How do I import books from Kindle 1 device?

mayidunk · 12-14-2010, 09:32 AM

Hi All,

I'm a noob to Calibre. I have read the docs, watched the videos, but still cannot see how to just download the books on my Kindle 1 device into the Calibre library. When my device is attached, Calibre will allow me to look at the books it contains. However, when I select a book or books, and click on the Add Books button, it takes me to a dialog where it wants me to select a source directory on my laptop. When I click on the Save to Disk button, it takes me to a dialog where I am to select a destination directory on my laptop. Neither of these buttons, or their related dialogs, have anything to do with importing content from my Kindle into the Calibre library.

I guess my expectation is that the software would easily allow me to select books on my Kindle device, and provide me with a button in the GUI that would allow me to then transfer the selected book(s) from my Kindle to Calibre's library. Perhaps I have misconstrued Calibre's functionality in this regard? Maybe it is assumed that all I am really interested in is being able to transfer books to the Kindle? I would think that, this being a content management application, that one of its basic functions would be to effortlessly allow a user to transfer their libraries to and from their devices without having to search all over creation for how to do it.

I'm a simple guy, looking for simple functionality.

Thanks,
Bob

Manichean · 12-14-2010, 10:45 AM

Right click a book on the device and select "Add to library". And yes, mainly Calibre's purpose is to put books on your device, not the other way around.

kovidgoyal · 12-14-2010, 10:45 AM

drag and drop the books from the on device book list to the calibre icon in the toolbar or right click on a book and select add to library.

mayidunk · 12-14-2010, 11:27 AM

Thanks for the quick responses. guys! Perhaps it might be helpful if the documentation and FAQ were updated to include this information...

Thanks again.

DoctorOhh · 12-14-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayidunk

Thanks for the quick responses. guys! Perhaps it might be helpful if the documentation and FAQ were updated to include this information...

The information is in the manual here and the last time the manual was updated was 10 December.

Quote:

The Device action allows you to view the books in the main memory or storage cards of your device, or to eject the device (detach it from calibre). This icon shows up automatically on the main calibre toolbar when you connect a supported device. You can click on it to see the books on your device. You can also drag and drop books from your calibre library onto the icon to transfer them to your device. Conversely, you can drag and drop books from your device onto the calibre icon on the toolbar to transfer books from your device to the calibre library.

A FAQ entry would be nice. Write up the entry and submit it to Kovid.

wallcraft · 12-14-2010, 06:42 PM

If you have the PID of your Kindle 1, there is a 3rd party plugin for Calibre that will strip the DRM (encryption) from your ebooks during the import process. The plugin is in the tools_2.3 bundle, and the same plugin handles K4PC and MOBI and K1 ebooks. Apprentice Alf's Blog is the best place to study up on DRM issues.

DoctorOhh · 12-14-2010, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallcraft

If you have the PID of your Kindle 1, there is a 3rd party plugin for Calibre that will strip the DRM (encryption) from your ebooks during the import process. The plugin is in the tools_2.3 bundle, and the same plugin handles K4PC and MOBI and K1 ebooks. Apprentice Alf's Blog is the best place to study up on DRM issues.

I bought a book from Amazon last week just to try the K4PC aspect of this plugin. It worked great.

mayidunk · 12-14-2010, 07:53 PM

Thanks for pointing out the manual entry. I was kind of hoping there was an easy way to just download the books from my Kindle without having to drag and drop. However, I have since gotten them loaded into the Calibre library without too much hassle, and I've got the workflow for that figured out, so I'm all set.

Perhaps one of you could update the FAQ, as I'm really not too good at those kinds of things.

Thanks again!

12-14-2010, 09:32 AM	#1
mayidunk Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: kindle 1	How do I import books from Kindle 1 device? Hi All, I'm a noob to Calibre. I have read the docs, watched the videos, but still cannot see how to just download the books on my Kindle 1 device into the Calibre library. When my device is attached, Calibre will allow me to look at the books it contains. However, when I select a book or books, and click on the Add Books button, it takes me to a dialog where it wants me to select a source directory on my laptop. When I click on the Save to Disk button, it takes me to a dialog where I am to select a destination directory on my laptop. Neither of these buttons, or their related dialogs, have anything to do with importing content from my Kindle into the Calibre library. I guess my expectation is that the software would easily allow me to select books on my Kindle device, and provide me with a button in the GUI that would allow me to then transfer the selected book(s) from my Kindle to Calibre's library. Perhaps I have misconstrued Calibre's functionality in this regard? Maybe it is assumed that all I am really interested in is being able to transfer books to the Kindle? I would think that, this being a content management application, that one of its basic functions would be to effortlessly allow a user to transfer their libraries to and from their devices without having to search all over creation for how to do it. I'm a simple guy, looking for simple functionality. Thanks, Bob

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12-14-2010, 10:45 AM	#2
Manichean Wizard Posts: 3,130 Karma: 91256 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany Device: Cybook Gen3	Right click a book on the device and select "Add to library". And yes, mainly Calibre's purpose is to put books on your device, not the other way around.

12-14-2010, 10:45 AM	#3
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,860 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	drag and drop the books from the on device book list to the calibre icon in the toolbar or right click on a book and select add to library.

12-14-2010, 11:27 AM	#4
mayidunk Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: kindle 1	Thanks for the quick responses. guys! Perhaps it might be helpful if the documentation and FAQ were updated to include this information... Thanks again.

12-14-2010, 06:42 PM	#6
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	If you have the PID of your Kindle 1, there is a 3rd party plugin for Calibre that will strip the DRM (encryption) from your ebooks during the import process. The plugin is in the tools_2.3 bundle, and the same plugin handles K4PC and MOBI and K1 ebooks. Apprentice Alf's Blog is the best place to study up on DRM issues.

12-14-2010, 07:53 PM	#8
mayidunk Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: kindle 1	Thanks for pointing out the manual entry. I was kind of hoping there was an easy way to just download the books from my Kindle without having to drag and drop. However, I have since gotten them loaded into the Calibre library without too much hassle, and I've got the workflow for that figured out, so I'm all set. Perhaps one of you could update the FAQ, as I'm really not too good at those kinds of things. Thanks again!

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