This turned into an interesting little project. It's my first time installing KOReader on a legacy device like this.
Most of the corner of the case had some kind of ink or dye stain on it.
Added a skin to cover the damaged case. I don’t really love this faux wood skin ($1 on eBay), but it still looks better than the stained plastic underneath.
Then I decided to install KOReader. Oh boy!
I love KOReader on newer e-readers, but the interface works better with a touchscreen. This legacy version runs on the non-touch Kindle Keyboard, so navigation with the directional pad can feel awkward, and the software isn’t quite as smooth as it is on modern hardware.
The installation process sucked, and took a long time. First, I had to update the Kindle’s original firmware to version 3.4.3. Then I had to find the correct jailbreak file for my exact Kindle 3 model, install it, and restart the device. There are several nearly identical files for different Kindle versions, so choosing the correct one matters.
After jailbreak, had to install a Kindlet Kit thingy, restart again, then install an updated developer certificate because the certificate included with the older package had expired.
I initially had the wrong version, so I had to repeat part of the process with the correct file. After all that, I copied the Kindle Keyboard version of KUAL over onto it.
Only then could I finally install KOReader. None of the individual steps were super hard, but took a lot of files, updates, restarts, and model-specific versions to sort through. Probably took me about 3 hours since I had to sort though all the stuff.
Results are mostly worth it. I love the control that KOReader gives me over fonts, font sizes, margins, line spacing, etc.
It struggles with unusually large files tho. I tried an omnibus containing all the Harry Potter books in one ebook, and KOReader froze several times. The whole screen locked up, which forced me to perform a long restart.
Regular-sized books have worked fine so far.
Now that I have all the correct files and understand the installation order, I may put KOReader on my other Kindle 3s. But man, this first one was a tough setup.
8 Comments
KingGordon@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 34d
That woodlook skin is great. Very vintage 80s.
quantumlover@lemmy.zip · -1 pts · 34d
Thanks. You can't see it in this pic, but it's just a little too glossy for me. I'd love it if it wasn't so shiny in regular light. But again, still better than the stained case that I covered with it. lol
A_norny_mousse@piefed.zip · 2 pts · 32d
I was thinking to get a Kindle for cheap, but a) they aren't even that cheap used, and b) I found the jailbreaking a little daunting.
Got a used Kobo Nia now, very happy. With KoReader of course. Never connected it to the 'net.
BTW I tried to change the screen on my previous PocketBook (thinner than the Kobo, same size otherwise) but it would have required removing the gooey battery as well, and heating the whole thing up to get the glue to soften... is this one more repairable?
PS: in your pic, the screen resolution + shades of grey looks pretty good for a device that old.
quantumlover@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 32d
Depending on which one you have, yes, very daunting. Modern ones aren't as bad, but if you were get an older used one like this Kindle 3, it could very likely be a huge pain.
Kobo has a good rep, and I love KOReader, so you are set. Good job!
greatwhitebuffalo41@slrpnk.net · 1 pts · 34d
Ooohh I have an old AF nook, I should see what options I have for it.
quantumlover@lemmy.zip · -2 pts · 34d
You should!
greatwhitebuffalo41@slrpnk.net · 1 pts · 33d
I need to backup what's on it first. I don't think I have copies of two of the books anymore and they're impossible to get since the author never published and is no longer writing. I need to do that anyways.
quantumlover@lemmy.zip · -2 pts · 33d
Definitely back up! One of he things that I like about my older readers is that they use an SD card that I can just pop out and put in a different reader. I'm not sure why they've removed that option in modern readers. Ok, I'm sure it's due to form factor and cost, but I still prefer to have my books loaded on the SD card instead of the reader itself.