devices supported by mainstream linux distros (future proofing)

Sgt.Stubby · 12-16-2013, 02:37 PM

What e-readers:

* work with a relatively non-proprietary linux distro (e.g. debian, suse, not android)
* have a screen that is e-ink, reflective LCD, or dual-mode (but not strictly backlit LCD)
* are mostly open (i know nothing is fully open)

Anything that is heavily proprietary suffers from making users dependent on the maker for updates. If a maker wants you to buy their next model, they can simply drop support for old models. E.g. nook and kindle users will be screwed in such an event. Whereas if debian runs on a device, there is at least a reasonable chance that the FOSS community will continue support.

Kobo looks viable, because debian has been ported to Kobo and Mer has been ported to Kobo. And there is an open git repository for Kobo. So if the makers of kobo drop the ball, others are likely to pick up the slack.

Is there anything to consider besides Kobo devices?

In principle, I would rather reward Onyx and PocketBook makers with my business, because they don't try to force a compulsory registration on their clients.

susan_cassidy · 12-16-2013, 03:39 PM

Amazon has not dropped support for the K1, which was the first Kindle. It is open in the sense that you can buy .mobi books from anywhere you like, without DRM. Kindle runs Linux, but it is not easily accessible. Linux supports it just fine, though, connecting to USB.

HarryT · 12-17-2013, 03:58 AM

The Kindle simply mounts on a PC as a FAT32 mass storage device, and hence is supported by any o/s.

The devices to watch out for are ePub readers which use ADE. In order to buy books from many stores you need to use Adobe Digital Editions (ADE), which only works on Windows and the Mac. It's not the readers themselves that are the issue in this case, but the book-buying mechanism.

I'd go for a Kindle, personally.

Sgt.Stubby · 12-17-2013, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

Amazon has not dropped support for the K1, which was the first Kindle. It is open in the sense that you can buy .mobi books from anywhere you like, without DRM. Kindle runs Linux, but it is not easily accessible. Linux supports it just fine, though, connecting to USB.

What's k1? Is that the first generation?

Even the first generation is only 5 years old, so it's too early to judge what Foxconn will do.

Anyway, the real problem is that Foxconn is in complete control over the support, and they can go out of business at any time. Foxconn can be bought at any time, and there's nothing to stop them from deciding to drop support.

When the software goes stale, the hardware starts filling landfills.

petrucci · 12-17-2013, 08:13 AM

K1 is the first generation kindle.

If you are very worried about support, you could root a device and load linux. At present I am not exactly sure which devices have been rooted, but I think many of the kindles, kobos, and onyx have been.

HarryT · 12-17-2013, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgt.Stubby

Anyway, the real problem is that Foxconn is in complete control over the support, and they can go out of business at any time.

No, Amazon is in complete control of the support.

Sgt.Stubby · 12-17-2013, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

No, Amazon is in complete control of the support.

I don't know how much control Amazon has over Foxconn, but it's a red herring. Don't you think Amazon has a profit-driven motive to sell existing users the next model?

HarryT · 12-17-2013, 09:59 AM

Sorry, I'm afraid I'm unclear what point you're making. Amazon don't make profit on selling Kindles - they're sold essentially at cost price. They make money from selling content. So no, Amazon don't have a profit motive to sell existing owners a new Kindle. They DO have an incentive to provide great support to existing customers, so they keep them as customers.

As I said in my initial reply, you're not dependent upon anyone's "support" to use a Kindle with Linux; it simply mounts as a FAT32 volume.

eschwartz · 12-17-2013, 03:55 PM

You could always use a linux distro on a computer, with calibre as your reader. Maybe that will meet your high standards?

susan_cassidy · 12-17-2013, 04:34 PM

By the way, if a product is complete and working, you don't need any updates. My K1, for example, hasn't had any updates in years, but it works fine. No bugs that I'm aware of, and it still works just fine.

12-16-2013, 02:37 PM	#1
Sgt.Stubby Connoisseur Posts: 51 Karma: 530000 Join Date: Dec 2013 Device: none	devices supported by mainstream linux distros (future proofing) What e-readers: * work with a relatively non-proprietary linux distro (e.g. debian, suse, not android) * have a screen that is e-ink, reflective LCD, or dual-mode (but not strictly backlit LCD) * are mostly open (i know nothing is fully open) Anything that is heavily proprietary suffers from making users dependent on the maker for updates. If a maker wants you to buy their next model, they can simply drop support for old models. E.g. nook and kindle users will be screwed in such an event. Whereas if debian runs on a device, there is at least a reasonable chance that the FOSS community will continue support. Kobo looks viable, because debian has been ported to Kobo and Mer has been ported to Kobo. And there is an open git repository for Kobo. So if the makers of kobo drop the ball, others are likely to pick up the slack. Is there anything to consider besides Kobo devices? In principle, I would rather reward Onyx and PocketBook makers with my business, because they don't try to force a compulsory registration on their clients. Last edited by Sgt.Stubby; 12-16-2013 at 02:57 PM.

12-17-2013, 09:59 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Sorry, I'm afraid I'm unclear what point you're making. Amazon don't make profit on selling Kindles - they're sold essentially at cost price. They make money from selling content. So no, Amazon don't have a profit motive to sell existing owners a new Kindle. They DO have an incentive to provide great support to existing customers, so they keep them as customers. As I said in my initial reply, you're not dependent upon anyone's "support" to use a Kindle with Linux; it simply mounts as a FAT32 volume. Last edited by HarryT; 12-17-2013 at 10:06 AM.

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12-16-2013, 03:39 PM	#2
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	Amazon has not dropped support for the K1, which was the first Kindle. It is open in the sense that you can buy .mobi books from anywhere you like, without DRM. Kindle runs Linux, but it is not easily accessible. Linux supports it just fine, though, connecting to USB.

12-17-2013, 03:58 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The Kindle simply mounts on a PC as a FAT32 mass storage device, and hence is supported by any o/s. The devices to watch out for are ePub readers which use ADE. In order to buy books from many stores you need to use Adobe Digital Editions (ADE), which only works on Windows and the Mac. It's not the readers themselves that are the issue in this case, but the book-buying mechanism. I'd go for a Kindle, personally.

12-17-2013, 08:13 AM	#5
petrucci Groupie Posts: 198 Karma: 1647827 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	K1 is the first generation kindle. If you are very worried about support, you could root a device and load linux. At present I am not exactly sure which devices have been rooted, but I think many of the kindles, kobos, and onyx have been.

12-17-2013, 03:55 PM	#9
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,422 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	You could always use a linux distro on a computer, with calibre as your reader. Maybe that will meet your high standards?

12-17-2013, 04:34 PM	#10
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	By the way, if a product is complete and working, you don't need any updates. My K1, for example, hasn't had any updates in years, but it works fine. No bugs that I'm aware of, and it still works just fine.

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