Noob question

[Phoul]

Hey all, This is a hella noobish question. I run linux exclusively so i use Calibre to manage my prs-350 collection. Now i know some devices like the nook etc receive firmware upgrades. Is the PRS-350 the type of device to receive firmware updates? Or is the sony library simply for managing the content of the device and nothing more (aside from their really bad store).

[Kiwimick]

Someone more knowledgeable may contradict me but Im pretty sure you cant get any firmware updates from Sony and the library is for manageing the content.

oh and welcome to MR

[boxcorner]

There seem to be plenty of other Linux users on MR. My OS is Ubuntu and I use Calibre, too. I'm not aware of any firmware upgrades, nor any way of getting them from Sony, if they exist. I originally migrated from Windows and still have it installed for dual-boot, so at some stage I intend to register with Sony. I'll let you know if I discover anything of significance.

[SeaBookGuy]

I believe Sony firmware upgrades are rare - unless it's something (they feel is) really urgent, they just make a note of it, and fix (improve) it in future devices going forward.

[igorsk]

Sony's firmware updates require Windows or OSX.

[Phoul]

Ahh, posted this before heading to class for the day. Thanks for the quick responses Also thanks for the welcome.

[boxcorner]

Originally Posted by igorsk

Sony's firmware updates require Windows or OSX.

How are they announced? Are they listed on Sony's website somewhere, or do they contact registered users?

[igorsk]

Yes, they'll be listed on the Sony site. E.g. here's the PRS-600 update. Also, the Reader Library checks for new versions when you connect the device.

[boxcorner]

Originally Posted by igorsk

Yes, they'll be listed on the Sony site. E.g. here's the PRS-600 update. Also, the Reader Library checks for new versions when you connect the device.

Thanks. So, apparently I would have no choice but to boot Windows from my HD's other partition, assuming that Sony ever releases an update for the 650. Companies like Adobe support Linux, so why won't Sony? That's a rhetorical question, so no need to reply!

[Doogman]

I wouldn't worry about it as an update might happen once in this product's lifespan, if at all. I've been using mine for a few weeks now and it seems to be pretty solid, unlike some of the other ereaders which ship with semi-broken firmware.

Booting into Win once a year won't kill you.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by boxcorner

Thanks. So, apparently I would have no choice but to boot Windows from my HD's other partition, assuming that Sony ever releases an update for the 650. Companies like Adobe support Linux, so why won't Sony? That's a rhetorical question, so no need to reply!

Boxcorner, I only replied to say I understand your frustration. It's only been one year since Sony came out with Mac support so I am not surprised they don't support Linux yet. I also have my HD in two partitions: one for Mac OS X and one for Windows XP. For years I managed my reader library on the Windows side. Yes, it was annoying and time consuming to have to boot Windows. However, it was worth it to me because I like the Sony readers and didn't want to use a different brand. I was glad that I had a copy of Windows as many Mac users don't. Perhaps as more people adopt Linux Sony will offer a solution someday for you too.

[boxcorner]

Originally Posted by Doogman

I wouldn't worry about it as an update might happen once in this product's lifespan, if at all. I've been using mine for a few weeks now and it seems to be pretty solid, unlike some of the other ereaders which ship with semi-broken firmware.

Booting into Win once a year won't kill you.

Thanks Doogman. I've had my 650 for a few weeks, too, and yes everything seems to be perfectly reliable. No glitches, nothing to report except that it all works fine. Nevertheless, I would like to avail myself of any updates, for example if they added another dictionary such as Portuguese, as well as, of course, any bug fixes. I haven't needed to use Windows all year, so it would be nice to see the rest of the year out that way.

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

Boxcorner, I only replied to say I understand your frustration. It's only been one year since Sony came out with Mac support so I am not surprised they don't support Linux yet. I also have my HD in two partitions: one for Mac OS X and one for Windows XP. For years I managed my reader library on the Windows side. Yes, it was annoying and time consuming to have to boot Windows. However, it was worth it to me because I like the Sony readers and didn't want to use a different brand. I was glad that I had a copy of Windows as many Mac users don't. Perhaps as more people adopt Linux Sony will offer a solution someday for you too.

Thanks Bookworm_Girl. I hope you're right about Sony waking up to Linux. Windows certainly is painfully time consuming, but I suppose only having to use it one a year might be just bearable.