Duokan FAQ

Polvo · 11-07-2010, 06:45 PM

I started making some notes on the new English Duokan release and thought it'd be a good idea to start a FAQ thread.

Duokan Quidle FAQ

What is Duokan?

Its an alternative OS for the Kindle developed by a Chinese team. It's also available on Kindle2/Kindle DX/Kindle DXG. It's free for non-commercial use. It doesn't overwrite the official system in Kindle, but works as a secondary system. After installation, there's a boot menu where you can select from Duokan or the official system by pressing 1 or 2 ("Q" and "W" on a Kindle 3). Duokan improves on the compatiblity with Chinese characters of the K3, along other key features. It has a new PDF reader which provides full-screen reading, cropping the white margin and better support of two/four-column papers. Duokan can also do partial screen refreshes which is faster when switching pages compared with the default black screen refresh used in the original system. Users report that Duokan works better with comics and some complicated PDF files.
Adapted from: meisup

What are the principal benefits of using Duokan's OS?

More filetypes supported
Clear, crisp layout
More customizable
Better PDF reader
Better dictionary support
Decent MP3 player
Fine control of fonts and margins
Lots of shortcut keys
Folders (which can be easily organised)

What does Duokan mean?
"Read More". Note: When using Google Translate to read website www.duokan.com Duokan is translated as "see more" and "look at" means read me as in readme file.

How is it installed?

Note: Jailbreak is NOT required
Download Duokan from http://www.duokan.com or Flip's English site (which also has good instructions).
Open compressed file eg with 7-Zip
Copy the three folders starting DK to your Kindle's root folder.
Copy the relevant bin for your Kindle to the root folder (see list below).
In the Kindle's settings menu select "Update your Kindle"
When Duokan splash screen appears press Q
Kindle will boot in to Chinese
Press Menu key and select spanner icon (settings)
Go down to 3rd screen and press D to change language
Select English

(On Kindle 2 you might see no letters but numbers. So press Menu, then 0 (settings), page 3, select 3 (Language), then select 2 (English))

Is there a browser?
No. There is a basic book find that connects to various sites though which works via wifi only. There is no support for 3G at present although its being worked on.

How can I use the bookstore feature?
TBA

How can I edit the English translations?
Try editing DK_System\system\Profiles\FontInfo_yw.txt (Note: not all text strings can be altered using this file)

Can I still enter terminal commands?
TBA

Where are my existing files?!?!
To see your ebooks from your original installation to Duokan go to Settings, page 3, select "F. Support old system" and confirm. You can also copy some ebooks to your DK_Documents folder to use them only in Duokan eg I put Word docs and ePub books in here.

What formats can Duokan read?

TXT
PDF
EPUB
MOBI
DJVU
ZIP
DOC
CHM (but NOT HTML files at present)

Image formats:

BMP
PNG
JPG/JPEG
GIF
TIFF

Audio formats:

MP3

Which Kindle do I have?
To find your serial number look in "Settings". The serial number prefixes are:

B001 = Kindle 1
B002 = Kindle 2 U.S.
B003 = Kindle 2 international version
B008 = Kindle 3 WIFI version
B006 = Kindle 3 3G + WIFI U.S. version
B00A = Kindle 3 3G + WIFI European version
B004 = Kindle DX U.S.
B005 = Kindle DX international version
B009 = Kindle DXG

Does installing Duokan affect the Kindle's software?
No. Duokan is independent of the original system, when you start the Kindle you can choose to boot .

How do I un-install?
Delete the folders starting DK and reboot the Kindle.

Will an Amazon firmaware upgrade affect Duokan?
No, you can upgrade the original system Kindle without issues.

How to get the MP3 player working?
Create DK_Music folder at same level as DK_Documents (may require Kindle reboot to see files).
ALT M pops-up the music player.
Aa key switches between control via playlist or 5-way controller.
Repeat and random modes are supported.

How to return to USB mode without unplgging/plugging in USB lead?
TBA

Screensavers?
Add them to DK_System/Savers/
In 2nd page of System Settings, press "7" key to set "screen saver image settings" to "Custom Folder". Note on sizes (6-inch screen: 800x600; 9.7-inch screen: 1200x824 resolution)

Dictionaries?
Download one of the StarDict dictionary files
http://reciteword.cosoft.org.cn/star...c/freedict.de/ - are all a bilingual
http://reciteword.cosoft.org.cn/star...-dic/dict.org/ - English dictionaries and thesurus plus other specialist English dictionaries.
http://stardict.sourceforge.net

Where can I find more StarDict download links?
http://reciteword.cosoft.org.cn/stardict-iso/stardict-dic

How do I install a StarDict dictionary file?

Download a StarDict format dictionary from one of the above sites
Extract three files with the following suffixes (using 7-Zip): dz, idx, ifo
The file ending dz is also compressed file so extract open it (again with 7-Zip or similar program)
Now we have four files: Dz Idx Ifo Dict.
Copy the idx, ifo, and dict files to DK_System\system\dict\
Multiple dictionaries can be installed

How do I look up a word?
1st install a dictionary!
To invoke the dictionary interface do one of the following:

Press MENU and select Dictionary
In a pdf (non-text mode) press any letter to open dictionary.
TXT, EPUB, CHM, and PDF (in text mode): press MENU and select "Find. Dictionary. Notes" -> in the pop-up input box to find the word, and then select "Search dictionary."

TTS Voices?
Apparently you can get a better US female voice using this file: http://sourceforge.net/projects/star...pleTTS.tar.bz2
Extract the WyabdcRealPeopleTTS folder and copy to the Kindle's DK_System\system\dict\

Screenshot?
shift + Alt + G to save.
Where is this saved to?
TBA

Screen wipe/refresh?
When the screen is blurred or ghosted you can force a full refresh pressing the Enter key

Is there a shortcut list?
Registered users can view the shortcut image chart in this FAQ. There's lots more great info but you'll need Google Translate to help your make sense of it all!

Where can I learn more?
Flip's website
...or search this site!

daffy4u · 11-07-2010, 06:50 PM

Thanks for creating this FAQ Polvo! I'm following the development of the Kindle Duokan software and look forward to trying it. Would you consider making a wiki version of this FAQ here at MobileRead?

Polvo · 11-08-2010, 04:39 AM

You're welcome to copy the text over to the wiki. Although I love wikis the forum seems to be the place people visit for up-to-date info.

hondamarlboro · 11-08-2010, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polvo

You're welcome to copy the text over to the wiki. Although I love wikis the forum seems to be the place people visit for up-to-date info.

Amazing works! A quick question. Does DK need NiLuJe's jailbreak hack before installing it?

Rinzwind · 11-08-2010, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hondamarlboro

Amazing works! A quick question. Does DK need NiLuJe's jailbreak hack before installing it?

NO. Duokan is installed the same way as any other installs (with an update*.bin file and copying of 3 directories).

hondamarlboro · 11-08-2010, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rinzwind

NO. Duokan is installed the same way as any other installs (with an update*.bin file and copying of 3 directories).

Thank you for your response. I will try it!

512 · 11-08-2010, 07:05 AM

hi, I have a kindle 3 (3.0.3) with jailbrake and screensaver hacks on it. I tried to install duokan's FW, but as i restart, nothing changes and on my kindle doesn't appear the duokan's splash screen (when i have to press Q or W)
Any idea about it?

jozicka · 11-08-2010, 07:13 AM

Can be Duokan firmware modified to be in the same format as KIF ?

So it would be just azw2 file with ability to start from the Kindle main menu?

That would be great....

montalex · 11-08-2010, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 512

hi, I have a kindle 3 (3.0.3) with jailbrake and screensaver hacks on it. I tried to install duokan's FW, but as i restart, nothing changes and on my kindle doesn't appear the duokan's splash screen (when i have to press Q or W)
Any idea about it?

when you restart after update, you'll see the usual boy under tree image, then the screen will flash, and you'll get the same imagine with the loading bar. After about 20% progress, the Duokan screen boot screen will flash. It is only there for a few seconds, so be ready to press Q (Kindle3) or 1 (Kindle2).

montalex · 11-08-2010, 09:26 AM

It seems impossible to download dictionaries from the above mentioned site:

http://reciteword.cosoft.org.cn/star...-dic/dict.org/

The downloads time out after an hour or so. Any other source?

Edit: I found another place to download dictionaries:

http://xdxf.revdanica.com/down/

One must select stardict format in other options, download format.

Works brilliantly! Thanks so much.

512 · 11-08-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montalex

when you restart after update, you'll see the usual boy under tree image, then the screen will flash, and you'll get the same imagine with the loading bar. After about 20% progress, the Duokan screen boot screen will flash. It is only there for a few seconds, so be ready to press Q (Kindle3) or 1 (Kindle2).

I reset to default my kindle, uninstalled jailbrake and screensaver, then installed duokan and reinstalled jailbrake and screeensaver: now it works!

WS64 · 11-08-2010, 03:58 PM

The TTS voice goes into the dict dir? Huh? Are you sure you don't mean the TTS dir?

Rinzwind · 11-08-2010, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WS64

The TTS voice goes into the dict dir? Huh? Are you sure you don't mean the TTS dir?

All 3 files go to ../dict!

I have an eng-eng dict working with voice.

Polvo · 11-08-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WS64

The TTS voice goes into the dict dir? Huh? Are you sure you don't mean the TTS dir?

I haven't tried this but that's what it says on the Chinese FAQ which some of the above FAQ is based on.

FethryDuck · 11-08-2010, 05:04 PM

awesome, Polvo

11-07-2010, 06:45 PM	#1
Polvo Enthusiast Posts: 45 Karma: 14412 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Spain Device: Kindle 3 - 3G	Duokan FAQ I started making some notes on the new English Duokan release and thought it'd be a good idea to start a FAQ thread. Duokan Quidle FAQ What is Duokan? Its an alternative OS for the Kindle developed by a Chinese team. It's also available on Kindle2/Kindle DX/Kindle DXG. It's free for non-commercial use. It doesn't overwrite the official system in Kindle, but works as a secondary system. After installation, there's a boot menu where you can select from Duokan or the official system by pressing 1 or 2 ("Q" and "W" on a Kindle 3). Duokan improves on the compatiblity with Chinese characters of the K3, along other key features. It has a new PDF reader which provides full-screen reading, cropping the white margin and better support of two/four-column papers. Duokan can also do partial screen refreshes which is faster when switching pages compared with the default black screen refresh used in the original system. Users report that Duokan works better with comics and some complicated PDF files. Adapted from: meisup What are the principal benefits of using Duokan's OS? More filetypes supported Clear, crisp layout More customizable Better PDF reader Better dictionary support Decent MP3 player Fine control of fonts and margins Lots of shortcut keys Folders (which can be easily organised) What does Duokan mean? "Read More". Note: When using Google Translate to read website www.duokan.com Duokan is translated as "see more" and "look at" means read me as in readme file. How is it installed? Note: Jailbreak is NOT required Download Duokan from http://www.duokan.com or Flip's English site (which also has good instructions). Open compressed file eg with 7-Zip Copy the three folders starting DK to your Kindle's root folder. Copy the relevant bin for your Kindle to the root folder (see list below). In the Kindle's settings menu select "Update your Kindle" When Duokan splash screen appears press Q Kindle will boot in to Chinese Press Menu key and select spanner icon (settings) Go down to 3rd screen and press D to change language Select English (On Kindle 2 you might see no letters but numbers. So press Menu, then 0 (settings), page 3, select 3 (Language), then select 2 (English)) Is there a browser? No. There is a basic book find that connects to various sites though which works via wifi only. There is no support for 3G at present although its being worked on. How can I use the bookstore feature? TBA How can I edit the English translations? Try editing DK_System\system\Profiles\FontInfo_yw.txt (Note: not all text strings can be altered using this file) Can I still enter terminal commands? TBA Where are my existing files?!?! To see your ebooks from your original installation to Duokan go to Settings, page 3, select "F. Support old system" and confirm. You can also copy some ebooks to your DK_Documents folder to use them only in Duokan eg I put Word docs and ePub books in here. What formats can Duokan read? TXT PDF EPUB MOBI DJVU ZIP DOC CHM (but NOT HTML files at present) Image formats: BMP PNG JPG/JPEG GIF TIFF Audio formats: MP3 Which Kindle do I have? To find your serial number look in "Settings". The serial number prefixes are: B001 = Kindle 1 B002 = Kindle 2 U.S. B003 = Kindle 2 international version B008 = Kindle 3 WIFI version B006 = Kindle 3 3G + WIFI U.S. version B00A = Kindle 3 3G + WIFI European version B004 = Kindle DX U.S. B005 = Kindle DX international version B009 = Kindle DXG Does installing Duokan affect the Kindle's software? No. Duokan is independent of the original system, when you start the Kindle you can choose to boot . How do I un-install? Delete the folders starting DK and reboot the Kindle. Will an Amazon firmaware upgrade affect Duokan? No, you can upgrade the original system Kindle without issues. How to get the MP3 player working? Create DK_Music folder at same level as DK_Documents (may require Kindle reboot to see files). ALT M pops-up the music player. Aa key switches between control via playlist or 5-way controller. Repeat and random modes are supported. How to return to USB mode without unplgging/plugging in USB lead? TBA Screensavers? Add them to DK_System/Savers/ In 2nd page of System Settings, press "7" key to set "screen saver image settings" to "Custom Folder". Note on sizes (6-inch screen: 800x600; 9.7-inch screen: 1200x824 resolution) Dictionaries? Download one of the StarDict dictionary files http://reciteword.cosoft.org.cn/star...c/freedict.de/ - are all a bilingual http://reciteword.cosoft.org.cn/star...-dic/dict.org/ - English dictionaries and thesurus plus other specialist English dictionaries. http://stardict.sourceforge.net Where can I find more StarDict download links? http://reciteword.cosoft.org.cn/stardict-iso/stardict-dic How do I install a StarDict dictionary file? Download a StarDict format dictionary from one of the above sites Extract three files with the following suffixes (using 7-Zip): dz, idx, ifo The file ending dz is also compressed file so extract open it (again with 7-Zip or similar program) Now we have four files: Dz Idx Ifo Dict. Copy the idx, ifo, and dict files to DK_System\system\dict\ Multiple dictionaries can be installed How do I look up a word? 1st install a dictionary! To invoke the dictionary interface do one of the following: Press MENU and select Dictionary In a pdf (non-text mode) press any letter to open dictionary. TXT, EPUB, CHM, and PDF (in text mode): press MENU and select "Find. Dictionary. Notes" -> in the pop-up input box to find the word, and then select "Search dictionary." TTS Voices? Apparently you can get a better US female voice using this file: http://sourceforge.net/projects/star...pleTTS.tar.bz2 Extract the WyabdcRealPeopleTTS folder and copy to the Kindle's DK_System\system\dict\ Screenshot? shift + Alt + G to save. Where is this saved to? TBA Screen wipe/refresh? When the screen is blurred or ghosted you can force a full refresh pressing the Enter key Is there a shortcut list? Registered users can view the shortcut image chart in this FAQ. There's lots more great info but you'll need Google Translate to help your make sense of it all! Where can I learn more? Flip's website ...or search this site! Last edited by Polvo; 11-08-2010 at 04:09 PM. Reason: Minor corrections

11-08-2010, 09:26 AM	#10
montalex Fanatic Posts: 556 Karma: 1283268 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: KindleDX,Kindle 4, Kindle Keyboard 3G	It seems impossible to download dictionaries from the above mentioned site: http://reciteword.cosoft.org.cn/star...-dic/dict.org/ The downloads time out after an hour or so. Any other source? Edit: I found another place to download dictionaries: http://xdxf.revdanica.com/down/ One must select stardict format in other options, download format. Works brilliantly! Thanks so much. Last edited by montalex; 11-08-2010 at 10:41 AM.

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11-07-2010, 06:50 PM	#2
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	Thanks for creating this FAQ Polvo! I'm following the development of the Kindle Duokan software and look forward to trying it. Would you consider making a wiki version of this FAQ here at MobileRead?

11-08-2010, 04:39 AM	#3
Polvo Enthusiast Posts: 45 Karma: 14412 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Spain Device: Kindle 3 - 3G	You're welcome to copy the text over to the wiki. Although I love wikis the forum seems to be the place people visit for up-to-date info.

11-08-2010, 07:05 AM	#7
512 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle 3	hi, I have a kindle 3 (3.0.3) with jailbrake and screensaver hacks on it. I tried to install duokan's FW, but as i restart, nothing changes and on my kindle doesn't appear the duokan's splash screen (when i have to press Q or W) Any idea about it?

11-08-2010, 07:13 AM	#8
jozicka Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 194 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: notebook	Can be Duokan firmware modified to be in the same format as KIF ? So it would be just azw2 file with ability to start from the Kindle main menu? That would be great....

11-08-2010, 03:58 PM	#12
WS64 ♫ Posts: 661 Karma: 506380 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Germany Device: Kobo Aura / PB Lux 2 / Bookeen Frontlight / Kobo Mini / Nook Color	The TTS voice goes into the dict dir? Huh? Are you sure you don't mean the TTS dir?

11-08-2010, 05:04 PM	#15
FethryDuck Addict Posts: 281 Karma: 520 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: sometimes Norway, planet Earth Device: Kindle3, DXG	awesome, Polvo

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