Getting ready to buy

jerryleejr · 01-26-2008, 04:13 AM

Hello,
I have been searching the forums for a few days getting ready to purchase a new 505. I have an older Mac powerbook with me, I have read about and downloaded libprs500. I have limited access to a PC so I want to make sure that I purchase the correct format.

1. Fictionwise has multi-format ebooks obviously I will look for the Sony Format first after that should I do the LRF conversion?
2. I am outside the U.S. My wife will be shipping mine to me should I have her authorize it first? How many computers can you authorize it for?
3. What all comes in the box with it? I already know I will need a charger. How about a cover, Memory stick etc???

I am sure I will have tons more questions, However I will search the forum before I post.

Thanks,
Jerry

dhbailey · 01-26-2008, 08:35 AM

I think the total number of devices which can be authorized to an account at the Sony Connect web-site is 6 (if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me!) which can be any combination of computers and readers. The reader is not linked to a specific computer, but of course the computer it tries to communicate with the Connect store needs to be authorized, since the content is downloaded to the Connect software on the computer and then later transferred to the reader as you wish.

I see no need for your wife to authorize it first while she's in the US, other than to make it easier for her to download the bonus books you want.

For books which Fictionwise doesn't have in Sony format, you can purchase the LIT format version and then use programs which are discussed in other threads here to strip the DRM from the LIT file, and then use LibPrs500 to convert to LRF format.

For the charger, buy the less expensive Sony PSP charger, since it is the same and works just fine. You can even buy a car charger for about $20, if you'll be travelling a lot and won't be near reliable electrical sources at night.

In the box you get the reader and a cover and the USB cable. No Memory Stick, no charger. The 505 can read up to 8GB memory sticks and only up to 2GB SD cards. Be forewarned, though, that using the memory stick and/or the SD card will run the battery down faster, and will also slow things down on the reader after you get a certain number of books on the memory stick and/or the SD card.

While it will be possible to put many thousands of books on an 8GB memory stick, it can seriously deteriorate your reading experience, and many people on this forum don't use memory cards at all for just that reason.

Depending on the type of reading you plan on doing, you can put several hundred essentially text files on the reader itself without need for memory card, which should be more than enough for all but the longest travels. (we're talking months and months -- a typical vacation of 1 to 3 weeks will certainly be fine with book you can load into the internal memory of the reader without memory cards.)

Enjoy! I can't imagine how I got along without it since I'm having a blast reading many fine books available through Project Gutenberg and not available in print anywhere.

kacir · 01-26-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerryleejr

I have limited access to a PC so I want to make sure that I purchase the correct format.

My favourite format is rtf.
There are quite a few sources where you can get formats easily convertable to rtf. Like Baen, project Gutenberg, and many, *many*, MANY other places. You should probably start by going through the e-books collection on this site. Just click on the link on the top of this page.

If you still wish to purchase books a good choice would be *.lit format. You can then use program convertlit (search this forum) to convert the book to html and then use OpenOffice to convert to rtf.

Please experiment with rtf files until you find a combination of fonts, fontsizes, indentations, margins, ... that is the most pleasant to read for you.

jerryleejr · 01-26-2008, 09:33 AM

Thanks,
For all the input after I posted on the charger I found the thread about using a PSP one which I have. The only issue I see with the .lit format is I am using a Mac so I thought I had to stay with LRF or PDF.

Jerry

AnemicOak · 01-26-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerryleejr

The only issue I see with the .lit format is I am using a Mac so I thought I had to stay with LRF or PDF.

FYI, keep in mind the PDF format books that you generally buy are DRM'd and WILL NOT work on the Reader. Other PDFs will work with varying degrees of success. PDFs formatted for an A4 or Letter size page will generally display poorly. PDFs formatted closer to 3.5" x 4.5" (like what Feedbooks has) or so should display just fine. Of course there are tools out there to convert Letter PDFs to a more usable format which folks use with varying degrees of success.

FWIW, I'm using a MacBook Pro and buy LIT books and convert them in Windows XP via Parallels or Bootcamp and it works fine with the Sony software and MS Reader. I don't know if that's an option for you or not.

stustaff · 01-27-2008, 05:46 AM

Im using a mac and there is no need to run windows XP at all!! just use libprs to convert your lit books to lrf.

jerryleejr · 01-27-2008, 05:56 AM

I have already downloaded libprs I will find a couple books to experiment on with the conversion. I do not have the luxury of running windows on my Mac because it is an older powerbook. I have virtual PC but it is a Windows 98 version.

AnemicOak · 01-27-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stustaff

Im using a mac and there is no need to run windows XP at all!! just use libprs to convert your lit books to lrf.

I do use libprs500 for conversion. How do you get around the fact that to download a LIT book that you've purchased you need an activated copy of MS Reader which only runs in Windows?

recycledelectron · 01-27-2008, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

FYI, keep in mind the PDF format books that you generally buy are DRM'd and WILL NOT work on the Reader. Other PDFs will work with varying degrees of success.

Locked PDFs (that you can not print, copy, etc.) do work. I only had a problem with one PDF, a 24 inch by 36 inch blueprint.

You need a cable that would charge a PSP from a USB, AC (240V?) or car (12V?) outlet.

It will take up to a 2GB SD card, and up to a 8GB memory stick pro duo (MSPD) - not a memory stick or a memory stick pro. It's tough to find stuff, so I use one ($13) 2GB SD card for math books, one for Java books, etc, etc, etc.

Andy

HarryT · 01-28-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stustaff

Im using a mac and there is no need to run windows XP at all!! just use libprs to convert your lit books to lrf.

But you DO need a Windows machine, with Internet Explorer, and an activated copy of Microsoft Reader, in order to be able to purchase LIT books in the first place. I am assuming that you ARE talking about legitimately purchased LIT files!

tgharold · 01-31-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I do use libprs500 for conversion. How do you get around the fact that to download a LIT book that you've purchased you need an activated copy of MS Reader which only runs in Windows?

The LIT books from Baen seem to be zero-DRM involved. (I purchased a few today and am very pleased that they don't have DRM.)

AnemicOak · 02-01-2008, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgharold

The LIT books from Baen seem to be zero-DRM involved. (I purchased a few today and am very pleased that they don't have DRM.)

Yes Baen's book are DRM free, but they're pretty much the only ones. For most any other Lit book you must have an activated copy of MS Reader installed (along with Internet Explorer) to download the book.

JSWolf · 02-01-2008, 08:33 AM

So what we are trying to say is that if you want DRM free eBooks, you NEED Windows. Saying you have a MAC and do not need Windows is not true.

01-26-2008, 04:13 AM	#1
jerryleejr Koby-rific! Posts: 941 Karma: 191112 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 2' From My MacBook Pro Device: Kobo Sage,Kobo Aura One, Glo HD,PRS-T1,PRS-950, PRS 300, PRS 350	Getting ready to buy Hello, I have been searching the forums for a few days getting ready to purchase a new 505. I have an older Mac powerbook with me, I have read about and downloaded libprs500. I have limited access to a PC so I want to make sure that I purchase the correct format. 1. Fictionwise has multi-format ebooks obviously I will look for the Sony Format first after that should I do the LRF conversion? 2. I am outside the U.S. My wife will be shipping mine to me should I have her authorize it first? How many computers can you authorize it for? 3. What all comes in the box with it? I already know I will need a charger. How about a cover, Memory stick etc??? I am sure I will have tons more questions, However I will search the forum before I post. Thanks, Jerry

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01-26-2008, 08:35 AM	#2
dhbailey Guru Posts: 604 Karma: 733 Join Date: Mar 2007 Device: HP iPAQ211 / PRS 500, 700 and 505	I think the total number of devices which can be authorized to an account at the Sony Connect web-site is 6 (if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me!) which can be any combination of computers and readers. The reader is not linked to a specific computer, but of course the computer it tries to communicate with the Connect store needs to be authorized, since the content is downloaded to the Connect software on the computer and then later transferred to the reader as you wish. I see no need for your wife to authorize it first while she's in the US, other than to make it easier for her to download the bonus books you want. For books which Fictionwise doesn't have in Sony format, you can purchase the LIT format version and then use programs which are discussed in other threads here to strip the DRM from the LIT file, and then use LibPrs500 to convert to LRF format. For the charger, buy the less expensive Sony PSP charger, since it is the same and works just fine. You can even buy a car charger for about $20, if you'll be travelling a lot and won't be near reliable electrical sources at night. In the box you get the reader and a cover and the USB cable. No Memory Stick, no charger. The 505 can read up to 8GB memory sticks and only up to 2GB SD cards. Be forewarned, though, that using the memory stick and/or the SD card will run the battery down faster, and will also slow things down on the reader after you get a certain number of books on the memory stick and/or the SD card. While it will be possible to put many thousands of books on an 8GB memory stick, it can seriously deteriorate your reading experience, and many people on this forum don't use memory cards at all for just that reason. Depending on the type of reading you plan on doing, you can put several hundred essentially text files on the reader itself without need for memory card, which should be more than enough for all but the longest travels. (we're talking months and months -- a typical vacation of 1 to 3 weeks will certainly be fine with book you can load into the internal memory of the reader without memory cards.) Enjoy! I can't imagine how I got along without it since I'm having a blast reading many fine books available through Project Gutenberg and not available in print anywhere.

01-26-2008, 09:33 AM	#4
jerryleejr Koby-rific! Posts: 941 Karma: 191112 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 2' From My MacBook Pro Device: Kobo Sage,Kobo Aura One, Glo HD,PRS-T1,PRS-950, PRS 300, PRS 350	Thanks, For all the input after I posted on the charger I found the thread about using a PSP one which I have. The only issue I see with the .lit format is I am using a Mac so I thought I had to stay with LRF or PDF. Jerry

01-27-2008, 05:46 AM	#6
stustaff Wizard Posts: 1,055 Karma: 2110 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Derbyshire UK Device: sony reader PRS505 and 600	Im using a mac and there is no need to run windows XP at all!! just use libprs to convert your lit books to lrf.

01-27-2008, 05:56 AM	#7
jerryleejr Koby-rific! Posts: 941 Karma: 191112 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 2' From My MacBook Pro Device: Kobo Sage,Kobo Aura One, Glo HD,PRS-T1,PRS-950, PRS 300, PRS 350	I have already downloaded libprs I will find a couple books to experiment on with the conversion. I do not have the luxury of running windows on my Mac because it is an older powerbook. I have virtual PC but it is a Windows 98 version.

02-01-2008, 08:33 AM	#13
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,957 Karma: 128903250 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	So what we are trying to say is that if you want DRM free eBooks, you NEED Windows. Saying you have a MAC and do not need Windows is not true.