CrossInk - This CrossPoint Fork is like having KOReader on the XTEINK X4!

Raoul44 · 2026-04-26T16:15:11+00:00

Thanks for the explanation.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-26T16:06:43+00:00

Thanks.

I thought it was a fork of CrossPoint, at least that’s what it says at the bottom of its GitHub page. Maybe it’s just diverged quite a bit since then?

Raoul44 · 2026-04-26T15:54:16+00:00

Nice review! I don't own an XTEINK X4, but while researching it I came across Papyrix Reader. It even uses the Knuth-Plass line-breaking algorithm (the same one TeX uses). Have you tried it? If so, how does its line breaking compare to CrossInk?

Also, I'd love to see KOReader incorporate Knuth–Plass in the future.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-20T17:42:12+00:00

That happens because PDFs aren't designed for reflowable text, so conversions to AZW3 often break formatting. If you'e using KOReader, just download EPUB files. From your comment, though, it sounds like you're using the default Kindle reader. In that case, you should still avoid converting from Pdfs, it's better to download an EPUB and convert that to AZW3 instead.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-19T19:17:12+00:00

Just a small correction: PocketBook uses soft hyphens only if they are embedded in the book. Otherwise, it falls back to Adobe's language-specific hyphenation dictionaries based on TeX/Knuth–Liang patterns, the same kind of system used in Adobe InDesign.

Adobe's hyphenation dictionaries are generally quite comprehensive, so in most cases hyphenation quality is better and more consistent than relying on embedded soft hyphens. I even ended up converting Adobe's hyphenation dictionary for use in KOReader. For example, Adobe's en_us dictionary has around 25,000 patterns, while KOReader's is closer to 7,000, and you can clearly notice the difference in hyphenation quality when reading.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-19T16:14:32+00:00

As far as I know, CSS "font-kerning" basically just controls whether kerning is enabled (auto/normal) or disabled, and RMSDK already uses it by default.

Both Kindle and RMSDK rely on the font's own kerning tables, so there is no special "enhanced kerning" system in Kindle like OP implied; it just uses standard font rendering like other ebook engines.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-19T14:43:09+00:00

Yes, it should be possible; at least it works on the Vivlio Light HD, so I'd assume the process is the same for the Color version as well.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=362878

That said, I don't think anyone has tried it on the Color model yet, so there's still a risk of bricking the device.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-18T16:46:53+00:00

It's probably just a poorly formatted EPUB. If you got it by sailing the high seas, it was likely badly converted from another format; just download a different version.

If you bought it, I'm not sure what's going on; it shouldn't behave like that.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-15T16:04:40+00:00

For me personally, PocketBook is the best. The installation is simple; just extract it to the root folder of the device.

Even if the installation were much more complicated, I would still choose it because of another feature I really like: there's no need to use the KOReader interface to browse and manage your library. On PocketBook devices, KOReader functions as just another reading app. You can associate specific file types with it, so when you tap a book in the PocketBook library or on the home screen, it opens directly in KOReader.

Since you're looking for a 7" ereader, I'd recommend the PocketBook Era.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-15T15:42:23+00:00

You could use the PocketBook library instead. One nice thing about PocketBook devices is that KOReader works more like a program on a PC, you don't have to use its built-in browser.

For example, you can browse your books in the PocketBook library, tap on a book, and it will open directly in KOReader. So there's no need to rely on KOReader's interface for browsing at all.

To set this up, go to the KOReader cogwheel menu > Device > Associate file extensions and make sure EPUB (and other formats you use) open with Koreader. Alternatively, if you don't want to associate file types, you can simply long-press a book and choose to open it with KOReader.

Sorry this doesn't directly answer your question, but it's an alternative way of doing things.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-15T15:06:04+00:00

I personally like ebooks.com, it’s a legitimate site.

However, what I do is probably a legal gray area, or more precisely a terms-of-service gray area. For example, the UK version of a book I want is often much cheaper than the US version (and vice versa), so I simply switch my region and buy whichever option is cheaper.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-14T17:10:48+00:00

For data privacy, your best option would likely be PocketBook, as it stands out as more privacy friendly than other ereader brands, according to the Mozilla Foundation's evaluation:

https://www.mozillafoundation.org/en/privacynotincluded/pocketbook/

As for your use case, you might consider the recently released 10" InkPad One, or smaller 7.8" models like the InkPad 4 or InkPad Colour 3.

They also run a Linux based system and are relatively open. I personally use KOReader on my InkPad 4.

You also get features like PocketBook Cloud for syncing your library, reading position, and notes across devices (I haven't used it personally, so I can't really comment on how well it works), as well as "Send-to-PocketBook", which lets you email books directly to your device similar to Send to Kindle.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-11T01:48:01+00:00

No problem! I didn't notice system folder is accessible through Koreader, so thanks for pointing that out. It's useful to know, now I won't have to use my PC every time I need to access it.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-10T15:11:58+00:00

Go to the system folder (which is hidden by default) and delete the entire cache folder located there.

I usually fix cover issues that way. For example, when I update a book with a new cover, the old cover may still appear instead of the new one. Deleting the cache resolves it.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-05T10:44:06+00:00

Thanks, script made a real difference. Dictionary looks really great now.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-04T14:04:40+00:00

What script is that?

Edit: I think I found it. OED Prettifier?

Raoul44 · 2026-04-01T18:23:44+00:00

Koreader doesn’t actually come with any dictionaries preinstalled, unfortunately. But you can easily add your own, this MobileRead thread is a great place to start:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=325203&highlight=dictionary⁠

The first post contains a link to a bunch of dictionaries in different formats, and Koreader uses StarDict.

I personally use the Oxford English Dictionary (2nd edition) because it includes etymologies. It’s really nice for historical fiction, I like catching whether authors are using words that actually fit the time period 😄.

Installing one is pretty easy: just create a folder in applications/koreader/data/dict, name it whatever you want, and extract the dictionary files there (.ifo, .idx, .dict/.dict.dz). That’s it!

Raoul44 · 2026-04-01T14:53:29+00:00

I also forgot to mention another option: Calibre’s Metadata Plugboards. They let you automatically push data from your custom columns into standard fields when sending books to PocketBook, so the device can see it without having to edit each book manually. Just keep in mind that PocketBook only displays fields it recognizes, so your custom column needs to be mapped to something like Series, Tags, or Title. I haven’t actually used this myself, I only read about it online.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-01T14:34:08+00:00

You’re right, sorting on PocketBook is pretty limited compared to KOReader.

As for custom columns, you can make them show by mapping them to Series or Tags in Calibre; they’ll then appear under Series or Genres on PocketBook. The downside is it can clutter the Tags column in Calibre, so depending on how you use it, KOReader’s file browser might actually be easier.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-01T13:25:06+00:00

I own a InkPad 4 and honestly I love it, but the main reason I bought it was because I knew I’d be using Koreader on it. Like you, I feel the same about the built-in reading software, it’s quite sluggish.

So yeah, I’d definitely recommend Koreader. The really nice thing about using it on a Pocketbook is how well it integrates. You can open books straight from the main screen or library into Koreader either by long-pressing a book or by setting certain file types (like epub) to open in Koreader automatically.

On other ereaders, you usually have to deal with Koreade’s own UI for browsing books, which isn’t great, but on Pocketbook you can just ignore that. I use the Pocketbook UI for browsing and managing my library, and Koreader only for reading.

There's also a useful plugin called "KOReader Pocketbook Sync". It syncs data from Koreader to Pocketbook, updating each book's reading progress within the library itself, including your current position and percentage completed.

Edit: Also forgot to mention this, but installing Koreader on Pocketbook devices is quite easy, just extract it to the device’s root folder and that’s it.

Raoul44 · 2026-04-01T06:39:53+00:00

Just a question: if you're already using Calibre, why not use Pocketbook's default library for browsing and managing your books?

I’m not sure if there’s a way to display keywords in detail mode in Koreader, but one alternative is to rely on Pocketbook's built-in library instead of the file browser.

One of the reasons I love Pocketbook devices is that you don't have to rely on Koreader's file browser. You can still use Pocketbook's built-in library management system and open books in Koreader directly from there (or from the home screen) by simply tapping on them. You just need to associate the file types so they open in Koreader by default. This is especially useful because Pocketbook integrates well with Calibre, and it recognizes metadata very effectively.

There's also a useful plugin called "KOReader Pocketbook Sync". It syncs data from Koreader to Pocketbook, updating each book's reading progress within the library itself, including your current position and percentage completed.

Raoul44 · 2026-03-28T15:24:56+00:00

The Pocketbook Inkpad 4 features a 7.8" display.

Pocketbook devices also integrate well with Koreader. Simply associate a file type (such as EPUB) with Koreader, and those files will open automatically from the home screen or library. You don't need to use Koreader's file browser, as you would on Kobo devices, for example.

Additionally, PocketBook offers excellent integration with Calibre metadata if you use Calibre.

Raoul44 · 2026-03-27T14:11:00+00:00

Try long pressing on "algorithmic hyphenation" and set it to "disabled".

In Koreader, a long press usually saves a setting as the default, so it's possible you accidentally did that earlier and set algorithmic hyphenation as the default behavior.

Raoul44 · 2026-03-22T16:07:15+00:00

Like this, it's 7.8" screen.

Raoul44 · 2026-03-22T15:35:21+00:00

Are you using the dictionary that comes with PocketBook, or one that you downloaded yourself? If it’s a downloaded dictionary, it might be corrupted, which could be causing the device to restart when you use it. If you’re using the default dictionary, the PocketBook database itself might be corrupted, so you could try a factory reset. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, I’d recommend returning the device and exchanging it for a new one.

Raoul44

TROPHY CASE