iLiad What's next?

Adam B. · 07-16-2007, 08:11 AM

Now that many developers now have unlimited access to the iLiad. This means we can snoop around, change, and modify almost anything you'd like. At this point, I'm wondering where we should go, and what we should try.

What functionality would you like from the iLiad? What are other developers trying and planning? Where should we go next?

I know many have throught of a complete OS replacement. I don't think this is feasable given the limited internal storage and battery drain with booting from CF card. Perhaps just an update of some of the libraries. Maybe a UI for changing er_registry.txt to add new viewers.

JSWolf · 07-16-2007, 08:21 AM

How about a LIT reader and a BBeB (LRF) reader as well?

Adam B. · 07-16-2007, 08:26 AM

The biggest problem with reading LIT and BBeB on the iLiad, is that there aren't any linux viewers already available.

I've compiled convertlit for the iLiad, which when combines with a shell script should be able to automatically convert a lit file and open in FBReader. But I haven't found any linux tools to convert a BBeB file or view it. If you have an example, I'd be happy to take a look.

azerty · 07-16-2007, 10:37 AM

Could we try to substitute the ContentManager? A GUI with more than 7 files per page would be great. I compiled gtkdialog (see http://linux.pte.hu/~pipas/gtkdialog/) for the Iliad where I inserted loads of screen refreshes in all kind of function calls. It allows to generate beautiful GUI's from shell scripts. The only major problem is the everlasting screen-refresh problem. Once the control is handed over to lower lying procedures (gtklib or X), e.g. the build-in fileselect dialog box, screen refresh does not work.
Maybe the focus should lie on appropriately incorporate screen refresh in the libraries on which a number of tools and programs rely.
I will craft an example with gtkdialog and post it here. That will take a week or so....

nekokami · 07-16-2007, 10:38 AM

Replacing the content-lister with something more usable (e.g. showing more than 6 files at a time) would be a boon.

Would it be possible to get scribbles to work with other file types, or would that require hacking fbreader? Does this new access make a dotReader port any more feasible?

Drops · 07-16-2007, 10:44 AM

A CHM Reader would be nice.

The GreatGonzo · 07-16-2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nekokami

Replacing the content-lister with something more usable (e.g. showing more than 6 files at a time) would be a boon.

I second that; most of the time, a list of the items that I have on the Iliad's hard disk could easily fit on one page, if only I could adjust the display of the contentlister to my liking (smaller font, columns etc.).

tribble · 07-16-2007, 11:25 AM

I would like to see improvements on powermanagement. Try to achieve something that allows the processor to power down completely. Not 33MHz, put sleeping. As far as i know, the processor is capable of that. If the buttons have the possibility to wake it up again, great. Wouldnt mind if that only works, while wifi and stylus are completely shut down.

Alos i would like to see the contentLister replaced. It should show more entires, sort better, have a recently added sorting, show files from all media. Remember the recently read books from different media cards, show longer filenames, show currentpage number and total page number, have a read/unread status and be able to hide read books, and a few more additions.

rlauzon · 07-16-2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

How about a LIT reader and a BBeB (LRF) reader as well?

The last thing we need is more support for closed, proprietary formats.

By asking for support for these poor formats, you are sending a message to companies saying that you want to pay money for nothing.

bedwere · 07-16-2007, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drops

A CHM Reader would be nice.

You can use FBReader, which has already been ported.
I would like to have a pdf reader that can go pack to the initial page after following a link. I asked Irex several time but it's still not available.

Alajjana · 07-16-2007, 01:22 PM

1) How about a simple file manager so books can be moved to different directories or other cards? a: - internal, b: SD card, c: CF card, d: USB drive, e: outbox. Create folders.
2)The ability to see free space/usage for each storage device.
3)The ability to hilight and delete multiple files.
4)scandisk/defrag utility.

VillageReader · 07-16-2007, 01:32 PM

At one time someone had a clock down by the tool bars. I think that went away after an update, but a clock would be nice.

Also, with a protected MobiPocket, some way to read a file name rather than the pre-selected name (I file by author then work, and when I rename the files they sort correctly but I only get the name of the protected file, not my preferred sort method).

Adam B. · 07-16-2007, 01:41 PM

The problem with replacing the contentlister is that it's closed source, and there's not a readily available Linux app that has similar functions and interface. Something would have to be written from scratch.

I agree that power management should be the primary focus as of now. A suspend mode would be ideal. I've looked into a little, but I haven't really dealt with it before.

tribble · 07-16-2007, 01:43 PM

OK, ideas for a new contentLister can be dropped here:
https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Imroved_contentLister

JSWolf · 07-16-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlauzon

The last thing we need is more support for closed, proprietary formats.

By asking for support for these poor formats, you are sending a message to companies saying that you want to pay money for nothing.

So what formats(s) do you feel are not closed proprietary formats?

07-16-2007, 08:11 AM	#1
Adam B. Addicted to Porting Posts: 1,697 Karma: 7194 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Device: iRex iLiad, Nokia 770, Samsung i760	What's next? Now that many developers now have unlimited access to the iLiad. This means we can snoop around, change, and modify almost anything you'd like. At this point, I'm wondering where we should go, and what we should try. What functionality would you like from the iLiad? What are other developers trying and planning? Where should we go next? I know many have throught of a complete OS replacement. I don't think this is feasable given the limited internal storage and battery drain with booting from CF card. Perhaps just an update of some of the libraries. Maybe a UI for changing er_registry.txt to add new viewers.

07-16-2007, 10:44 AM	#6
Drops Connoisseur Posts: 65 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2006	CHM Reader A CHM Reader would be nice.

07-16-2007, 01:22 PM	#11
Alajjana Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: Iliad	file manager? 1) How about a simple file manager so books can be moved to different directories or other cards? a: - internal, b: SD card, c: CF card, d: USB drive, e: outbox. Create folders. 2)The ability to see free space/usage for each storage device. 3)The ability to hilight and delete multiple files. 4)scandisk/defrag utility.

07-16-2007, 08:21 AM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,522 Karma: 145863177 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	How about a LIT reader and a BBeB (LRF) reader as well?

07-16-2007, 08:26 AM	#3
Adam B. Addicted to Porting Posts: 1,697 Karma: 7194 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Device: iRex iLiad, Nokia 770, Samsung i760	The biggest problem with reading LIT and BBeB on the iLiad, is that there aren't any linux viewers already available. I've compiled convertlit for the iLiad, which when combines with a shell script should be able to automatically convert a lit file and open in FBReader. But I haven't found any linux tools to convert a BBeB file or view it. If you have an example, I'd be happy to take a look.

07-16-2007, 10:37 AM	#4
azerty Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2007 Device: iliad/palm TX	Could we try to substitute the ContentManager? A GUI with more than 7 files per page would be great. I compiled gtkdialog (see http://linux.pte.hu/~pipas/gtkdialog/) for the Iliad where I inserted loads of screen refreshes in all kind of function calls. It allows to generate beautiful GUI's from shell scripts. The only major problem is the everlasting screen-refresh problem. Once the control is handed over to lower lying procedures (gtklib or X), e.g. the build-in fileselect dialog box, screen refresh does not work. Maybe the focus should lie on appropriately incorporate screen refresh in the libraries on which a number of tools and programs rely. I will craft an example with gtkdialog and post it here. That will take a week or so....

07-16-2007, 10:38 AM	#5
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	Replacing the content-lister with something more usable (e.g. showing more than 6 files at a time) would be a boon. Would it be possible to get scribbles to work with other file types, or would that require hacking fbreader? Does this new access make a dotReader port any more feasible?

07-16-2007, 11:25 AM	#8
tribble iLiad Maniac Posts: 1,382 Karma: 2369 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Germany Device: Bookeen Opus (i love that thing) and iPad (what an irony)	I would like to see improvements on powermanagement. Try to achieve something that allows the processor to power down completely. Not 33MHz, put sleeping. As far as i know, the processor is capable of that. If the buttons have the possibility to wake it up again, great. Wouldnt mind if that only works, while wifi and stylus are completely shut down. Alos i would like to see the contentLister replaced. It should show more entires, sort better, have a recently added sorting, show files from all media. Remember the recently read books from different media cards, show longer filenames, show currentpage number and total page number, have a read/unread status and be able to hide read books, and a few more additions.

07-16-2007, 01:32 PM	#12
VillageReader Evangelist Posts: 430 Karma: 2718 Join Date: May 2006 Device: Iliad	At one time someone had a clock down by the tool bars. I think that went away after an update, but a clock would be nice. Also, with a protected MobiPocket, some way to read a file name rather than the pre-selected name (I file by author then work, and when I rename the files they sort correctly but I only get the name of the protected file, not my preferred sort method).

07-16-2007, 01:41 PM	#13
Adam B. Addicted to Porting Posts: 1,697 Karma: 7194 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Device: iRex iLiad, Nokia 770, Samsung i760	The problem with replacing the contentlister is that it's closed source, and there's not a readily available Linux app that has similar functions and interface. Something would have to be written from scratch. I agree that power management should be the primary focus as of now. A suspend mode would be ideal. I've looked into a little, but I haven't really dealt with it before.

07-16-2007, 01:43 PM	#14
tribble iLiad Maniac Posts: 1,382 Karma: 2369 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Germany Device: Bookeen Opus (i love that thing) and iPad (what an irony)	OK, ideas for a new contentLister can be dropped here: https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Imroved_contentLister