iPhone Comic Book Reader! [Archive]

actionsreaction

01-10-2009, 01:46 PM

Heya TRS Folks!
I just wanted to let anyone who may be interested know that "Pull Lists", the iPhone comic book reader that i've been developing over the past few months has been up in the iTunes AppStore for about two weeks so now. I've had some decent feedback from folks using the app and I've submitted an update to iTunes that i'm expecting to be available any day now (whenever it gets through apple's approval process).

You can find Pull Lists on the AppStore here (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=299880440&mt=8)

For more information about Pull Lists on the iPhone along with the Mac and PC client applications check here (http://actionsreaction.squarespace.com/)

You can also check out a review of Pull Lists at AppVee.com (link (http://www.appvee.com/t/pull-lists)), including a video of Pull Lists in actions

iccanui

01-10-2009, 09:01 PM

Well now, i have been trying to find something like this for weeks. I have watchmen in cbz format and i wanted to read it for my first comic of my adult life, but i couldnt find anything. Looks like a good review, ill grab it. thnx, hope it works or ill hunt you down and... give you a dirty look.

scoobydiesel

01-11-2009, 09:11 AM

Very cool dude.

and i digg that appvee site, seems pretty cool as well(im new to it)

actionsreaction

01-11-2009, 01:17 PM

Heh, remember that there's an update on its way any day now... just waiting on the iTunes folks to OK it. If you do run into any bugs or whatever, please feel free to contact me and let me know. Also if there are features you would like to see implemented in the future, i'm more than open to suggestions. :D:D

Well now, i have been trying to find something like this for weeks. I have watchmen in cbz format and i wanted to read it for my first comic of my adult life, but i couldnt find anything. Looks like a good review, ill grab it. thnx, hope it works or ill hunt you down and... give you a dirty look.

trunolimit

01-12-2009, 03:23 AM

if anyone needs a good CHM reader iCHM is good. i've got a couple of ebooks on my iPhone. does any one know of a pdf viewer that doesn't suck and take forever to focus and move about the page.

ratabora

01-12-2009, 06:26 PM

actionsreaction

01-12-2009, 10:40 PM

the Mac client i developed to get your comics onto your phone/ipod is also a comic reader. The reader has a couple bugs still(very minor) but i'm currently working on them. :)

I've tried to make the interface as much like iTunes as possible, so it should be fairly self explanatory

trunolimit

01-13-2009, 05:32 PM

What formats are supported and is there a lite version so we can try before we buy?

actionsreaction

01-13-2009, 06:54 PM

What formats are supported and is there a lite version so we can try before we buy?

the formats are limited to what the Mac/PC clients support. Currently the Mac client will accept .cbr(.rar) .cbz(.zip) and .pdf's, the PC client doesnt have PDF support yet.

The lite version has been stuck in the iTunes store reviewing process for about a week now.

these formats are the only ones that i'm familiar with, if there's something else out there please let me know and ill work on support for that.

rabidbadger

01-13-2009, 07:23 PM

That is way effing cool. Another reason I want an iPod Touch. And folks. 3 whole bucks, throw the dude a bone, that money will allow him to improve it even if there are bugs. No need for a free version. Him working on a free version just takes his time away from working on the full version. If it was ten bucks, maybe a test version would be cool.

scoobydiesel

01-13-2009, 11:02 PM

I would like to try the lite version for sure.

stubadub

01-14-2009, 02:23 PM

I bought it and it works pretty well. I haven't tried the mac client yet. I tried the PC client days before retiring my PC, which only allows you to browse to your comic archive and wirelessly transfer it over to your phone. I put the first 3 issues of The Maxx on there to test it out. When I first opened The Maxx it crashed on me, but I hadn't restarted my phone and this kind of crash isn't uncommon for me. I restarted the phone and read through the first two issues over the next couple of days in 5 minute bursts. It works pretty well. There were navigation buttons at the bottom, but you can flick the pages forward and back, and of course zoom in the standard way. If you have any interest in reading comics on your iPhone I'd say it's definitely worth $3.00.

actionsreaction

01-15-2009, 12:09 AM

i'll be honest, I've spent the majority of my time on the Mac client... getting the look and feel to what I wanted, and getting all the bugs worked out. Now that the Mac client is at a point where I'm happy with it, I'm going back to the windows client and resuming development on that. You can expect a big update to the windows client in the next month or two, including the features from the Mac client.

I'll also post here when the Lite version finally makes it thru the (at times) painfully slow iTunes AppStore review process...

actionsreaction

01-19-2009, 03:53 PM

Small update:

regarding the Lite version, the current lite version just got rejected by apple due to them not allowing me to "Up-sell a paid version or referencing features not implemented in the free version"....

what this is referring to is, in Pull Lists lite... you have access to every feature in the full version with one restriction. The lite version only allows you to read thru half of any comic you have uploaded. at the middle page I have a dialogue box that says "To continue reading please purchase the full version..."

unfortunately apple doesnt allow that and I'm currently trying to get a response from the itunes team regarding an acceptable solution. Once that is reached I'll submit the lite version again and hopefully see it on the appstore. Until then I cannot really give any estimate as to when you should expect Pull Lists lite on the appstore, sorry.

On a positive note, last week version 1.01 of Pull Lists hit the store, fixing some instability issues and adding first page/last page buttons to the reader interface. I also have version 1.02 ALMOST ready to submit, i expect to send that in either tomorrow or the next day.

For those using the app currently, if you find any bugs/crashes or would like to see a feature implemented... please let me know!

Thanks!

iccanui

01-19-2009, 06:25 PM

What would be awesome is to have a suspend feature or a bookmark button. The idea being that when i close the app it has a way of leaving off where i closed it at so i dont have to navigate. I will be using this in small spurts, even like 1-2 minutes as im in line or at a light , then have to refocus on task at hand, then pop it open again. I switch to maps a lot during my day and wifi finder and other apps for work and i can see how respinning to the last section i was at is gonna get tedious. So if its possible that would be my #1 feature request.

Other then that it seems good. I had a freeze up after my first import, but new apps can do that and im not faulting the software. As in the past with other apps, just restarted and no more problems.

Now i just need a good place to get the comics from, i mean i have a place, but if there was a legit/organized place, that would be sweet. I guess the only other feature i can think of is integration with some sorta database or library or way to purchase comics. But i dont even know if it exists to interface with. Watchmen is gonna be my first comic in like 20+ years i think, so im a n00b.

Anyway, i think its great and im not feeling buyers remorse so far.

actionsreaction

01-19-2009, 07:25 PM

version 1.01 does a slightly better job at retaining last page read, but only save page when you exit back to the comics list... not if you exit the app entirely... oversight on my part. Version 1.02 does this tho, so you'll have that soon.

If/When there exists an Amazon-like or iTunes store-like method for obtaining comics in some sort of file format, I'll be doing what I can to get an interface with them... until that happens places like NBC's heroes site (free pdf downloads) and the bitTorrents are your friend.

By the way, if I havent mentioned this yet... I do not in any way condone obtaining digital copies of comics you don't actually own. :eek:
If you like reading comics, support the writers and artists by actually buying their comics!

rabidbadger

01-19-2009, 07:56 PM

I love how Actionsreaction is so responsive, and this isn't an "official" repository for bug features etc. Great to see such an attentive programmer.

iccanui

01-19-2009, 10:38 PM

By the way, if I havent mentioned this yet... I do not in any way condone obtaining digital copies of comics you don't actually own. :eek:
If you like reading comics, support the writers and artists by actually buying their comics!

Agreed, im not a poor child anymore, im a adult and dont like stealing. But i didnt know if i was gonna be into any of this and it appears i am. So i guess the next question is, whats the way to get comics i own into the proper format and stuff. I really wanna have them on my iPhone. Is there legit ways to buy them already in a compatible format ?

Thnx for the replies.

actionsreaction

01-21-2009, 07:09 PM

is anyone out there running the client app on windows, who's running vista 32 and/or vista 64? I've had someone note that the app doesnt seem to like vista 64, but since the only windows platforms i have are Win2k and XP... i'm unable to test that myself.

Also, you OSX Tiger users out there... i'll have a version of the Mac client for tiger shortly. I had made a poor assumption that most folks had upgraded to Leopard by now. Unfortunately some of the interface features I'm using are new to Leopard... so certain features won't be available... if you're running panther,... sorry but i'm not doing a panther version :eek:

scoobydiesel

01-21-2009, 11:32 PM

Wow dude...Mad props for keeping us up to date and looking for help on the product.

Thats awesome and maybe worth my few bucks anyways.

actionsreaction

01-25-2009, 02:57 PM

submitted another update to itunes last night, fixed a handful of things that should provide better performance overall.

new in version 1.2:
1. Memory leak fixed in reader interface

2. Reworked Cover Previews in issues table, used to use the full size first page and sized it down to fit in the table... caused memory issues and killed performance of the app with more than 4 or 5 issues in the table. NOW, new version of the client app will send a smaller size cover preview to the phone along with the full size pages. If the new smaller size cover isnt found, a placeholder "cover not found" image is displayed instead.

3. Added a preference bundle with a slider allowing you to turn on/off cover previews. This is located in the main iPhone Preferences App.

still working on:
1. Trying to get a response from the iTunes team about what is acceptable for a feature-limited free version... this has been very frustrating, and has been like pulling teeth to get any info from the iTunes folks... but i'll get something out there eventually

2. I've got the basic foundation for a new Importing mechanism for getting your comics on the iPhone. Basically, when you have the Desktop client running it will broadcast what comics it has available to send. On your phone when you tap import, you'll be presented with this list and you'll select from this list which comics you want to import.

browncoat24

01-28-2009, 06:41 PM

Just wanted to mention that I purchased this app last night and I love it. Finally there is an easy way for me to read comics on my iphone. I work at a comic shop and will plug this app for you since a lot of our customers do have iphones. Keep up the great work!

stubadub

01-29-2009, 04:25 AM

Something I would like in the Mac Library app is the ability to update fields like Title, Name and Publisher en masse. If that feature is there currently I can't find it, and my Transmetropolitan collection is named transmet_ based on the filenames.

I love the iPhone app. I work in a fairly uptight office and I don't feel comfortable bringing in my trade paperbacks, but lunch time is one of the best times for me to do some reading. Now I'm going back through my Maxx collection for the first time in years.

actionsreaction

01-29-2009, 12:28 PM

first, Thanks again for the kind words! It keeps me motivated to make this product better.

now in the Mac app, if you want to rename multiple comics...
*currently this only works in the table-view, not yet in the icon-view.
Select the comics you want to rename & hit "cmd - i", this should show a window that will allow you to rename these records.

@browncoat24, nice name :) and thank you for plugging my app to your customers. Word of mouth like this seems to be the best way for a solo developer like myself to get his product seen. The app store is a phenominal thing, but it is soooo saturated with applications that it's hard to be seen there if you are not "featured".

stubadub

01-29-2009, 02:15 PM

Thanks, that is exactly what I was looking for. I couldn't find it in the menu, and cmd-mouse button wasn't working either.

actionsreaction

01-29-2009, 06:33 PM

I just noticed the iTunes review posted by browncoat24, Thanks! I'd like to encourage anyone else out there who is using this app to also post a review & rating. You would be suprised how much of an effect these have on an app's ratings in iTunes.
Since they introduced the rate on delete feature for the phone it seems that the itunes rating system doesnt represent the quality of the app, unless the people who are actually using the app write a review & rate... the ratings are dominated by folks who just delete the app from the phone...
It's a flawed system, with good intentions... but still frustrating for the developer.

actionsreaction

02-14-2009, 01:23 PM

quick note, for those of you who are using the Pull Lists Windows client... I've just last night updated with a near-to-full-feature version of Pull Lists Library for windows. Which you can find here (http://www.actionsreaction.com/pulllists-library/)

New to this version:

Completely new User Interface.
Comics Library interface, allows you to store and organize your entire digital comic collection in one convenient place.
Multiple File Export, no longer restricted to sending one comic at a time to your iphone/ipod.
64-bit version available as well as the 32-bit version. *Disclaimer* I don't have a 64-bit windows machine to test with currently, so I need your feedback on what does and doesnt work with this version. I am working on getting someone dedicated to do this testing for me... but until then I need all the feedback you guys and gals can give me.

Soon to come:

Comic Book Viewer, allowing you to read your digital comics directly on your pc... this will be the very next thing i work on, so expect it soon~ish :D
Preview/Thumbnail view, display your comics as thumbnails of their cover pages.

iccanui

02-15-2009, 12:04 AM

hey bud, quick question. Im really a jump in and jump out kinda guy. I dont know if the feature is in there and im not doing it right or if i need to ask for it or just deal with it not being there but ..

I would LOVE to be able to bookmark where i am in a comic so when i close it i can just tap a button to take me back to where i was or have it suspend where i was or something. We kinda talked about it i think before, but i never through of a bookmark button that you could click and then adding it to the start up screen. Seems easy, but im not a coder. I am not even sure if anyone else would want it, i just have bad ADD and am always on the go and this would make it the ultimate reader. Well it IS the best reader, but you know what im saying. Anyway, just tossing it back out there.

Still loving it and spreading it to anyone i meet that reads comics.

Thnx bro, your doing awesome with it.

actionsreaction

02-15-2009, 06:05 AM

thanks!

if you have the current version whenever you close the app or leave the reader your current page should be saved. If you have the current version and this is not working please let me know!

iccanui

02-15-2009, 12:16 PM

Sweet. Honestly it was so annoying to have to flip back to where i was each time, i guess i just stopped using it after a while. Thnx man, this is just how i needed it.

browncoat24

02-17-2009, 07:09 AM

@actionsreaction
I just installed the latest version of Pull Lists Library for PC (x86) and I can't seem to sort the issues by descending or ascending numbers when I click on the "number" or "Issue Name" etc columns. Is this the result of a bad install on my part or is it just something that's being worked on?

actionsreaction

02-17-2009, 12:09 PM

yeah i've not yet implemented sorting.

the majority of things that don't seem to work yet with the windows client are because i'm currently working on them. I mainly wanted to get this interface out for you all to use and get feedback from. This client should probably be an alpha release... still too many features not included and not enough testing run to really be a beta.

if there are things you like/don't like about what i've included in this new interface... please let me know.

also those of you running Vista or Windows7 that are having problems with the client, I am most definitely aware of these problems and it's at the top of my list to get these fixed. I'll have these fixes for you as soon as I can.

portsmith

02-17-2009, 01:04 PM

Hi Eric,
Just a little encouragement. I've been searching for a comic reader for the ipod touch and of all the ones I've seen, yours seems to hold the most promise for what I want to do. I've not yet purchased it but hope to as soon as I properly set up an account. I downloaded the x86 version of Pull Lists Library and gave it a shot. It obviously needs more work, my first export just hung my computer at 100% and didn't do much else until I killed it. I'm going to keep an eye on your work here and on your blog and I look forward to the new, finished releases. Please continue your good work and keep us posted.
PS

gi_josh

02-17-2009, 08:34 PM

So, I just bought the app. I was literally just yesterday thinking that something like this would change my life, and lo and behold, here it is!

As you know, the Vista 64bit version is crashing on export for me. No biggie, I'll just use my XP machine. I really look forward to whent he PC versions look as awesome as that Mac version does though. Keep up the good work and keep us posted as well!

gi_josh

02-17-2009, 09:10 PM

Wow...so I just put my first comic on the app...and its awesome. Zooming around with my finger, flicking to turn pages....just great.

All it needs now is the PC version polished up, as I mentioned.

Fantastic work!

browncoat24

02-17-2009, 09:25 PM

actionsreaction

02-18-2009, 12:29 PM

to the x64 users, the reason why you are unable to send anything to your phone from the desktop client is a problem with the zeroconfignetservices dll i'm using to handle network discovery... This problem should only exist on windows 64-bit systems. As soon as I can find a solution to this I will get a working copy to you.

If any of you are .NET developers and want to look into this for yourself, you can find this Bonjour for .NET project here (http://code.google.com/p/zeroconfignetservices/)

once again thanks for the feedback!

iccanui

03-16-2009, 05:23 PM

Anyone know how to delete a comic from the library after you import it. I dont want to delete them all, i like them on my phone and on my mac. But i want to delete just 1.

Thnx.

trunolimit

06-26-2009, 01:44 AM

currently looking for a comic book reader. does this work on 3.0? and is this still the best option?

trunolimit

06-27-2009, 08:23 AM

gee guys thanks for the responses. I'm going with comiczeal because it has a lot more positive ratings. I was using airshare but that POS decided to stop working and delete all my comics. I'll post back with my review of comiczeal.

oh and if you where like me and thought reading comics on the iphone was impossible because pictures would take to long to focus and zooming in and out wasn't smooth on large images, the new 3gs is a must have for you. flipping through pictures and zooming in and out is as smooth as baby butcus. I'm going to load up a large PDF and see whats up. if i ever get airshare to work again

scoobydiesel

06-27-2009, 11:30 AM

I just cant see myself reading a comic on my iphone...but then again Im not one to really read digital.

I do want something to organize all my comics....

trunolimit

06-29-2009, 03:52 AM

I just cant see myself reading a comic on my iphone...but then again Im not one to really read digital.

I do want something to organize all my comics....

What you could do is scan all the covers of your comics and keep an electronic catolog. It'll make it easier to see what you have and don't have and what issues you need.

As for comics on the iPhone comiczeal is preforming really well. I like the orientation lock so the picture is not fliping every time my phone moves. Also the desktop client isn't bad not great but not bad.

Oh and huge PDFs are stil a problem. I used airshare to view a 400k PDF and it was kinda slow zooming a lot better than the regular 3g but still not to the point where I'd like it.