iBooks 1.1 kills ePub Font Settings?

[mknopp]

On Topic:

Sometimes I absolutely despise Apple. ePub is a standard, and as such they should follow the standard. Of course, they are all for open standards when it serves their purposes.

I do own an iPad so I will be sending in a comment about the unaccepatability of this decision. The embedded fonts don't have to be bad things. For instance, I first noticed this when the copy of The Prince and the Pauper that I downloaded here didn't display the highly stylized drop caps that it did in my version of Calibre (on the Mac).

Off Topic:

As I stated above, I own an iPad, and a Mac. I also own a Windows machine for CAD work, and I have owned a couple of Linux based file servers.

Kavid, I love Calibre and am glad that you have made the effort to make this program available for the community and Mac users. Thank you.

So, what if the interface isn't stylized the same as other Mac programs. It works, and that is the most important thing. I think too many people forget that at times.

That being said. When you make sweeping, insulting generalized statements like, "as opposed to looking pretty, which in turn means underpowered applications with few features. Something I suppose you like since you use Apple products." Are you really surprised when Mac users get upset with you?

You have essentially just insulted approximately 50 million people based solely upon their ownership of a particular brand of product.

I own a Mac because it allows me to do what I need it to do with the minimum amount of non-productive effort. That doesn't mean that I prefer pretty to functional.

I haven't always used a Mac as my primary machine, and in the future I don't know if I will continue to use a Mac as my primary machine. If another company comes out with a better tool I will switch to it, but for now I have found the Mac to be the best tool for my needs.

[kovidgoyal]

Originally Posted by mknopp

On Topic:
That being said. When you make sweeping, insulting generalized statements like, "as opposed to looking pretty, which in turn means underpowered applications with few features. Something I suppose you like since you use Apple products." Are you really surprised when Mac users get upset with you?

I was responding to someone, I forget who, that felt the need to take potshots at calibre in an unrelated thread, purely as a way to distract attention from the issue at hand. If I got a little heated, that would be because I'm human.

I do believe that Apple products are underpowered. The whole philosophy of Apple; that the only way they can make products that "just work" is to restrict them to doing the absolute minimum and then only when interfacing with other apple products smacks of generalized incompetence.

You have essentially just insulted approximately 50 million people based solely upon their ownership of a particular brand of product.

On the other hand, I just complimented 500 million people based on their refusal to use Apple products.

In my opinion, you should not use Apple products, and I am not afraid of saying so. I usually refrain from doing that, as I am generally polite and don't like provoking people unnecessarily, but if you provoke me, you will get poked.

[mknopp]

On topic:

Well, I sent in my feedback about the lack of embedded fonst in iBook 1.1. I would suggest that any other iPad users do the same and try to convince anyone that they know to do the same.

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

I was responding to someone, I forget who, that felt the need to take potshots at calibre in an unrelated thread, purely as a way to distract attention from the issue at hand. If I got a little heated, that would be because I'm human.

So, you feel justified in insulting people completely unrelated to the topic because of something that someone else said? You feel no regret over your statement or that you didn't misspeak at all? You do not feel that in becoming heated (which I fully understand) that perhaps you said something that you didn't mean?

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

I do believe that Apple products are underpowered.

Please clarify what you mean by Apple products. I agree that some of Apple's software programs do not offer all of the functionality of competitors. I do agree that it is possible to purchase more computing power than is offered by Apple (sometimes for less money, sometimes not). However, again you are making broad and sweeping statements that are, bluntly, false.

Apple's Mac OS X is one of only four operating systems in the world that are fully UNIX certified. Yeah, the pretty little GUI that sits on top of it makes things easy for the average user, but if you want to you can open up a terminal and dig into the guts of the Mac OS X and do all sorts of things that are as powerful as you would ever want. What I see is you missing the power underneath because of the "pretty". The nice thing about the Mac OS is that it can be pretty and easy and limited (read safe for non-technical) if it has to be and it can be command line interfaced and worked like any top notch pro, if it has to be.

The fact remains though that there is very little, if anything, that can be done on Linux or Windows that cannot be done on OSX. Thus, it is not an underpowered Apple product.

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

The whole philosophy of Apple; that the only way they can make products that "just work" is to restrict them to doing the absolute minimum and then only when interfacing with other apple products smacks of generalized incompetence.

That isn't an Apple only philosophy. Apple isn't really that different than any other major operating system manufacturer.

Windows is littered with all sorts of the niceties and safeguards, and it is getting more so with each version. Heck, it is a pain to even get to a full control panel any more, and heaven forbid you want to actually navigate the system folder. My boss constantly complains about how Windows tries to do things for you and take control. Basically, treating the user as if they are incompetent.

Do you really think that the most popular of the linux distros are any better? They are all trying to emulate the restricted, easy, and safe GUI. Why do you think Ubuntu took off like it did? It was because they dummied down the GUI and made it more restricted and as a consequence, easier to use.

The majority of people aren't computer savvy. Heck, my parents don't even really know what an OS is. To them the computer is practically synonymous with the internet. There are a lot more people like my parents than like us. Thus from a purely business stand point you are dumb if you don't try to capture that market by making things easier and safer (I.E. simplistic and restricted).

As for your complaint that Apple only lets their products operate with each other easily while restricting others from interfacing. I am all with you there. I absolutely hate that.

However, are they that much different than others? Really? Microsoft does the same thing with Office. Adobe is just as bad as Apple with their graphics programs. Don't even get me started on Autodesk products.

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

On the other hand, I just complimented 500 million people based on their refusal to use Apple products.

Oh, so that makes it okay? So, you would just fine with me insulting you and saying I was justified, because I really just complimented the other 6 billion people who aren't you?

Is it really so hard for you to see that you insulted me, and a lot of others, who did nothing to you and to apologize?

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

In my opinion, you should not use Apple products, and I am not afraid of saying so. I usually refrain from doing that, as I am generally polite and don't like provoking people unnecessarily, but if you provoke me, you will get poked.

Fine, that is your opinion.

What I want to know is what I did to provoke you and get poked? My difference of opinion with you that some Apple products are worth buying was a provocation to you and thus justification for you "poking" me?

Let me turn this around. My first day on these boards and before I even post I see someone stating that I am practically a stupid simpleton because I own an Apple product. You provoked me, so I guess by your own logic I am perfectly justified to insult you? Well, am I? Can I freely insult you for provoking me?

Not that I will over something so stupid and meaningless as what brand of computer someone uses, but I find it amazing that you don't feel any bit wrong in what you said. That you try to justify your insult of complete strangers that have never done nor said anything to or about you.

One person upset you. Fine. If you feel that you must, then lash out at him/her. There is absolutely no justification for your blanket insult. No matter how you paint it.

[kovidgoyal]

Your post just made my day.

[kovidgoyal]

All I can say is that the very fact that you feel the need to justify your choice of operating system, speaks volumes about that operating system.

I use linux, and I never feel the need to go about posting in random threads trying to justify my OS choice.

Grow up and get over it.

[mknopp]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

All I can say is that the very fact that you feel the need to justify your choice of operating system, speaks volumes about that operating system.

I use linux, and I never feel the need to go about posting in random threads trying to justify my OS choice.

Grow up and get over it.

If you had bothered to read any of my post, you would have known that I use ALL of the major operating systems, but you can't be bothered to listen to other's words. Because you are so sure of your own infallibility.

All I can say is the very fact that you feel the need to belittle other's choices of operating systems speaks volumes about you.

I use many operating systems and never feel the need to go about posting my disdain for people who use particular operating systems to make myself feel more important or special.

Grow up and get over your superiority complex. Because, you know what. You aren't better than anyone else.

Good day to you sir. Have fun in your little world. I am guessing it is rather lonely up there on your high horse. Because, I am done with you and this discussion.

[hidari]

Just finished reading this thread...Have enjoyed it so far..... Please keep it going....

[kovidgoyal]

Originally Posted by mknopp

Good day to you sir. Have fun in your little world. I am guessing it is rather lonely up there on your high horse. Because, I am done with you and this discussion.

Good, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

[Yoshi 1080]

Originally Posted by mknopp

Good day to you sir. Have fun in your little world. I am guessing it is rather lonely up there on your high horse. Because, I am done with you and this discussion.

I think that is the right decision. Personally, I deleted Calibre from my Mac and am moving on. There are better things to do in life than debating a developer’s attitude in an internet forum.

[kovidgoyal]

Originally Posted by Yoshi 1080

I think that is the right decision. Personally, I deleted Calibre from my Mac and am moving on. There are better things to do in life than debating a developer’s attitude in an internet forum.

Excellent, and I hope you remember that lesson. And please do not reconsider your decision not to use calibre. Users like you are what destroy my joy in working on calibre.

[JSWolf]

What are the bugs fixed in the recent release of iBooks?

[Kolenka]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

What are the bugs fixed in the recent release of iBooks?

I wouldn't expect much in the way of XHTML rendering changes. It looks like it is more PDF and multimedia oriented.

[JSWolf]

At least Apple did fix the issue of having to have the language set to English to be able to use the dictionary. So if I have an ePub that doesn't have a set language, the dictionary will still work.

[Yoshi 1080]

It would be nice to finally have dictionaries available in different languages, though.

[leebase]

I too am glad they fixed the English dictionary issue. I'd hope they could put in a selectable default for those who'd rather have a dictionary other than english.

I too consider the iBook app to be at an early stage in it's development. It more than meets my needs for reading your basic sci-fi, thriller, etc. novel. I'd like to see Amazon and Stanza put more effort into the "feels like reading a book" that the iBook app does.

Lee