Ebook Readers for WM

[Jim chapman]

Originally Posted by cruxader

... long initial pagination is a problem.
One of the use I plan to put Freda to is to use it as a reference device - handling large 100~1000kb text files. Game guides.

The pagination delay is unacceptable for this purpose.

At least that is my first impression.

The pagination process should be much faster the second time you open the same book (because Freda will cache the pagination data). It still isn't really instantaneous (for that, you will have to wait for 'Freda 2', which is in the works ...)

Jim

[GirlGoneGeek]

Interesting program and sounds like Freda is the latest. I'll try it out. I am starting to read more and more now.

[frentraken]

Just finished a book in Freda, it's great other than dropping into memory on any alerts(incoming call, text, or email alert.) Also the load times after closing the application completely, can be a bit annoying especially since it doesn't close to memory on hitting the end key. Overall I enjoy it more than ubook as it does a better full screen and does black background with white text more naturally. (No side border for it, though I miss the clock on that section.) Hope to see more updates, perhaps something in the load times, and paginating.

[Jim chapman]

Originally Posted by frentraken

Just finished a book in Freda, it's great other than dropping into memory on any alerts(incoming call, text, or email alert.) Also the load times after closing the application completely, can be a bit annoying especially since it doesn't close to memory on hitting the end key.

I guess when you mention 'close to memory' you mean 'move to background' (since it's not an iPhone and does therefore support multi-tasking, the OS will keep the program running). I have had a lot of trouble with getting Freda to move to the background cleanly - particularly when trying to make it work right with HTC's various UI adaptations. What UI are you using - WM default or some other shell?

Originally Posted by frentraken

Overall I enjoy it more than ubook as it does a better full screen and does black background with white text more naturally. (No side border for it, though I miss the clock on that section.) Hope to see more updates, perhaps something in the load times, and paginating.

Development is ongoing ... load times and pagination are something I continue to look at. And I might even add a clock ...

Thanks for using Freda,

Jim

[frentraken]

I'm running 6.5.3 with the stock windows titanium home screen. Also is it normal for it to hold the phone on and only turn off screen when I hit the power button while it's running? Seems odd that it does this.

[Jim chapman]

Originally Posted by frentraken

I'm running 6.5.3 with the stock windows titanium home screen. Also is it normal for it to hold the phone on and only turn off screen when I hit the power button while it's running? Seems odd that it does this.

Maybe you've managed to get the option 'Keep Backlight On' set? If so, that will stop you turning off the backlight unless you exit Freda (and since leaving the backlight on but turning the device off would obviously be silly, that option also stops you turning the device off ). On the main menu, select Screen>Allow Backlight to Turn Off to disable this behaviour).

Jim

[Daemonax]

+1 for Freda. Thanks to Jim for a fantastic piece of software. I've read hundreds of books on my phones/pda's over the years. I used to use Mobipocket's Mobireader, but it was never quite right, even for my simple needs. I never stopped looking and eventually stumbled on Freda here on the forums. I've never looked back. Each release makes it closer to perfect. For instance, I can now close the app from within the book using 1.1 (I was going to complain and upgraded while writing this.)

Jim, can we get the menu option to close back? I can't close from full-screen now. Bringing up the menu takes me out of fullscreen and I can close the app, but I have to put it back in full-screen when I open the book again. Also, any hopes of a higher-res icon? It pixelates on Sense 2.5.

[Jim chapman]

Originally Posted by Daemonax

Bringing up the menu takes me out of fullscreen and I can close the app, but I have to put it back in full-screen when I open the book again. Also, any hopes of a higher-res icon? It pixelates on Sense 2.5.

I'm just completing testing on a fix for that problem where it drops out of full-screen mode. As for the high-res icon, I will see what I can do. Actually I think the icon resolution is quite high already (128x128 ) but the pixelated effect is happening because the icon doesn't blend nicely with its background. I'm working on it ...

Thanks for using Freda,

Jim

[Gwinga]

I'm using Microsoft Reader on my Imagio. I've tried others, including the latest version of Freda. I like the touch and appearance options in Freda, and I think the program has a lot of potential, but Microsoft Reader is so slick, and it's features so intuitive and seamlessly integrated, I keep going back to it in spite of the it's lack of touch friendliness.

[emerald]

I use the Microsoft Reader the most. If there's a .lit version of a book, I'll buy that over the others. Otherwise, I'd just use the normal program to read whatever .extension form it's in. Like Opera for the .html and Word for .docs and such.

However, I've since flashed a 6.5.x rom and Microsoft Reader is acting funny now. There's a bit cut off on the program. Usually it's just a small cut off, you can see the background (like Sense UI) at the bottom, but sometimes it cuts half the page off and you can't see the arrows to turn the pages. Pretty annoying.

I've been looking into MobiPocket, but I've had bad experiences with it freezing often while I read.

Does Freda support .lit documents? I read it just supports .epub, txt and html which then leaves out half the ebook population with .doc, .lit, .pdf.