Sony Reader now ruined for Canadians

[Tommo43]

Originally Posted by HarryT

ConvertLIT to "explode" the LIT to OEB, then MobiCreator to convert the OEB to Mobi. The whole process takes perhaps 30 seconds. If you have a Sony it's equally quick to convert to LRF rather than Mobi using Calibre.

Sounds easy (only kidding) is there anywhere on this forum or elsewhere that sets out the process in easily understood language. I'm annoyed at the lack of content for the sony but also don't want to have to buy a book twice once for the sony and once again for the cybook. No I don't want to swap readers with the wife.

Tommo

[HarryT]

It IS easy, Tommo. Do a Google search for "ConvertLIT" and download it. Once you have it, run it to convert any LIT file into its "Open eBook" source (a folder containing HTML files, images, and an "opf" file to "glue" it together). Open the "opf" file in MobiPocket Creator (free download from http://www.mobipocket.com), click the "Build" button, and you have your MobiPocket book.

[Slite]

Originally Posted by HarryT

It IS easy, Tommo. Do a Google search for "ConvertLIT" and download it. Once you have it, run it to convert any LIT file into its "Open eBook" source (a folder containing HTML files, images, and an "opf" file to "glue" it together). Open the "opf" file in MobiPocket Creator (free download from http://www.mobipocket.com), click the "Build" button, and you have your MobiPocket book.

Though you might want to opt to download the GUI for Convert LIT as well, if you don't feel comfortable mucking around in the commandpromt, but apart from that, it is as easy as Harry says. Takes like a minute to go from a DRMed LIT to a DeDRMed MobiPocket book.

[HarryT]

The GUI is in the same ZIP file as the command line tool - or at least it was when I obtained it. I use it myself - much easier than the command-line version (IMHO).

[Barcey]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Don't you think you're being slightly melodramatic? You can buy LIT books and convert them, like so many other people do. You'll generally get better prices and a wider range of titles by doing so, and it takes literally seconds.

I agree with you about this being a better way to go but since this is about regional DRM in Canada I don't this it is melodramatic. Under our current government's Bill C-61 you're not allowed to circumvent digital locks.

http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/crp-pr.../rp01166e.html

http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/crp-prda.nsf/en/Home

http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/3025/312/

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by HarryT

ConvertLIT to "explode" the LIT to OEB, then MobiCreator to convert the OEB to Mobi. The whole process takes perhaps 30 seconds. If you have a Sony it's equally quick to convert to LRF rather than Mobi using Calibre.

Best to actually use lit2oeb to explode lit as ConvertLIT has bugs that are fixed in lit2oeb. There are no bugs in ConvertLIT when using it to remove the DRM only.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Best to actually use lit2oeb to explode lit as ConvertLIT has bugs that are fixed in lit2oeb. There are no bugs in ConvertLIT when using it to remove the DRM only.

Can't say I've ever encountered any. What are the bugs?

[wallcraft]

Easiest way to do this:

1. Google for "ConvertLIT GUI", and install it
2. Install Calibre
3. Use ConvertLIT GUI's "downconvert" option (strips the DRM)
4. Use Calibre's GUI to convert from DRM-free LIT to LRF for the Sony

The web page for "ConvertLIT GUI" explains the extra step you need to do just once to allow downconverting.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

Easiest way to do this:

1. Google for "ConvertLIT GUI", and install it
2. Install Calibre
3. Use ConvertLIT GUI's "downconvert" option (strips the DRM)
4. Use Calibre's GUI to convert from DRM-free LIT to LRF for the Sony

The web page for "ConvertLIT GUI" explains the extra step you need to do just once to allow downconverting.

Or for your Gen3 (since you have both a Gen3 and a Sony):

1. Install "MobiPocket Creator" from http://www.mobiPocket.com.
2. Use ConvertLIT GUI's "Explode" option to convert to OEB.
3. Double click the "opf" file in the OEB to open it in Mobi Creator.
4. Click the "Build" button to create the MobiPocket book.

[Strether]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Or for your Gen3 (since you have both a Gen3 and a Sony):

1. Install "MobiPocket Creator" from http://www.mobiPocket.com.
2. Use ConvertLIT GUI's "Explode" option to convert to OEB.
3. Double click the "opf" file in the OEB to open it in Mobi Creator.
4. Click the "Build" button to create the MobiPocket book.

I tried this on one of Baen's freebies, and it worked fine, except: how do you include the metadata? End book had a number on the one I tried.

Also, is there an extra step if the book is encrypted, and if so, how do you do that?

Jim

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Strether

Also, is there an extra step if the book is encrypted, and if so, how do you do that?

MS Reader needs to be installed and activated to download a DRMed LIT (via Windows Internet Explorer). See Microsoft Reader eBook Reading Software at FictionWise for example.

The first time you use ConvertLIT on a DRMed LIT, look for File -> ReaderKeyRecoveryTool. From then on stripping the DRM is automatic.

[bandsaw]

Originally Posted by Barcey

I agree with you about this being a better way to go but since this is about regional DRM in Canada I don't this it is melodramatic. Under our current government's Bill C-61 you're not allowed to circumvent digital locks.

http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/crp-pr.../rp01166e.html

http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/crp-prda.nsf/en/Home

http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/3025/312/

Well, it is not law yet, so in the meantime!

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Strether

I tried this on one of Baen's freebies, and it worked fine, except: how do you include the metadata? End book had a number on the one I tried.

Also, is there an extra step if the book is encrypted, and if so, how do you do that?

Jim

If you want to edit the book's metadata, once you've loaded the OPF file in Mobi Creator, click the "Metadata" link to view and edit it before you click "Build" to create the book.

Note: If you change data on any tab in Mobi Creator, you have to scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Update" button to make your changes "stick".

[gwynevans]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The GUI is in the same ZIP file as the command line tool - or at least it was when I obtained it. I use it myself - much easier than the command-line version (IMHO).

Other way around - the "ConvertLIT GUI" tool includes the command-line version, but the CLI kit doesn't include "ConvertLIT GUI".

What does confuse things is that the CLI version has a limited GUI app (Lit Converter.exe?) which, as it's a ConvertLit GUI, sometimes gets mistaken for the "ConvertLIT GUI"!

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by gwynevans

What does confuse things is that the CLI version has a limited GUI app (Lit Converter.exe?) which, as it's a ConvertLit GUI, sometimes gets mistaken for the "ConvertLIT GUI"!

I have to confess that I didn't know that there was a GUI other than "LitConverter"! It serves my needs perfectly well - what are the benefits of the ConvertLIT GUI?