V5 Firmware 29-04-2010 with display settings adjustment

[polly]

Originally Posted by Spiffy

So far I like the firmware, by the way. I suppose some people might be puzzled about how to get those File tools (open/copy/delete) but it seemed intuitive to me that simply holding down the number button for the file would do something, and indeed it did. A little less intuitive for me is how to properly USE the copy though. When you choose it, its not totally clear to me WHERE its copying the darn file. I must be missing something.

It copies it from or to the card, depending on where the file is located. It preserves the directory tree, so if you choose a file on your card that has two folders above it (author and series for instance), you'll find it on your reader with the same directories above it. If you already have those folders on you reader, then it just adds the file to the appropriate folder. It works the same way if you choose a folder. The folder and all of its contents get moved together and placed in the correct directory. If that file has already been copied, it will ask you if you want to overwrite the one that's already there.

One thing I noticed copying to the card is that you have to get the reader to look again before the new file or folder appears. I do that by pressing the menu button and choosing any of the sequence options.

[sein]

It seems that there's a bug in these latest LBook firmwares. CoolReader doesn't open rtf and most txt files. It's already been addresed in the-ebook.org forum.

The Display settings are interesting. The bookshelf area definitely has a whiter background and its operations are faster and smoother. Once inside a book, though, I'm not so sure. Sometimes I have the impression that the contrast is better, sometimes no.

[Spiffy]

Originally Posted by polly

It copies it from or to the card, depending on where the file is located. It preserves the directory tree, so if you choose a file on your card that has two folders above it (author and series for instance), you'll find it on your reader with the same directories above it. If you already have those folders on you reader, then it just adds the file to the appropriate folder. It works the same way if you choose a folder. The folder and all of its contents get moved together and placed in the correct directory. If that file has already been copied, it will ask you if you want to overwrite the one that's already there.

One thing I noticed copying to the card is that you have to get the reader to look again before the new file or folder appears. I do that by pressing the menu button and choosing any of the sequence options.

I'm not sure that's all that useful then. I suppose for the few times I may have to "borrow" a card to slip into some other device, but otherwise? Not so much.

Ideally they'd simply implement a file cut/copy/paste type thing. I'd like to be able to "cut" (or copy) a file from one directory on the card and paste it down in another. I tend to organize things in Calibre now, and I have it slap things down on my device in Alphabetical subdirectories, with author subdirectories under each letter. But occasionally the metadata is screwed up, and rather than having to go all the way back to Calibre (and hooking the reader back up), sometimes it would simply be easier to be able to do a little cutting and pasting (renaming ability is probably a bit too much to ask, so I won't).

[polly]

Originally Posted by Spiffy

I'm not sure that's all that useful then. I suppose for the few times I may have to "borrow" a card to slip into some other device, but otherwise? Not so much.

I use it for organization. All of my unread books go on the SD card using a card reader and Calibre. When I've read the book I move it to the reader if it's one that I might want to read again or delete it otherwise. It makes it easier for me to find a new book to read.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by Spiffy

So far I like the firmware, by the way. I suppose some people might be puzzled about how to get those File tools (open/copy/delete) but it seemed intuitive to me that simply holding down the number button for the file would do something, and indeed it did. A little less intuitive for me is how to properly USE the copy though. When you choose it, its not totally clear to me WHERE its copying the darn file. I must be missing something.

The copy mirrors the file structure and copies the file to the internal memory if it was on the SD card and vice versa. It makes folders as needed to make the mirror.

Dale

[Sunspark]

After further testing, this firmware is too buggy.. there's quite a bit of hangs and slowdowns here and there. Stick with the 330 or 420 versions until a newer one comes out.

[ThomasMcKean]

Originally Posted by sein

It seems that there's a bug in these latest LBook firmwares. CoolReader doesn't open rtf and most txt files. It's already been addresed in the-ebook.org forum.

I was waiting for this. I had a heckuva time last night trying to open a TXT file. I eventually reloaded the previous formware and all was well. But since I had mentioned this before, I didn't want to bring it up again.

I am glad someone else did!

[omro]

What exactly is the difference between adaptive and speed priority? Thanks

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by omro

What exactly is the difference between adaptive and speed priority? Thanks

That feature was the major change in this particular experimental test firmware other than bug fixes, and there was no information regarding it except to say that it was there.
FWIW, these particular firmware releases are not even in a stage that could be described as beta testing yet, so there is no documentation or support. That is why I wrote "caveat emptor" when I posted the link.

[Sunspark]

From something unverified I read, there's an internal setting, in the bookshelf anyway that allows for setting of bit levels to reduce it. Likely the setting changes it from 3 bit to 2 bit (4 bit is 16 shades, 2 is 4 shades--black,white and 2 grays). The screen itself is only a display device, and as you already know from your monitor, you can set different colour depths.. 256 colours (8 bit), 24 bit, etc.

The logical outcome of this is that it is theoretically possible that some things may appear darker as having less shades of grey to work with, would by necessity force the text anti-aliasing to gravitate more towards either darker or lighter shades instead of in-between shades of gray. Combined with the optical illusion as eyes see it may also appear blacker.

But in of itself, I doubt that the pixels themselves have darkened.. that probably requires factory level calibration equipment for waveforms, etc.

Seemed to me that effect priority may actually have looked better to me.

In anycase, the 0429/0501 version is too buggy (slow) so it shouldn't be used longer than to play with before returning to your regular one.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by Sunspark

In anycase, the 0429/0501 version is too buggy (slow) so it shouldn't be used longer than to play with before returning to your regular one.

I agree with you 100% on that!

Probably none of these experimental releases should be considered a replacement for a standard supported release from Astak, Lbook, Bebook, or Jinke, as these snapshots are just intended to develop new features and get feedback, suggestions, and bug reports. At this stage of development bugs are guaranteed to be in the firmware. That being said, I pretty much always use the 0330 snapshot version full time on my 6" reader now.

[polly]

The latest beta version from Buggins is up. It fixes a battery drain problem that I'd noticed and improves handling of large files. As always, use at your own risk.

http://files.mail.ru/VF417P

[Spiffy]

You are definitely right about the battery issue. I went through a charge and a half in the last few days, and I've NEVER used up power anything NEAR that level before.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by polly

The latest beta version from Buggins is up. It fixes a battery drain problem that I'd noticed and improves handling of large files. As always, use at your own risk.

http://files.mail.ru/VF417P

The corresponding update for the 6" Hanlin (EZReader) is also available.
http://begemot.homeftp.net/buggins

Now that the cache seems to be fully working, opening a book for the second or subsequent time is much faster than the opening for the first time. I have given my 5" Hanlin (PocketPRO) to a friend to use for a while, so I do not know how well that is working on the 5" Hanlin.