[JCKobo]

Hi ficbot,
Let me try to answer your questions. I do work for Shortcovers, so I'm obviously going to be biased in my answers, but I'll do my best to answer your questions clearly:

Originally Posted by ficbot

I have some questions about buying from Shortcovers. I downloaded their app when it fist came out but didn't like that it needed an internet connection to use. I think it has changed since then but I no longer use it.

The Shortcovers iPhone app, version 2.0, came out last Friday and no longer requires a live Internet connection to read - it will store your purchases offline on the device.

Originally Posted by ficbot

1) The file is an epub file. Does this mean I can read it on any hypothetical device which supports epub? (e.g. if I ever replace my Sony reader, can I still use this file?)

You can use the file on any device that supports Adobe DRM'd ePubs. Adobe keeps a list of these on their website:
http://www.adobe.com/products/digitaleditions/devices/

Depending on the device, getting the file onto the device might be a little tricky from your Mac.

Originally Posted by ficbot

2) Can I load it into Calibre to transfer onto my Sony or does Calibre not handle DRM files?

As far as I know Calibre doesn't support DRM'd ePubs. I just tried to load my copy of The Lost Symbol into Calibre, and it was able to add it to my library, but I couldn't view it or convert it in Calibre. I forgot my Sony Reader at home, so I don't know if it can transfer the file over. I'll check for you as soon as I get into work this morning (eastern time). I'm on a Mac as well, so it should be similar for you.

Originally Posted by ficbot

3) How do I use the file? I removed the Adobe reader from my Mac when Sony came out with Mac software as it seemed to duplicate the fuctions of the Adobe software and I would rather have that one to rent ebooks from the library and download freebies from the Sony store. Was this a mistake? Can I use the Shortcovers file with the Sony software or must I re-download the horrible Adobe software which kept interrupting me every time I tried to do anything?

Adobe Digital Editions can read it on your Mac or on a PC if you use one. Unfortunately it can't transfer ePub files from your Mac to your Sony Reader until Sony gets around to releasing a driver for the Mac. They have announced they will support Mac's fully, but they haven't released the needed driver yet.

Originally Posted by ficbot

4) Basically, I am looking for some reassurance that the file will remain useable for the long term and I am not making a mistake by buying from a new store. After the whole eBookwise fisasco, I developed a comfortable little rut for myself in the ebook world, and I am skittish to venture outside of it

Sony has announced that they are going to change their store to only sell ePub files (instead of their proprietary file format), and with Adobe and other vendors (like Shortcovers) behind it I believe it will be around for a very long time.

If, after reading this, you do give Shortcovers a try, and have any problems, please let me know. We are improving our service all the time, and any feedback or input you have is appreciated and taken very seriously by our product team.

Thanks for considering us,
Jordan Christensen
Product Manager, Shortcovers