Calibre e-reader operating system

[ohIdon'tknow]

Originally Posted by fabricalado

I don't disagree with this idea, especially considering some countries don't even have access to Kobo devices (Brazil, where I'm from, only had the mini for sale, and I think no Kobo at all anymore), but calibre OS sounds like it'd overlap with already existing solutions like KOReader (they're not the same, of course, but for practical purposes, i.e. reading, they'd overlap if we had cOS?).

Again, I'm not against the idea, but it sounds a bit like using a bazooka to kill a mosquito.

Koreader is really interesting project. Though probably not for everyone. I suspect most people would prefer something pre-installed plug-and-play. Not just because of the technical hurdles but also the risk and fear of bricking an expensive device. If Koreader had a little more visual polish and you could buy it pre-installed on an open e-reader then maybe there'd be no need for a calibre OS.

[fabricalado]

Yeah, KOReader isn't superintuitive. Not blaming the developer at all; I much prefer the ability to, say, add new fonts over being stuck with whatever someone else decided I can use.

It's like in the retrogaming handheld world, where you can go with something like Retroarch - which you can adjust to be as plug and play as can be, and it'll still require some basic knowledge - or you can get an Android handheld and just play your games from Play Pass or whatever in case you don't feel like figuring what does what.

For me, tinkering with these things is fun, but I suspect most people just prefer the plug and play aspect of it.

Also: @ohIdon'tknow how tech-savvy are you? Ever thought of taking this KOReader port project yourself?

[ohIdon'tknow]

Originally Posted by fabricalado

Also: @ohIdon'tknow how tech-savvy are you? Ever thought of taking this KOReader port project yourself?

I am very much an end-user. My day job is artist / sculptor. I like messing about with this kind of stuff but my technical knowledge doesn't extend much beyond a few basic terminal commands. If I have anything to add it's as a big picture outsider asking if this is a sensible direction for our collective future.

[BetterRed]

It's noteworthy that Kovid Goyal has not posted a reply, which would be the only one that counts. See his recent reply to a similar suggestion in a Related tools thread ==>> https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...96&postcount=5

BR

[jgneff]

Originally Posted by rantanplan

Are you sure about that? Because I cannot find the source code for the e-readers.

The Kobo user interface code is proprietary, but a lot of the code below that, including the Linux kernel, is available under an open source license (as required by its original license).

See: https://github.com/kobolabs/Kobo-Reader

[jtmart]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

It's noteworthy that Kovid Goyal has not posted a reply, which would be the only one that counts. See his recent reply to a similar suggestion in a Related tools thread ==>> https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...96&postcount=5

BR

Unless users want to allocate resources to setup a Calibre Server on an actual server *and manage it*—I do and it's very annoying—they need to carry around two devices at all times, one for resource management (i.e. with your Calibre library on it) and another for actual reading comfortably/actively/purposely (possibly on a device with an e-ink screen).

The workflow tends to be (too?) tedious for the layman: 1. Import and curate metadata of an entry in Calibre on a full-fledged PC/laptop. 2. Transfer the file to the e-reader or start a Calibre instance server. 3. Read on the e-ink device (and transfer back the annotated document if needed).

An Android/Linux companion app to a cloud-synced Calibre library (the closest thing to a Calibre OS) removes the need to roam around with two devices and eradicates step two: the app acts like a Kindle Store but with your own books forming your own library. This is why this community exists in the first place.

Unfortunately, wider adoption requires something with such low-level friction, which is why app development on Android and iOS is so popular despite third-party's tight grip. With the slow death of Calibre companion apps such as the unmaintained Calibre Sync (which breaks in Calibre 9.x), there is sustained desire for something resembling a Calibre OS...which will probably never concretize.

[jtmart]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

It's noteworthy that Kovid Goyal has not posted a reply, which would be the only one that counts. See his recent reply to a similar suggestion in a Related tools thread ==>> https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...96&postcount=5

BR

I was mainly reacting to this statement by Kovid Goyal: "It* obviously has the limitation of needing to keep a calibre server running."

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*The choice of not opting for an in-built mobile based Calibre integration