What to do when my new Kindle arrives...

911jason · 08-20-2009, 08:54 PM

This site is amazing and FULL of lots and lots of content. However, is there a single thread that helps the beginner find out what to do right from the start? My Kindle 2 is scheduled to arrive in less than 48 hours, and I want to start off with a

and not a

...

1. I'd like to put my own screensaver on, and I've seen threads about doing so, but is it recommended? Does it affect my ability to update the firmware? Is it difficult to undo, update firmware and redo?

2. With all of these books available for download, do I need to download and THEN convert? What format do I convert them to? Once I have a file that is readable by my Kindle, how do I transfer?

3. I have a Skinit.com USC Trojans skin on the way, will install ASAP.

4. Anything else I should know or do?

desertgrandma · 08-20-2009, 09:02 PM

First of all, go here and download, in pdf, the kindle users guide. Read it from cover to cover. That will answer many questions, but of course, not any 'hacking' ones.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...deId=200317150

Good luck!

Alisa · 08-24-2009, 02:22 PM

As for ebooks, if you are buying books from Amazon, they are already readable on the Kindle. I usually shop on the website and send myself samples of any books I want. There's a link at the end of a sample to get the whole book. Just turn on the wireless and there it is. You can also one-click order without sampling from the site or the device. I personally prefer samples.

If you are downloading books from other places, then it depends on the format of the book. The Kindle will read Mobipocket format without converting as long as it doesn't have DRM. Some sites (like this one, feedbooks.com, and probably others I'm not familiar with) have catalogs of books with links to the file. If you look through the catalog on your Kindle, you can download the books over the wireless by clicking the link.

You can convert other non-DRMed formats to Mobipocket with programs like Calibre. It's really very easy. Then you just transfer them to the Kindle via USB like it was a removable drive. If there is DRM on the file, it's a bit trickier. Most DRM schemes can be removed. Notable exceptions being Sony's .lrx and Amazon's .tpz. The Kindle can read .tpz natively and it's only sold through Amazon so it's not an issue here. I don't know of any way to convert an .lrx book. A warning: Removing DRM is of questionable legality. Some people theorize it's allowable for personal use. Others maintain it's not. It still hasn't been tried in court as far as I know.

08-20-2009, 08:54 PM	#1
911jason Zealot Posts: 102 Karma: 128 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Simi Valley, CA Device: Kindle Paperwhite 1	What to do when my new Kindle arrives... This site is amazing and FULL of lots and lots of content. However, is there a single thread that helps the beginner find out what to do right from the start? My Kindle 2 is scheduled to arrive in less than 48 hours, and I want to start off with a and not a ... 1. I'd like to put my own screensaver on, and I've seen threads about doing so, but is it recommended? Does it affect my ability to update the firmware? Is it difficult to undo, update firmware and redo? 2. With all of these books available for download, do I need to download and THEN convert? What format do I convert them to? Once I have a file that is readable by my Kindle, how do I transfer? 3. I have a Skinit.com USC Trojans skin on the way, will install ASAP. 4. Anything else I should know or do?

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08-20-2009, 09:02 PM	#2
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462841 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	First of all, go here and download, in pdf, the kindle users guide. Read it from cover to cover. That will answer many questions, but of course, not any 'hacking' ones. http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...deId=200317150 Good luck!

08-24-2009, 02:22 PM	#3
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	As for ebooks, if you are buying books from Amazon, they are already readable on the Kindle. I usually shop on the website and send myself samples of any books I want. There's a link at the end of a sample to get the whole book. Just turn on the wireless and there it is. You can also one-click order without sampling from the site or the device. I personally prefer samples. If you are downloading books from other places, then it depends on the format of the book. The Kindle will read Mobipocket format without converting as long as it doesn't have DRM. Some sites (like this one, feedbooks.com, and probably others I'm not familiar with) have catalogs of books with links to the file. If you look through the catalog on your Kindle, you can download the books over the wireless by clicking the link. You can convert other non-DRMed formats to Mobipocket with programs like Calibre. It's really very easy. Then you just transfer them to the Kindle via USB like it was a removable drive. If there is DRM on the file, it's a bit trickier. Most DRM schemes can be removed. Notable exceptions being Sony's .lrx and Amazon's .tpz. The Kindle can read .tpz natively and it's only sold through Amazon so it's not an issue here. I don't know of any way to convert an .lrx book. A warning: Removing DRM is of questionable legality. Some people theorize it's allowable for personal use. Others maintain it's not. It still hasn't been tried in court as far as I know.

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