What is this new entry in AbTest table in the Kobo database?

[geek1011]

I have found a new entry in the AbTest table in KoboReader.sqlite on my Kobo Aura Edition 2 running firmware 4.2.8432.

Here is the entry from the sqlite prompt:

sqlite> .headers on
sqlite> select * from AbTest;
Id                                  |Expiration         |Name                |GroupId|Variables|Status|Description        |Checksum                        |TestKey
2d32b3a2-1017-43f0-8c06-33e71277c3c1|2018-11-20T00:00:00|Nickel_NewHomeScreen|2      |         |1     |2018-11-20T00:00:00|3ced0ca22d05d6c15ee3d687a2b091d7|REDACTED

The columns are as follows

It seems like Kobo is A/B testing a new home screen, but I do not see any change. Does anyone else have an entry like this, and if so, is there a different homescreen?

[davidfor]

Sorry, I've never looked into what the ABTest table was for. But, I do have that entry. For me, "GroupId" is 1 and "Variables" is a 60 character hex string.

[geek1011]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Sorry, I've never looked into what the ABTest table was for. But, I do have that entry. For me, "GroupId" is 1 and "Variables" is a 60 character hex string.

It seems like you are also in the same group as me.
As for the AbTest table, I am quite sure it is for A/B testing new features. This new entry for me only popped up after I upgraded to 4.2.8432.


Also, if anyone has a new homescreen, also post a picture as well as the database entry please. I'm really interested in seeing it.

[frostschutz]

these are in libnickel

INSERT INTO AbTest (FeatureId,Bit,DefaultValue,IsEnabled,Checksum) VALUES ('promo#test',85,1,1,'35a76d6833bd8def114bb1cfb1155730');
INSERT INTO AbTest (FeatureId,Bit,DefaultValue,IsEnabled,Checksum) VALUES ('discoverTitle#test',5,1,1,'0c784049c8a8debbcbeb7833ee212ab4');

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by frostschutz

these are in libnickel

INSERT INTO AbTest (FeatureId,Bit,DefaultValue,IsEnabled,Checksum) VALUES ('promo#test',85,1,1,'35a76d6833bd8def114bb1cfb1155730');
INSERT INTO AbTest (FeatureId,Bit,DefaultValue,IsEnabled,Checksum) VALUES ('discoverTitle#test',5,1,1,'0c784049c8a8debbcbeb7833ee212ab4');

Those are part of fairly old database migrations to DBversion 52 and 57 respectively. There is a later migration, to DBVersion 72, that drops and creates the table with different columns.

[kido.resuri]

I also have "FrictionlessReadingBanner" and "NickelFTETest" with the mentioned "Nickel_NewHomeScreen" in AbTest table.

[davidfor]

I have those as well. No idea what they are except that "FTE" is short for "First Time Experience" and usually there is a popup or something for the first time you do something. Such as the info on using the library when you first open it.

[kido.resuri]

I had these in FW 3.19.5761, so nothing new here I guess.

[geek1011]

There is a new home screen. Kobo e-Readers have a new homescreen
http://goodereader.com/blog/electron...new-homescreen

[geek1011]

But this probably looks like the homescreen will not be able to have the games added to it, but I will try and see if I can enable this homescreen on my Kobo so I can test it out.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by geek1011

There is a new home screen. Kobo e-Readers have a new homescreen
http://goodereader.com/blog/electron...new-homescreen

Good to see the GoodEReader are still on their toes. Only two days after we started to discuss this here. And most of that post was copied directly from that thread, including the screenshot, without any attribution.

[geek1011]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Good to see the GoodEReader are still on their toes. Only two days after we started to discuss this here. And most of that post was copied directly from that thread, including the screenshot, without any attribution.

Ok, I did not check here first, I just saw the article in my RSS reader.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by geek1011

Ok, I did not check here first, I just saw the article in my RSS reader.

I did notice that rather familiar screenshot.