MobileRead Forums - View Single Post

DaveNB · 07-01-2007, 05:02 PM

(Note: Most of this info is scattered in several threads on the forum. This post is what I've gleaned from reading through the various OS X threads and what's worked for me. Please correct me if I've messed anything up or if I've omitted anything.)

For protected eBooks you've purchased from Sony, I'm afraid you'll have to keep using a Windows Machine as there is no Connect Store client for OS X (maybe one day, but I wouldn't hold my breath as it seems like Sony pretty much turns a blind eye to OS X/Mac's).

Go here http://labs.docudesk.com/

They offer a free Sony Reader eBook uploader that is working well for me. It's very basic (doesn't support collections) but will upload eBooks (lrf, txt, rtf, pdf) as well as pictures and music (mp3, aac) files.

http://labs.docudesk.com/latest-tech...-for-os-x.html

I use their DeskUNPDF application to convert PDF's to LRF and it seems to work well for most PDF's (not all PDF's will reflow properly for viewing on the Sony Reader though). It too is free (trial period for conversion to .doc, .txt and other editable formats expires as of 6/15 unless you purchase, but they've generously kept the .lrf conversion capabilities free).

http://labs.docudesk.com/latest-tech...-previews.html

I use PieLRF (OS X command binaries and a GUI now available) for converting .txt and HTML to .lrf format. You can find a thread about this command line utility on this forum here:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10752

And for the GUI utility here:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11696

Some folks have had luck with this general eBook managent application that happens to support the Sony Reader:
http://bookpac.com/software.php
More Info here:
http://www.bookpac.com/site/blog/bib...ves_the_sony_0
I haven't tried it yet myself.

libprs500 looks very promising, but still has some quirks. I think ultimately it'll be the most useful tool to convert from MANY different formats to .lrf and once the Mac GUI's bugs get ironed out, should be great for library management as well. It's the one application that's trying to be a one-stop, integrated conversion/library management tool on OS X (and Linux and Windows as well I think).

Sadly, we're still stuck with Sony's rather Connect software for their purchased eBooks. If you're on a newer Intel CPU Mac you have some options:

1) You can run Windows XP within OS X with Parellels (http://www.parallels.com/en/products/workstation/mac/) or VMware (http://www.vmware.com/) and run Sony Connect in a virtual machine. Forum Discussion about doing this (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...ight=crossover).

2) You can dual boot into Windows XP via Bootcamp (http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/) and install the Sony Connect software that way.

The downside to these 3 methods however is you have to give up a bunch of disk space for a full Windows install. But you will get the added flexibility of running Windows XP software at near native speeds if you need such capabilities.

3) You could even try CodeWeaver's Windows OS System call emulator (maps/translates Windows system calls to OS X system calls without installing Windows) called CrossOver (http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxmac/) to see if the Sony Connect can run that way. Sony Connect is not listed in their database of applications that have been tried on CrossOver (Anyone out there wanna try it out and tell the rest of us?).

Good Luck,

Dave

07-01-2007, 05:02 PM	#3
DaveNB Connoisseur Posts: 86 Karma: 399 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: Nook, Sony PRS-500, Nokia 770 (FBReader)	I use Docudesk on OS X mainly... (Note: Most of this info is scattered in several threads on the forum. This post is what I've gleaned from reading through the various OS X threads and what's worked for me. Please correct me if I've messed anything up or if I've omitted anything.) For protected eBooks you've purchased from Sony, I'm afraid you'll have to keep using a Windows Machine as there is no Connect Store client for OS X (maybe one day, but I wouldn't hold my breath as it seems like Sony pretty much turns a blind eye to OS X/Mac's). Go here http://labs.docudesk.com/ They offer a free Sony Reader eBook uploader that is working well for me. It's very basic (doesn't support collections) but will upload eBooks (lrf, txt, rtf, pdf) as well as pictures and music (mp3, aac) files. http://labs.docudesk.com/latest-tech...-for-os-x.html I use their DeskUNPDF application to convert PDF's to LRF and it seems to work well for most PDF's (not all PDF's will reflow properly for viewing on the Sony Reader though). It too is free (trial period for conversion to .doc, .txt and other editable formats expires as of 6/15 unless you purchase, but they've generously kept the .lrf conversion capabilities free). http://labs.docudesk.com/latest-tech...-previews.html I use PieLRF (OS X command binaries and a GUI now available) for converting .txt and HTML to .lrf format. You can find a thread about this command line utility on this forum here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10752 And for the GUI utility here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11696 Some folks have had luck with this general eBook managent application that happens to support the Sony Reader: http://bookpac.com/software.php More Info here: http://www.bookpac.com/site/blog/bib...ves_the_sony_0 I haven't tried it yet myself. libprs500 looks very promising, but still has some quirks. I think ultimately it'll be the most useful tool to convert from MANY different formats to .lrf and once the Mac GUI's bugs get ironed out, should be great for library management as well. It's the one application that's trying to be a one-stop, integrated conversion/library management tool on OS X (and Linux and Windows as well I think). Sadly, we're still stuck with Sony's rather Connect software for their purchased eBooks. If you're on a newer Intel CPU Mac you have some options: 1) You can run Windows XP within OS X with Parellels (http://www.parallels.com/en/products/workstation/mac/) or VMware (http://www.vmware.com/) and run Sony Connect in a virtual machine. Forum Discussion about doing this (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...ight=crossover). 2) You can dual boot into Windows XP via Bootcamp (http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/) and install the Sony Connect software that way. The downside to these 3 methods however is you have to give up a bunch of disk space for a full Windows install. But you will get the added flexibility of running Windows XP software at near native speeds if you need such capabilities. 3) You could even try CodeWeaver's Windows OS System call emulator (maps/translates Windows system calls to OS X system calls without installing Windows) called CrossOver (http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxmac/) to see if the Sony Connect can run that way. Sony Connect is not listed in their database of applications that have been tried on CrossOver (Anyone out there wanna try it out and tell the rest of us?). Good Luck, Dave Last edited by DaveNB; 07-01-2007 at 10:29 PM. Reason: Added URL's for PieLRF and running WinXP on an intel Mac.