Dual firmware announcement

[kacir]

Originally Posted by Hobohodou

Did you coldboot the device, if not, please remove your battery and repost your results !

I switched it off the only way it can be switched off. It can last for more than 3 weeks in this state.
The only ways to cold boot the device are:
- removing the battery (which I am not going to do ;-) )
- resetting it by pressing the reset button at the back with a sharp object
- letting the battery drain completely (and even then it usually just displays the "low battery" icon and refuses to react to button presses until you connect the charger. After connecting the charger the icon disappears and you carry on reading while reader is being charged.)

Next time I see my PRS-500 booting I try to time the boot and post the results. But do not hold your breath, it might take quite a few months (of daily use) until I experience another cold boot.

[ProfJulie]

Originally Posted by Hobohodou

FOR THE VERY BOTTOM OF MY POST
people have said i've been a bit harsh with you, but hell, you were MORE than extremely harsh with bookeen, stating that their devices are defect/defective, you know, that's the kind of bad publicity people don't need to give for a small issue, i work in an electronics or phone store, praise the positives, everything will have a negative, if you keep showing people the negatives, well, they'll never buy it for example:
When selling a blackberry, you do not say to the customer - oh but it takes FOREVER to start up, it's SO~~ inconvenient, Man, if only you had a nokia 5310 ! that thing'd start up in under 30 seconds man !!!

In fact, if anyone uses that technique to sell it or a nokia 5310 in store, i'll reccomend to my manager that they need to be promoted...On the other hand, as much as i may personally dislike blackberries, hell, they take a while to start up but the battery life is awesome !

And apologies for being harsh I guess, cause i'm not a total B*******

Well, see here's the deal, we aren't trying to sell any Bookeen products. We are unhappy customers. If potential Bookeen customers see this post, I hope to high heaven they reconsider their choice.

And what may be a small issue to you can be a larger issue to someone else. I bought the Cybook mostly to read books, but I also expected to be able to read PDF files on it. After multiple lockups and after wasting way too much time trying to work it out on my own, I gave up. As far as I'm concerned the Cybook does not handle PDF files and that's a big deal to me.

If this were a Bookeen forum, and we were Bookeen employees, then I'd agree with you, but I am a customer and I don't care about any Sales jargon or BS. What makes me mad is Bookeen promised some things to me as a customer, and they haven't delivered. They shared an update to those souls who were fortunate enough to attend a meetup in July, with a promise that it would be available to everyone else "soon." That was over 3 months ago...As a salesperson, do you agree with that sales strategy? Probably not...if you and your store handled your customers in that way, you wouldn't be open for very long, now would you?

[Hobohodou]

Originally Posted by ProfJulie

And what may be a small issue to you can be a larger issue to someone else. I bought the Cybook mostly to read books, but I also expected to be able to read PDF files on it. After multiple lockups and after wasting way too much time trying to work it out on my own, I gave up. As far as I'm concerned the Cybook does not handle PDF files and that's a big deal to me.

What makes me mad is Bookeen promised some things to me as a customer, and they haven't delivered. They shared an update to those souls who were fortunate enough to attend a meetup in July, with a promise that it would be available to everyone else "soon." That was over 3 months ago...As a salesperson, do you agree with that sales strategy? Probably not...if you and your store handled your customers in that way, you wouldn't be open for very long, now would you?

Okay, edited it for quick reply

first thing, I have no problems with PDF files and the only thing i read on my device are PDF files, I've got a few images and a pirated copy of "twilight" because pete called me "twilight boy" - i've never read twilight, watched the movie or anything really, well, i attempted to watch the movie 7 times but...never even got half way...

I'd like to know what size these PDF's are if it's causing the device to freze/lockup, as the PDF files that i read are rather large and average at about 200+ pages each

As for the place i work at, eh...no comment...but ya know.......
I was told Duke Nukem forever would be released soon...I'm sure i could name many titles that were "soon" and even firmware updates..........

[K-Thom]

I was told Duke Nukem forever would be released soon...I'm sure i could name many titles that were "soon" and even firmware updates..........

Well, to paraphrase your own Blackberry example, Duke Nukem isn't the best either. You know what happend to 3D Realms. If their "when it's done" is an omen for Bookeen's "soon", I wouldn't bet a dime on that company any more ...

[gerraldo]

Originally Posted by Hobohodou

I'd like to know what size these PDF's are if it's causing the device to freze/lockup, as the PDF files that i read are rather large and average at about 200+ pages each

Your PDFs seem to be just collections of bitmap images (1 image per page)... The problem with PDFs comes with columns, different embedded fonts, vector fonts/images and tables mixed with bitmaps etc. - all of this needs to be rendered/generated in some way (a fullpage bitmap image is just displayed).

OK, you're happy with PDF support on the Cybook - good for you, but most of us here are not. Personally, I consider it nearly useless - too slow rendering (and I have a 400MHz model), zooming/scrolling badly implemented, crashes sometimes (or just needs minutes to display a page)...

BTW: I convert all PDF-eBooks to Mobi, which works absolutely flawless for me since ages.

[emellaich]

I agree with ProfJulie on our role as customers here.

I don't want to get into a name calling contest with other customers. It is clear that some Cybook owners are quite satisfied. Others, including me (and apparently ProfJuly) are dissatisfied. Luckily, I find Mobileread to be a friendly and open community and no one seems to take offense at genuine differences in opinion.

I do muzzle my negative opinions a bit because I don't feel its productive to complain in a way that mock's the opinion of others. However, I do still drop in to the Bookeen threads because I'm am interested in seeing ongoing developments regarding the device that I did buy. And sometimes I do feel compelled to speak up. The problem is that I periodically read comments like: "I just bought a Cybook because of all of the positive comments here."

These boards are a resource for ebook users and I feel that we have a duty to support each other in our ebook experiences. In this regard, I feel I am letting down the potential buyers if I allow them to think that all buyers will be satisfied. When we share our experiences and concerns, alongside those praising the device, we give potential buyers a more complete picture so that they can determine whether their situation more resembles the satisfied or dissatisfied customer's.

[EowynCarter]

The problem is that I periodically read comments like: "I just bought a Cybook because of all of the positive comments here."

So what's the problem ? Those how are happy don't have a right to say they are happy ?

And well, i'm not surprised if people don't pay attention to your whining and flaming. As a prospective customer, i'll take into account post like "i don't like X or Y on that device" or "We've been waiting some times for an update". But posts from people venting their frustrations and ranting, will be dismissed. And that's pretty much all you've been doing.

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

At least two that I can think of.

....Tease .....


Edit : No problem - have searched one of them out..

[Hobohodou]

Originally Posted by K-Thom

Well, to paraphrase your own Blackberry example, Duke Nukem isn't the best either. You know what happend to 3D Realms. If their "when it's done" is an omen for Bookeen's "soon", I wouldn't bet a dime on that company any more ...

A-ha, I guess you're right ! Originally I was going to use Gran Turismo 5 as an example...

Originally Posted by Kazonuri Yamauchi

"We've actually reached a point where we can probably release it (GT5) anytime, except that you can also keep working as long as you want to as well, it's just a matter of timing." According to the official magazine at Tokyo Game Show 09, Gran Turismo 5 is 65% complete.

Just love that <3

Originally Posted by gerraldo

Your PDFs seem to be just collections of bitmap images (1 image per page)... The problem with PDFs comes with columns, different embedded fonts, vector fonts/images and tables mixed with bitmaps etc. - all of this needs to be rendered/generated in some way (a fullpage bitmap image is just displayed).

OK, you're happy with PDF support on the Cybook - good for you, but most of us here are not. Personally, I consider it nearly useless - too slow rendering (and I have a 400MHz model), zooming/scrolling badly implemented, crashes sometimes (or just needs minutes to display a page)...

BTW: I convert all PDF-eBooks to Mobi, which works absolutely flawless for me since ages.

Also, thank-you for adding something great to this! I do indeed have no problems with PDF's as all the files are indeed compressed to JPEG + Medium High.
I'm also really glad to see that someone isn't so annoyed at the PDF support and instead of just whining, has actively done something to sort it for themselves...Especially if you read my first post regarding my problems with the JPEG support/No folders !

Originally Posted by emellaich

The problem is that I periodically read comments like: "I just bought a Cybook because of all of the positive comments here.

Ah, well I seen some positive comments on the cybook before buying, however I personally disregarded peoples comments, even the negative (since none of these negatives have even affected me
None of the problems I actually experienced were even visible...

Personally, I'd recommend the device to anyone looking for an ebook reader



HOWEVER
I'll ask again in case no-one had seen it, are there any details on how the new firmware handles or the style for navigating?
I really am surprised at a community waiting for it and some even complaining and joking about it , has not really continued talking or speculating how it will handle ;_;
That is something i'm far more concerned about, not battery life, not different format support (WHOAH! I know what you think, but please don't open that can of worms)

[T_Frain_K]

Originally Posted by Hobohodou

I really am surprised at a community waiting for it and some even complaining and joking about it , has not really continued talking or speculating how it will handle ;_;

That would require us to actually believe we´re getting it ... someday (or "soon")

[EowynCarter]

I really am surprised at a community waiting for it and some even complaining and joking about it , has not really continued talking or speculating how it will handle ;_;

So busy to whine, and they forget the essential.
What do you wanna know ?

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

So what's the problem ? Those how are happy don't have a right to say they are happy ?

And well, i'm not surprised if people don't pay attention to your whining and flaming. As a prospective customer, i'll take into account post like "i don't like X or Y on that device" or "We've been waiting some times for an update". But posts from people venting their frustrations and ranting, will be dismissed. And that's pretty much all you've been doing.

Hunh? Don't know where you get THAT idea. It's been proven, time and again, that the MOST EFFECTIVE marketing tool is word-of-mouth and that negative word-of-mouth costs sales as well. So, no, our whining, ranting and venting of frustration IS costing Bookeen sales. But then it's been made abundantly clear that Bookeen is of the "we'll stick our heads in the sand and hope that the problems/predators don't notice us" school of business management.

Derek

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

So busy to whine, and they forget the essential.
What do you wanna know ?

Given your unending, rosy, some might even say "delusional" bias in favor of everything Bookeen, why would anyone expect a totally accurate description of folder navigation from you? C'mon, to gain our trust, point out the serious flaws you've experienced from the update - in detail.

THEN tell us the good stuff.

Derek

[Hobohodou]

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

So busy to whine, and they forget the essential.
What do you wanna know ?

Ah =O are the navigation changes button based? or has the user interface changed at all? Is it a little bit of both?

What are your thoughts on the folder support? does it work with folders within folders?

With a new method to browse, are their any more ways to display your content?

Finally, this one may be a bit strange, or even a bit strange just coming from me, but do many many folders make the device boot slower, or slow down performance?

Many thanks in advance !!!

Originally Posted by delphidb96

Given your unending, rosy, some might even say "delusional" bias in favor of everything Bookeen, why would anyone expect a totally accurate description of folder navigation from you? C'mon, to gain our trust, point out the serious flaws you've experienced from the update - in detail.

THEN tell us the good stuff.

Derek

He may be delusional, but hell, he can't possibly go all out nuts and "distort the truth" about whether it just uses buttons to navigate or an improved/changed interface GUI...

But really, to be fair, if you asked me for flaws, many of the flaws I would describe would as I see it, matter not to the community or most people, yet what you people may see as flaws may no seem like flaws to me...

I just can't believe even the e-reader world has what people see as fanboys now..

Originally Posted by delphidb96

Hunh? Don't know where you get THAT idea. It's been proven, time and again, that the MOST EFFECTIVE marketing tool is word-of-mouth and that negative word-of-mouth costs sales as well. So, no, our whining, ranting and venting of frustration IS costing Bookeen sales. But then it's been made abundantly clear that Bookeen is of the "we'll stick our heads in the sand and hope that the problems/predators don't notice us" school of business management.

Derek

OFF TOPIC ALERT !

I LOVE this comment almost as much as I love my previous quote about the development of Gran Turismo 5...
This comment to me also marks the exact same thing that happened with Nintendo and the "core" gamers, their very own sons that they sold to the slave trade ;___;


Using consoles again =O !
The Playstation 3 is a system that after the 3.0 update, for me, caused me to be unable to play any PS2 games, listen to audio CD's, watch DVD's or do anything that wasn't strictly playing a PS3 game, hey I love Blazblue a lot, but ya know, sometimes I just feel like dusting off the copy of GGX2#Reload...
Admittedly, this is a HUGE problem to people that don't know how to fix it...for me this was a problem that lasted 2 hours =/ and it only took two hours because, well...I was tired and i went to bed...
EDIT: ALSO, The 3.0 firmware launched the same time as the Price cut/Slim model, yet, people still went on saying "it sucks, it won't play my DVD's !!!" and yet...sales rose...

Using this theory...my comments should make people not want a PS3 or even a 360 (complete GPU failure, not even the RROD ;__; )

However, I think the Wii, is a great console, I don't own one...i'll probably never own one unless it costs under £80, but my god, In my opinion, there is so much trash out there for it =/ the amount of people I could talk to about the bad games on it, the games that feel like they shouldn't even be printed onto a disc....games that harm the environment because they're just so bad, people spent time making them ! not much time admittedly...and you can see from the results they probably didn't care...
BUT WHAT THE HELL, THE WII IS THE BEST SELLING CONSOLE OF THIS GENERATION~

-At least some day i'll have a nice copy of Smash bro's brawl ;___; and Zack and Wiki...


Thanks to everyone in advance !

[rireed3]

It's been proven, time and again, that the MOST EFFECTIVE marketing tool is word-of-mouth and that negative word-of-mouth costs sales as well. So, no, our whining, ranting and venting of frustration IS costing Bookeen sales.

Let's find out for certain:

http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...tchlink:top:fr

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bookeen-Cybook-G...item439af19638

http://cgi.ebay.fr/Bookeen-Cybook-Ge...item4a9b916392

Richard