the unofficial Bookeen Blog

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by Snuffi

I must remind you, though, that all that was announced for last Monday was a list of improvements, at least that's what you told us. No word of a release date.
And I would be hard-pressed to come up with a plausible explanation for what could go so wrong that I cannot type a list with a couple of improvements within in a week.
Especially when they botched every single date so far, I would expect a little more care when announcing yet another date and that they would really try to meet it this time, especially when it's as simple as a publishing a list they must already have somewhere on their blog.

That was exactly correct...."We will release on Monday what, beside epub, will come with the new upgrade".

Providing a list is surely an easier task to perform than program a firmware package....

[Snuffi]

Originally Posted by Abelturd

As for the fragility of the screen - after hearing all the horrendous stories I've become paranoid. I never sit down unless I check the spot where I'm gonna sit(no matter where I am). I handle my C. as if it was a WW2 grenade. I never put anything on top. I put it where I can see it so I don't sit on it accidentally. They really need to start makin em sturdier, coz this is not healthy.
That reminds me that I should put some padding on the floors.

I have the cover from Bookeen and I think this is pretty good enough to keep the Cybook save. I don't think that you have to treat it like a "grenade" but the screen is necessarily a little fragile. I wouldn't sit on it and I wouldn't recommend dropping it from greater heights but so far I have carried it around in my pockets and suitcases and haven't had a problem so far.

From my experience with materials like the Cybook screen (i.e. very thin layers of glass or glass-like substances) I am pretty sure that the most danger comes from bending. On bending these layers get microscopic cracks which deepen every time the material is bent until it breaks. So I would suppose that the device would probably withstand a fall without a problem if it lands more or less flat on one side but would break even from lesser heights if it hits the floor at an angle which would bend the screen. That would explain the different experiences of some of the users here in the forum.

[GeoffC]

Whatever you do, it isn't worth experimenting .....

Seriously, though, the Bookeen case is a god-send.....and well worth the expense....

[Snuffi]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

Whatever you do, it isn't worth experimenting .....

Seriously, though, the Bookeen case is a god-send.....and well worth the expense....

Yes, my statement shouldn't be read as an invitation to experiment. I just wanted to state that the fact that some people have had problems with the screen is not necessarily due to bad quality. I think the Cybook screen just shares a problem with every other product containing thin layers of glass: that it reacts badly to certain deformations (i.e. bending) and can therefore break on certain actions even when handled with care.

[Abelturd]

I wasn't insinuating that cybook's quality is bad. I know that much about liseuses to gather it's a common problem with these devices. But given its fragility they might ship it with the cover even in the basic version.

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by Abelturd

I wasn't insinuating that cybook's quality is bad. I know that much about liseuses to gather it's a common problem with these devices. But given its fragility they might ship it with the cover even in the basic version.

I found the packaging around the unit confidently good....even when returning the device....

[Abelturd]

You misunderstood me. I'm not worried it will break during shipping. The cover should be part of the package (not necessarily with the c. wrapped in it), considering the number of users who broke their screens and the fragility of cybook in daily use.

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by Abelturd

You misunderstood me. I'm not worried it will break during shipping. The cover should be part of the package (not necessarily with the c. wrapped in it), considering the number of users who broke their screens and the fragility of cybook in daily use.

Not at all, I understand, but don't forget the cover is available on the deluxe option - it's not included with the standard.....

[Snuffi]

Originally Posted by Abelturd

I wasn't insinuating that cybook's quality is bad. I know that much about liseuses to gather it's a common problem with these devices. But given its fragility they might ship it with the cover even in the basic version.

Then people would complain that they are forced to pay for a cover which they don't want/need. Given the fact that some people here in the forum have presented some ingenious ideas from covers handcrafted by themselves as well as found solid and cheap alternatives for the Bookeen cover (look in the Accessories thread) I would think it's the better way to let the users chooses themselves whether they want the cover provided by Bookeen (deluxe edition) or get/make their own...

[kacir]

Originally Posted by Snuffi

... but then go out and buy the cheapest stuff again and again ...

We are talking about Cybook here.
They are DEFINITELY not the cheapest stuff.
Where I live, Cybook is 20% more expensive than Hanlin.
... and you get more accessories with Hanlin,
... and you can load openinkpot firmware to Hanlin.

[pthwaite]

Well, I'm pleased with the Cybook cover I got with mine. I've just tried sitting on my Cybook, unintentially, and it survived. Then to top it off, I fell off my bike while avoiding a dog and again the cybook survived the bike falling on it, I dare say the side bag helped in that case too. It certainly came off better than me!

Hopefully, no more shocks to my reader.

From a clumsy Howard

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by pthwaite

Well, I'm pleased with the Cybook cover I got with mine. I've just tried sitting on my Cybook, unintentially, and it survived. Then to top it off, I fell off my bike while avoiding a dog and again the cybook survived the bike falling on it, I dare say the side bag helped in that case too. It certainly came off better than me!

Hopefully, no more shocks to my reader.

From a clumsy Howard

hopefully nothing major ?!

[Abelturd]

Captain's log - stardate 24052009
Another week has passed, still no word from Bookeen. I wonder whether there's something wrong with the connection. Must have the ship's technicians look into it. End of log entry.

[gerraldo]

Originally Posted by Abelturd

Captain's log - stardate 24052009
Another week has passed, still no word from Bookeen. I wonder whether there's something wrong with the connection. Must have the ship's technicians look into it. End of log entry.

Captain! There's a "monday" on the screen and it's approaching fast...

[Abelturd]

I copy that, First Officer gerraldo.
Lock the target. We will tail it for a while to see if this is THE "Monday". I'll be in the holodeck, if you need me. Got some new po... er educational simulations that require my immediate attention.