1.2 Beta Build feedback

[dazzle]

Thanks for the new version. It was definitely a big improvement over the last. Reflow makes reading PDF's a much better experience. I had a chance to test some different PDF's through the Reader and here is my feedback. Keep in mind, I am comparing Foxit Reader to the free Adobe Reader 2.0

1) Improve Scrolling. The default function of the up/down keys turns the page. The other option (in preferences) is to move the page, which functions as scrolling a line or two. The turn page option is not very useful in reflow mode since there may be more text on the page than fits to the screen! It wouldn't be very useful to turn the page in this case would it? What would be useful would be an option to shift up by a screen so that one doesn't have to constantly tap the down arrow. I do realize that one can drag the screen up, however it isn't a precise way of reading as some fine adjustment has to be made to drag by precisely one screen at a time. Hence, the reading process is slow.

2) Add ability to see images inserted in text. Often, text will include small images, or graphs. Foxit Reader shows these images in normal view mode, but they are suppressed in reflow mode. So if one were reading merrily away, and the text referred to a graph, one would have to switch out of reflow mode, zoom in on the graph to actually read it, they switch back to reflow mode, find the point at which reading stopped, and continue from there. Or, they might inadventantly miss out on the graph completely if it weren't mentioned in the text. Depending on how many graphs there were in the document, this could be anywhere from mildly inconvenient to a show stopper.

3) Change toolbar placement/button functionality in landscape mode. When switching to landscape mode to read, whether in reflow or not, the toolbar remains locked in place, as if still in vertical mode. If you want to use any of the hotkeys or the pull-up menu, one has to rotate the PDF to see what one is doing. For button functionality, it can be confusing, since what is the up/down keys in landscape mode still refers to the left/right keys, and the left/right keys in landscape mode refer to the up/down keys.

4) Add customization to the toolbar. Since it is quite possible to be switching from normal mode to reflow mode several times within the same document, as in the case of reading graphs, as well as jumping to different pages, bookmarks, etc, it would be great if a user could customize frequently used functions on the toolbar, thus saving some time hitting the Menu, then submenu, etc.

Other than that, I am glad to see that you are actually improving Foxit Reader, unlike some other companies, and I am confident that you eventually have a solid product that stands out from the crowd. Keep up the good work!

Dazzle

[Nancy]

Dazzle,great comment.
but i have to say something about point two.
You couldn't see the images inserted in text because the images have not be tagged.
By the way,I couldn't know point three clearly.
When switching to landscape mode to read, whether in reflow or not, the toolbar remains locked in place, as if still in vertical mode.could you please send a pic to support@foxitsoftware.com many thanks

[dazzle]

Done. Please check your inbox.

[Nancy]

I would like to say some new feature
1,does not recognize tagged files(foxit reader V1.2beta can do that)
2, a lot of screen space is simply wasted(V1.2beta can remeber the last view now)
3,text blurs (users could set options,don’t choose Quck draw item,and the text blurs will be change for blank)
4, won’t remember your place in the document.(V1.2beta can do that)

[dazzle]

Those are great new features Nancy. However, all those features you mentioned are already offered by the free Adobe Reader 2.0. You are simply playing catchup to Adobe. And their product is several years old already. So unless you can make your product superior, like maybe adding some of the suggestions I mentioned, why would anyone pay for something they can get for free?

[dazzle]

Sorry Nancy, I thought you worked for Foxit Software, maybe I was wrong.

I am hoping someone from Foxit reads this. If you don't understand my comments or don't agree, please let me know.

[dazzle]

Here is an example of the landscape issue than I sent to Foxit. See screenshot #1. Notice how text is in landscape but the toolbar remains in vertical mode. Then compare that to the way Adobe Reader repositions the toolbar in screenshot #2. Which screen would you prefer using? Granted, the icons on the Adobe version are very small since I am using a special version which handles VGA.

[Erik_Bryant]

Hello dazzle,

I work for Foxit. Thanks for your comments. I have let the developers know.

[Nancy]

Hello dazzle:
landscape is work well on my PDA.Foxit need to fix this bug.thanks for you report.

[Nancy]

Everything is OK in Foxit Reader 1.4Beta