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I like e-readers now

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Re: I like e-readers now

#301

Post by stinkytaco »

Rebelgecko wrote: post #281
stinkytaco wrote: post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I've never understood how this isn't a standard feature with standalone Kindles. Is this an accessibility issue? I work fairly extensively with ebook devices and users in my job and this has never come up, I doubt it even occurs to most people, which probably answers your question. However, I also work quite a bit with accessibility (for which the Kindle is excellent for many common challenges that come with age) a…

I'm semi-concerned about RSI from having to do the "swipe" gesture on my Kindle over and over. Maybe those fears are unfolded but I can see the desire even for abled people to flip pages more easily on devices that don't have built in buttons.

In one of the early episodes of 99% Invisible they look at the Oxo vegetable peeler. The conclusion is that by pursuing accessible design, they improved the experience for everyone, which is a theme they regularly return to. It's something I try to think about when "designing" an experience, partially because it narrows my focus quite a bit and is much less overwhelming that trying to think of the myriad ways something might be approached.

Re: I like e-readers now

#303

Post by franga2000 »

morsch wrote: post #100

I finally found a way to do remote page-turning for Kindle -- something I was trying to do for years. It does mean I have to read books on my Android phone instead of the Paperwhite. With OLED and white on black, I find it's pretty all right though. But I can finally rest the reader somewhere, on my knees, on a pillow, whatever, and click a remote button to get to the next page. Freedom! You enable volume button page…

I can't believe I'm not the only one who's thought about this!! Putting my kindle on the table in front of me and flipping pages with a clicker in my hand would be such a great experience. I used to do this when reading on my phone by using the volume rockers on some old wired earbuds and it was great.

It's not even about accessibility for me, although that's probably the better way to sell it. It's also about comfort. Holding the device in one hand isn't very comfortable and already makes it hard to flip pages. Holding it like a book works, but since it's smaller it's even more uncomfortable and in general holding your arms in isn't a particularly ergonomic position. Putting it down on a table or pillow in front of me works great, until I have to flip the page, meaning I probably need to get me arm out from under a blanket if it's cold and either way it's annoying, takes enough time to break the flow of reading and is likely to jostle whatever surface I've placed the reader on, so I then have to adjust it back.

To be clear, this is a 1000% first-world problem for me. If you treat the reader like a book, the experience will be just as good as a book. But I don't just want a book, or even many books in one. I want something even better.

Re: I like e-readers now

#304

Post by jsjohnst »

AshamedCaptain wrote: post #291
jsjohnst wrote: post #264

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Imagine being able write your own scripts to run on your remarkable tablet You have actual root access to a reMarkable device by SSHing into it, so not sure your point here? Were you thinking it was a device locked down like an Apple product? More details: https://github.com/reHackable/awesome-reMarkable

You can SSH, but you can't even render anything to the screen without severe and fragile hacking around. A bit of "help" from RM (like a plugin system on the main stock app) would go a lot of the way.

Thanks for continuing to shift goal posts and prove my point. I think you need to accept the product wasn’t designed for your needs. If you don’t like that, don’t buy it (or return it if you did).

Re: I like e-readers now

#305

Post by jsjohnst »

AshamedCaptain wrote: post #290
jsjohnst wrote: post #186

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Show me a general purpose computing device, like you are seem to be insisting every device should be, that has a month or more of battery life despite moderate to heavy usage, yet weighs as little and is as thin as the reMarkable. Products necessarily have trade-offs due to current technology limitations, so it's not just about "excuses".

Well, that is easy: the Remarkable has one the shortest battery life amongst ALL the gadgets I own. Even Remarkable reviews promise short of 20h, and I'd be lucky if I get 10h. I have laptops that get better battery life. Most of the problem is that it just keeps the Wi-Fi radio on constantly and tries to phone home way too frequently; see Reddit discussions for workarounds. The hardware already has Wi-Fi, it is powe…

My reMarkable 2, using it for it’s designed purpose of note taking, lasts for weeks (month+?) on a charge depending on how much I write each day, but it averages 3-5 or more pages consistently 5-6 days a week and the battery life is long enough I never think about charging.

Re: I like e-readers now

#306

Post by the__alchemist »

AshamedCaptain wrote: post #288
the__alchemist wrote: post #154

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not every electronic device needs to run a general purpose operating system and arbitrary software! This is a big contributor to why modern electronics have high latency and frustrating UIs.

Most of them are already running general purpose operating systems, and you are already paying the cost in latency (and frustrating UI) without any benefit. This is not the 90s, everything just runs Linux, even "single purpose" devices.

I'm proposing designing more devices that don't use GPOS/linux. And do their job well, with no noticeable latency or responsiveness problems. Easy for many tasks, using Cortex-M for example.

Re: I like e-readers now

#307

Post by AshamedCaptain »

jsjohnst wrote: post #304
AshamedCaptain wrote: post #291

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can SSH, but you can't even render anything to the screen without severe and fragile hacking around. A bit of "help" from RM (like a plugin system on the main stock app) would go a lot of the way.

Thanks for continuing to shift goal posts and prove my point. I think you need to accept the product wasn’t designed for your needs. If you don’t like that, don’t buy it (or return it if you did).

Please elaborate how complaining about the software being incomplete is "shifting the goal posts", and while you are at it also elaborate on how "well, just suck it up" is a valid counterargument.

Re: I like e-readers now

#308

Post by AshamedCaptain »

the__alchemist wrote: post #306
AshamedCaptain wrote: post #288

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most of them are already running general purpose operating systems, and you are already paying the cost in latency (and frustrating UI) without any benefit. This is not the 90s, everything just runs Linux, even "single purpose" devices.

I'm proposing designing more devices that don't use GPOS/linux. And do their job well, with no noticeable latency or responsiveness problems. Easy for many tasks, using Cortex-M for example.

Sure I might agree there, but this is hardly the case nowadays. You have crappy overpowered hardware and incomplete software.

Re: I like e-readers now

#309

Post by jsjohnst »

AshamedCaptain wrote: post #307
jsjohnst wrote: post #304

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for continuing to shift goal posts and prove my point. I think you need to accept the product wasn’t designed for your needs. If you don’t like that, don’t buy it (or return it if you did).

Please elaborate how complaining about the software being incomplete is "shifting the goal posts", and while you are at it also elaborate on how "well, just suck it up" is a valid counterargument.

> Please elaborate how complaining about the software being incomplete

Did they sell you a device promising a vibrant app ecosystem? Did they tell you it was a general purpose web connected computer? No, they sell it as an electronic notepad with syncing capability. Just because you think that is an “incomplete” feature set doesn’t change the fact that what it’s sold to do it does, and does it moderately well. Are you the type of person who goes into a vegetarian restaurant and rails on them for having an “incomplete menu” because they don’t offer filet mignon cooked to your liking?

Re: I like e-readers now

#310

Post by noneeeed »

MivLives wrote: post #231
noneeeed wrote: post #228

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm the same, I very rarely read a book twice. I think some of the Pratchett books are the only ones. Perhaps if I had a lot more time, or was a faster reader, I might, but for me there's always a new (for me) book that I would rather read. I can see why people keep lots of books, but for me a book on a shelf is just a wedge of paper, I'd rather give it away and let someone else read it.

For me most of the books I keep are one of two things: - Books I want to lend to people - Books with visuals/ other weird structural things that need to be books A few examples of the second are House of Leaves, S., and Understanding Comics

Ok, House of Leaves looks really interesting, I think I might have to make some time for that.
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