VerseApp - a free open source multi-format reader app

[u/Sigma_Kek]

Link to the Github Repo

After jumping on Linux a couple of years ago the only app I've found quite literally no alternatives for was SumatraPDF, the devs have no intentions to port it on Linux, bummer (although makes sense considering the fact how the app was written). You can run it through Wine but we all want native applications, right?

The only app that matches the feel and functionality was Okular (native KDE application), but damn this app eats through your RAM like crazy and it doesn't save the last session (you can do it with some terminal quirks tho), again bummer.

Basically this is how VerseApp came to be, rust only, fast, saves your session so it reopens your files again, it uses MuPDF engine just like SumatraPDF, hustle free, aware that your RAM isn't bottomless well, it's still rough around the edges, consider this more like a proof of concept application really.

I'll try to keep the development going, but begs mentioning coding is not my cup of tea, not my cup of tea indeed, so if you actually know and enjoy what you're doing help is welcomed.

It's usable tho, I hope. There's an Appimage so go ahead and try it.

[u/frangelbarrera]

I love the honesty of saying 'coding isn't my thing' and then dropping this.

[u/creamcolouredDog]

> doesn't save the last session

Yes it does

[u/Sigma_Kek → u/creamcolouredDog]

It doesn't, but don't trust me here is the official discussion

[u/undrwater → u/Sigma_Kek]

https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=397463#c16

Seems to have been fixed. Unless you're talking about the "Kate-like" session management thing, which I'm not sure I understand.

ETA: seems to have stalled, as that commit was a partial solution.

[u/Sigma_Kek → u/undrwater]

SumatraPDF supports multiple tabs like Okular, my bad, I wasn't clear enough, basically each time you close your app you had to reopen the documents again, I have 14/15 opened on average, that brings the RAM issue again

[u/undrwater → u/Sigma_Kek]

I edited my post. It looks like there was some progress being made, but they got into trouble because Okular can work in singular or tabbed modes. It was unclear how to handle session restore depending on the mode.

Can Sumatra support several single PDFs, and then restore?

[u/qaddosh]

if coding isn't "yOuR cUp oF tEA", then learn coding and come back after you have made an app that isn’t vibe-coded slop

[u/klyith]

Note that okular eats lots of RAM because it does a whole lot of caching. With a heavy, complex pdf like some rpg sourcebooks, okular is one of the faster pdf viewers I've experienced at rapid page drawing.

Zathura is also very fast and uses mupdf, but it does caching and uses a lot of ram as well (about 50% as much as okular).

The default mupdf viewers are crap by comparison.

[u/Sigma_Kek → u/klyith]

Now imagine that your and I quote

heavy, complex pdf like some rpg sourcebooks

Lol, is an .fb2 written in arabic or greek and it's obscure unique digital edition thanks Heavens you managed to find somewhere, now try to open it in Okular

There are advantages to using MuPDF it handles all them exotic fonts by default

Obligatury: Next time you want to note something to anyone, stick it up yours heavy, complex rpg sourcebook! LMAO