Hello all!
Recently I've started using two seperate Android devices to read books
using FBReaderJ for Android, a NookColor, and my phone, a Sprint EVO
3D. Very quickly, I ran into a problem. I read the same books on both
devices, so I ended up spending a lot of time looking for my place
whenever I switched devices (I used the NC at home, and my phone
everywhere else).
I imagine that this must be a problem quite a few people are having,
or will be having as android devices become more popular.
So, I wrote an android app to synchronize my place in each book
between the two devices.
App Name: FBSync
Current Version: v1.0.26
Revision History:
1.0.26 - Removed Auto-Sync feature (hopefully just temporarily. I want to get this working, but the FBReader API just doesn't provide enough functionality to get it working smoothly). Removed syncing of "recent" books (It caused more trouble than it was worth, sorry, you will have to manually open your book if you changed books on another device). Added a "Sync" item to the FBReader menu that pulls up FBSync.
1.0.24 - Updated Dropbox support to use latest Dropbox API. Fixed Auto-Sync feature to properly sync new book positions (broken due to a change in FBReader). Due to limitations in FBReader, the Auto-Sync feature is still rather rough.
1.0.23 - Added a Dropbox support for your book position data, an Auto-Sync feature that makes use of the FBReader API, and (in theory) the program has been translated into Russian (thanks Dmitry!). If you have set up your own synchronization server, you will need to update the PHP files to the files in the attached sync.zip
1.0.19 - Fixed another bug that affected Honeycomb devices. Confirmed working on an Acer Iconia A500.
1.0.18 - Fixed a bug that affected Honeycomb devices (I hope!)
1.0.17 - Added "Alternate Sync URL" functionality for those people who want to set up their own sync server instead of using mine. See below for more instructions.
Requirements:
1) Root. Your devices must be rooted. This application only uses
root for two things. First, it uses root to get access to the
FBReaderJ books database, and second, it uses root to kill the
FBReaderJ process before it syncs the data (it has to kill the process
to force FBReader to reload the database).
2) FBReaderJ must be installed on the device (you will be prompted to
install it if you haven't already when you load my app)
3) You must have already opened FBReaderJ at least once, and viewed
it's library (Menu button, "Library"). This creates the databases
that my application needs.
Download:
An older version is available on Google Play, but the latest version can always be found at the bottom of this post.
Instructions for Use:
As of v1.0.23, you have the option of either syncing book positions to my web server, or to Dropbox. If you choose to use Dropbox, it will create a single file on your Dropbox account (under \FBSync) that contains the book position data.
If you desire to sync the book positions to my web server, you can also enable a new, experimental "Auto-Sync" feature that syncs your position whenever you open or close FBReader (or a book in FBReader). This functionality only works when using my web server, it does not currently work with Dropbox.
The auto-sync feature make use of FBReader's API and makes FBSync work as a plug-in for FBReader. Unfortunately the API does not contain all of the features needed to completely remove the root requirement for FBSync.
If you are going to use my web server to sync:
After you install it, go into the settings (blue icon, or menu/
settings), and enter an email (doesn't have to be an email, any unique
string will work) and numeric pin # (this isn't secure, so don't use a
pin you care about). The email/pin is just to uniquely identify you.
You should use the same email/pin on each device.
On the same screen, you can choose to sync the actual book files to Dropbox. Since your Dropbox account is used, only your account can access the books, if
you choose to sync them. It only uploads/downloads the books when it
needs them, so it may take a while the first time you sync, but after
that it shouldn't take more than a minute MAX (my typical sync times
for 90 books is about 5-10 seconds)
Click the middle, orange icon, to begin the sync process.
If this is the first time you've synced since selecting the "Enable Dropbox" setting, you will be prompted to allow FBSync access to your dropbox account.
The sync process first uploads, then downloads. It only updates the book's "place" on the web (or Dropbox) if it's farther ahead than the web's "place" for the book.
If you are using the Auto-Sync function, the above statement is not true. It always saves the exact position of your book upon closure of FbReader or closing the book.
Miscellaneous Info:
This program is still in beta. I have used and tested it extensively,
but I'm not liable if you manage to break it somehow. Since it does
alter the data in FBReader's databases (it does not, and never will,
alter the database structures), it is possible, but very unlikely,
that it could lose your book's places. I would suggest that you back
up FBReaderJ using something like Titanium Backup before you start
using FBSync, just to be on the safe side.
The synchronized book position data is currently hosted on my personal web server, or your Dropbox account (as of v1.0.23). Your book files are only stored on your Dropbox account.
UPDATE: As of v1.0.17, I added the ability to define your own "Sync Server". Here's how to use it:
In the Settings (Menu, Settings), there is a new option "Alternate Sync URL" where you can enter your own URL. Leave it blank if you want to use my server.
If you want to use your own, you will need the file attached to this post. I wouldn't recommend trying to set up your own server unless you are pretty comfortable with web servers, php, and mySql.
Sync.zip contains a .SQL script, and several .PHP files that are required to set up your own sync server.
The primary thing that you need to set up your own Sync server is a HTTP Web server that supports mySql and PHP.
On your server, create a new mySql database (name doesn't matter, just make sure there's a user attached to it that has insert/update/delete rights), then run the sql code in the sync.sql to create the two tables that are needed.
Edit the common.php file and replace the '' values in this block:
Code:
$dbhost = 'localhost';
$dbuser = ''; // Fill out the database user name here
$dbpass = ''; // Fill out the database user password here
$dbname = ''; // Fill out the database name here
with the correct values for your server. $dbhost can probably remain 'localhost'.
Then create a directory on your web server that is accessible from your devices, and put the 5 PHP files into it.
Launch FBSync, hit Menu, Settings, click the "Alternate Sync URL", and type in the URL that points to the directory you put those PHP files in (ex; http://sync.splitmatrix.net/alternate_sync ). You must start it with http://, and it should not end in a /.
After you enter the URL, save out of it, back out to the main FBSync window, and click the Sync button. If you set up everything correctly, it should sync to your server now instead of mine.
Please let me know of any issues you find, or any improvements you
want.
Thanks,
Scott
6/27/2012 Edit - Updated Sync.zip to remove some buggy code from addbook.php
Hi Scott,
I only have 1 device right now, so no need for sync, but I would be interested in how you can read your BN books with FBRreader. I have installed FBReader, but don't know how to read the books with it.
Also, I installed the dolphin web browser and clicked on a few epub links but nothing happens, is there a way to get it to bring up those files in FBRreader?
droidly said:
Hi Scott,
I only have 1 device right now, so no need for sync, but I would be interested in how you can read your BN books with FBRreader. I have installed FBReader, but don't know how to read the books with it.
Also, I installed the dolphin web browser and clicked on a few epub links but nothing happens, is there a way to get it to bring up those files in FBRreader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't actually purchased any books from B&N, but assuming the books you purchased are DRM free, you should be able to just move them into the \sdcard\books directory, and they should appear in the FbReader library. I believe, by default, the B&N books go into the internal storage, in the B&N Downloads\Books directory. Use a file manager like estrong's, astro's, or root explorer to copy them.
Via your web browser, save the epub books to \sdcard\books (or move them there after they download), and they'll show up. I don't believe that you can associate any book reader with epub files, I don't think android supports that. You have to open the book with the app, not the app with the book.
Scott
I use FBReader on multiple devices and would be extremely interested in such an app!
Thanks for your interest in my syncing app.
One pretty major requirement for this app is that your devices have to be rooted. Android doesn't like one app accessing another app's data, so the only way I could do it was to use root privileges.
It's still in beta, but you can download a copy of it at:
http://sync.splitmatrix.net/apk/fbsync.apk
Currently v1.0.9.
After you install it, go into the settings (blue icon, or menu/settings), and enter an email (doesn't have to be an email, any unique string will work) and numeric pin # (this isn't secure, so don't use a pin you care about). The email/pin is just to uniquely identify you. You should use the same email/pin on each device.
On the same screen, you can choose to sync the actual book files as well as their positions. It only uploads/downloads the books when it needs them, so it may take a while the first time you sync, but after that it shouldn't take more than a minute MAX, my typical sync times for 90 books is about 5-10 seconds.
Obviously you should have Fbreader already installed, and you need to have ran it, and gone into the library (menu/library) at least once (this creates the fbreader app database).
Click the middle, orange icon, to begin the sync process. It first uploads, then downloads. It only updates the book's "place" on the web if it's farther ahead than the web's "place" for the book.
Please let me know of any issues you find, or any improvements you want.
Thanks,
Scott
Cool
I just tested and it does work as stated. One question though, where is it uploading the data too?
Personal website, sync.splitmatrix.net. if the app takes off, i'll figure out something more secure and permanent.
Scott
Interesting. I'll try it out. Thank you!
One thing to think about however, especially if you open this up to general usage, is that by uploading/downloading the book file itself rather than just the current read-to position, you could potentially run into copyright issues. There is reason to believe that this could fall under Fair Use, but past rulings on similar commercial services for other media have been inconclusive. That may be a can of worms you don't want to open.
I am not a lawyer, but I do play one on web forums.
One thing I would try would be saving it on Google's servers through IMAP or something like SMS Backup does. Then no need to have to pay for a server. Don't know if it is at all possible but just thought I would see how you liked it.
RoboRay said:
Interesting. I'll try it out. Thank you!
One thing to think about however, especially if you open this up to general usage, is that by uploading/downloading the book file itself rather than just the current read-to position, you could potentially run into copyright issues. There is reason to believe that this could fall under Fair Use, but past rulings on similar commercial services for other media have been inconclusive. That may be a can of worms you don't want to open.
I am not a lawyer, but I do play one on web forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, this is something I'm aware of. Not sure what I'm going to do about it yet. That's why it's a setting
Scott
qwerty017 said:
One thing I would try would be saving it on Google's servers through IMAP or something like SMS Backup does. Then no need to have to pay for a server. Don't know if it is at all possible but just thought I would see how you liked it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The server it's currently on is hosted by a friend of mine for free, so I'm not concerned about it at the moment. If thousands of people end up using this, then obviously I'll have to make some changes.
Scott
I wonder if there's a way to store and retrieve the sync data with each user's Dropbox or something...
RoboRay said:
I wonder if there's a way to store and retrieve the sync data with each user's Dropbox or something...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd imagine that there is a way to do this, since programs like Titanium Backup support a dropbox interface.
If enough people think this would be a good feature to add, I can definitely look into it.
Scott
I'm just thinking that using each person's Dropbox would get you off the hook for not only server space and bandwidth, but also any potential copyright liability for book copies made by users synchronizing their files.
Valid points. I'll do some digging and see what it will take to implement the dropbox API in this app..
Thanks,
Scott
Edit: Updated first post with useful information - added download link.
Updated to v1.0.10 to fix a problem when used with the latest FBReader beta. Same URL as before:
Edit: Download the app off the market
Thanks,
Scott
This is a great app this is the missing link in fbreader. I hope you continue to support and enhance it.
Now that my archos tablet is rooted i can really enjoy it. I used to read my books on my phone and occasionally I still do.
Thx for the great work.
This looks like a dang good app. Since getting my nc i've quit using my evo for reading. This sync will bring joy back to my bathroom bbreaks at work!
Thanks for your kind words!
Since the last time I posted to this thread, I've added a dropbox interface to the program, and posted it to the Market (for Free of course!), so if you've downloaded the APK from the web, please re-install it from the market for the latest and greatest version.
Thanks again,
Scott
Oh, great! I'm checking out the Dropbox syncing now.
Edit: Works great!
If I may make another suggestion, you should post about your app at the MobileRead forum. I think you'll pick up a lot of users there.
Also, I know that the Android version of FBReader is different from the PC versions, but syncing with the Linux and Windows versions would be the icing on the cake. MobileRead might be a good place to find others wanting to help develop that capability
LolaLaterList, my first mobile application, is a simple ReadItLater application.
LolaLaterList-0.3.1 (17.10.2011) solves problem with SSL certificate - http://support.readitlaterlist.com/discussions/problems/1731-certificate-error. If you get the error, you should enter settings and there within Connection tab enable alternative server.
Current full feature list:
1) download unread/archive page list saved to RIL profile (also automatically)
2) open page using many browsers: Opera Mini/Mobile, UC Browser, IE Mobile, uZard Web, Netfront, Iris Browser, Dorothy Browser, system default browser
3) mark page as read
4) send read pages back to RIL server (also automatically)
5) search through local page list (with multiple criteria)
6) pages can be saved locally Currently it is very basic and only HTML file is saved (but still it is fine for pages I read most often)
7) add page to RIL feature (incl. tags)
My plan for 0.3.0 version was to implement complete page saving, but again I have changed my plans and this version brings another feature set. Page saving should be in place when LolaLaterList-0.4.0 arrives, unless there is another feature more needed .
I have noticed that my app somehow spread to several pages with WinMo software. I do not mind, but please do always refer to this thread.
Application usage should be quite straightforward - run application, on settings screen give/paste you RIL account credentials, paths to browsers you like (take into account that not all browsers can open locally saved pages) and then just sync. Page can be open/marked/downloaded from context menu available for each item on list. While downloading page is marked with asterisk, when downloaded it is marked with # sign. Page added locally is marked with plus sign.
LolaLaterList-0.3.0 (30.08.2011) brings following changes to LolaLaterList-0.2.1:
1) multiple criteria search (incl. tags)
2) archive tab. Archive list is downloaded every time from the very begining and is not saved locally.
3) support for system default browser
4) page added locally can be edited before sending
5) a few bugfixes related to HTTP communication
LolaLaterList-0.2.1 (13.07.2011) brings following changes to LolaLaterList-0.2.0
1) details screen (incl. tags)
2) communication with RIL server uses now POST method instead of GET and it lets adding more than dozen pages at single synchronization (sort of bug fix)
3) additional option for autosync added - now it can be done also when page is open in browser
Final LolaLaterList-0.2.0 (10.06.2011) brings following changes to beta1:
1) NetFront, Iris, Dorothy added. Thats all browsers I have found. If you know any other browsers, please let me know.
2) settings screen rearranged
3) paste function for all text fields
4) full synchronization added (in case of any inconsistencies with RIL)
5) http:// is added as a default protocol for new pages
6) minor bugs fixed
LolaLaterList-0.2.0-beta1 (26.05.2011) changes:
1) add page to RIL feature
2) uZard Web added
3) basic mime-types handling added for downloads
LolaLaterList-0.1.9 (17.05.2011) changes:
1) next bugs fixed
2) IE Mobile added (I missed it earlier due to some misconfiguration on my device)
3) upgrade of this version should keep config/list in place (but upgrade to this version will clean your settings, so once again you should backup it).
4) pages can be saved locally. Currently it is very basic and only HTML file is saved (but still it is fine for pages I read most often)
LolaLaterList-0.1.1 (05.05.2011) changes:
1) several bugfixes
2) UC Browser added
3) search on Enter
Painless upgrade path was not established yet - configuration was erased during update. So it was wise to backup LolaLaterList.config and LolaLaterList.txt before update to 0.1.1.
LolaLaterList-0.1.0 (02.05.2011) features:
1) download page list saved to RIL profile
2) open page using Opera Mini/Mobile
3) mark page as read
4) send read pages back to RIL server
5) search through local page list
Application uses plain .NET CF 3.5.
My plans for its future:
- save whole pages
- use IE/Opera Mobile cookies to access pages, which requires sign-up
- simple RSS client with possibility of adding page to RIL list
- page details edition
- support for locally saved page dir (e.g. saved page from Opera Mobile)
- operations (mark as read, download, etc) available on multiple items
- translations
- page list with text wrapping
- autodetection of browser paths
- sign up
Regards,
Ł.O.
looks nice, I will try it.
Thank you !
Thanks,
If you manage to add the function to add new pages, I will certainly use it, and donate (remember me if I forget...).
GeitjeG said:
If you manage to add the function to add new pages, I will certainly use it, and donate (remember me if I forget...).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you need it more than saving pages, I will be pleased to implement it before page saving.
My concept is that it could happen via clipboard. URL you want to add is copied into clipboard (Opera Mobile provides copy option for links), then within LolaLaterList option 'Add page' shows form, where URL field is prefilled with the URL from clipboard. Would it be fine for you, or is there other (simpler?) way you would like to do it?
Regards,
Ł.O.
Well, to clear things up: I mean adding an URL to read-it-later list. The easiest way would be to be able to shake-and-add in Opera. But I guess this is quite complicated? Copy and pasting via clipboard is acceptable as well.
s_green_22 said:
If you need it more than saving pages, I will be pleased to implement it before page saving.
My concept is that it could happen via clipboard. URL you want to add is copied into clipboard (Opera Mobile provides copy option for links), then within LolaLaterList option 'Add page' shows form, where URL field is prefilled with the URL from clipboard. Would it be fine for you, or is there other (simpler?) way you would like to do it?
Regards,
Ł.O.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GeitjeG said:
Well, to clear things up: I mean adding an URL to read-it-later list. The easiest way would be to be able to shake-and-add in Opera. But I guess this is quite complicated? Copy and pasting via clipboard is acceptable as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, adding an URL to read-it-later list is a feature I am thinking about .
As I can imagine when it comes to shake-and-add in Opera, the hardest thing will be to obtain URL of displayed page. Lets stay with clipboard for now .
Since one of concepts behind my app is that it does not connect to RIL without direct action from user (sync), page added to list will be sent to RIL server during synchronisation.
Regards,
Ł.O.
That's alright, maybe you can add auto sync after adding an URL (this saves one extra action to do ).
GeitjeG said:
That's alright, maybe you can add auto sync after adding an URL (this saves one extra action to do ).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please take a look at LolaLaterList-0.2.0-beta1 .
Small hint - after LolaLaterList-0.2.0-beta1 is run and closed, you can change default setting for autosync with editing LolaLaterList.config and changing addition_autosync setting to 'True'. In final 0.2.0 version it will be available within Settings screen.
Regards,
Ł.O.
Beta version works alright. I'm using it for some hours now. Will get back with more feedback for sure.
It is working great, no bugs so far.
Two things I would like to see still:
- Auto-sync settings in options
- Auto-add http:// if forgotten, I get an error everytime I forget, and have to add manually.
Could you manage those things still?
GeitjeG said:
It is working great, no bugs so far.
Two things I would like to see still:
- Auto-sync settings in options
- Auto-add http:// if forgotten, I get an error everytime I forget, and have to add manually.
Could you manage those things still?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please take a look at final 0.2.0 version. It should contain these two features.
Regards,
Ł.O.
Up thread - s it allowed
I have not found such information - is it allowed to "up" threads when new version arrives?
Regards,
Ł.O.
And again "thread up" with new version. I believe that with 60 downloads of previous version there might be several people interested with it .
Regards,
Ł.O.
Yesterday I took a picture and wanted to send it to my brother. I wanted to send him a URL to an uploaded file so I could then share that URL with others in the future. I did not want to email a picture because, frankly, it's not as easy as pasting a URL in a GTalk window.
I spent about 10 minutes thinking of all the ways I could do this using Google services and couldn't find any way to do it on my phone. Here are the options I considered:
Option 1) Upload to Google Plus - but viewing the photo in G+ app doesn't provide a public link. SHaring option only presents your standard email, mms, etc. options.
Option 2) Upload to Picasa - but I get the same sharing options as G+ - no option to grab a link.
Option 3) Google Drive. This was the last option, but of course it only presents the same options as before. Now, I can create a public link when I'm at a computer, but not on my Android device.
So I ended up having to upload via the imgur app and just sending that link. I'm okay with that for now, but I'm already uploading to G+ automatically; why can't I just get a public url through the app?
That whole process was very disappointing. I wish Google would give us some way, any way, to share a file via URL through a Google App - specifically, Drive.
Does anyone know how to do it?
Dropbox can generate links, so after you can paste it =)
RoberGalarga said:
Dropbox can generate links, so after you can paste it =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Luckily that would solve it for any file type. I'm still just surprised that no Google apps have a way to do this. At least, none that I know of.
Yep, can generate links for any file. I recommend that put your files into Public directory (Photo directory could work, also).
Sounds like the consensus still is that Google apps have no way to generate a public URL to an image or file from your phone. That's disappointing.