uBook - what do you want?

[alpha]

To our readers and uBook addicts....

What changes, features and improvements do you want to see in uBook?

Let us know .............

[waveydavey]

I'd like to see a touch interface where you can move pages with a left right sweep and chapters with a up down sweep......for starters.

[windows]

You can already switch cursor modes and change pages by a single tap on the left or right hand side of the page to navigate backwards or forwards ....

[FekketCantenel]

I do like the sliding auto-read feature, but would like to see some of these modes made available (the first because it's pretty, the latter two because they're better for speed-reading):

1) Like in PalmFiction (for Palm OS), a mode that makes the page slide steadily upward would be nice.

2) RSVP mode.

3) Something like the current mode, but with a separator above the current line as well, forcing the reader to watch only that line.

[µBook]

1) I did the current mode to save on battery use, as I am convince that constant scrolling of the whole page is way more power hungry than just a few lines overdrawing... But I didn't try drain tests...

2) Sounds like a way to get lost when you are a day-dreamer like me who need to re-read the last paragraph all the time

3) That could be, I'll have to visualize this!

[windows]

Now one thing I'd like is that when devices are used with auto-read on some method of easilly speeding up or slowing the auto speed scroll rate.

[windows]

For me changes I'd like to see are:

• Tutorial on how to design skins
• A skin with large buttons at the bottom that can be hit easily with a finger
• Skinnable menu that could then have larger finger friendly graphics
• Auto-read rate variable and under control via touch or keys
• Auto detection and setting of fonts etc for VGA devices
• Use the new Touch API's to allow finger swipes to navigate a book, and increase / decrease font size
• A 'dead space' option where large gaps which are found in some scanned books can be eliminated automatically
• Synchronisation of books and book bookmarks between the PC and the PDA (ducks quickly)
• Ability to read LIT formatted books
• Link / reference to the support forum on the title page (I have to ask)
• New more modern looking icon design for the uBook program icon
• Change to Arial as the default font

I think that is it for me

[tonybro]

I've not used to program yet but daron hit on something in his list....

All my e-books are either LIT files or Palm Reader PRC files. Anything I use would have to read both of these and deal with any DRM. I can use C LIT to remove DRM from them but I haven't looked for anything to do the same for my PRC files as the DRM doesn't intrude as much there.

[FekketCantenel]

1) Yeah, it seems like it would use battery, but the implementation in PalmFiction doesn't seem to use much. If you could experiment and see, maybe it would work after all. However, this mode was just a pretty idea.

2) RSVP does indeed require a bit of concentration, but the rewards in reading speed are worth it. Also, RSVP readers are getting more and more popular; being able to boast it as a feature would no-doubt help uBook's popularity.

3) Do you mean that you can't picture it? I could Photoshop an example if you like.

Windows, the versions up to 2008d allowed you to use the up-down buttons to control it. In fact, I downgraded last night because I needed that and couldn't find it in the new version.

I'll second these selected features from Windows' list:

Originally Posted by windows

For me changes I'd like to see are:

• Tutorial on how to design skins
• Auto-read rate variable and under control via touch or keys
• A 'dead space' option where large gaps which are found in some scanned books can be eliminated automatically
• Synchronisation of books and book bookmarks between the PC and the PDA (ducks quickly)

[windows]

Right I'll play around a little and see if I can find the feature again.