I just purchased an itouch to read ebooks. I have an old IPAQ that isn't working well -- and I want to transfer the books (in mobipocket format) on my IPAQ to my new itouch. I have read the FAQs -- sorry, I just need a bit more help on the process. My PC runs vista. Thanks.

I just purchased an itouch to read ebooks. I have an old IPAQ that isn't working well -- and I want to transfer the books (in mobipocket format) on my IPAQ to my new itouch. I have read the FAQs -- sorry, I just need a bit more help on the process. My PC runs vista. Thanks.
What help do you need?

Sorry for being so computer illiterate. The steps to making it happen. Thanks

Sorry for being so computer illiterate. The steps to making it happen. Thanks
You'll have to meet us halfway. There are lots of people here who'll try to help you, but they need some help from you. Do you have Calibre installed?

Stanza prefers the ePub format, so convert your DRM-free MOBI ebooks to ePub using Calibre (has its own forum here).

Most commercial MOBI ebooks come with DRM (encryption). You remove the DRM using the python script mobidedrm.py. Recent versions of this (e.g. v0.12), can be used as a "plugin" to Calibre, to automatically strip the DRM. Read the comments in this script for how to do this.

Sorry for the bother. I will install Calibre and then get back when I have some questions. I'm way too new. Thanks

Sorry for the bother. I will install Calibre and then get back when I have some questions. I'm way too new. Thanks
It's no bother. People will be glad to help, but we couldn't tell what kind of help you needed. Your first step will be to install Calibre, the second will be to drag books from your IPAQ into Calibre.

Okay -- I'm ready for the next step. I have installed Calibre -- and dropped in a few of my ebooks (in mobipocket format). I try to convert them to epub, but it says that the book is DRM protected. I see above that someone says to use python -- how do I go about installing this plug-in -- per the error mesage "using third party tools"?? Thanks

Okay -- I'm ready for the next step. I have installed Calibre -- and dropped in a few of my ebooks (in mobipocket format). I try to convert them to epub, but it says that the book is DRM protected. I see above that someone says to use python -- how do I go about installing this plug-in -- per the error mesage "using third party tools"?? Thanks

We don't usually detail in this forum ways to remove drm. Google (http://www.google.com/search?q=mobidedrm.py&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a) though (http://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+remove+mobi+drm&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a) is your friend. :)

Okay -- I'm ready for the next step. The latest version is "mobidedrm v.13". If you get it from (say) pastebin.com then you need to rename it from xxx.txt to mobidedrm.py.

To use any suitable python script as a plugin to Calibre, rename from filename.py to filename_plugin.py, put it into a ZIP file and import into Calibre using its plugin configuration GUI.

Sorry for the slow reply -- I have added Calibre and Stanza (to ipod and desktop).
Per instructions, I have renamed the file for Calibre -- but when I go to import (add in) the plugin I get the message "No plugin found in .... (the file where I put it).
What am I doing wrong?

Sorry for the slow reply -- I have added Calibre and Stanza (to ipod and desktop).
Per instructions, I have renamed the file for Calibre -- but when I go to import (add in) the plugin I get the message "No plugin found in .... (the file where I put it).
What am I doing wrong?

So you added _plugin.py to the end of your plugin and then zipped the file?

Yes -- that is what I did -- nothing else. It shows as zipped but then I get the message above when I go to add it.

Any suggestions on what I might be doing wrong? I have added the _plugin at the end of the downloaded script (after having changed the name). I have tried it again, but with the same result.

The smile on my face shows that it now is functioning correctly. When you get old, nothing is intuitive. Solution -- when changing the name, make sure that the dropdown is changed from text file to all files (mine still had the .txt on the end -- although my computer didn't show it until I tried to add it to Calibre). Once I figured this out, the rest came -- still slowly, but it came (smile). Thanks for all of your help. Now to see if I can get the download to work from Calibre to my itouch.

i am trying to import mobidedrm.py into calibre, I have changed the filename to mobidedrm_plugin.py and created a zip file but it is giving me an error of no valid plugin found. What am I doing wrong?

ok I ogt the plugin into calibre but it is still giving me an error when I try to convert .prc books

ok I ogt the plugin into calibre but it is still giving me an error when I try to convert .prc books

This isn't the place to get advice for this type of plugin.

The best place to go for DRM issues is Apprentice Alf's Blog. The tools_v2.3 bundle includes all the latest Calibre plug-ins and READMEs for how to use them. Obviously, and as the README (and comments in the original script) no doubt says, if you are using the plug-in for MobiPocket (as opposed to K4PC) ebooks you will need to provide your PID to the plug-in.