What are options for this circumstance?

[BetterRed]

For me the "EPUB accidentally being opened in Edge's EPUB Reader" problem was 'fixed' when MS removed it from my desktop in a 1903 update months ago, and it's definitely gone in new 1909 installs.

I can understand why MS stopped (not) selling books, but why did they ditch what was a more than adequate ePub viewer. It had all the features I want and none of those I don't want - and it was PDQ. Maybe they couldn't get it working satisfactorily in the Blink browser engine. I'm seriously thinking of downgrading my low-end Surface Go to 1809 to get it back.

BR

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Doitsu

I honestly don't understand why Amazon still supports the MOBI7 format. IMHO, 10 years of support for MOBI7-only devices is more than enough, since the projected lifespan of the earlier eInk screens is only 10 years anyway.

Doits, mon sweetie:

Now, c'mon, you know that eInk <> KF7. ;-) But yes, even I am starting to think that they could come around, after now more than 10 years. I mean, the Kindle OG was what, '08? '07?

Hitch

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Doits, mon sweetie:

Now, c'mon, you know that eInk <> KF7. ;-) But yes, even I am starting to think that they could come around, after now more than 10 years. I mean, the Kindle OG was what, '08? '07?

Hitch

Even Sony dumped LRF for ePub. But then Sony also refitted all their Readers to handle ePub. Something Amazon could do with KF8.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Doits, mon sweetie:

Now, c'mon, you know that eInk <> KF7. ;-) But yes, even I am starting to think that they could come around, after now more than 10 years. I mean, the Kindle OG was what, '08? '07?

Hitch

I agree that Mobi should be dumped as it's an old obsolete format that causes no end of trouble for those trying to make good KF8 eBooks.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by binaryhermit

Wouldn't surprise me if there's some old reader, like, that predates the Kindle, that doesn't .

Also, I think that weird openreader thing that's literally based off an Arduino only does .txt files.

But that's an extreme corner case, to the point where anyone in that situation probably has a way to interface with the rest of the world such as using Calibre for conversion

Back in 2010, I got my first Astak Pocket Pro. It (claimed) supported Mobi. I used claimed, because I discovered Calibre and EPUB conversions made a better experience for me. But YMMV

BTW does anyone have an idea on how many of these 'antiques' (pre KF8) are still in use (let alone, still functioning?

Both my Astaks died (cracked traces. OK, if I hold the USB just so, it will charge and still works, just no data. I can load by the SDcard)

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by binaryhermit

Wouldn't surprise me if there's some old reader, like, that predates the Kindle, that doesn't.

There is/was. But that device was the Sony Reader PRS-500. But Sony eventually modified it to handle ePub. So there shouldn't be any Readers in use that do not handle one of those three formats.

But that's an extreme corner case, to the point where anyone in that situation probably has a way to interface with the rest of the world such as using Calibre for conversion

Besides, even if there is a PRS-500 that doesn't handle ePub, Calibre can convert to LRF. But I would find it highly unlikely that someone would need LRF for this specific eBook.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by theducks

BTW does anyone have an idea on how many of these 'antiques' (pre KF8) are still in use (let alone, still functioning?

Kindle 1/2 and Kindle DX/DXG are the Kindle's that do not support KF8. I would think there are more DX/DXG in use then 1/2.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Yup. What kills me is I'll ask, "exactly where in the instructions did you get stuck?" and of course, do I get an answer? NO.

(text excluded)

I mean...you could put the files in a cloud somewhere, but the ubiquitous is STILL going to happen. And yes...unless it has mortifying details that the family would croak over being revealed, I'm all for letting Amazon handle it. Trust me, NOBODY will find it if you don't want them to.

Hitch

You are certainly welcome to place such documents in our wiki. They would help everyone.

Dale

[Quoth]

There are a lot of DX and the later DXG, because Amazon thought they would replace textbooks and University trials were done.

My DXG was relaunched old stock sold internationally by Amazon even after the PW2 was released. As they are 9.7" they are a niche. The 3G is certainly not getting turned off in Europe. Perhaps GSM/2G in someplaces.

It certainly doesn't do KF8, but the jailbreak is simple and the font pack hack dramatically improves readability of most books compared to the stock font.

The DXG also has a far superior screen to the Kobo Touch C model I have. Next best after PW3, though 1/2 resolution.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by theducks

Both my Astaks died (cracked traces. OK, if I hold the USB just so, it will charge and still works, just no data. I can load by the SDcard)

Silver PCB repair paint in a special pen. Then epoxy on top when it's dried. I've repaired miniscule internal Surface Mount connectors and traces that way.

[Tex2002ans]

Originally Posted by Jellby

Why not just sell a Kindle with the book(s) preloaded?

Must be sarscasm. Good one!

Side Note: Within the past month, I was lost in the Wikipedia Wormhole looking up some obscure manga, and ran across just that. A limited edition of "signed devices" with the ebooks preloaded. Now... if only I could find that article again.

Originally Posted by Hitch

Well, that's an idea. An eInk Kindle is pretty cheap, really and Amazon would probably sell you some at a discount....

Preloaded devices have been tried and failed many times over the years. (Music, Movies, and Books too.) The Digital Reader has written about them every time they've start (then fail).

People want the book... not purchasing the book + a (rapidly obsolete and clunky) device with the book.

Techmoan does a lot of retro-tech videos, and he dredges up obsolete devices like this all the time:

e-books in the 1990s - Sony's Data Discman

Usually preloaded devices/formats languish in very niche circles (like Kid's toys), and then rot away on the vine, never to be heard from again.

Originally Posted by BetterRed

For me the "EPUB accidentally being opened in Edge's EPUB Reader" problem was 'fixed' when MS removed it from my desktop in a 1903 update months ago, and it's definitely gone in new 1909 installs.

KB4522355 (October 24, 2019) officially removed it, but there are still earlier versions of Windows 10 + Long Term Support.

April/July 2019 was when Microsoft closed down their (latest) book store:

"Microsoft is Closing Its eBookstore (Again)" at The Digital Reader

Originally Posted by BetterRed

but why did they ditch what was a more than adequate ePub viewer. It had all the features I want and none of those I don't want - and it was PDQ.

It was pretty okay. It had some functionality no others had, like highlighting certain parts of speech.

And it was helpful having a reader in the browser, ever since Readium was effectively killed off in 2017/18 (although it's been recently reborn as Throium Reader).

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Maybe they couldn't get it working satisfactorily in the Blink browser engine. I'm seriously thinking of downgrading my low-end Surface Go to 1809 to get it back.

That's exactly what it was... too much work to try to port it over to "Edgeium".

* * *

Anyway, conversation is really drifting from the original topic.

Stick with EPUB/MOBI/PDF + don't try to completely reinvent the wheel + don't do anything stupid. lol.

[Quoth]

Since 1995, when installing ANY OS or checking out new gadget/laptop:
1) Disable every kind of autorun.
2) Check all installed browser application settings that they only offer to download, never open, AND ask where to save. It only makes sense to use them for actual real web content. Anything else is a potential security hole or a frozen browser. If installing SW disable download/install of any browser plugins (PDF readers, Skype etc).
3) Install alternate to MS Browser with script blocking such as noscript, ublock or uMatrix. Disable 3rd party cookies.
4) Make email NEVER loads remote content or give a delivery receipt.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Silver PCB repair paint in a special pen. Then epoxy on top when it's dried. I've repaired miniscule internal Surface Mount connectors and traces that way.

TNX for that tip. I wish I had it 2 years ago when my attempt to reattach the mini USB only partially worked (Pwr + Gnd) using my finest Weller TCP tip.
0 depth perception left these days (you don't imagine how frustrating this is to someone who used to 'just pop it open and..." )

The other one is long gone because I had no clue where on the board it was.

[binaryhermit]

Last I saw, Kindle DXes held their value surprisingly well on the used market. Like, "you could get a PW4 for less than a DX costs" well

[Quoth]

Maybe because of the "free 3G", or large page for poor eyesight, but it seems at the minute only HTTP, not HTTPS sites. Maybe HTTPS certs are broken.

The nice feature is pagination of web pages instead of having to scroll like on new Kindle and the Kobo. I wish regular browsers did it. I mean pages instead of scrolls invented about 2000 years ago!