Just bough the PRS-505 SC

sunfrog14 · 02-10-2009, 08:21 PM

Hello! I just purchased the PRS-505 SC online after reading many reviews. Now, I have been trying to read as much as possible to prepare myself for the arrival. However, I am a little lost on where to start. There is so much information on this forum, but I was wondering if anyone could give me a starting point.

Thanks!

lilac_jive · 02-10-2009, 08:35 PM

Starting point with what? Heh, that's a little vague. Before you get it, you can go ahead and download the software and buy some books (just don't forget to register it when you get it in). Welcome to the forum! I hope you love your 505 as much as I love mine!

sunfrog14 · 02-10-2009, 09:11 PM

Thanks for the quick reply. You are correct that was very vague!

So I have read many things on here and really I am not sure which software to download. I guess I am not understanding totally. Some people say the software that comes with the reader is not good? Some say to use calibre?

I am also uncertain of which format to download for e-books. I have found a lot of people saying certain ones are better, but then others contradict that. Any specific suggestions?

lilac_jive · 02-10-2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfrog14

Thanks for the quick reply. You are correct that was very vague!

So I have read many things on here and really I am not sure which software to download. I guess I am not understanding totally. Some people say the software that comes with the reader is not good? Some say to use calibre?

I am also uncertain of which format to download for e-books. I have found a lot of people saying certain ones are better, but then others contradict that. Any specific suggestions?

I would suggest starting out with the Sony software, and later if you don't like it use Calibre. I like Sony's software, personally, but I know Calibre can do a lot more.

If you buy direct from Sony, you won't have to worry about format. If you are downloading elsewhere (like here on MR) you can download .LRF as well as PDF (.lrf is better though). Those are the two big options.

Sony software is here:
http://ebookstore.sony.com

sunfrog14 · 02-10-2009, 09:24 PM

Wow you are answering quick! Thanks for your help so far. Do you have any specific websites that you get e-books from besides here and sony?

Also, what memory cards work best? I couldn't find anything on what it holds up to. I will probablly just use a 2 gb SD card for now though.

lilac_jive · 02-10-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfrog14

Wow you are answering quick! Thanks for your help so far. Do you have any specific websites that you get e-books from besides here and sony?

Also, what memory cards work best? I couldn't find anything on what it holds up to. I will probablly just use a 2 gb SD card for now though.

How many books are you planning to keep on the device? At the most I've had 60 books and I hadn't even hit 50% capacity (I don't have any memory cards on it). A 2GB will hold tons of books. Keep in mind though you don't have to keep all of your books on the Reader. I don't like having a lot on there because it makes me feel like I have too much to read

The only other website I've used is fictionwise.com. They have a lot of independent publishers that would be tougher to find elsewhere.

sunfrog14 · 02-10-2009, 10:22 PM

Okay, thanks for all the information so far. I think that I will start with what you mentioned when I get mine in and then go from there! I am sure it will all start making more sense when I have it in hand!

astra · 02-11-2009, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

I would suggest starting out with the Sony software, and later if you don't like it use Calibre. I like Sony's software, personally, but I know Calibre can do a lot more.

I am second to it.

Elsi · 02-11-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfrog14

Wow you are answering quick! Thanks for your help so far. Do you have any specific websites that you get e-books from besides here and sony?

I'm a customer at Baen's Webscription site for Science Fiction and Fantasy. I've also bought some books from Fictionwise, purchasing only books that come in non-DRM "multi-format" editions.

For free books, the books here are (for the most part) extremely well made and exceed the quality you'll find elsewhere. Feedbooks and ManyBooks contain many classics as well. If you like pulps, you might check out Munsey's. And then follow links from Munsey's to some sites selling Asian books (translated into English) or classic and contemporary erotica. The guy who runs Munsey's also sells books on CD/DVD in an eBay store.

grooks · 02-11-2009, 12:02 PM

Fictionwise, Feedbooks, BooksOnBoard and Baen seem to be the most popular places to purchase books (other than Sony's ebook store).

Lot of free classics on mobileread. Look at the blue bar at the top of this website.

If you live in the U.S. check out the website of your local library. Many libraries have ebooks in pdf format you can download and read for free. The ebooks have an expiration of either 14 or 21 days and require a library card to access.

DixieGal · 02-11-2009, 12:04 PM

Honest, it couldn't be easier to get going with the 505. I changed to that in Dec. If you use the software that comes with it, it will make it automatic to buy from Sony. Your purchases automatically go to both your device and your PC library, and all you have to do is wait for the "status" icon to stop spinning while it is synching. Then click the "eject" icon and you are finished.

Plus, the software makes it easy to import books you buy elsewhere. For thing you buy elsewhere, such as Fictionwise, here's what to do:

1. Make a folder on your desktop called "eBooks" or something.
2. Download and save books purchased from places outside Sony.
3. Click "file" then "import file" and browse for the book in your save folder on the desktop. The book will copy into your Sony library.
4. Drag the book from the list to the left-hand column and drop it onto the line that says "reader"
5. Click the tiny "eject" icon beside "reader" and when it vanishes, it is safe to unplug the USB.

Simple click, drag, and drop. Enjoy!

MickeyC · 02-11-2009, 12:35 PM

sunfrog14 also consider downloading eBooks from the library. I get free books from the Fairfax (VA) public library in PDF format. No cost and you can keep them for 21 days.

For details on Libraries and eBooks check here https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/EBook_Lending_Libraries

HistoryWes · 02-11-2009, 01:37 PM

[QUOTE=lilac_jive;349551]If you buy direct from Sony, you won't have to worry about format. If you are downloading elsewhere (like here on MR) you can download .LRF as well as PDF (.lrf is better though). Those are the two big options.
QUOTE]

You can also download ePub files here and elsewhere.

sunfrog14 · 02-11-2009, 09:18 PM

Wow, you are all being so helpful and so quickly!

So why is .lrf better than pdf?

I have been reading the forums and looking online at all the places to buy books. So far I downloaded the sony ebook library and that looks relatively easy. Seems like it is very similar to napster for my music!

Now, I have been reading different threads on covers for the readers. I know it comes with one, but is that leather? I don't really deal with much leather so are there any good sources out there to find an alternate?

detacht69 · 02-11-2009, 09:21 PM

Hey all I have a couple noob questions and I hate to clutter up the page with another thread so...

1. What more can you do w/ Calibre VS sony software?
2. I have a lot of ebooks in .lit format... I understand I would need to convert these to be compatible with the 505... How long does it take to convert? Is there a way to convert multiple files at once?
3. Even though Sony says it is .doc and .rtf compatable, I understand the software needs to convert these, too. Is the readability ever degraded?

Thank you!

edit: I DID try searching and reading a few FAQs before I posted

02-10-2009, 08:21 PM	#1
sunfrog14 Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: PRS-505 Sc	Just bought the PRS-505 SC Hello! I just purchased the PRS-505 SC online after reading many reviews. Now, I have been trying to read as much as possible to prepare myself for the arrival. However, I am a little lost on where to start. There is so much information on this forum, but I was wondering if anyone could give me a starting point. Thanks! Last edited by sunfrog14; 02-11-2009 at 09:13 AM.

02-10-2009, 09:24 PM	#5
sunfrog14 Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: PRS-505 Sc	Wow you are answering quick! Thanks for your help so far. Do you have any specific websites that you get e-books from besides here and sony? Also, what memory cards work best? I couldn't find anything on what it holds up to. I will probablly just use a 2 gb SD card for now though. Last edited by sunfrog14; 02-10-2009 at 09:31 PM.

02-11-2009, 12:04 PM	#11
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Honest, it couldn't be easier to get going with the 505. I changed to that in Dec. If you use the software that comes with it, it will make it automatic to buy from Sony. Your purchases automatically go to both your device and your PC library, and all you have to do is wait for the "status" icon to stop spinning while it is synching. Then click the "eject" icon and you are finished. Plus, the software makes it easy to import books you buy elsewhere. For thing you buy elsewhere, such as Fictionwise, here's what to do: 1. Make a folder on your desktop called "eBooks" or something. 2. Download and save books purchased from places outside Sony. 3. Click "file" then "import file" and browse for the book in your save folder on the desktop. The book will copy into your Sony library. 4. Drag the book from the list to the left-hand column and drop it onto the line that says "reader" 5. Click the tiny "eject" icon beside "reader" and when it vanishes, it is safe to unplug the USB. Simple click, drag, and drop. Enjoy! Last edited by DixieGal; 02-11-2009 at 12:06 PM. Reason: Changed "disconnect" to "eject"

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02-10-2009, 08:35 PM	#2
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	Starting point with what? Heh, that's a little vague. Before you get it, you can go ahead and download the software and buy some books (just don't forget to register it when you get it in). Welcome to the forum! I hope you love your 505 as much as I love mine!

02-10-2009, 09:11 PM	#3
sunfrog14 Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: PRS-505 Sc	Thanks for the quick reply. You are correct that was very vague! So I have read many things on here and really I am not sure which software to download. I guess I am not understanding totally. Some people say the software that comes with the reader is not good? Some say to use calibre? I am also uncertain of which format to download for e-books. I have found a lot of people saying certain ones are better, but then others contradict that. Any specific suggestions?

02-10-2009, 10:22 PM	#7
sunfrog14 Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: PRS-505 Sc	Okay, thanks for all the information so far. I think that I will start with what you mentioned when I get mine in and then go from there! I am sure it will all start making more sense when I have it in hand!

02-11-2009, 12:02 PM	#10
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	Fictionwise, Feedbooks, BooksOnBoard and Baen seem to be the most popular places to purchase books (other than Sony's ebook store). Lot of free classics on mobileread. Look at the blue bar at the top of this website. If you live in the U.S. check out the website of your local library. Many libraries have ebooks in pdf format you can download and read for free. The ebooks have an expiration of either 14 or 21 days and require a library card to access.

02-11-2009, 12:35 PM	#12
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	sunfrog14 also consider downloading eBooks from the library. I get free books from the Fairfax (VA) public library in PDF format. No cost and you can keep them for 21 days. For details on Libraries and eBooks check here https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/EBook_Lending_Libraries

02-11-2009, 01:37 PM	#13
HistoryWes Teacher/Novelist Posts: 632 Karma: 2274466 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nevada Device: Nook STR, iPad	[QUOTE=lilac_jive;349551]If you buy direct from Sony, you won't have to worry about format. If you are downloading elsewhere (like here on MR) you can download .LRF as well as PDF (.lrf is better though). Those are the two big options. QUOTE] You can also download ePub files here and elsewhere.

02-11-2009, 09:18 PM	#14
sunfrog14 Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: PRS-505 Sc	Wow, you are all being so helpful and so quickly! So why is .lrf better than pdf? I have been reading the forums and looking online at all the places to buy books. So far I downloaded the sony ebook library and that looks relatively easy. Seems like it is very similar to napster for my music! Now, I have been reading different threads on covers for the readers. I know it comes with one, but is that leather? I don't really deal with much leather so are there any good sources out there to find an alternate?

02-11-2009, 09:21 PM	#15
detacht69 Still Amazing-Only Better Posts: 45 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Howston, TX Device: New K3 Owner	Hey all I have a couple noob questions and I hate to clutter up the page with another thread so... 1. What more can you do w/ Calibre VS sony software? 2. I have a lot of ebooks in .lit format... I understand I would need to convert these to be compatible with the 505... How long does it take to convert? Is there a way to convert multiple files at once? 3. Even though Sony says it is .doc and .rtf compatable, I understand the software needs to convert these, too. Is the readability ever degraded? Thank you! edit: I DID try searching and reading a few FAQs before I posted