Call for testers with a Mark 7 device

[NiLuJe]

To make a long story short: those devices expose a slightly tweaked interface to talk with the eInk controller, and I'd like to make sure we're doing it right in KOReader.

Right now, since no-one has come at us with pitchforks, current FW appear to still handle the older interface, but this may not hold true forever (although, given Kobo's track record, I doubt it will actually change, but, no matter).

The code is already written, it's just disabled until I have more details to make sure it's correct. That's where you come in!

You basically just need shell access to your device (be it telnet or SSH) *under Nickel*.

You don't necessarily need a deep understanding of the *nix CLI, but, of course, that's always a plus .

If that's you, the gory details are explained in the relevant KOReader issue.

Thanks!

[Python Master]

What is a Mark 7 device?

[NiLuJe]

As of this moment, that's the H2O² r2, Aura SE r2 & Clara HD.

(c.f., https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kobo_Firmware_Releases & https://geek1011.github.io/KoboStuff/kobofirmware.html)

[zavorra]

Reckless owner of a Clara HD here!

I have enough knowledge of linux, but I am completely new to kobo hacking/modding/whatever

So we could make an agreement, if you teach me how to enable sftp or scp and ssh I will help you testing KOReader

Z

[NiLuJe]

@zavorra: Well, I can steer your towards my own package for that (among other things ;D).

As usual, it's simply a KoboRoot.tgz to drop in the .kobo folder.
Once it finishes rebooting, it's as simple as ssh root@<kobo IP>. In case you have no easy means of figuring out the IP of wireless devices on your network, the Kobo itself will display it in the Settings > Device Information page .

[zavorra]

great! It's working, and we have python too!

Now, I should be able help with KOReader. What to do?

EDIT: ok, I found your github issue and just sent you the log there. Let me know if I can help some more.

[NiLuJe]

@zavorra: I'll have an FBInk build to test in a few hours, but other than that, I should be able to manage, given that it appears to behave much like a Kindle Oasis 2, and we already did the 'back and forth' testing round on that one .

Many, many thanks .

[NiLuJe]

@zavorra: Updated FBInk, there

And a quick test to check how it behaves:

strace -fitv -e trace=ioctl /usr/local/fbink/bin/fbink -mp -y -5 "Hello World"

Thanks!

(The next step will be KOReader, but that may take a few days ).

[zavorra]

I can confirm it is working on Aura. This is the strace log:

Z

Spoiler:

[root@(none) ~]# strace -fitv -e trace=ioctl /usr/local/fbink/bin/fbink -mp -y -5 "Helo World"
08:35:52 [76eeb1f6] ioctl(3, FBIOGET_VSCREENINFO, 0x76f720c8) = 0
[FBInk] Variable fb info: 1072x1448, 32bpp @ rotation: 3 (Counter Clockwise, 270°)
[FBInk] Fontsize set to 32x32.
[FBInk] Line length: 33 cols, Page size: 45 rows.
08:35:52 [76eeb1f6] ioctl(3, FBIOGET_FSCREENINFO, 0x76f72168) = 0
[FBInk] Fixed fb info: ID is "mxc_epdc_fb", length of fb mem: 6782976 bytes & line length: 4352 bytes
[FBInk] Enabled Kobo Mark 7 quirks
[FBInk] Kernel's HZ value appears to be 100
Printing string 'Helo World' @ column 0, row -5 (inverted: false, flashing: false, centered: true, left padded: true, clear screen: false, font scaling: x0)
08:35:52 [76eeb1f6] ioctl(3, MXCFB_SEND_UPDATE, {update_region={top=1280, left=0, width=1072, height=32}, waveform_mode=WAVEFORM_MODE_AUTO, update_mode=UPDATE_MODE_PARTIAL, update_marker=1427, temp=TEMP_USE_AMBIENT, flags=0, dither_mode=EPDC_FLAG_USE_DITHERING_PASSTHROUGH, quant_bit=0, alt_buffer_data={phys_addr=0, width=0, height=0, alt_update_region={top=0, left=0, width=0, height=0}}}, 0x7ea8a7c0) = 0
08:35:52 [????????] +++ exited with 0 +++
[root@(none) ~]#

[NiLuJe]

@zavorra: Fantastic, thank you .