Image 1 — [OC] GianoReader updates: you can now read your EPUBs with side-by-side translation (for free) on your smartphone and tablet too! 📖🎭📱
Image 2 — [OC] GianoReader updates: you can now read your EPUBs with side-by-side translation (for free) on your smartphone and tablet too! 📖🎭📱
Image 3 — [OC] GianoReader updates: you can now read your EPUBs with side-by-side translation (for free) on your smartphone and tablet too! 📖🎭📱
Image 4 — [OC] GianoReader updates: you can now read your EPUBs with side-by-side translation (for free) on your smartphone and tablet too! 📖🎭📱
Image 5 — [OC] GianoReader updates: you can now read your EPUBs with side-by-side translation (for free) on your smartphone and tablet too! 📖🎭📱
▲ 81 r/machinetranslation+3 crossposts

[OC] GianoReader updates: you can now read your EPUBs with side-by-side translation (for free) on your smartphone and tablet too! 📖🎭📱

Hi everyone! 👋

A few months ago, I shared with you the first version of GianoReader, my open-source desktop app for reading books in their original language with a synchronized, side-by-side translation.

Personally, I use this application a lot, but I find it uncomfortable having to read on a monitor and, like many of you, I would prefer having a mobile version to read comfortably while lying on the couch.

Porting Giano Reader into an Android and iOS app is technically feasible, but it clashes with the translation API usage policies, which would no longer be free.

For this reason, I equipped Giano Reader with a Web Server mode to access the application from any device on the LAN (and if you then want to access it from the outside, I've included instructions in the Manual on how to do it via Tailscale).

Here is the big news:

🌐 New Web Server Mode (Read on Mobile!)

This is the main new feature. Now, with a simple click from the desktop app, you can activate the built-in Web Server. What does this mean in practice?

  • GianoReader generates a local IP address (or a QR code).
  • You open that address from the browser of your smartphone, tablet (iOS or Android), or from another PC connected to your Wi-Fi network.
  • Magic: You will have access to your entire GianoReader library directly from your phone's browser, with the interface adapted for small screens (the original text and the translation are laid out perfectly).
  • The big advantage: By using the desktop server, your phone will also use the free translation API (FREE Mode via Google Translate) processed by the PC, bypassing the limitations of mobile browsers and giving you instant, zero-cost translations even under the covers!

🔄 Progress Synchronization

No leaps in the dark. If you start reading a chapter on your PC and then move to bed with your tablet via the Web Server, your reading progress, bookmarks, and translation status remain perfectly synchronized. The PC acts as the "brain", the phone as the "screen".

⚡ Other recent optimizations:

  • Significantly improved parsing of more complex EPUBs (better layouts, cleaner handling of footnotes and weird CSS).
  • Optimized Smart Lazy Translation to not consume too many resources when scrolling quickly.
  • For those using PRO Mode with OpenRouter, I added native support for the latest LLM models for even more natural literary translations.
  • Improved integration for scanning Calibre folders.

📥 How to try it

As always, the project is 100% open-source and free. You can download the installers (for Windows, macOS, and Linux) or take a look at the source code directly on GitHub:

👉 https://github.com/DrLoki/GianoReader

🗄️Download

If you had tried the old version, I invite you to give the new Web Server feature a chance. If you find it useful for learning new languages (or if you simply like the idea), a ⭐ on GitHub is the best way to support the project!

As always, I am very open to feedback, advice, or bug reports. Happy bilingual reading, now also from the couch! 📖✨

u/DottLoki — 10 days ago
▲ 3 r/stripe

Credit cards valid in Italy

I'm trying to sign up for a Kiro subscription with my credit and debit cards, and they're constantly being rejected by the platform. So far I've tried VISA Next, my bank's Mastercard, and my bank's debit card, and all three are rejected AFTER the TFA.

A friend of mine's American Express was accepted without any problems.

I checked if there are any transaction blocks and no, there aren't because I use them to make other international purchases.

So, I ask, what constraints cause Stripe to reject credit cards?

reddit.com
u/DottLoki — 1 month ago

Credit cards valid in Italy

Stripe keeps rejecting my credit cards. Which ones are valid in Italy?

Don't tell me there are blocks on my credit cards because I've been using them with other services and I've never had any problems: it's literally Stripe that's rejecting them.

I've already opened tickets but the replies just blame me when it's clear that the problem is caused by this damn Stripe.

reddit.com
u/DottLoki — 1 month ago

Subscription payment refused

I've been trying to sign up for a PRO subscription for over a month but both credit and debit cards are declined.

So far I have tried Visa and Mastercard.

I tried a friend's American Express and it works with that.

​

I opened a ticket ti AWS explaining the situation and indicating that I am in Italy and was (stupidly) asked to verify that my country is among those enabled.

​

Yes, Italy is on that fucking list.

​

Has anyone else had this problem?

reddit.com
u/DottLoki — 2 months ago
▲ 5 r/tauri

PDF-X-Ray - A lightweight tool to inspect the DOM of PDF files

Hi everyone! 👋

I want to share a small open-source tool I developed that might be useful to anyone who needs to "disassemble" and understand the internal structure of a PDF file.

PDF X-Ray

The project is called PDF-X-Ray: 🔗 GitHub Repository: https://github.com/DrLoki/PDF-X-Ray

💡 How did this project start?

This tool was born out of a very practical need. I am currently developing GianoReader (repo here), a desktop application designed for reading e-books with side-by-side translation.

When I decided to integrate a new feature to handle and translate PDF files, I clashed with the sheer complexity of their internal structure. To correctly extract and manipulate the text, I needed a tool that allowed me to run an in-depth analysis of the Document Object Model (DOM) of PDFs. Since I couldn't find anything straightforward and specific enough for my needs, I decided to build one from scratch.

🔬 What exactly does PDF-X-Ray do?

Unlike standard PDF readers or generic conversion tools, PDF-X-Ray focuses entirely on the internal structure of the document:

  • DOM Analysis: It allows you to explore the object tree, the nodes, and the relationships that make up the PDF file.
  • Data Stream Inspection: It lets you examine how individual graphical and textual elements are structured under the hood.
  • Transparent and Lightweight: It is a highly targeted, no-frills tool specifically designed for development, debugging, or studying the PDF format.

💬 Feedback and Contributions

The code is completely open and accessible. If you happen to work with PDFs, I invite you to try it out: any feedback, bug reports, or architectural advice is highly appreciated.

If you are working on similar projects or want to check out GianoReader as well, Pull Requests and GitHub Stars (⭐) are always a great way to support open-source development!

Let me know what you think in the comments.

reddit.com
u/DottLoki — 3 months ago

PDF-X-Ray - A lightweight tool to inspect the DOM of PDF files

Hi everyone! 👋

I want to share a small open-source tool I developed that might be useful to anyone who needs to "disassemble" and understand the internal structure of a PDF file.

PDF X-Ray

The project is called PDF-X-Ray: 🔗 GitHub Repository: https://github.com/DrLoki/PDF-X-Ray

💡 How did this project start?

This tool was born out of a very practical need. I am currently developing GianoReader (repo here), a desktop application designed for reading e-books with side-by-side translation.

When I decided to integrate a new feature to handle and translate PDF files, I clashed with the sheer complexity of their internal structure. To correctly extract and manipulate the text, I needed a tool that allowed me to run an in-depth analysis of the Document Object Model (DOM) of PDFs. Since I couldn't find anything straightforward and specific enough for my needs, I decided to build one from scratch.

🔬 What exactly does PDF-X-Ray do?

Unlike standard PDF readers or generic conversion tools, PDF-X-Ray focuses entirely on the internal structure of the document:

  • DOM Analysis: It allows you to explore the object tree, the nodes, and the relationships that make up the PDF file.
  • Data Stream Inspection: It lets you examine how individual graphical and textual elements are structured under the hood.
  • Transparent and Lightweight: It is a highly targeted, no-frills tool specifically designed for development, debugging, or studying the PDF format.

💬 Feedback and Contributions

The code is completely open and accessible. If you happen to work with PDFs, I invite you to try it out: any feedback, bug reports, or architectural advice is highly appreciated.

If you are working on similar projects or want to check out GianoReader as well, Pull Requests and GitHub Stars (⭐) are always a great way to support open-source development!

Let me know what you think in the comments.

reddit.com
u/DottLoki — 3 months ago
▲ 3 r/pdf

PDF-X-Ray - A lightweight tool to inspect the DOM of PDF files

Hi everyone! 👋

I want to share a small open-source tool I developed that might be useful to anyone who needs to "disassemble" and understand the internal structure of a PDF file.

PDF X-Ray

The project is called PDF-X-Ray: 🔗 GitHub Repository: https://github.com/DrLoki/PDF-X-Ray

💡 How did this project start?

This tool was born out of a very practical need. I am currently developing GianoReader (repo here), a desktop application designed for reading e-books with side-by-side translation.

When I decided to integrate a new feature to handle and translate PDF files, I clashed with the sheer complexity of their internal structure. To correctly extract and manipulate the text, I needed a tool that allowed me to run an in-depth analysis of the Document Object Model (DOM) of PDFs. Since I couldn't find anything straightforward and specific enough for my needs, I decided to build one from scratch.

🔬 What exactly does PDF-X-Ray do?

Unlike standard PDF readers or generic conversion tools, PDF-X-Ray focuses entirely on the internal structure of the document:

  • DOM Analysis: It allows you to explore the object tree, the nodes, and the relationships that make up the PDF file.
  • Data Stream Inspection: It lets you examine how individual graphical and textual elements are structured under the hood.
  • Transparent and Lightweight: It is a highly targeted, no-frills tool specifically designed for development, debugging, or studying the PDF format.

💬 Feedback and Contributions

The code is completely open and accessible. If you happen to work with PDFs, I invite you to try it out: any feedback, bug reports, or architectural advice is highly appreciated.

If you are working on similar projects or want to check out GianoReader as well, Pull Requests and GitHub Stars (⭐) are always a great way to support open-source development!

Let me know what you think in the comments.

reddit.com
u/DottLoki — 3 months ago
▲ 1 r/ePub

[OC] I built Giano Reader: A desktop EPUB reader that translates books side-by-side as you read 📖🎭

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share a project I’ve been working on called Giano Reader.

Like many of you, I love reading books in their original language to improve my vocabulary, but I found it frustrating to constantly switch between my e-reader and a translation app. I wanted something that felt like a "dual-language" book but for any EPUB file.

Processing img l6lci5nrzhyg1...

What is Giano Reader? It’s a lightweight desktop app (built with Tauri) that renders your EPUB and generates a side-by-side translation in real-time.

Key Features:

  • 🔗 Synchronized Scrolling: Scroll the original text, and the translation follows. You’ll never lose your place.
  • ⏳ Lazy Translation: It starts translating exactly where you are and expands as you scroll down.
  • 🎨 Native EPUB Feel: Unlike web-based translators, it preserves the original book's styling and formatting.
  • 🌗 6 UI Themes: Includes Dark, Light, Sepia, Monokai, Solarized, and Nord.
  • 📂 Library Management: Scan your folders, manage metadata, and track your reading status.
  • ⚙️ No API Key Required: Works out of the box for personal use.

Why "Giano"? Named after Janus (Giano), the Roman god with two faces. One face for the original text, one for the translation.

You can find the ready-to-use installers for Windows (.msi, .exe), macOS (.dmg), and Linux (.deb, .AppImage) here.

For Calibre users, there is a feature to populate the internal library by indicating the root folder of the Calibre library.

I’m looking for feedback from fellow bookworms! Whether you are learning a new language or just want to tackle a difficult classic in its original prose, I hope this helps.

Check it out on GitHub: [https://github.com/DrLoki/GianoReader]

Note: It’s currently a desktop app (Windows/Linux/macOS) and supports 12 major languages including Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, and more.

Happy reading! 📚

reddit.com
u/DottLoki — 3 months ago
▲ 5 r/tauri

I built Giano Reader: A desktop EPUB reader that translates books side-by-side as you read 📖🎭

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share a project I’ve been working on called Giano Reader.

Like many of you, I love reading books in their original language to improve my vocabulary, but I found it frustrating to constantly switch between my e-reader and a translation app. I wanted something that felt like a "dual-language" book but for any EPUB file.

Processing img l6lci5nrzhyg1...

What is Giano Reader? It’s a lightweight desktop app (built with Tauri) that renders your EPUB and generates a side-by-side translation in real-time.

Key Features:

  • 🔗 Synchronized Scrolling: Scroll the original text, and the translation follows. You’ll never lose your place.
  • ⏳ Lazy Translation: It starts translating exactly where you are and expands as you scroll down.
  • 🎨 Native EPUB Feel: Unlike web-based translators, it preserves the original book's styling and formatting.
  • 🌗 6 UI Themes: Includes Dark, Light, Sepia, Monokai, Solarized, and Nord.
  • 📂 Library Management: Scan your folders, manage metadata, and track your reading status.
  • ⚙️ No API Key Required: Works out of the box for personal use.

Why "Giano"? Named after Janus (Giano), the Roman god with two faces. One face for the original text, one for the translation.

You can find the ready-to-use installers for Windows (.msi, .exe), macOS (.dmg), and Linux (.deb, .AppImage) here.

For Calibre users, there is a feature to populate the internal library by indicating the root folder of the Calibre library.

I’m looking for feedback from fellow bookworms! Whether you are learning a new language or just want to tackle a difficult classic in its original prose, I hope this helps.

Check it out on GitHub: [https://github.com/DrLoki/GianoReader]

Note: It’s currently a desktop app (Windows/Linux/macOS) and supports 12 major languages including Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, and more.

Happy reading! 📚

u/DottLoki — 3 months ago
▲ 32 r/Calibre

[OC] I built Giano Reader: A desktop EPUB reader that translates books side-by-side as you read 📖🎭

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share a project I’ve been working on called Giano Reader.

Like many of you, I love reading books in their original language to improve my vocabulary, but I found it frustrating to constantly switch between my e-reader and a translation app. I wanted something that felt like a "dual-language" book but for any EPUB file.

Processing img l6lci5nrzhyg1...

What is Giano Reader? It’s a lightweight desktop app (built with Tauri) that renders your EPUB and generates a side-by-side translation in real-time.

Key Features:

  • 🔗 Synchronized Scrolling: Scroll the original text, and the translation follows. You’ll never lose your place.
  • ⏳ Lazy Translation: It starts translating exactly where you are and expands as you scroll down.
  • 🎨 Native EPUB Feel: Unlike web-based translators, it preserves the original book's styling and formatting.
  • 🌗 6 UI Themes: Includes Dark, Light, Sepia, Monokai, Solarized, and Nord.
  • 📂 Library Management: Scan your folders, manage metadata, and track your reading status.
  • ⚙️ No API Key Required: Works out of the box for personal use.

Why "Giano"? Named after Janus (Giano), the Roman god with two faces. One face for the original text, one for the translation.

You can find the ready-to-use installers for Windows (.msi, .exe), macOS (.dmg), and Linux (.deb, .AppImage) here.

For Calibre users, there is a feature to populate the internal library by indicating the root folder of the Calibre library.

I’m looking for feedback from fellow bookworms! Whether you are learning a new language or just want to tackle a difficult classic in its original prose, I hope this helps.

Check it out on GitHub: [https://github.com/DrLoki/GianoReader]

Note: It’s currently a desktop app (Windows/Linux/macOS) and supports 12 major languages including Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, and more.

Happy reading! 📚

u/DottLoki — 3 months ago

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share a project I’ve been working on called Giano Reader.

Like many of you, I love reading books in their original language to improve my vocabulary, but I found it frustrating to constantly switch between my e-reader and a translation app. I wanted something that felt like a "dual-language" book but for any EPUB file.

Giano Reader

What is Giano Reader? It’s a lightweight desktop app (built with Tauri) that renders your EPUB and generates a side-by-side translation in real-time.

Key Features:

  • 🔗 Synchronized Scrolling: Scroll the original text, and the translation follows. You’ll never lose your place.
  • ⏳ Lazy Translation: It starts translating exactly where you are and expands as you scroll down.
  • 🎨 Native EPUB Feel: Unlike web-based translators, it preserves the original book's styling and formatting.
  • 🌗 6 UI Themes: Includes Dark, Light, Sepia, Monokai, Solarized, and Nord.
  • 📂 Library Management: Scan your folders, manage metadata, and track your reading status.
  • ⚙️ No API Key Required: Works out of the box for personal use.

Why "Giano"? Named after Janus (Giano), the Roman god with two faces. One face for the original text, one for the translation.

You can find the ready-to-use installers for Windows (.msi, .exe), macOS (.dmg), and Linux (.deb) here.

I’m looking for feedback from fellow bookworms! Whether you are learning a new language or just want to tackle a difficult classic in its original prose, I hope this helps.

Check it out on GitHub: [https://github.com/DrLoki/GianoReader]

Note: It’s currently a desktop app (Windows/Linux/macOS) and supports 12 major languages including Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, and more.

Happy reading! 📚

reddit.com
u/DottLoki — 4 months ago
▲ 1 r/ebooks

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share a project I’ve been working on called Giano Reader.

Like many of you, I love reading books in their original language to improve my vocabulary, but I found it frustrating to constantly switch between my e-reader and a translation app. I wanted something that felt like a "dual-language" book but for any EPUB file.

Giano Reader

What is Giano Reader? It’s a lightweight desktop app (built with Tauri) that renders your EPUB and generates a side-by-side translation in real-time.

Key Features:

  • 🔗 Synchronized Scrolling: Scroll the original text, and the translation follows. You’ll never lose your place.
  • ⏳ Lazy Translation: It starts translating exactly where you are and expands as you scroll down.
  • 🎨 Native EPUB Feel: Unlike web-based translators, it preserves the original book's styling and formatting.
  • 🌗 6 UI Themes: Includes Dark, Light, Sepia, Monokai, Solarized, and Nord.
  • 📂 Library Management: Scan your folders, manage metadata, and track your reading status.
  • ⚙️ No API Key Required: Works out of the box for personal use.

Why "Giano"? Named after Janus (Giano), the Roman god with two faces. One face for the original text, one for the translation.

You can find the ready-to-use installers for Windows (.msi, .exe), macOS (.dmg), and Linux (.deb) here.

I’m looking for feedback from fellow bookworms! Whether you are learning a new language or just want to tackle a difficult classic in its original prose, I hope this helps.

Check it out on GitHub: [https://github.com/DrLoki/GianoReader]

Note: It’s currently a desktop app (Windows/Linux/macOS) and supports 12 major languages including Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, and more.

Happy reading! 📚

reddit.com
u/DottLoki — 4 months ago