Quote orwell2k
How is the reading on the Cool-ER? I was under the impression that, when it wasn't crashing or freezing, the ePub and FB2 displaying were quite good in terms of readability and options. Is this correct or a myth?
No the reading part is actually quite good and the screen is okay (does a nice PDF reflow, too). I might just be a bit spoiled by the PB firmware that has a lot more possibilities!
Quote panda53
Hi -
I put in a request to the mobileread.com forum in October for a dedicated Cool-er ebook device subforum, and never got a reply. As you've all commented, it's really hard work finding relevant information across all the forums.
Let's hope they do implement this!
As for the cool-er as an ebook reader, I think it's pretty good, and I really like the open system philosophy. Easy to read, lightweight and easy to use. Yeah, there are things that could be improved but hopefully the firmware updates will keep improving the product.
I ordered a super neoprene sleeve for mine from Amazon.com and even with the postage it was under £9. However, I've just seen today that there are now sleeves and covers available on ebay uk.
Has any one had any difficuly installing the latest firmware? I'm just waiting until I finish the book I'm reading.
best,
Pamela
Installing the new FW is okay! Well you still have to have really big hands or, better, three hands, for the update reset!
Quote mtravellerh
Same here. About time someone comes up with a good hack!
Yeah, OpenInkpot was in the works for a little while, but currently not
I've been considering joining up to try my hand at it.
Quote orwell2k
How is the reading on the Cool-ER? I was under the impression that, when it wasn't crashing or freezing, the ePub and FB2 displaying were quite good in terms of readability and options. Is this correct or a myth?
I think the readability is quite good. mtraveller mentioned the pdf reflow, and I enjoy that for books, but it can leave a bit to be desired for technical documents - a really good alternative is to rotate the display to horizontal and then it's very readable without having to reflow.
Quote
How is the reading on the Cool-ER? I was under the impression that, when it wasn't crashing or freezing, the ePub and FB2 displaying were quite good in terms of readability and options. Is this correct or a myth?
OtherHalf bought one particularly because it's lightweight compared to my Sony. Has had no touble with it crashing or freezing (or at least no worse than my sony). And EPub display is totally equivalent to the Sony. Reading in general seems absolutely fine.
Minor downsides are that the bookmark feature is through a menu rather than the Sony'd dedicated button.
Quote
Minor downsides are that the bookmark feature is through a menu rather than the Sony'd dedicated button.
That's true, although the Cool-er does remember the last page you were on, but if you want more bookmarks you have to do that in the menu.
The menu could also be better organized, with the things that we're likely to use the most frequently (go to page, font, bookmarks, library) at the top rather than much further down the list.
I agree with codeMonkey that the cool-er is really best for reading things like novels, sequentially. I can imagine that it would be really combersome to have to naviage around alot with either the bookmarks or go to page command.
Epubs are great on the cool-er, and in general, have much better appearance. The new version of calibre does a great job converting pdf's into epubs.
Just installed the new firmware... which went fine, although you will need a .rar programme to open it before copying all the files onto sd card.
Quote orwell2k
How is the reading on the Cool-ER? I was under the impression that, when it wasn't crashing or freezing, the ePub and FB2 displaying were quite good in terms of readability and options. Is this correct or a myth?
I find it very readable and the display very good. It has a few options for changes, but once I found a font and size that I liked I haven't changed it.
The crashing issues seem to have been taken care of in the previous firmware update (I have not tried the newest one yet). Currently mine is very stable I have had do a full crash where I had to fully power it off, once in the last few months. I would rate it as fairly stable at this point. I have certainly used much more unstable devices before.
Amy
Quote sassanik
I find it very readable and the display very good. It has a few options for changes, but once I found a font and size that I liked I haven't changed it.
The crashing issues seem to have been taken care of in the previous firmware update (I have not tried the newest one yet). Currently mine is very stable I have had do a full crash where I had to fully power it off, once in the last few months. I would rate it as fairly stable at this point. I have certainly used much more unstable devices before.
Amy
True!
Quote sassanik
I find it very readable and the display very good. It has a few options for changes, but once I found a font and size that I liked I haven't changed it.
The crashing issues seem to have been taken care of in the previous firmware update (I have not tried the newest one yet). Currently mine is very stable I have had do a full crash where I had to fully power it off, once in the last few months. I would rate it as fairly stable at this point. I have certainly used much more unstable devices before.
Amy
the lastest firmware seem to be alot faster, i said optimised. recommend to update to for faster performance only, minus: a rtf hang bug and missing resume on ur last page function!!!
It means netronix is actually working on something atleast. So far so good!
I wish they put out option to adjust the grey scale.
Put an option to switch the remember last page option in the menu!
I was thinking that upgrading the firmware on my Cool-er would be good. I like the idea of faster firmware, but I am not happy that I will lose go to the last page I was reading thing when I turn on the Cool-er.
I have had a corrupted file on my Cool-er before and when I turned it on and went to it, and then my Cool-er crashed I did not get stuck in a endless loop. When I rebooted the Cool-er it went right back to library screen and did not default to the last book. So I don't think it was necassary to remove the feature that caused it to default to the last book (if that was the thinking behind the change). I think a good solution would be to make it a setting where you could choose to turn it off or on.
Amy
Quote sassanik
I was thinking that upgrading the firmware on my Cool-er would be good. I like the idea of faster firmware, but I am not happy that I will lose go to the last page I was reading thing when I turn on the Cool-er.
I have had a corrupted file on my Cool-er before and when I turned it on and went to it, and then my Cool-er crashed I did not get stuck in a endless loop. When I rebooted the Cool-er it went right back to library screen and did not default to the last book. So I don't think it was necassary to remove the feature that caused it to default to the last book (if that was the thinking behind the change). I think a good solution would be to make it a setting where you could choose to turn it off or on.
Amy
Yeah, admittedly I've only had the problem with some unprofessionally made pdfs, and on certain pages in these files when turning on the reader it freezes - but most pages are fine. That said, it is mostly speculation on my part at the moment until I hear back from Interead.
