PRS-650 PRS-650 can I use it with Linux?

gencho · 10-15-2010, 12:20 AM

I am about to purchase Sony PRS-650, but would like to get some feedback first. I stopped using MS Windows years ago and switched to Linux. In order to use prs-650 though the System Requirements are Wondows or Mac, according to sony.com. I have Calibre installed on both my desktop-Fedora13 and laptop-OpenSuse11.2 and I have downloaded a lot of ePub books, pdf files, etc. Once I get my prs-650 will I be able to upload my books and files to the reader. I keep updating Calibre with every new release and several updates back there were new sony prs-350 and prs-650 drivers, so I assume the reader will be recognized. I would like to hear from some users that had experience using prs-650 with Linux.
I will hate if I have to install Windows in order to use my future eReader.
I was thinking about buying Kindle 3 (tempted by the prise), but after doing some research I am convinced that Sony is the reader for me.
I was waiting for prs-950sc to come out, but after reading the user manual I don't think is worth the $70 more.

bmatt · 10-15-2010, 12:48 AM

Yes and no. You will be able to use Calibre to upload and manage your collections in Linux, but ADE is required for a lot of the DRM protected files, in general. You can, however, use Wine to emulate windows and run ADE from there, I believe, if you wish to purchase DRM books. I have not done it myself, though, the only reason I know any of this is because I was trying to fix a Kobo book I bought and was trying to use my Linux box at work to update it, but could not since it was a DRM book.

Someone else may be able to shed more light on it, though.

the quiet fox · 10-15-2010, 01:20 PM

I can't speak to working with DRM-protected files, but I can confirm that Calibre detects my 650 and works with it just fine under Linux (I'm using Ubuntu).

gencho · 10-15-2010, 03:57 PM

Thank you, Quiet Fox, and you bmatt

.
For now I don't have any DRM books. I have enough ePub books and pdfs for the next 2 years

.
But when I receive my PRS-650 do I need to register it initially using the sony desktop software or I can start using it with Calibre strait out of the box?

bmatt · 10-15-2010, 04:43 PM

Should be able to use it with Calibre straight out of the box. The only thing you need to register for would be signing up to use the store and that is to setup your DRM account, essentially. Although it is always a good idea to register your product with the manufacturer as soon as possible for warranty purposes

Abisha · 10-15-2010, 07:25 PM

Just a confirmation for the O.P.. I have successfully used ADE to download books from my Public Library using WINE + ADE on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS.

igorsk · 10-16-2010, 09:49 PM

You don't even need Calibre. Just copy the files to the mass-storage drive.

KenJackson · 11-12-2010, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorsk

You don't even need Calibre. Just copy the files to the mass-storage drive.

Will this work for DRM-restricted books?

I'm in exactly the same boat as the OP. I just looked at the Sony Touch an hour ago at Borders and the expert clerk had no clue about how DRM works or where the decryption takes place.

Assuming that I respect the publisher's wishes and do not break the DRM, can I just copy the DRM encrusted book to my Sony device with Calibre (or the cp command) and read it?

This is the crucial question that no one seems to be able to answer.

elcreative · 11-12-2010, 08:34 PM

The simple answer is no, you can't copy DRM books to your reader and use them without going through certain specific steps... you need ADE and/or the Sony software to register your device and authorise it. Most people then authorise at least their computer and reader then when you purchase a DRM'd book you can read it on your computer and any other authorised device.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenJackson

Will this work for DRM-restricted books?

I'm in exactly the same boat as the OP. I just looked at the Sony Touch an hour ago at Borders and the expert clerk had no clue about how DRM works or where the decryption takes place.

Assuming that I respect the publisher's wishes and do not break the DRM, can I just copy the DRM encrusted book to my Sony device with Calibre (or the cp command) and read it?

This is the crucial question that no one seems to be able to answer.

KenJackson · 11-12-2010, 09:03 PM

OK, elcreative, that was a straight forward, clear answer. Thank you.

I wonder why clarity on this topic is so rare.

Now I have to decide if I want to shell out the bucks knowing the product is defective by design.

elcreative · 11-12-2010, 09:26 PM

Actually the real blame lies with the idea of DRM in its current form and the basic assumption that all readers are thieves which forms the basic marketing principles of most publishers. One or two (such as Baen) have tried a different model and found it works... they not only don't use DRM, they actually give away some of their books and found that customers really appreciate this method of marketing and buy books (it also helps that their pricing structure is reasonable as well).

TSquared · 11-13-2010, 01:49 PM

I am not quite in the same boat as the original poster and KenJackson b/c I went and bought a PRS-650 already, but I am having trouble getting DRM-ed books onto my reader from Ubuntu.

I've registered my PRS-650 with the Sony Reader software on two different machines now (neither of which are my principal machine - one was my Mac at work and one was a very old laptop that has a Windows partition). ADE on the Windows machine recognized my reader and let me look at the files on it, though it never asked me to authorize it. ADE on the Mac did not, but I am told this is to be expected.

I got ADE working via Wine on my Linux machine, and was able to download a public library book and read it *in* ADE. However, it won't recognize my PRS-650. I tried using Calibre to add the file, and tried just copying the epub file to the "My Digital Editions" folder on my reader, but either way I get "Protected by Digital Rights Management" when I try to open the book on my reader. I tried installing the Sony Reader software on Wine, and it just crashes on startup while leaving a lingering process.

What am I doing wrong? The posts around here suggest that it is possible to get to the point where you *can* put DRM books via Linux onto your Reader, but I haven't figured out an exact series of steps that works...

KenJackson · 11-13-2010, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSquared

I tried installing the Sony Reader software on Wine, and it just crashes on startup while leaving a lingering process.

Well good--it's not just me. I tried to install the Sony Reader on Wine on my Fedora 14 laptop last night and it crashed before completing installation. It didn't have permission to write something:

Code:

wine client error:34: write: Bad file descriptor
err:seh:raise_exception Unhandled exception code c0000005 flags 0 addr 0x687f953e

BTW, did you read through Sony's EULA? About 3/4 of the way down the huge document in the tiny window I saw this:

Quote:

SOFTWARE DATA COLLECTION AND MONITORING
The SOFTWARE contains features which may allow SONY and/or third parties to collect data from, control and/or monitor computers and devices running or interacting with the SOFTWARE. You hereby consent to such activities.

Great! You have to agree to be spied upon to use their software.

Fourth Amendment, anyone?

TSquared · 11-13-2010, 03:08 PM

I actually did install the Sony Reader software on WINE successfully, it just won't run. But either way, it doesn't seem like it works on WINE...

Quote:

SOFTWARE DATA COLLECTION AND MONITORING
The SOFTWARE contains features which may allow SONY and/or third parties to collect data from, control and/or monitor computers and devices running or interacting with the SOFTWARE. You hereby consent to such activities.

*Control*?? Collecting data doesn't surprise me overmuch, though it sucks, but control? That's sketchy...Maybe I should uninstall it from my work computer =P.

RVnook · 11-14-2010, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSquared

I actually did install the Sony Reader software on WINE successfully, it just won't run. But either way, it doesn't seem like it works on WINE...

I actually have the same problem. I was a bit surprised when it didn't work because Nook for PC installed and runs great under WINE on my Mandriva box.

Seems like they could find a way to support use on Linux without having to develop versions of their software for multiple distributions.

10-15-2010, 12:20 AM	#1
gencho Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: PRS-650	PRS-650 can I use it with Linux? I am about to purchase Sony PRS-650, but would like to get some feedback first. I stopped using MS Windows years ago and switched to Linux. In order to use prs-650 though the System Requirements are Wondows or Mac, according to sony.com. I have Calibre installed on both my desktop-Fedora13 and laptop-OpenSuse11.2 and I have downloaded a lot of ePub books, pdf files, etc. Once I get my prs-650 will I be able to upload my books and files to the reader. I keep updating Calibre with every new release and several updates back there were new sony prs-350 and prs-650 drivers, so I assume the reader will be recognized. I would like to hear from some users that had experience using prs-650 with Linux. I will hate if I have to install Windows in order to use my future eReader. I was thinking about buying Kindle 3 (tempted by the prise), but after doing some research I am convinced that Sony is the reader for me. I was waiting for prs-950sc to come out, but after reading the user manual I don't think is worth the $70 more.

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10-15-2010, 12:48 AM	#2
bmatt Enthusiast Posts: 48 Karma: 12 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Sony PRS-650	Yes and no. You will be able to use Calibre to upload and manage your collections in Linux, but ADE is required for a lot of the DRM protected files, in general. You can, however, use Wine to emulate windows and run ADE from there, I believe, if you wish to purchase DRM books. I have not done it myself, though, the only reason I know any of this is because I was trying to fix a Kobo book I bought and was trying to use my Linux box at work to update it, but could not since it was a DRM book. Someone else may be able to shed more light on it, though.

10-15-2010, 01:20 PM	#3
the quiet fox Interstitial Reader Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Massachusetts, USA Device: K1/KDX-G/PRS-650	I can't speak to working with DRM-protected files, but I can confirm that Calibre detects my 650 and works with it just fine under Linux (I'm using Ubuntu).

10-15-2010, 03:57 PM	#4
gencho Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: PRS-650	Thank you, Quiet Fox, and you bmatt . For now I don't have any DRM books. I have enough ePub books and pdfs for the next 2 years . But when I receive my PRS-650 do I need to register it initially using the sony desktop software or I can start using it with Calibre strait out of the box?

10-15-2010, 04:43 PM	#5
bmatt Enthusiast Posts: 48 Karma: 12 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Sony PRS-650	Should be able to use it with Calibre straight out of the box. The only thing you need to register for would be signing up to use the store and that is to setup your DRM account, essentially. Although it is always a good idea to register your product with the manufacturer as soon as possible for warranty purposes

10-15-2010, 07:25 PM	#6
Abisha Connoisseur Posts: 86 Karma: 2272 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A. Device: Sony PRS-505, Sony PRS-950	Just a confirmation for the O.P.. I have successfully used ADE to download books from my Public Library using WINE + ADE on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS.

10-16-2010, 09:49 PM	#7
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	You don't even need Calibre. Just copy the files to the mass-storage drive.

11-12-2010, 09:03 PM	#10
KenJackson Addict Posts: 256 Karma: 112042 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Maryland, USA Device: Sony PRS-650	OK, elcreative, that was a straight forward, clear answer. Thank you. I wonder why clarity on this topic is so rare. Now I have to decide if I want to shell out the bucks knowing the product is defective by design.

11-12-2010, 09:26 PM	#11
elcreative Wizard Posts: 2,888 Karma: 5875940 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: PRS505, 600, 350, 650, Nexus 7, Note III, iPad 4 etc	Actually the real blame lies with the idea of DRM in its current form and the basic assumption that all readers are thieves which forms the basic marketing principles of most publishers. One or two (such as Baen) have tried a different model and found it works... they not only don't use DRM, they actually give away some of their books and found that customers really appreciate this method of marketing and buy books (it also helps that their pricing structure is reasonable as well).

11-13-2010, 01:49 PM	#12
TSquared Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Sony PRS-650	I am not quite in the same boat as the original poster and KenJackson b/c I went and bought a PRS-650 already, but I am having trouble getting DRM-ed books onto my reader from Ubuntu. I've registered my PRS-650 with the Sony Reader software on two different machines now (neither of which are my principal machine - one was my Mac at work and one was a very old laptop that has a Windows partition). ADE on the Windows machine recognized my reader and let me look at the files on it, though it never asked me to authorize it. ADE on the Mac did not, but I am told this is to be expected. I got ADE working via Wine on my Linux machine, and was able to download a public library book and read it in ADE. However, it won't recognize my PRS-650. I tried using Calibre to add the file, and tried just copying the epub file to the "My Digital Editions" folder on my reader, but either way I get "Protected by Digital Rights Management" when I try to open the book on my reader. I tried installing the Sony Reader software on Wine, and it just crashes on startup while leaving a lingering process. What am I doing wrong? The posts around here suggest that it is possible to get to the point where you can put DRM books via Linux onto your Reader, but I haven't figured out an exact series of steps that works...

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