Internet Buzzing about K2's LIGHTER TEXT

[geoffthomas]

Well come on now folks.
My K2 has been "perfect" from the gitgo.
No squeaky case, no fading screen, no hard to read fonts.
Now that does not mean that it could not be better.  The AltG thingy makes my font darker and gives more contrast.
I could swear that when I got mine, the background was darker, so less contrast.  Something seems to have got better.

My point is that I appear to have received a "good" one.
And several of you who are complaining and have sent yours back and received new ones have finally received a "good" one.
That leads me to believe that there are "good" ones.
So the young lady may also have a "good" one.
Hence she does not NEED young eyes, perhaps.
Just sayin.......

[drenee]

My mom's K2 is just fine as well.  I had her take it outside and do the sun test; no problem.  Everything seems to be working great with her K2 as well.

[Ann in Arlington]

O.K. folks. . . .let's all agree:  some received K2's (or K1's for that matter) with issues.  Some did not.  For those with issues, in some cases it was potentially a deal-breaker and for some not a major concern.  For those who had serious issues, they were either resolved very quickly -- units replaced or whatever -- or it took longer.

The main thing, at this point, is that we're all happy with our Kindles.  Remember, we all perceive things through the lens of our own experience. . . . we also need to acknowledge that others have different experiences so their 'lens' may focus differently.  That's neither good or bad. . . .it just is.  

Ann
<little bitty mod hat on. . . .I'll get a bigger one if I need to! >

[DD]

O.K. folks. . . .let's all agree:  some received K2's (or K1's for that matter) with issues.  Some did not.  For those with issues, in some cases it was potentially a deal-breaker and for some not a major concern.  For those who had serious issues, they were either resolved very quickly -- units replaced or whatever -- or it took longer.

The main thing, at this point, is that we're all happy with our Kindles.  Remember, we all perceive things through the lens of our own experience. . . . we also need to acknowledge that others have different experiences so their 'lens' may focus differently.  That's neither good or bad. . . .it just is.  

Ann
<little bitty mod hat on. . . .I'll get a bigger one if I need to! >

I agree with your statement, Ann.  That's the point I was trying to make in my last post.  Just because one gets a Kindle that works the first time, is not a reason to deny someone else's bad experience or say the problem doesn't exist.  As you say, I really do LOVE my Kindle or I wouldn't have tried 3 times to get it right! 

[K.L. Christy]

I, for one, migrated from the Amazon Forums to the KindleBoards because I felt more welcome here when I voiced my constructive criticism about the Kindle 2. Though it never got nasty on the Amazon threads, I did get encounter the "love it or leave it" sentiment that just made NO SENSE whatsoever. 

http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Please-make-darker-Kindle/forum/Fx2EGRL42MHF15D/Tx24K7JL1P7S1GG/1/ref=cm_cd_ef_tft_tp?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B00154JDAI

Many loyal K1 users saved their hard-earned cash (during these rough economic times) to upgrade to the K2 with the expectation that, the text would at least MATCH the K1. It doesn't. But like the co-dependent in a dysfunctional relationship, I stick with my beloved Kindle 2 because it offers SO MUCH other illumination:  spirit, intellect, HEART.

I know I'm not the only one who has noticed the lighter K2 text, and if I choose to make Amazon or Kindle users aware of this issue, I sincerely think it's a positive thing: dialogue, debate, discussion = progress.  After all, if we early adopters had remained silent after the K1's release, perhaps we wouln't have seen the smaller buttons; improved navigation; functional cover; USB recharge; power buttons on top instead of on the back, etc. that make the K2 an overall HIT.

What many of us are asking for isn't much: Amazon should send a firmware update that allows users to adjust the darkness of the text.  That's it.  Oddly, Amazon has consistently stonewalled, providing non sequitur, canned email responses that tout "the latest in e-ink screen technology," "16 shades of gray," or "this is not an issue." Truth be told, it kind of stings, especially since we're all so accustomed to Amazon's/Bezos & Co.'s earnest and exemplary devotion to customer service.

http://www.petitiononline.com/12345k2/petition.html

So thanks to Ann, Leslie, Harvey, and the entire KindleBoards community for providing a forum.  But most of all, for understanding that disagreeing with aspects of the Amazon Kindle does not make one "disagreeable."

[Leslie]

Hi KL, welcome. Glad to have you here.

Personally, I am a glass half full vs. a glass half empty type of person. In other words, I believe that people are good, mistakes happen, and most folks want to do the right thing. Defective Kindles exist -- we know that from both K1 and K2. I have been blessed that all of the Kindles I have bought (7 in all) have all worked fine. Clearly some people hit a patch of bad luck and get serial bad Kindles. I truly feel for the people that happens/happened to. If it happened to me, I think I would take the "be persistent, get one that works" attitude. I like my Kindle so much that it has become my preferred reading device, so I would go to great lengths to get one that works properly vs. giving up on the device altogether.

Last weekend, there was a big flap because Amazon de-ranked all books with gay/lesbian content (we have a thread on the issue). What was interesting is how polarized the discussion became (in some forums, not here). There were those who believed it was a vast, giant conspiracy against all GLBT people and the only way to respond was to cancel your Amazon account, vow to never buy from Amazon again, and tell everyone you know that Amazon is the online equivalent of the Evil Empire. Folks never waited to hear exactly how or why this de-ranking happened or what Amazon was doing to rectify the situation. Even when those explanations came, certain vocal folks still held firm to their decision to boycott Amazon forever, even though the reason for the boycott seemed to have disappeared. To me, this is really a case of cutting off your nose to spite your face.

I see some of these "hate K2 thus hate Amazon because the screen fades" screeds in the same light.

My 2 cents.

L

[ladynightshade]

I was only responding to those who were saying "Give it two weeks" or "You'll see" attitude when they could not accept that it is possible that I got a good one. Yes, some people have problems and i'm not denying that, all technology is bound to have hiccups ((again i cite the iPod 1)) but the only way for them to know is we tell them and leave it to them to fix it, whats the point of spoiling everyone else because -you- got a bad one? "Hey I got a bad one but so and son and her friend got a good one." attitudes are much better to take.

[Anthony34]

5 Replacements later (!), I have accepted the Kindle 2's text limitations by pressing "Alt + G" after every single page turn.  When that gets tiresome, I switch over to the size 4 font, though I feel like I'm back in grade school with the big, BIG letters.

And I'm not so sure it's an issue of age, either, since my 11 year-old nephew noticed that the K2's text was lighter than the K1. Alas, my LOVE for the Kindle will keep me waiting...with bated breath for a firmware update. But I'm starting to lose my patience. When did reading a book become so difficult?   

[Law. Sorreneson]

The letter below (and the information/links within it) represents the most significant effort to improve the readability of the Kindle 2.  This letter was posted on the Amazon forums by "Ted-san." Trust me, if you do a little digging, this is a HUGE DEVELOPMENT:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
"Dear Amazon, re: fonts

As you know, there's been quite a bit of discussion regarding fonts and their display/contrast on the Kindle 2. While many people are very happy with their reading experience, there is a community of users who are looking for a way, other than always reading on the largest font sizes, to increase the contrast of the display.
If you've been following the discussion, then you're aware of the detailed analysis which I have done, shown on these pages:
https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks

In an attempt to help Amazon resolve this issue in a way that is satisfactory to the widest audience of users, I have made a variety of specific recommendations that would not be onerous to implement. I have also run private tests by modifying a variety of fonts and using these to replace the default serif reading font. These tests have been extremely promising, and I am making the results of these available for your use. You can find the font install files for several of these experiments. I have placed these files, and sample images of their use, on my site:

https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks/Home/font-install-files

Best regards. We are all looking for the same thing - a Kindle that is useful to the widest user base."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ted-san adds a disclaimer in a following post:

"I do not encourage anyone to take steps that may invalidate their warranty. Moreover, as soon as Amazon has a chance to review the demonstration fonts, this page will be taken down."

[FlannelE]

You can find the font install files for several of these experiments. I have placed these files, and sample images of their use, on my site:

https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks/Home/font-install-files

WOW!  I couldn't resist so I "experimented" and OMG!!!  Better than the K2; better than the K1; even better than real PAPER.  It's almost pitiful that it takes a random Kindle User (and not Amazon) to provide such an important upgrade and remedy to the poor contrast/light text.  Amazon, the evidence is practically irrefutable: the gray screen requires darker text.

Thank you, Mr. Ted-san.  My eyes are finally AT PEACE

[ladynightshade]

WOW!  I couldn't resist so I "experimented" and OMG!!!  Better than the K2; better than the K1; even better than real PAPER.  It's almost pitiful that it takes a random Kindle User (and not Amazon) to provide such an important upgrade and remedy to the poor contrast/light text.  Amazon, the evidence is practically irrefutable: the gray screen requires darker text.

Thank you, Mr. Ted-san.  My eyes are finally AT PEACE

........I will see how this pans out, but I continue my stance that through vigorous study and magnifying glasses that my sweet Eros has upheld his Godlike name.

[DD]

WOW!  I couldn't resist so I "experimented" and OMG!!!  Better than the K2; better than the K1; even better than real PAPER.  It's almost pitiful that it takes a random Kindle User (and not Amazon) to provide such an important upgrade and remedy to the poor contrast/light text.  Amazon, the evidence is practically irrefutable: the gray screen requires darker text.

Thank you, Mr. Ted-san.  My eyes are finally AT PEACE

Which experimental font did you find best?  Is this fix reversible?  Do you install all of the fonts and then choose among them or do you install only the one you like?

[Ann in Arlington]

Clarification, please?  Is the font fix/hack only for the K2?  Not that I have any problem with my K1, just askin'. . . .

Ann

[Law. Sorreneson]

Clarification, please?  Is the font fix/hack only for the K2?  Not that I have any problem with my K1, just askin'. . . .

Ann

K2 only.

[Ann in Arlington]

Thank you. . . .that was also my impression from checking out the site, but I though it was worth saying outright. 

Ann

[FlannelE]

Which experimental font did you find best?  Is this fix reversible?  Do you install all of the fonts and then choose among them or do you install only the one you like?

I liked the Arial Round Narrow the best. But the Bold Narrow Native was a very close second. 

The fix is definitely reversible.  The uninstall patch does that (each time).

The author instructs "Amazon" ( ) to install one font, NOT ALL AT THE SAME TIME. But "Amazon" can cyle through the 4 fonts by pasting the uninstall file to the Root Directory to set it back to default mode each time.  "Amazon" would then need to select "Update Your Kindle" (Settings/Menu) after EVERY uninstall or install.

 

[DD]

I liked the Arial Round Narrow the best. But the Bold Narrow Native was a very close second. 

The fix is definitely reversible.  The uninstall patch does that (each time).

The author instructs "Amazon" ( ) to install one font, NOT ALL AT THE SAME TIME. But "Amazon" can cyle through the 4 fonts by pasting the uninstall file to the Root Directory to set it back to default mode each time.  "Amazon" would then need to select "Update Your Kindle" (Settings/Menu) after EVERY uninstall or install.

 

Thanks, FlannelE.  I will wait a while until I see if those brave souls who have tried it notice any problems with their Kindles.  Keep us posted, please.  If this works with no problems, my eyes will be very grateful.

[K.L. Christy]

The letter below (and the information/links within it) represents the most significant effort to improve the readability of the Kindle 2.  This letter was posted on the Amazon forums by "Ted-san." Trust me, if you do a little digging, this is a HUGE DEVELOPMENT:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
These tests have been extremely promising, and I am making the results of these available for your use. You can find the font install files for several of these experiments. I have placed these files, and sample images of their use, on my site:

https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks/Home/font-install-files

    The fonts are MAGNIFICENT!!!  My Kindle 2 looks stunning, glorious with the slightly bolder native font (update_cmodNarrow_install.bin). It basically looks like every page has received an auto "ALT + G." 

I almost feel like a hippie girl in the '60's who settled down in the '70's:  I'm still mad as heck with Amazon (i.e., the system) for the light text and poor contrast, but I've now found my own piece of Eros, my own eye-popping version of Love... (in the Time of Cholera).

I guess there IS such a thing as "Happy Endings!" 

[DD]

  The fonts are MAGNIFICENT!!!  My Kindle 2 looks stunning, glorious with the slightly bolder native font (update_cmodNarrow_install.bin). It basically looks like every page has received an auto "ALT + G." 

I almost feel like a hippie girl in the '60's who settled down in the '70's:  I'm still mad as heck with Amazon (i.e., the system) for the light text and poor contrast, but I've now found my own piece of Eros, my own eye-popping version of Love... (in the Time of Cholera).

I guess there IS such a thing as "Happy Endings!" 

Good to know.  I'm so tempted to try it but I'm afraid to do so too soon in case there are problems that pop up later.  I'm dying to see them, though.  But since they are reversible....don't know what to do!

Just want to be super-clear - you only install one of the enhanced fonts at a time.  Right?

And I'm curious, K.L Christy and Flannel, what font size do you read on and do the new fonts look better at all font sizes?

[K.L. Christy]

Good to know.  I'm so tempted to try it but I'm afraid to do so too soon in case there are problems that pop up later.  I'm dying to see them, though.  But since they are reversible....don't know what to do!

Just want to be super-clear - you only install one of the enhanced fonts at a time.  Right?

Yes, I did void my warranty by doing this (not something I could "publicly" recommend  ). I was just sooo frustrated with Amazon dragging its feet that I "optimized" first-hand...But no problems popped up for me...I will need to MANUALLY install updates in the future, though (2.03, 2.04, etc.).  But the message boards seem to keep ahead of the curve in that department.

I installed. Updated. Installed the "uninstall." Updated. Installed a different font. Rinse & Repeated...So, yes. DEFINITELY a one-at-a-time affair until I found the perfect font. Had I landed on the "update_cmodNarrow_install.bin" first, then I would've just needed to install once.

[Anthony34]

Thanks Law!

New fonts work like a dream. Gorgeous!  I hope Amazon reads Ted-san's letter and conducts the font experiments.  You'd think their  Q&A/programmers would've come up with a solution already. Really!

My reaction to the enhanced text was straight out of 2001: "My God...It's full of stars!" 

UPDATE (4/19; 7:03 PM): I'm not encouraging anyone to conduct these experiments since they seem to be meant for Amazon.  But if an intrepid Amazon developer DOES install a .bin file, Ted-san left out an important step: after you've copied the .bin file to the K2's root directory, DON'T USE THE SLIDER TO RESTART. Instead, select "Update My Kindle" from Home/Menu/Settings/Menu/Update My Kindle.  The same process goes for using the uninstall .bin., Amazon.

[DD]

Thanks Law!

New fonts work like a dream. Gorgeous!  I hope Amazon reads Ted-san's letter and conducts the font experiments.  You'd think their  Q&A/programmers would've come up with a solution already. Really!

My reaction to the enhanced text was straight out of 2001: "My God...It's full of stars!" 


 

Anthony, can you please tell me step-by-step exactly what you did?  You can PM me if you want.  I am having trouble.  My Kindle won't get through the start-up phase after the update.  It's been flashing for 45 min. now.  Can't power down.  Nothing works.  Help please!

I posted a cry for help in a new thread also.

[DD]

Doesn't sound good....sure hope you didn't brick yours! Hope you find a solution and keep us updated!

Update:  Thanks to Anthony, I was able to find instructions on how to put the Kindle into Recovery mode.  This allowed my computer to recognize it and I was able to use the uninstall  .bin to get things back to normal.  I was really sweating there for a while.

Thanks for your concern.

[DD]

Glad to hear it! You may want to post instructions for the "Recovery mode" in case anyone else runs into the same problem. 

I will get that together and do it as soon as possible.  It was a lifesaver.

[Luvmy4brats]

I'm glad you were able to get things back to normal DD. I would have been freaking out (I actually did something similar when jailbreaking my iphone last week..I TOTALLY lost it...all is well though).

Please post the instructions to get into recovery mode just in case other members run into the same issue you did.