Using the DR for academic research

Grimulkan · 05-30-2009, 02:49 AM

Earlier, I posted a review on using the DR in academia. I'm linking to that post here for posterity because it will probably get buried in that thread. Also, here is a video showing the stylus response rates. I wanted to post this because while I find the stylus invaluable and the lag time perfectly acceptable, not everyone appears to be happy with the response time eink offers. Hopefully, this well let the curious judge for themselves.

Edit: By the way, this is the professional stylus at work. It is much more comfortable to hold than the default stylus that comes with the DR, and has an eraser and extra button (that are not yet used by the DR) for possible function expansion. The advanced stylus should be just as comfortable, but I haven't tried it. US/Canadian customers can get them here.

If the youtube link does not work, you can download the video.

AFAIK, the DR is the only eink reader among those currently in the market or announced to appear this/next year that supports writing on an eink screen (edit: not true, see below), so this is probably as good as its going to get.

Update: Muhuhahahahahaha.

myprecious · 05-30-2009, 07:48 AM

Nice gloves

mjh215 · 05-30-2009, 08:14 AM

Nice video, shows the responsiveness well. Also, it surprised me to learn that Darth Vader had an ebook device. Makes me wonder what ebooks he has on there.

-MJ (I always suspected Lord Palpatine was behind DRM)

Grimulkan · 05-30-2009, 08:28 AM

Don't be too proud of this technological ereader you've constructed, the ability to steal books is insignificant next to the power of DRM. I find your lack of faith disturbing, perhaps I can find new ways to motivate you.

wallcraft · 05-30-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimulkan

AFAIK, the DR is the only eink reader among those currently in the market or announced to appear this/next year that supports writing on an eink screen, so this is probably as good as its going to get.

The Plastic Logic is the nearest announced competitor to the DR1000S, and it is due January 2010. See Gizmodo: Plastic Logic Hands On, which seems to be showing more lag.

Grimulkan · 05-30-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallcraft

The Plastic Logic is the nearest announced competitor to the DR1000S, and it is due January 2010. See Gizmodo: Plastic Logic Hands On, which seems to be showing more lag.

Interesting. So the Plastic Logic does have a scribbleh feature

Maybe they'll fix the refresh in software. For some crazy reason, every few points (or seconds), the PL reader looks like its doing a full screen partial refresh (1 or 2 bit refresh), instead of the local refresh. The 10.7'' screen will really kick some iRex butt when it comes out.

The only bummer is if the device is slower than the DR due to clunky software, which can easily be possible.

Grimulkan · 05-30-2009, 11:02 AM

You know, the PL software is probably only in its alpha phase anyway. Wasn't the DR also horrible for scribbling when it was released? Unlike iRex, these guys may fix that before the release date, if they ever release it that is.

tjdean256 · 05-30-2009, 12:00 PM

The Plastic Logic device uses windows CE that is hidden from the user by the user shell. That should give some idea of its potential and obstacles.

td

HarryT · 05-30-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjdean256

The Plastic Logic device uses windows CE that is hidden from the user by the user shell. That should give some idea of its potential and obstacles.

td

Interesting - IF they provide a method for the user to install applications (which they may not, of course) that would provide a nice repository of ready-made applications for the device.

tjdean256 · 05-30-2009, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Interesting - IF they provide a method for the user to install applications (which they may not, of course) that would provide a nice repository of ready-made applications for the device.

One of the problems with window mobile which is a descendant of CE is that the applications are processor specific. Part of PL's development time may be involved in porting the windows mobile suite to their processor. What other apps get ported will obviously depend on its popularity.

td

Grimulkan · 06-01-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjdean256

One of the problems with window mobile which is a descendant of CE is that the applications are processor specific. Part of PL's development time may be involved in porting the windows mobile suite to their processor. What other apps get ported will obviously depend on its popularity.

td

They may also use a custom shell that prevents users from running their own apps anyway, which is very likely. The current software looks it needs some work in optimizing the display for the eink screen. Its not just the scribble response, the entire GUI seems a bit slow right now, even though I'm sure the demonstrator knew what to click, and more importantly, what not to. For instance, he's moving his fingers slower than the average note-taking speed while scribbling, and it still shows some lag. Of course, they have plenty of time to fix things.

PhishStyx · 06-01-2009, 08:50 PM

Grim, your video is highly accurate to my experience with the DR although I don't normally wear gloves while using it. Thanks for posting your video, great to see.

Grimulkan · 06-01-2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhishStyx

[...] although I don't normally wear gloves while using it.

That is because you are not the Dark Lord of the Sith.

PhishStyx · 06-02-2009, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimulkan

That is because you are not the Dark Lord of the Sith.

True, I'm much more evil than that.

cbell · 06-02-2009, 05:58 AM

Great video, Grimulkan! I see you're availing yourself of one of the many benefits of being among the most advanced humans - left-handedness. We don't see any writing lag anyway, as we don't need to see our writing as we write. In fact, many of us can't see it.

I don't know what compels people to draw smiley faces... people draw them on my iLiad all the time. I have to draw smileys, too - I can't help myself

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48051

I'll draw hair on my smiley next time, too...

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Best for academic pdfs?	cate	Which one should I buy?	6	06-11-2010 05:13 AM
For academic purposes	jee	Which one should I buy?	2	05-18-2010 09:41 AM
academic ereading	carminis	Which one should I buy?	29	04-23-2010 12:12 PM
Academic needs advice	yehudin	Which one should I buy?	4	02-06-2009 06:55 AM
Academic .pdfs	Pets0undz	Sony Reader	8	04-26-2007 08:40 AM

05-30-2009, 07:48 AM	#2
myprecious Zealot Posts: 100 Karma: 28 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Nowy Targ, Poland Device: DR1000S	Nice gloves

05-30-2009, 08:14 AM	#3
mjh215 Guru Posts: 988 Karma: 12653 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: None of your business	Nice video, shows the responsiveness well. Also, it surprised me to learn that Darth Vader had an ebook device. Makes me wonder what ebooks he has on there. -MJ (I always suspected Lord Palpatine was behind DRM)

05-30-2009, 08:28 AM	#4
Grimulkan Lord Posts: 177 Karma: 328 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Q1 (on way out), PRS505, DR1000S (dead :<), TC1100 (10'' perfection!)	Don't be too proud of this technological ereader you've constructed, the ability to steal books is insignificant next to the power of DRM. I find your lack of faith disturbing, perhaps I can find new ways to motivate you.

05-30-2009, 11:02 AM	#7
Grimulkan Lord Posts: 177 Karma: 328 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Q1 (on way out), PRS505, DR1000S (dead :<), TC1100 (10'' perfection!)	You know, the PL software is probably only in its alpha phase anyway. Wasn't the DR also horrible for scribbling when it was released? Unlike iRex, these guys may fix that before the release date, if they ever release it that is.

05-30-2009, 12:00 PM	#8
tjdean256 Zealot Posts: 138 Karma: 70 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisiana Device: irex dr1000s; Pocket edge	The Plastic Logic device uses windows CE that is hidden from the user by the user shell. That should give some idea of its potential and obstacles. td

06-01-2009, 08:50 PM	#12
PhishStyx The me that I am Posts: 413 Karma: 1078 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: In my house! Duh! Device: Kindle 1 & DR 1000s	Grim, your video is highly accurate to my experience with the DR although I don't normally wear gloves while using it. Thanks for posting your video, great to see.

06-02-2009, 05:58 AM	#15
cbell Frenetic Posts: 590 Karma: 8181 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia Device: iLiad V2	Great video, Grimulkan! I see you're availing yourself of one of the many benefits of being among the most advanced humans - left-handedness. We don't see any writing lag anyway, as we don't need to see our writing as we write. In fact, many of us can't see it. I don't know what compels people to draw smiley faces... people draw them on my iLiad all the time. I have to draw smileys, too - I can't help myself https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48051 I'll draw hair on my smiley next time, too...