MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Looking for a reader with public library support, not tied to specific bookstore

ATDrake · 12-29-2010, 06:46 PM

1) The Nook can certainly be used to read library books, and while B&N uses its proprietary DRM for its own books (and has partnered with Adobe to make it available as part of the next generation of the ADE SDK now, so more readers in the future will be able to use it), it can also read ADE-DRM books from other stores without problems, and load up non-DRM books without problems, so it's not like you're locked into B&N.

The Nook does reserve certain features for B&N bought books, like the covers showing up in the "Cover Flow" collection browser in the touchscreen, but if you're willing to root your Nook, you can use those features on non-B&N books, too.

2) The Kobo is a basic low-cost reader that will do library books well enough. But currently it doesn't navigate internal links very well (this is planned for a future firmware update), so if you read stuff with footnotes like academic non-fiction or Terry Pratchett, you may want to consider a different device.

Like the Nook, Kobo can shop at any ADE-compatible/DRM-free store. And currently it reserves its new dictionary function for Kobo-bought books, though perhaps that will expand in the future.

3) Sonys are generally well-made (if a bit pricey), but if you can catch one on sale, so much the better. They're the only manufacturer besides Amazon to have secured the new Pearl e-ink screen (with better contrast, etc.) for some of their reader models, so if you want the most up-to-date technology in that area, it's a good choice.

4) Both the ADE software you'll need for downloading and transferring ADE-DRM books, and the Sony Reader Library app you'd need for managing certain aspects of your Sony, will work on a Mac, Intel or PPC, 10.4+ (I have an old PowerBook and a new Mac Mini, and they work about the same on both {slow, somewhat buggy, but reasonably functional}).

The Kobo Desktop app you need for managing your Kobo requires an Intel Mac, 10.5+ I think.

B&N doesn't require an app to manage/transfer its books and you can just drag and drop them when the Nook is mounted via USB. But you do need ADE for library books.

ADE can apparently be used under Wine in Linux, but it's said to be a bit tricky to install and get working properly.

Hope this helps, and welcome to MobileRead!

12-29-2010, 06:46 PM	#3
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	1) The Nook can certainly be used to read library books, and while B&N uses its proprietary DRM for its own books (and has partnered with Adobe to make it available as part of the next generation of the ADE SDK now, so more readers in the future will be able to use it), it can also read ADE-DRM books from other stores without problems, and load up non-DRM books without problems, so it's not like you're locked into B&N. The Nook does reserve certain features for B&N bought books, like the covers showing up in the "Cover Flow" collection browser in the touchscreen, but if you're willing to root your Nook, you can use those features on non-B&N books, too. 2) The Kobo is a basic low-cost reader that will do library books well enough. But currently it doesn't navigate internal links very well (this is planned for a future firmware update), so if you read stuff with footnotes like academic non-fiction or Terry Pratchett, you may want to consider a different device. Like the Nook, Kobo can shop at any ADE-compatible/DRM-free store. And currently it reserves its new dictionary function for Kobo-bought books, though perhaps that will expand in the future. 3) Sonys are generally well-made (if a bit pricey), but if you can catch one on sale, so much the better. They're the only manufacturer besides Amazon to have secured the new Pearl e-ink screen (with better contrast, etc.) for some of their reader models, so if you want the most up-to-date technology in that area, it's a good choice. 4) Both the ADE software you'll need for downloading and transferring ADE-DRM books, and the Sony Reader Library app you'd need for managing certain aspects of your Sony, will work on a Mac, Intel or PPC, 10.4+ (I have an old PowerBook and a new Mac Mini, and they work about the same on both {slow, somewhat buggy, but reasonably functional}). The Kobo Desktop app you need for managing your Kobo requires an Intel Mac, 10.5+ I think. B&N doesn't require an app to manage/transfer its books and you can just drag and drop them when the Nook is mounted via USB. But you do need ADE for library books. ADE can apparently be used under Wine in Linux, but it's said to be a bit tricky to install and get working properly. Hope this helps, and welcome to MobileRead!