[Release] PSPComic v0.9.7 Beta (Update: Beta 2; bugfix release only)

[Archaemic]

This is an old version. For the most recent version, see here

PSPComic v0.9.7 Beta is here, with a long list of new features:

v0.9.7 Beta (2007-05-05)
- [Feature] Configuration file is now XML
- [Feature] New manga mode, which makes comics start from the right instead of
from the left
- [Feature] Menu now shows current state of togglable items
- [Feature] New battery meter shows remaining battery percentage in the menu. If
the text is red, the battery is low. If it is yellow, the power is plugged in.
- [Feature] The clock frequency menu now allows any value between 20 MHz and 333
MHz to be selected
- [Feature] Bookmarks have been added. For more information, please see the menu
options section
- [Feature] 8-bit images now support resampling
- [Bugfix] Fixed scrolling bug, which made the program stop scrolling after
some time with the D-Pad
- [Bugfix] Removing an open RAR or CBR file while the program is using that file
will no longer cause a crash when the page is changed.
- Sped up resampling
- And many more minor changes...

The zoom box and precaching will be added in the next release. The zoom box requires a rather large internal reimplementation (but it will be possible to do) and precaching requires some advanced threading, which I should be able to do, but I'm not sure. Please note that precaching will only speed up image loading, not image resizing, which is the primarily where speed is being lost.

Please note that PSPComic is still in beta, and may be buggy, especially the bookmark functions.

UPDATE: There was a bug in v0.9.7 that caused all bookmarks to be deleted as you add a new one. This is now fixed, and the download link has been changed to the newer version.

[Download PSPComic v0.9.7]

UPDATE 2: Now there is a development blog for stuff I make, including PSPComic. [Click for Arc/PSP]

[GDG]

This is my first time I am going to try out PSPComic! I'll tell you what I think when I try it out!

[ytsejam1138]

Thanks so much for a wonderful program and listening to the users and actually implemented the suggestions. Bookmarks work great. I look forward to any future release and new features. This program has got me reading comics again that I haven't read in years and new ones as well.

[spindoc]

This is progressing very nicely, your program has already caught up with the competition!

[TuncaCeleste|]

cool, thanks dude, keep it up.

I'm gonna try it in a second

[GDG]

Hey guys, sorry to be a bother! I have a problem viewing my comics! I am using one image just for test, it is in .jpg format! When I go into the "comics" folder located in root of PSP I can't locate it in the program! What is wrong? Do I need to put in a certain resolution?

[ytsejam1138]

The program will not read the JPG file extension. It reads a group of JPG files that have been compressed with the following extensions ZIP or RAR. Next, just rename the archive from ZIP or RAR to CBZ or CBR. PSPComic will only read files with the CBZ or CBR extension.

[GDG]

Oh ok thanks a lot! I just tried it out and it works perfectly! I must say this program is very good, and I love how there is no blurriness when you move the enlarged comic!

[Archaemic]

Originally Posted by ytsejam1138

The program will not read the JPG file extension. It reads a group of JPG files that have been compressed with the following extensions ZIP or RAR. Next, just rename the archive from ZIP or RAR to CBZ or CBR. PSPComic will only read files with the CBZ or CBR extension.

That's not true, it also reads files with ZIP and RAR extensions.

Glad to hear you guys like it

[ytsejam1138]

Thanks for the clarification Archaemic.
-= Double Post =-
I think I found a small bug. As stated in the readme file:

- Set to bookmark
Set the currently open page as the bookmark for the current comic book. Each comic book can currently only have one bookmark.

Well, the program is only allowing me to have one bookmark for all my comics. In other words when I set a bookmark for a new comic my previous bookmark is deleted.

[Archaemic]

Thank you for catching this. Here is beta 2:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/nq12hh
The only change is this bugfix.

[ytsejam1138]

You da man, Archaemic!!!! That was an extremely quick fix. Works perfect now!!!

[nicodemus82]

thnx for the great app.. it's good to see this keeps getting updated with new features.. good work

[koollectablz]

Thanks for the update!

Reading Invisibles right this minute!

[hardran3]

Thank you so much. PSPcomic is great, keep up the amazing work. Sin City looks awesome on my PSP.

[GDG]

Hey guys I have a question, When I put my .cbz in the comics folder, and I go to the program it puts the comic images in random order. Well actually not any random order - I seem to know what it does but no idea why!

I have named my images issue1.jpg > issue2.jpg > issue3.jpg > and so on!
Now I have about 24 in a first issue, the problem is that it orders the images as follows:

issue1.jpg > issue10.jpg > issue11.jpg > ... > issue2.jpg > issue20.jpg

Why does it do this? How can I fix it or at least what way to name my images? Thanks!

[spindoc]

You're going to have to rename your files as such

issue01.jpg
issue02.jpg

to avoid those kind of problems...

[GDG]

Oh ok, Thanks again guys! And once again archaemic very nice program love it so far!

[ytsejam1138]

Archaemic, I really like the battery percentage showing up in the menu now. I have a suggestion for the next release. How about when you hit the start button for the menu the page number/total number of pages shows up in the bottom left corner and in the bottom right corner the title of the comic you are currently viewing? What does everyone else think?

[GDG]

I love that idea, would be nice to know both! Number of pages and title of comic! Great idea ytesajm1138!

[Spirit Hawk Leon]

Nice improvements. Keeps getting better. With the smoothing and changing clock frequency I think I can find it usable now. Hopefully smoothing has a little more improvement also along with better speed, though its fine right now. I think It needs an option to configure button control though, the current set up I find a little weird for me. Any chance of choosing which page to view upon opening the .zip instead of jumping to the page? No need to do it if you don't feel the need to.

Improved GUI will be in a stable release correct?

[Archaemic]

I agree
I'll definitely add those!

Edit] Oops, new page. Yeah, there will be a graphical UI in the stable as opposed to a text UI like there is right now. As for selecting the page upon opening the comic book...is waiting for the first page to load all that long? Well, I suppose it is an extra few seconds if you have the smoothing on.

[ytsejam1138]

Sweet, can't wait for v.0.9.8 BETA thanks for listening to my suggestions. I have one other suggestion, but I'll wait until the next release to post it. I don't want to be too much of a PITA and overwhelm you with too many requests at once. Besides, I'm sure you already have enough on your list for the next release.

[Spirit Hawk Leon]

Trying it out a bit more.

When jumping the page, if possible, can it show the names of the actual file instead of Page 1, Page 2, etc?

With pages, like 1.jpg, 2.jpg, 10.jp, it jumps straight to 10, so I thought it would be easier, if page jumping would show the actual names, so I wouldn't have to rename them to read in the order I want. You get what I mean right?

Also, with multiple directories in zips, would it be possible to choose which one to view instead of reading it all at once? If the directories were named, Ch1, Ch2... Ch10, It would read, Ch1 first then CH10 next just like the images right? Then comes of the issue of Jumping pages again, I wouldn't know what page to jump to...

[spindoc]

I actually prefer the first system. Renaming all your comics so they fit the normal convention isn't sucha big deal.(I can point you to a batch renamer which does an excellent job)

Ultimately though, it all boils down to how you keep your comics arranged. What system does everyone follow?
I arrange everything in volumes, with chapters as nested folders(but they're not zipped).

edit: Which line in the source do I have to change so that the L and R shoulder buttons are reversed? (For turning the pages). What do you usually compile this with? Sorry for the noob questions.

[Archaemic]

You'd need to set up the psptoolchain, which takes hours to do :| Then you'd need to install the dependencies, which is a pain.

Anyway, to flip L and R (for changing pages and not for scrolling in the menu), change this (lines 475 - 482):

			case next_page:
				if(book->current_page != book->num_pages - 1)
					quit = next_page;
			break;
			case prev_page:
				if(book->current_page != 0)
					quit = prev_page;
			break;

to this:

			case prev_page:
				if(book->current_page != book->num_pages - 1)
					quit = next_page;
			break;
			case next_page:
				if(book->current_page != 0)
					quit = prev_page;
			break;

[spindoc]

Interestingly enough, the guy behind pepViewer resumed his project again. I wonder if your program had anything to do with it?

I'm still configuring the toolchains, you weren't kidding around when you said it would take time, but I plan on experimenting with it.

[Archaemic]

Hah, that's what I get for saying that I'll consider working with him instead of outright accepting.
I just hope he doesn't end up stealing source code without releasing the thing under the GPL

[MjW]

Competition is always nice, at least for the users
Where did you hear about the resume of pepviewer?

[kip]

For my part our PSPC is way better