08-28-2011, 01:13 AM | #46 |
Peace, Love, and Books
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08-28-2011, 01:29 AM | #47 | ||
Grand Sorcerer
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It's not his fault that there is no perfect ebook reader; there is no "accepts content from all ebook stores" reader; there is no "reads all filetypes" reader; there is no "good academic PDF support" reader. And the ereader industries work fairly hard to hide those facts; I can understand being frustrated over what feels like a slap in the face--"you can't have what you're looking for. How about this option instead?" Quote:
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08-28-2011, 02:34 AM | #48 |
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Well, there actually are e-readers that are 100% open-source. I posted a link to one, and I've found a couple more. There's just not very many of them, and they're hard to get.
I get that I will mostly likely have to compromise on something in that regard. And I even let you guys know what I'm willing to compromise on. I was explicit as I could be. When I was told about the limitations with PDF's, I accepted that, and dropped a criteria of my list. This really leaves me wondering if anyone is reading my replies before responding. I'm not frustrated that exactly what I want probably doesn't exist. What's actually bugging me is that I'm being told that what I want is stupid. I'm an artist who believes artists should have the rights to their art and customers should have the rights to their possessions. And I'm willing to do a little extra homework to make smart buying decisions that conform to those beliefs as much as possible. Insane, I know. I should just surrender to it, because that will totally make it better (seriously, someone said that... how does that make sense?). I didn't want a debate about it. I just said that I was looking for open-source. And people acted like I threw sand in their ice cream. Evidently I'm on my own with this one, I guess. |
08-28-2011, 03:12 AM | #49 |
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You could get a device like that Pixelar reader you posted a link to. It's made by Netronix, and is sold under a dozen different brand names. But, I'd seriously suggest that you don't. The reason that most of us here stick with the big name brands is that they're so much better than the generic Chinese clones.
I've owned them all. Bookeen (three different ones), BeBook, Pocketbook, etc. You know why it is that the reader I actually use every day is the Kindle? It's quite simply because it's the reader that works best for my needs. I've been through all these cheap clones. They're not very good. The firmware is buggy, customer service is non-existent, and construction standards are very poor. I have a Pocketbook 360 with FBReader on it. I don't like it at all (FBReader, that is). But if you like it, go ahead. Nobody here's calling you stupid, but we're giving you advice based on our experience. If you want to go ahead and make all the mistakes that we've made for yourself, feel free to do so . Last edited by HarryT; 08-28-2011 at 03:15 AM. |
08-28-2011, 04:26 AM | #50 | |
The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠
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And forgive me, but I'm going to tell you that your 4th point is unimportant. If the original ebook doesn't have DRM, calibre will quickly and easily convert from the original format to the format supported by whatever eReader you choose. Wanting an ebook reader that natively reads lots of different (& mostly obsolete) ebook formats is like wanting a washing machine with 50 different programmes, even though you'll only ever use two. But for 2 and 3 there are two mainstream ebook readers that fit. The Kobo eReader Touch and the nook Simple Touch. One is $129 and one is $139. I haven't used either, so I can't tell you which one is 'best'. But with your requirements and budget, I'd go for one of them. |
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08-28-2011, 04:52 AM | #51 |
21st Century Digital Boy
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You want the Onyx Boox. It is open source, reads anything you can throw at it, and has a touch screen and small buttons. If you don't want wifi, you can get the stripped-down version for cheaper. It is also sold as the bebook neo, but that is tied to a store. If you don't mind the older screen, you can get the last gen model RIGHT NOW for $99. After reading this thread, this thing is exactly what you seem to want. I have one and love it, I read stuff from all over the net with no problems. Go get it, you won't regret it.
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08-28-2011, 05:22 AM | #52 | |
Wizard
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And all these devices give the reader a lot more freedom with configurating and using the device (like folders, sd-cards, use your own fonts in much more sizes, support of many file formats, software developed by the community...). Of course, buying the mainstream device may be the much safer choice but it may not necessarily be the better choice. You're right with the FBReader, but both devices who have it installed (Pocketbook, Bebook) have alternatives installed, too, so you don't need to use it. |
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08-28-2011, 05:32 AM | #53 |
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Sorry, I didn't express myself very well. I meant that the no-name Chinese clones were buggy, not Pocketbook. I don't like FBReader; I always read using the other reader on the 360. Even that, though, has significant issues - eg you can jump to a hyperlink, but there's no way to get back again. If Pocketbook did a version of the 360, but with a Pearl screen, that would be a very nice reader indeed.
Last edited by HarryT; 08-28-2011 at 05:34 AM. |
08-28-2011, 05:48 AM | #54 |
Wizard
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No, you don't have to say sorry because I misread your post. I thought you were referring to the Bookeen, Bebook and Pocketbook devices.
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08-28-2011, 05:53 AM | #55 |
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Bookeen used to be great - I really liked their Mobi firmware. But they really messed up with ePub, I think. Not to allow basic things like bookmarks - there's just no reason for that. The Opus was a very nice device, but I just couldn't live with the firmware.
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08-28-2011, 06:39 AM | #56 | |
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Thanks for responding. I will look into that. They seem to be kind of out of my price range, but I'll have a look around. |
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08-28-2011, 06:45 AM | #57 |
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The Onyx Boox 60 is the same device as the BeBook Neo, which I have. It's a nice device, but it has the older Vizplex screen, not the newer Pearl screen. There's a very significant difference between the two - Pearl screens have 50% greater contrast (that's the manufacturer's figure) and it makes a real difference. I'd hesitate before buying a new device with a Vizplex screen.
BTW, one correction to the previous poster; the Neo is not "tied to a store". It has a book buying interface, which works via WiFi, but it can be used with ANY store. You can use either the Onyx or the BeBook versions of the firmware on both device; the hardware is identical. Last edited by HarryT; 08-28-2011 at 06:48 AM. |
08-28-2011, 09:42 AM | #58 | |
Tea Enthusiast
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08-28-2011, 09:57 AM | #59 | |
Me, Myself, but not I
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08-28-2011, 10:04 AM | #60 | |
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