MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Soooo.... just how the heck am I supposed to get my library onto this Kobo ARC??

MsBarrows · 08-07-2014, 06:42 PM

My new Kobo Arc 16gb arrived today, my first eReader (yay!). Already running into some problems that have me scratching my head and WTFing (boooo!). First, the complete and utter lack of a micro USB cable for connecting it to my desktop or laptop. And naturally none of the micro USB cables I already own have the same shape head as the micro USB port on the eReader, so I'm going to have to make a special trip some time this week to the nearest store that carries such things and probably pay through the nose for something that should have been an included standard component. Kobo score -1000

Instruction sheet on starting to use Kobo is about as helpful (actually, less helpful) than an Ikea assembly instructions guide. Much googling required to find out that the reason the tablet isn't turning on despite following the instructions is that the battery has zero charge and needs to charge up before I can use it. Nothing at all supplied with the tablet gives any explanation at all for various colours of flashing/steady lights beside power button. Kobo score -5000

Finally have tablet charged, turned on, and working way through setup wizard. Every couple of steps the wizard spontaneously stops and gives me some sort of "Oops the wizard stopped working!" message. Experimentation shows that pressing the back button gets it to resume. Eventually manage to work my way all the way through it. Kobo score -10000

Tablet set up! Ready to try and put books on the fricking thing! Wooo!

...or not wooo, actually, since without the cable there is apparently NO WAY to put any books on it that aren't purchases from the Kobo store. *Looks at 1,251 books in Calibre Library on her desktop... side-eyes her tablet heavily*

Okay, I say to myself, maybe I can install the Kobo desktop app, import my various epubs into it, then sync the eReader and have them transfer wirelessly? Maybe? Hopefully??

...except the Kobo site only carries the Win8 desktop app now. Zero usability on my WinXP desktop or Win7 laptop.

*Headdesks repeatedly*

Kobo score rapidly approaching -∞

At this point, would I recommend Kobo products to friends? Ha. Ahahaha. AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

That would be a no.

08-07-2014, 06:42 PM	#1
MsBarrows Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2013 Device: none	Soooo.... just how the heck am I supposed to get my library onto this Kobo ARC?? My new Kobo Arc 16gb arrived today, my first eReader (yay!). Already running into some problems that have me scratching my head and WTFing (boooo!). First, the complete and utter lack of a micro USB cable for connecting it to my desktop or laptop. And naturally none of the micro USB cables I already own have the same shape head as the micro USB port on the eReader, so I'm going to have to make a special trip some time this week to the nearest store that carries such things and probably pay through the nose for something that should have been an included standard component. Kobo score -1000 Instruction sheet on starting to use Kobo is about as helpful (actually, less helpful) than an Ikea assembly instructions guide. Much googling required to find out that the reason the tablet isn't turning on despite following the instructions is that the battery has zero charge and needs to charge up before I can use it. Nothing at all supplied with the tablet gives any explanation at all for various colours of flashing/steady lights beside power button. Kobo score -5000 Finally have tablet charged, turned on, and working way through setup wizard. Every couple of steps the wizard spontaneously stops and gives me some sort of "Oops the wizard stopped working!" message. Experimentation shows that pressing the back button gets it to resume. Eventually manage to work my way all the way through it. Kobo score -10000 Tablet set up! Ready to try and put books on the fricking thing! Wooo! ...or not wooo, actually, since without the cable there is apparently NO WAY to put any books on it that aren't purchases from the Kobo store. Looks at 1,251 books in Calibre Library on her desktop... side-eyes her tablet heavily Okay, I say to myself, maybe I can install the Kobo desktop app, import my various epubs into it, then sync the eReader and have them transfer wirelessly? Maybe? Hopefully?? ...except the Kobo site only carries the Win8 desktop app now. Zero usability on my WinXP desktop or Win7 laptop. Headdesks repeatedly Kobo score rapidly approaching -∞ At this point, would I recommend Kobo products to friends? Ha. Ahahaha. AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! That would be a no.