Would it be possible to implement a completely static feature sparse reader of some kind as a user-selectable fallback for people accessing with non standard or out of date browsers? For example, people viewing from really low power computers, consoles, featurephones, etc: cases where modern js frameworks break or can't load but local download and viewing isn't an option. Its a use case representing a very tiny portion of mangadex users but it would be fantastic to have. Thank you.
Have you guys consider optimizing images with mozJPEG or WEBP upon upload? I tested optimizing a random image from one manga, and without sacrificing noticable quality it can be smaller up to 2x-3x than the original.
https://developers.google.com/web/fundamentals/performance/optimizing-content-efficiency/automating-image-optimization
Please, PLEASE don't do this. mozJPEG compression has very clear effects on certain types of detailing, the process combined with a rescale can make some text and sfx completely unreadable (especially on older releases or poor quality not upscaled raws), and lossy transparency will negatively affect the few webcomics that use it. Depending on implimentation it can also work poorly with compression of large aspect ratios. (webcomics uploaded in strip form, multipage spreads) This is on top of the performance load compressing these at time of delivery, or the additional space needed if both compressed and original images are kept after initial processing at upload.
If it is considered, it should be a user specific setting and off by default.