Hi ficbot,
Ok here are a few steps and ways to load books onto the kobo which I've found worked great.
KT requires the Desktop application 2.0 from
www.kobosetup.com so i'd have a version setup on a computer that you're planning to use for loading books onto the Kobo. This setup is required also for wifi usage as it installs software that was missing in the factory settings.
Purchasing books through Kobobooks.com can be done wirelessly or directly on the desktop 2.0 application and sync'ed automatically via the usb cable once everything has been setup.
If you are trying to sideload epubs off of websites I would recommend downloading calibre and transfering it via the usb and the KT via a drag and drop.
ADE is required for pdf style locked content like library books which requires you to sign up for an account to authorize the books but it's also a drag and drop once you've set it up.
If you have downloaded content you can also try and archive it into a winrar file and then convert it into an epub using the calibre software and then drag and drop add it to the KT ereader in windows explorer.
Finally like taming said all epubs can also be sideloaded via a mini SD card that fits into the side of the device which can use upto a 32 gig card.
Hope these help you sort it out as I've been finding it exceddingly fun to load and read books on this new version
Michael