Hacks Alternate Kindle 2 Font Hack

daffy4u · 04-26-2009, 08:20 PM

This Crunchgear article showed up in my Google Reader. It leads to a Kindleboards thread which leads to another font hack for Kindle 2.

It seems to follow the same track as the one from BlogKindle except, one of the fonts that comes with the Kindle 2 has been modified to be bolder.

Quote:

When it's all done, the new font will supercede the originally installed reading font.

I have only modified the default serif fonts. The other fonts should remain the standard Kindle 2 fonts.

There are several other fonts available with corresponding bin files.

I like the looks of most popular one "Bold Narrow Native". I haven't tried either of the font hacks yet but I will at some point.

Madam Broshkina · 04-26-2009, 09:02 PM

I just installed the "Bold Narrow Native" Font. It makes a big difference.

wallcraft · 04-26-2009, 09:36 PM

The associated write up on the Kindle Optimizer is also interesting. It suggests using a black skin as well as a modified font, and also confirms the difference in screen quality between units (which has come up in other threads).

TallMomof2 · 04-26-2009, 10:06 PM

I just installed the Arial Round Narrow and it is a vast improvement.

daffy4u · 04-26-2009, 11:07 PM

I installed the "Bold Narrow Native" and it is definitely darker but I find that I prefer the original font (that surprised me). I temporarily have 2 K2s with me and can compare them side by side using the Jeff Bezos Welcome Letter and the original looks better to my eye.

I'm including a scan comparing the two. The White K2 shows the original font, the skinned shows the hacked font (big file).

JoeC · 04-26-2009, 11:54 PM

Thanks for the great post! I'm using the tall font and really like it. I have two Kindle 2s side by side. The owner of the other Kindle prefers the original font (we are agreeing to disagree <g>).

sirbruce · 04-27-2009, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

I installed the "Bold Narrow Native" and it is definitely darker but I find that I prefer the original font (that surprised me). I temporarily have 2 K2s with me and can compare them side by side using the Jeff Bezos Welcome Letter and the original looks better to my eye.

I'm including a scan comparing the two. The White K2 shows the original font, the skinned shows the hacked font (big file).

The second is using a larger font size anyway, which is why it looks slightly darker. The two are not compareable.

daffy4u · 04-27-2009, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirbruce

The second is using a larger font size anyway, which is why it looks slightly darker. The two are not compareable.

They are the same size but I do know the spacing on mine is different, I forgot to change it (the skinned version).

You're welcome to do your own comparison and post pictures.

Edit: Notice that the location numbers are the same. When I change the font size on one the location number range changes.

sirbruce · 04-27-2009, 01:21 AM

The line spacing could change the location numbers as well. And the file is too small for the location numbers to be very precise. But I do agree on further viewing that it's the line spacing that's different.

AnemicOak · 04-27-2009, 11:07 AM

Well, I tried a couple different fonts even though I have no problem with the default. I think I'll stick with the default font, but it's great that it's so easy for those that want to change to do so.

JoeC · 04-27-2009, 11:29 AM

Wouldn't it be great if Amazon baked this into the Kindle software?

AnemicOak · 04-27-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeC

Wouldn't it be great if Amazon baked this into the Kindle software?

Yes it would be.

JoeC · 04-27-2009, 11:47 AM

Yes, I meant give people a choice. Changing font size is nice but this would go a step further.

Jill75 · 04-27-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirbruce

The second is using a larger font size anyway, which is why it looks slightly darker. The two are not compareable.

I would agree. You can see the difference in the number of lines that is displayed per page in the screen.

I installed the "Bold Narrow Native" also and liked the darkness that contrast the background and since Im near sighted, its better for me than the original font.

daffy4u · 04-27-2009, 12:51 PM

nevermind

04-26-2009, 11:07 PM	#5
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	I installed the "Bold Narrow Native" and it is definitely darker but I find that I prefer the original font (that surprised me). I temporarily have 2 K2s with me and can compare them side by side using the Jeff Bezos Welcome Letter and the original looks better to my eye. I'm including a scan comparing the two. The White K2 shows the original font, the skinned shows the hacked font (big file). Attached Thumbnails

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04-26-2009, 09:02 PM	#2
Madam Broshkina Manic Do Fuse Posts: 2,312 Karma: 3325462 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Sony 500, 505, 350, Kindle 3, DXG, nook, Irex DR800SG, iPad	I just installed the "Bold Narrow Native" Font. It makes a big difference.

04-26-2009, 09:36 PM	#3
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	The associated write up on the Kindle Optimizer is also interesting. It suggests using a black skin as well as a modified font, and also confirms the difference in screen quality between units (which has come up in other threads).

04-26-2009, 10:06 PM	#4
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	I just installed the Arial Round Narrow and it is a vast improvement.

04-26-2009, 11:54 PM	#6
JoeC Evangelist Posts: 407 Karma: 2257942 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Kindle Oasis 2 and 3, Scribe, reMarkable Pro	Thanks for the great post! I'm using the tall font and really like it. I have two Kindle 2s side by side. The owner of the other Kindle prefers the original font (we are agreeing to disagree <g>).

04-27-2009, 01:21 AM	#9
sirbruce Provocateur Posts: 1,859 Karma: 505847 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Columbus, OH Device: Kindle Touch, Kindle 2, Kindle DX, iPhone 3GS	The line spacing could change the location numbers as well. And the file is too small for the location numbers to be very precise. But I do agree on further viewing that it's the line spacing that's different.

04-27-2009, 11:07 AM	#10
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Well, I tried a couple different fonts even though I have no problem with the default. I think I'll stick with the default font, but it's great that it's so easy for those that want to change to do so.

04-27-2009, 11:29 AM	#11
JoeC Evangelist Posts: 407 Karma: 2257942 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Kindle Oasis 2 and 3, Scribe, reMarkable Pro	Wouldn't it be great if Amazon baked this into the Kindle software?

04-27-2009, 11:47 AM	#13
JoeC Evangelist Posts: 407 Karma: 2257942 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Kindle Oasis 2 and 3, Scribe, reMarkable Pro	Yes, I meant give people a choice. Changing font size is nice but this would go a step further.

04-27-2009, 12:51 PM	#15
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	nevermind