GBA eBook Reader, Beta 1-b

by CompMan44, compman_44@yahoo.com

Please give feedback and suggestions for this program!  It will help me greatly!


~Bugfixes/Changes

 * Fixed "random hang" bug.

 * Somewhat fixed the end-of-text problem.

 * Compressed the font data so now the ROM is only 8 kB.

 * Added auto-save feature to hold your place when you turn off the GBA.


~Controls:

 * Up and down on the D-pad scroll up or down one line at a time, respectively.

 * The A button (as well as the L and R buttons) scrolls forward by one page, and the B button scrolls backward one page.

 * Press Select to scroll to the next chapter marker, or Start to scroll to previous chapter marker.  A chapter marker is a ~ (tilde) character at the *beginning* of a line.  A ~ that is in the middle of a line will not be counted.


~How To Make An eBook:

1. Use the included MAKEBOOK utility to create a ROM image from your text file.

2. Upload the file to a FlashROM, or, if the ROM image is 256 kB or less, you can even upload it via MultiBoot, i.e. MBV2 cable or similar.

3. Read your book!


~Features:

 * Written in 100% ARM assembly: program + graphics is only 8 kB in size!

 * Can be run from FlashROM or MultiBoot

 * Sub-pixel anti-aliased font (a la ClearType) for easy viewing on GBA screen

 * Allows line, page, or chapter scrolling

 * Now automatically saves your current position (if run from a FlashROM)


~Must-Have Future Features:

 * Sleep mode


~Other Info:

 * I suggest running this on the real hardware to get the most out of the anti-aliased text; if you must run it in an emulator, DON'T use it with an LCD screen, because most PC LCDs are R-G-B, while the GBA is B-G-R, so all you'll do is hurt your eyes.  If you have a CRT monitor, you should be okay.  But again, real hardware is best.

 * Everything needed is *built in* to the GUI application; you don't need to do any fancy typing at the Command Prompt! In future versions, any of the Idea Dept. features below that are implemented in the ROM will be integrated in the GUI as wellno more Command Prompt hassles.


~Idea Dept.:

 * Allow more than one book

 * Better chaptering system

 * Font formatting: italic, bold, etc.

 * Title image for books?

 * Text compression?

 * Multiple bookmarks?


~Known Bugs:

 * Still has trouble identifying end-of-text, but it's better than it was before.

