12-11-2012, 08:15 PM | #1 |
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Hmm...my experience with Kobo
Having come from years using other readers (Amazon, BN, Sony), I recently purchased a Kobo Glo. I'm pretty well versed in readers, but had no idea that Kobo uses different rendering techniques. Kepub v. epub. From a marketing sense, I get it, provide more benefits from your proprietary engine. I know too that B&N uses a different Adobe DRM scheme. But ALL the other readers don't treat their files differently when rendered; there may be more content behind a file (X-Ray, for example), but they all are rendered the same.
I like the form factor of the device, but... Any others have some advice? I already know about the save as *.kepub.epub, but that doesn't help with the news generated by Calibre. Unless there are some Calibre secrets, I think I may have to pass on this one. Seems a shame as the form factor is quite nice. |
12-11-2012, 09:46 PM | #2 | |
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I'm able to load my "Montreal Gazette" using the Web browser (on my Mini) and the Calibre server with no issues as well, it is added to Calibre in the epub format when it downloads. I'm not sure I understand what type of problem you believe you have? Could you explain more? |
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12-11-2012, 09:46 PM | #3 |
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To be fair, the only reason Amazon readers don't render epubs differently to their own format is that they don't render epubs at all :-)
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12-11-2012, 10:07 PM | #4 |
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I was afraid of the digression about Amazon. The kepub reader provides page numbers (ie pages left in each section-perfect for news) and also does not lock in on a CSS file so it permits changes in lines/margins.
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12-11-2012, 10:13 PM | #5 |
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Just buy/download epubs and what are you giving up? There are plug-ins available(Apprentice Alf's) to allow Calibre to import/tweak(strip/ignore tags/CSS) normal Adobe & B&N epubs, so maybe just avoid the kepub format? Or am I totally not understanding your issue?
I also think Kobo got the form factor nearly perfect(my SDHC card sticks out just a tad too far and that danged white logo on my lovely black reader is good for annoying reflected light with any booklight that doesn't cover it up - they had the whole back to screw around with a gaudy logo!). I have two Nook STRs that have been laying fallow while the Kobo Touch gets all the attention of late. The shelf support through Calibre and the font tuning have been major plusses as well. The experimental built-in browser has so far kept me from bothering to root one of the Nooks... Last edited by TechniSol; 12-11-2012 at 10:16 PM. |
12-11-2012, 10:20 PM | #6 | |
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Just goes to show that everyone has different tastes. I prefer seeing "pg. 12 of 127" so that I know how many pages left to read in the book/newspaper. Also, I prefer tweaking through Calibre rather than the reader itself. |
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12-11-2012, 10:27 PM | #7 |
Gangnam style!
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Indeed there is no satisfying everyone. I want a display showing x of y pages in the chapter and X of Y pages in the book. The workable compromise was in 1.9.X when you have x of y in the chapter and a black progress bar for the book with tick marks for the chapters when you went to the reading menu within a book.
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12-11-2012, 10:29 PM | #8 |
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Thanks for the replies.
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12-12-2012, 12:03 AM | #9 |
GranPohbah-Fezzes r cool!
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Fellas, I can see the formatting things, the elimination of blank spaces, ability to override CSS, etc. but we had nothing but page numbers or occasionally chapter headings alternating with book titles in paper, maybe we're getting a teensy bit spoiled wanting page numbers left in chapters, progress bars, etc. Can't one simply go to the TOC and get that? If not, maybe bitch about the missing TOC instead of continually dreaming up more code bloat, flower vases, and gingerbread to needlessly complicate a design. That or at least ask for the ability to configure options like that and selectively disable them. I don't want a screen full of crappola, just a simple book substitute with a nice clean look to the page, elegance through simplicity is never a bad way to go.
Honestly, I realize we'd all like different little touches, but I wonder that sometimes we focus more on little things we don't have than all that we do have. My biggest hope is that as features are added they will always include the ability to leave them out as well. |
12-12-2012, 12:42 AM | #10 | |
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As far as I know there is no way of getting pages left in a chapter with sideloads, but you can get a rather nice chapter-marked progress bar (and other terrific tweaks) using ikarus9999's plugin. |
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12-12-2012, 08:08 AM | #11 |
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I'll give it a try.
1) write down current page number 2) tap to bring up menu (nice and quick) 3) tap on book icon (nice and quick) 4) tap on table of contents (a little slow) 5) click on next chapter (pretty quick) 6) get page number Now get back to where I was 7) Tap to bring up menu 8) click on scroll icon 9) scroll to approximate page 10) click on X 11) page forward/back to actual page 12) screen forward/back to get to actual screen Yeah that worked. I could have also used a bookmark, but that seems like a PITA also. Installing the plugin seems like the least effort. |
12-12-2012, 11:10 AM | #12 | |
Gangnam style!
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So I will opine at this point, despite any improvements/enhancements I may pine for, overall I am very happy with the reading experience on my KT as well as the operation of the Kobo book shop. If development stopped today, I would keep using my Kobo and still be satisfied. It was purchased over a year ago and I feel that I received good value. |
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12-12-2012, 11:53 AM | #13 |
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Lots of good dialog. My original point still remains, don't provide two different user experiences depending on where a file comes from. Either provide one experience or let the user decide.
Last edited by dieterpops; 12-12-2012 at 05:40 PM. |
12-12-2012, 12:03 PM | #14 |
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There's a shorter way:
1) tap to bring up menu 2) tap double-arrow "Navigate" icon 3) tap double-right-arrow to go to beginning of next chapter There's your page Now to get back: 1) tap "Return" arrow 2) tap "X" to close menu Still, I miss the thin progress bar with the chapter marks. Ah, the good old days. |
12-12-2012, 12:17 PM | #15 | ||
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