More control over page settings

bob.f · 10-23-2025, 02:40 PM

I have a Libra 2 on which I usually read using KOReader. I appreciate the extra customisation that this brings in terms of page layout. I am wondering if I can get a similar scheme set up in the stock reader. I have downloaded and installed (I think) kobopatch, but have noticed no difference in behaviour.

Things that I'd like more control over are:

- reducing the top and bottom margins
- widow / orphan control

Essentially what I'm after is for each page of the ebook to take up all of the available space on the screen.

Update: Some books are worse offenders re margins than others. My CSS-fu is not up to figuring out why this is, but am open to suggestions.

Sirtel · 10-23-2025, 02:49 PM

There is a patch for both. Did you enable those patches?

bob.f · 10-23-2025, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

There is a patch for both. Did you enable those patches?

As I said, I installed kobopatch and...I didn't see any other instructions so probably not.

Sirtel · 10-23-2025, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob.f

As I said, I installed kobopatch and...I didn't see any other instructions so probably not.

The instructions are here:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...39&postcount=1

(those are for older firmware, but the process is the same).

Sirtel · 10-23-2025, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob.f

Update: Some books are worse offenders re margins than others. My CSS-fu is not up to figuring out why this is, but am open to suggestions.

Some books have margins specified in the css. There's no way to get rid of them besides editing every such book by hand, as mass deletion of any and all margins messes the formatting up in a major way.

And some books have widows/orphans set to 3 or even 4 in the css. Those can be deleted en masse with conversion.

bob.f · 10-23-2025, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

The instructions are here:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...39&postcount=1

(those are for older firmware, but the process is the same).

Thanks! Looks like I kind of missed a step or six.

<Reads steps>

OK, so that's more work than I was hoping for

I notice that Patch.zip does not contain a file corresponding to my firmware level. Is that game over do you think?

bob.f · 10-23-2025, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Some books have margins specified in the css. There's no way to get rid of them besides editing every such book by hand, as mass deletion of any and all margins messes the formatting up in a major way.

And some books have widows/orphans set to 3 or even 4 in the css. Those can be deleted en masse with conversion.

Thanks again. I might look into the CSS route as kobopatch looks kind of scary

Sirtel · 10-23-2025, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob.f

Thanks! Looks like I kind of missed a step or six.

<Reads steps>

OK, so that's more work than I was hoping for

I notice that Patch.zip does not contain a file corresponding to my firmware level. Is that game over do you think?

No, there are patches for newer firmware versions as well. What firmware do you have on your Libra?

Sirtel · 10-23-2025, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob.f

Thanks again. I might look into the CSS route as kobopatch looks kind of scary

There's nothing to fear. The worst that can happen is patches not working. It won't brick your Kobo.

bob.f · 10-23-2025, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

No, there are patches for newer firmware versions as well. What firmware do you have on your Libra?

4.38.23171

Aleron Ives · 10-23-2025, 05:13 PM

Continuing to use KOReader is a simpler and less tedious way to get what you want: it's a lot less work to let KOReader override the CSS in each book with your preferred styles than it is to edit every book you buy to remove the styles you don't like. Even if you patch your firmware, you'll still need to edit all your books to achieve the same results with Nickel.

Sirtel · 10-23-2025, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob.f

4.38.23171

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=366569

bob.f · 10-23-2025, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=366569

Many thanks.

JSWolf · 10-25-2025, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob.f

4.38.23171

If you want to upgrade to 4.38.23429 there are patches for that firmware as well at https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=370434

10-23-2025, 02:40 PM	#1
bob.f Connoisseur Posts: 87 Karma: 99068 Join Date: Nov 2017 Device: N/A	More control over page settings I have a Libra 2 on which I usually read using KOReader. I appreciate the extra customisation that this brings in terms of page layout. I am wondering if I can get a similar scheme set up in the stock reader. I have downloaded and installed (I think) kobopatch, but have noticed no difference in behaviour. Things that I'd like more control over are: - reducing the top and bottom margins - widow / orphan control Essentially what I'm after is for each page of the ebook to take up all of the available space on the screen. Update: Some books are worse offenders re margins than others. My CSS-fu is not up to figuring out why this is, but am open to suggestions. Last edited by bob.f; 10-23-2025 at 02:53 PM.

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10-23-2025, 02:49 PM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 14,002 Karma: 243829945 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	There is a patch for both. Did you enable those patches?

10-23-2025, 05:13 PM	#11
Aleron Ives Wizard Posts: 1,779 Karma: 16319690 Join Date: Sep 2022 Device: Kobo Libra 2	Continuing to use KOReader is a simpler and less tedious way to get what you want: it's a lot less work to let KOReader override the CSS in each book with your preferred styles than it is to edit every book you buy to remove the styles you don't like. Even if you patch your firmware, you'll still need to edit all your books to achieve the same results with Nickel.