07-28-2007, 01:35 PM | #1 |
Member
Posts: 10
Karma: 10
Join Date: Jul 2007
Device: Sony PRS500
|
eBook resources
Hi all, Just joined!
Apologies if this is the wrong forum for this query it seemed the right one from the title. I recently bought a Sony PRS500 Reader and I'm really pleased with it, an excellent bit of hardware. The problem is I am having real trouble finding eBooks to put on the bloody thing. Now I have been through the usual resources which I've found through this site :
But am unable to find a decent source of ebooks. Specifically I have a number of books here in paper form that have been sitting on my "to read" list for a while, since I now have the reader I'm wanting to get/obtain/rebuy or whatever in eBook form but it seems next to impossible to find them :
Does anyone know of any good eBook resources that I might not have come across (unlikely) that could stock these or are there any "secret" scanning groups for the frustrated reader owner who scan these things in and share among themselves? It is looking like my next step is to buy a HP 5590, hack my paper books to bits and scan these things in myself which to be honest seems a bit rubbish since really I might as well just read the actual book instead! So much potential wasted. I just want to be able to buy any book that takes my fancy in eBook form and read the damn thing, is that too much to ask. Yours disappointed in his reader. |
07-28-2007, 10:11 PM | #2 |
Resident Curmudgeon
Posts: 75,860
Karma: 134368292
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
|
I have no idea if the books you've listed are available for purchase as ebooks. That said, it's not the fault of your reader if they are not. It's the fault of the publishers.
Have you checked out the ebook database here for LOTS of good ebooks to read? If you purchase LIT format ebooks, you can remove the DRM with CLIT and use lit2lrf or Book Designer to convert them into LRF format for your Reader. You can also purchase books at Sony's Connect store if you are in the USA. For your $50 book credit, just register saying that you are in the USA and you'll get your credit once you authorize your reader and thee Computer Connect is installed on. All that said, if you still need any help, please ask. And please check out the stickies in the Sony Reader Content forum where I've just moved this thread since that is the appropriate place for it to live. P.S. You won't find anyone helping you get those book illegally. Just legally if they exist in ebook form for purchase. P.P.S. I've just checked and the books you've listed are not available for purchase as ebooks. |
07-29-2007, 04:16 AM | #3 | ||
Member
Posts: 10
Karma: 10
Join Date: Jul 2007
Device: Sony PRS500
|
Thanks for the suggestions, yes I've signed up to Connect with false credentials, (isn't it crazy we have to do this?), I've also seen that there is a helpful member here who will buy vouchers. I've also seen the book conversion tools. But I have to say the range of books available to purchase even using these methods is woeful.
Quote:
Quote:
I am not blaming the eReader as such, as I say I think it is a great bit of hardware, it is the supply of eBooks that are at fault. It's like buying an mp3 player but only being able to listen to music made over 90 years ago or a very limited subset of anything recent. For example can we buy the new Harry Potter eBook? Can we buggery. As I say it is a sad state of affairs and I have to say that to me it seems an eBook reader is not really a good purchase for an avid "reader". |
||
07-29-2007, 04:44 AM | #4 | |||
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
|
|||
07-29-2007, 07:29 AM | #5 | ||
Member
Posts: 10
Karma: 10
Join Date: Jul 2007
Device: Sony PRS500
|
Quote:
Quote:
Yes absolutely, I think you are in the minority though. I think the majority of people get a recommendation of a book from a friend or spot something interesting in the bestseller list, in these cases the vast majority of the time the book in question will not be available in an eBook form. Last edited by glop glop; 07-29-2007 at 07:39 AM. |
||
07-29-2007, 07:48 AM | #6 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Certainly it's illegal to download copyrighted material. Whether it's a civil or a criminal offence depends on the circumstances, but it's unquestionably illegal. Both the RIAA in the US and the British equivalent, the BPI, have prosecuted downloaders of music, and downloading books is no less illegal.
|
07-29-2007, 08:01 AM | #7 |
Guru
Posts: 767
Karma: 2347
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC
Device: Sony Reader, nook, Droid, nookColor, nookTablet
|
That may be the real problem, but it's definitely not the root of the problem. Just as it was in the early days of digital music, it's the content providers that are the holdup. Sony put a great deal of effort into getting the publishers on board. Considering the glacial pace of evolution in the publishing industry, I'm surprised Sony has accomplished as much as it has.
|
07-29-2007, 08:04 AM | #8 | |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Quote:
|
|
07-29-2007, 08:28 AM | #9 |
Resident Curmudgeon
Posts: 75,860
Karma: 134368292
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
|
There are a lot of bestsellers available as ebooks.
1. The Quickie - James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge 2. The Judas Strain - James Rollins 3. Robert Ludlum's (TM) the Bourne Betrayal - Eric Van Lustbader 4. A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini 5. Angels Flight - Michael Connelly 6. Up Close and Dangerous - Linda Howard 7. Einstein - Walter Isaacson 8. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini 9. High Noon - Nora Roberts 10. The Overlook - Michael Connelly That is the current list of top ten sellers from Connect as of July 29, 2007. I know you are not happy abou the selection of ebooks available vs. dead tree editions. But did you bother to do your homework into what's available as ebooks before you bought your Sony Reader? |
07-29-2007, 08:32 AM | #10 | |
Guru
Posts: 767
Karma: 2347
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC
Device: Sony Reader, nook, Droid, nookColor, nookTablet
|
Quote:
Since most of their pre-press has been digital for a long time, conversion wouldn't even be a big deal. They could pay for it just by cutting down on the number of ARCs they send out. At work, we get something like fifty review copies a week from every publisher and small press. If they gave people the option of receiving digital ARCs, they'd save a ton. |
|
07-29-2007, 08:44 AM | #11 |
Member
Posts: 10
Karma: 10
Join Date: Jul 2007
Device: Sony PRS500
|
Now let me stop you right there, such an unqualified statement is obviously false. When talking about what is legal and what is not you cannot make such a general and blanket statement saying that all downloading of copyrighted material is illegal since we all here as eReader owners know that is simply not the case.
There are circumstances that make it legal, such as when you've paid for the content!! Last edited by glop glop; 07-29-2007 at 08:57 AM. |
07-29-2007, 09:02 AM | #12 | |
Geekette
Posts: 435
Karma: 3335
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NSW, Australia
Device: Sony Reader PRS500, PocketBook 360
|
Quote:
E-book reader owners of the world unite! Perhaps we can show the publishing industry there *is* a viable market for e-books! |
|
07-29-2007, 09:04 AM | #13 | |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Quote:
Let me rephrase it. It is illegal to download copyrighted material without the permission of the copyright holder, whether that permission is implied or explicit. It is absolutely illegal to download material such as, for example, "Harry Potter" books from Usenet, etc, regardless of whether or not one has bought the paper book. |
|
07-29-2007, 09:14 AM | #14 | |
Member
Posts: 10
Karma: 10
Join Date: Jul 2007
Device: Sony PRS500
|
Quote:
Though I have to say I'd find it hard to imagine any company prosecuting someone for downloading a music album he/she already owns. |
|
07-29-2007, 09:17 AM | #15 | |
Member
Posts: 10
Karma: 10
Join Date: Jul 2007
Device: Sony PRS500
|
Quote:
With the notable exception of the two books by Khaled Hosseini, an enlightened author presumably. I just researched the various models and made the mistake of assuming the content would be there, I don't think I'm unusual in this regard. |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Getting Started Resources | Gideon | News | 12 | 04-16-2009 12:00 AM |
A few pulp resources | mtravellerh | Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links) | 1 | 11-27-2008 04:46 AM |
Wallpaper resources | doctorow | Lounge | 7 | 12-14-2005 08:19 AM |
Linux Resources | Bob Russell | Lounge | 1 | 04-03-2005 12:09 PM |
Midlet Resources? | Zire | Lounge | 0 | 07-09-2003 12:35 AM |