Help Column text scrolling - why don't I have that on alternate web browsers?

[Stringfellow]

I have Android 2.2 installed (the clean way, after a factory reset), and have been trying alternate web browsers. Most give me lots of reasons to like them better than the clunky, and slow stock browser called "Internet", especially Dolphin HD, Galapagos, and Skyfire, but none of them will scroll the the text to maintain the column width within my screen space when I pinch-zoom to make it readable. The other browsers have the features which you should expect (and more) from a smart phone browser, but they can't be of any use when there isn't included among them the one feature which makes trying to read anything better than an unbearable pain in the ass. Well, I really don't want to stick with the stock browser, and there really should be a way to set up any decent Android web brower for text-scrolling, but after banging my head around the Settings menus for an hour, I still don't see a way. What am I missing here?

 

[euph_22]

I have Android 2.2 installed (the clean way, after a factory reset), and have been trying alternate web browsers. Most give me lots of reasons to like them better than the clunky, and slow stock browser called "Internet", especially Dolphin HD, Galapagos, and Skyfire, but none of them will scroll the the text to maintain the column width within my screen space when I pinch-zoom to make it readable. The other browsers have the features which you should expect (and more) from a smart phone browser, but they can't be of any use when there isn't included among them the one feature which makes trying to read anything better than an unbearable pain in the ass. Well, I really don't want to stick with the stock browser, and there really should be a way to set up any decent Android web brower for text-scrolling, but after banging my head around the Settings menus for an hour, I still don't see a way. What am I missing here?

I'm not sure I'm following. Are you saying you want the browser to adjust the column width of text so it always spans the screen at different zoom levels? Because my Dolphin HSBC does that.

 

[Stringfellow]

I'm not sure I'm following. Are you saying you want the browser to adjust the column width of text so it always spans the screen at different zoom levels? Because my Dolphin HSBC does that.

What I mean is that my default Incredible browser manages the display of the text in any column which I am reading, no matter how high I zoom in, so that I never need to do side-scrolling in order to read each line of text. It does this by shifting words on the right side down to the next line, effectively adding to the line count, but that's no problem compared to the problem which it solves. I do not have this feature working on Dolphin HDD, Galapagos, or Skyfire, all which load pages faster, and have smarter, more attractive UI tools.

You say you have a version of Dolphin which does this? Does it happen to be the default browser which HTC labels "Internet"? I have seen references on the Incredible forums which seem to refer to Dolphin as the default browser, but it really doesn't look even remotely similar to the Dolphin HDD, which I installed from Marketplace. This Dolphin appears to be popular, and I can see reasons for this, and it will actually work for me if I don't have push left, then right, and then back again for each line of text I want to read!

In short, I like this column-scrolling feature, but it's the only thing that I like about my default browser, and so I would like to get this working on otherwise better browsers.

 

[rapidsandroid]

Why don't you just use the HTC stock browser than if it has what you want in a browser?

 

[Terabethia]

What I mean is that my default Incredible browser manages the display of the text in any column which I am reading, no matter how high I zoom in, so that I never need to do side-scrolling in order to read each line of text. It does this by shifting words on the right side down to the next line, effectively adding to the line count, but that's no problem compared to the problem which it solves. I do not have this feature working on Dolphin HDD, Galapagos, or Skyfire, all which load pages faster, and have smarter, more attractive UI tools.

Maybe I am not understanding your question but that is exactly what Dolphin does on my phone...

To make sure, I just tested two different web layouts on both the stock browser (the one you are calling "internet") and the Dolphin HDD browser (which I use as my default).

On websites where the entire page is in one column (such as CNN) both browsers zoom in and reformat the page vertically so no side-to-side scrolling is required. But on websites where the page is formatted into columns (such as my.msn.com) both browsers will only zoom in and format each column separately, thus causing you to side scroll between the 3 different columns.

So as far as formating is concerned when you zoom in, both browsers function the same...

 

[euph_22]

What I mean is that my default Incredible browser manages the display of the text in any column which I am reading, no matter how high I zoom in, so that I never need to do side-scrolling in order to read each line of text. It does this by shifting words on the right side down to the next line, effectively adding to the line count, but that's no problem compared to the problem which it solves. I do not have this feature working on Dolphin HDD, Galapagos, or Skyfire, all which load pages faster, and have smarter, more attractive UI tools.

You say you have a version of Dolphin which does this? Does it happen to be the default browser which HTC labels "Internet"? I have seen references on the Incredible forums which seem to refer to Dolphin as the default browser, but it really doesn't look even remotely similar to the Dolphin HDD, which I installed from Marketplace. This Dolphin appears to be popular, and I can see reasons for this, and it will actually work for me if I don't have push left, then right, and then back again for each line of text I want to read!

In short, I like this column-scrolling feature, but it's the only thing that I like about my default browser, and so I would like to get this working on otherwise better browsers.

No, I'm using Dolphin HD (from the market). Are you testing them on the same website? Granted, I don't really know that much about webpage design (I find html/xml boring as hell to code) but I'm pretty sure that not all webpages are set up to support the snap-on text (or whatever it's really called).

I know Android forums DOES do that on mine in Dolphin HD.

Ok, after playing around a bit I was able to get my Dolphin HD to NOT do the snap-zoom thing (or whatever). From Dolphin HD hit menu->more->settings->advanced settings and make sure "Auto-fit pages" is enabled.

 

[Stringfellow]

Why don't you just use the HTC stock browser than if it has what you want in a browser?

Why do you reply to posts which you haven't read more than half of? I made it clear that I don't like anything else about the stock browser, and I cannot understand why the alternatives which are in so many ways more advanced don't have column text-scrolling too. Maybe they can be set up for text-scrolling, but I haven't figured out how to do it. I'd appreciate any explanation of this from one who understands what I'm talking about.

 

[Stringfellow]

Maybe I am not understanding your question but that is exactly what Dolphin does on my phone...

To make sure, I just tested two different web layouts on both the stock browser (the one you are calling "internet") and the Dolphin HDD browser (which I use as my default).

On websites where the entire page is in one column (such as CNN) both browsers zoom in and reformat the page vertically so no side-to-side scrolling is required. But on websites where the page is formatted into columns (such as my.msn.com) both browsers will only zoom in and format each column separately, thus causing you to side scroll between the 3 different columns.

So as far as formating is concerned when you zoom in, both browsers function the same...

I don't know really know what you are referring to here, but I tested the very same article with both browsers. Try this site, with wide pinch and zooming on any article posted here, just make sure you test the same article with both browsers:

CNN

Text will scroll off the edge for any style of column on any page of this site when I use the default browser, but it does not work when I test the same article on Dolphin HDD, or any other browser. If you aren't missing this feature in Dolphin and other non-default browsers, then a need to know what's stepping on non-default text-scrolling in my system.

 

[Terabethia]

Maybe they can be set up for text-scrolling, but I haven't figured out how to do it. I'd appreciate any explanation of this from one who understands what I'm talking about.

Someone already posted about a setting that you could try.

Ok, after playing around a bit I was able to get my Dolphin HD to NOT do the snap-zoom thing (or whatever). From Dolphin HD hit menu->more->settings->advanced settings and make sure "Auto-fit pages" is enabled.

However, I can tell you that Dolphin does, at least for me, exactly what you are describing. And the only "settings" I ever messed with in Dolphin were changing the home page and bookmarks. So mine defaulted that way...

But it DOES depend on which webpages you are looking at. Some pages (like My MSN) is set up in 3 separate columns which can't be combined, so when you zoom in you can only zoom into the column. There is no way to fix this because the page is designed to have them separate, and this will happen no matter which browser you use.

Unless of course you are talking about something else that I am not understanding. Maybe you could post 2 screenshots, one with the way you like it in the stock browser and one in the way that isn't working for you with the accessory browsers.

 

[Terabethia]

I guess I am not getting what you are saying...

If I got this right, you want the text to reformat when you zoom in, so that the text gets bigger and the page simply becomes longer instead of wider. Is that right?

If so... that is what my Dolphin does. I just tried it again with a CNN article. You can clearly see that the page reformatted itself and no side scrolling is needed.

This is what the article looks like before any zooming:

This is what it looks like after zooming a little:

And here it is with even more zooming:

 

[Stringfellow]

No, I'm using Dolphin HD (from the market). Are you testing them on the same website? Granted, I don't really know that much about webpage design (I find html/xml boring as hell to code) but I'm pretty sure that not all webpages are set up to support the snap-on text (or whatever it's really called).

I know Android forums DOES do that on mine in Dolphin HD.

Ok, after playing around a bit I was able to get my Dolphin HD to NOT do the snap-zoom thing (or whatever). From Dolphin HD hit menu->more->settings->advanced settings and make sure "Auto-fit pages" is enabled.

Yes, I'm testing the same articles. I've had this problem with Skyfire and Galapagos too, and I'll bet no one else has problems with these either.

I had found an "Auto-fit", which I made sure was checked when I considered it may mean text-column scrolling. It was under menu->Settings->System settings->Auto-fit pages. There is no "menu->more" or "advanced settings anywhere under this menu system, so I'm not sure that we are discussing the same browser. Anyway, what I found has not fixed my problem.

I tried re-setting Dolphin to default, and "auto-fit" is checked by default, but this didn't fix the problem either.

 

[Terabethia]

I had found an "Auto-fit", which I made sure was checked when I considered it may mean text-column scrolling. It was under menu->Settings->System settings->Auto-fit pages. There is no "menu->more" or "advanced settings anywhere under this menu system, so I'm not sure that we are discussing the same browser. Anyway, what I found has not fixed my problem.

Well now I am wondering if YOU are actually using Dolphin Browser... cause there IS a more button. It's the first one you have to hit. There is also an advanced button

Here's how you have to navigate to Auto-Fit Pages within Dolphin. If you are not seeing this, then you don't have Dolphin...

 

[Stringfellow]

I guess I am not getting what you are saying...

If I got this right, you want the text to reformat when you zoom in, so that the text gets bigger and the page simply becomes longer instead of wider. Is that right?

Precisely!

If so... that is what my Dolphin does. I just tried it again with a CNN article. You can clearly see that the page reformatted itself and no side scrolling is needed.

This is what the article looks like before any zooming:

This is what it looks like after zooming a little:

And here it is with even more zooming:

[/quote]

and I never really doubted you on this, but it isn't working so on my Inc when I use Dolphin, or any other alternate browser. Why I have that problem is the question. And I do trust that we are discussing the same browser (not that I really think at this point that my problem is with the browser itself). I have been a little confused by the precise names here. The label which I see on the browser which I recently installed is actually "Dolphin Browser", with a green globe icon and a golden dolphin. Don't know if that is the reason why I couldn't find the same menu path which was specified by euph_22, but Marketplace can really make your eyes bug with offerings labeled "Dolphin HD" which are just skins and thems. I just wish the "HD" question could be left for a different thread!

 

[Terabethia]

I have been a little confused by the precise names here. The label which I see on the browser which I recently installed is actually "Dolphin Browser", with a green globe icon and a golden dolphin. Don't know if that is the reason why I couldn't find the same menu path which was specified by euph_22, but Marketplace can really make your eyes bug with offerings labeled "Dolphin HD" which are just skins and thems. I just wish the "HD" question could be left for a different thread!

Actually, there ARE two different Dolphin Browsers, each with their own "themes" (which are really just different colors for the browsers).

Here is Dolphin Browser: Dolphin Browser? - Android app on AppBrain

And here is Dolphin Browser HD: Dolphin Browser? HD - Android app on AppBrain

They both have the same icon (even same gold and green color), except the HD one has HD wrote in the middle of the green banner.

 

[Stringfellow]

GRROOOAANnnn!!!

I'm not using the same browser. I'm using the only Dolphin browser which I could find, and is actually a browser and not a browser accessory. It is simply called "Dolphin Browser". The icon is green and gold. It does not show that two-layered bank of buttons when you press the the Menu button, but a single row of buttons (and I don't have screenshot ability). There are the page directionals, the refresh button, the window selector, and a switch for the rest of the options, which show in a transparent balloon window. Only the top line may be similar to what you show in your images (actually, I have a star symbol on mine which I think should be a link for Favorites), but there is nowhere, within the non-scrolling options window or otherwise, that I see a "more" item.

So, guess I just wanna try the browser which you are using, if it's still available. What's the exact name?

Well now I am wondering if YOU are actually using Dolphin Browser... cause there IS a more button. It's the first one you have to hit. There is also an advanced button

Here's how you have to navigate to Auto-Fit Pages within Dolphin. If you are not seeing this, then you don't have Dolphin...

 

[Terabethia]

So, guess I just wanna try the browser which you are using, if it's still available. What's the exact name?

It sounds like you are using Dolphin, just NOT the HD dolphin.

See my last post, I put a link to the HD one as well as the regular one.

Oh, and the standard one is green, mine is red because I downloaded a red theme for it. There are a bunch of color's; red, purple, blue, etc.

 

[Stringfellow]

Never mind, I found it! And everything works in this version, too.

I don't recall seeing more than one option when I went and installed the crappy Dophin version, and then they really do look too much the same. It was when the old version didn't scroll, and other popular browsers like Skyfire didn't either that I theorized it was the system, and not the browser, which controls the text-scrolling. I guess not, and I really do wonder why most browser just won't do this.

Thanks!

GRROOOAANnnn!!!

I'm not using the same browser. I'm using the only Dolphin browser which I could find, and is actually a browser and not a browser accessory. It is simply called "Dolphin Browser". The icon is green and gold. It does not show that two-layered bank of buttons when you press the the Menu button, but a single row of buttons (and I don't have screenshot ability). There are the page directionals, the refresh button, the window selector, and a switch for the rest of the options, which show in a transparent balloon window. Only the top line may be similar to what you show in your images (actually, I have a star symbol on mine which I think should be a link for Favorites), but there is nowhere, within the non-scrolling options window or otherwise, that I see a "more" item.

So, guess I just wanna try the browser which you are using, if it's still available. What's the exact name?

 

[Stringfellow]

Yeah, I noticed all those themes, and that was why I was bugging before I found an actual app. I was sure then that I couldn't find more than one version available (you may expect to see versions with numbers), and then forgot about it when all I saw posted was HD. This is why I really wish that sites like Marketplace and Appbrain would list apps separate from the accessories. Anyway, thanks for sticking with me through this!

It sounds like you are using Dolphin, just NOT the HD dolphin.

See my last post, I put a link to the HD one as well as the regular one.

Oh, and the standard one is green, mine is red because I downloaded a red theme for it. There are a bunch of color's; red, purple, blue, etc.