new "alternative" firmware

[roebeet]

Originally Posted by matt314159

I'd say it's in "beta" quality mode now; I certainly disagree with the "not even alpha" crowd in that regard.

I agree. It's not perfect but I see no reason why a PRS-300 user couldn't give it a try to see if it offers something over the OF. And, it's very easy to remove if you find it not to your liking. I tried 1.6 last month, didn't find it to be better than what a Russified firmware offers, so I removed it. But now that 1.7 is out with the addition of a Serif font, I think it's worth keeping around (in my case).

[Kluyg]

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

What gives you the idea that ragged-right text is not readable? You're reading it right now!

I can't say for 505, it's 6' device. But on my 5' PRS-300 full-justified LRF looks really better than left-justified ePub. Right now I'm reading left-justified text on 14' wide screen of my noutebook, it's not the same thing.

[dolmen]

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

So Mr. 6-Posts is calling people who have been MobileRead members for years trolls because they don't like the software he and his buddies are advertising? That's an interesting way of looking at things.

Hi Mr 1,293-Posts, I'm not advertising any software nor related to this new firmware at all. An if you just
consider opinions not valid because I've only posted 6 times, well, not much more to be said.....

In my case, at least, converting .lrf books into .fb2 look so much better on the reader
with this new firmware that it deserves to be installed on my PRS-300.

[porkupan]

Originally Posted by dolmen

In my case, at least, converting .lrf books into .fb2 look so much better on the reader
with this new firmware that it deserves to be installed on my PRS-300.

Well, I can understand why someone who downloads thousands of pirated books in FB2 format might prefer this firmware, as FB2 is the preferred format for Russian "online libraries". Or someone who is a stickler for Russian hyphenation rules (Russian words tend to be longer than English ones, so many people would prefer to read with hyphenation). "But what's in it for you, a person from Madrid?", I want to ask. You actually convert books from EPUB and LRF to FB2? So that they look better on the reader? And you don't know of any ways to make LRF or EPUB look better on the reader? Like the EPUB CSS hack that let's you choose your own fonts for EPUB? Or embedding fonts into LRF files, which can be done with Calibre?

BTW, may I ask, what software do you use to convert LRF into FB2?

[dolmen]

Originally Posted by porkupan

Well, I can understand why someone who downloads thousands of pirated books in FB2 format might prefer this firmware, as FB2 is the preferred format for Russian "online libraries". Or someone who is a stickler for Russian hyphenation rules (Russian words tend to be longer than English ones, so many people would prefer to read with hyphenation). "But what's in it for you, a person from Madrid?", I want to ask. You actually convert books from EPUB and LRF to FB2? So that they look better on the reader? And you don't know of any ways to make LRF or EPUB look better on the reader? Like the EPUB CSS hack that let's you choose your own fonts for EPUB? Or embedding fonts into LRF files, which can be done with Calibre?

BTW, may I ask, what software do you use to convert LRF into FB2?

For me it's important right justification.

[TheCulture]

I spent a day or so with it yesterday and today. I would consider it to be still in alpha but for one reason only: it simply does not format any ebook format that it supports - everything looks as if it is a text file.

It's a shame, because it has some very nice features (the dictionary on the PRS 300 alone is a very serious improvement, as is being able to select fonts, font size, etc), but the layout issues let it down. Once this is resolved it will be a serious contender but as it stands it is not a true Sony OF replacement.

By the way, not sure why there is this debate about .fb2 on it - it can't format this ebook type correctly neither.

[PhyrePhox]

I am very much still a newbie here, but I have been concerned about the stagnated development from Sony on the PRS-300 software. I followed this link to get impressions from other users on this alternative firmware, and spend most of my time sifting through a flamewar. Is it possible to stay on the topic please?

[TheCulture]

Originally Posted by PhyrePhox

I am very much still a newbie here, but I have been concerned about the stagnated development from Sony on the PRS-300 software. I followed this link to get impressions from other users on this alternative firmware, and spend most of my time sifting through a flamewar. Is it possible to stay on the topic please?

It might sound a bit unfair but Sony never really does much to its firmware once it has released a product, except to fix any bugs, if your lucky (see it's range of MP3 players - especially during the sonic-stage days). So alas, don't look to sony for much in the way of development of improved features in an existing model via firmware development - this is not how Sony's business model works. (Yes, the PSP seems to have daily firmware updates but these are really only to keep[ ahead of the hackers and try to disable the latest homebrew apps - a thing sony is not keen on)

It really will only truly be through "amateur" development that changes will be made. The firmware above may well be the way forward but again, at least to me, it does not offer a real replacement for sony's OF until the poor formatting issues are resolved.

I have seen a discussion here that it is worth installing as it allows - for lack of a better word - "duel booting of itself or the OF. Now while this is true it should be noted that at the moment - due to a few small alterations it makes - you will not be able to use Calibre to manage or if you like synch, your ebook collection - in either it or the OF. A point worth taking into consideration if you don't know a lot about to resolve these issues in advance.

[fafaforza]

I uninstalled minutes after checking it out. Didn't format any of the books well at all. Newspapers downloaded with Calibre didn't have the proper menus. And it was very slow. Needs a few more major version releases. Not to trash the effort, but most people would probably be better off in waiting.

[halljames]

I just tried this out and I have to say that I am impressed with what they have achieved. I like the menus and the general look and feel of the interface, but I agree that the actual reading experience is not quite there yet.

Its certainly something to keep an eye on for future updates.

[jupinator]

i have a prs -505 and the installation was very easy,i love the dictionary, being able to select fonts, font size, etc, but the layout issues let it down, and for my the layout is the more important.
i hope that in future versions this layout issues inprobe

[ebookapps]

Hi all,

A new version v1.8.0.5 of alternative firmware is out.

Changes are:
1. Support for CBR and CBZ files (popular comics formats)
2. Support of RAR files and multi-file RAR archives
3. New localizations: Czech, Slovenian, Polish, Finnish, Hungarian, Romanian, Dutch, Hebrew.
4. Improvements of built-in dictionary UI
- Larger translation window and scrollbar
- Cursor can be moved faster with side (numerical) buttons
5. Power management optimizations. It is recommended to use power switch to turn device off when you finished reading.
6. Numerous minor fixes and improvements.

What is next?
1. More power management improvements.
2. Applications (chess, sudoku etc.)
3. Search
4. CSS in HTML and formatting in ePub

We do work on PRS-600 port and hopefully it will be a quick port to new x50 devices.

[tux]

Hello! will there be a version for the new Sony PRS-650?