried that, already.)

Another file is onyxdict.css, which is used in onyxdict.html. That html-file also calls onyxdict.js. I think that could be the prime location to hack the dictionary styling! The js-file already has a function addCSSRule.

[rfog]

Originally Posted by Markismus

I found the installation apk of Neoreader somewhere*, so the straightforward approach would be to alter the package and install it. Still, I do not know how Neoreader handles it’s default styles. I still need to spend some time with it.

___________
*The location is /system/app/kreader2-release. When I try to install it in Total Commander, I get the message:

This package is already installed!
Package name: NeoReader V3.0
...

I think that happens when the installing version has lower version than installed one.

I'm not used in Android stuff, but there should be a "force" option (perhaps via ADB) or a way to remove currently installed version before install the other.

What makes me angry, as you've commented, is why NeoReader don't uses the right hyphenation file but it has it... Version 1 was based in crengine, and I was able to modify it to accept a specific hyphen file...

However, I don't have time (and will) to start digging into this. I want to use it to read, not to homebrew...

[rfog]

Originally Posted by Markismus

So the question changes to: Why doesn’t Neoreader use it for Dutch books. How does it determine the language of a book? (Not by changing the system language; I tried that, already.)

A compliant ePub reader uses the ebook metadata to use the right dicctionary and hyphen rules, almost all do that incluiding open source ones like fbreader and crengine...

As said, I wonder why they don't do it.