PRS-350 Sony PRS-350 - First e-reader for a grumpy geezer

[hermes]

After way too much reading of other people's opinions I bought this Sony pocket edition e-reader because it seemed to fit my requirements as a full-time hobo...

1. small: fits in my trouser side-front pocket)
2. lightweight : don't even know it is there, really there is room to spare.
3. flexible formats: It is supposed to read everything except Kindle's format and apparently that can be dealt with by using software called Calibre.
4. Can highlight and make notations: Even better, can scribble in the margins and circle words like a drunken sailor.
5. NOT wireless connected: I don't want super-duper fast 3G or even WiFi connectivity. The concept of some corporation or government knowing where I am around the world creeps me out. One of my first questions is 'is this device private?'

Actually, as it stands I'm not sure if I am not taking it back to the store! A big box store had in on sale due to being an open box. It seemed to work, but I am finding it less than intuitive (I am used to Mac products).

I am a bit both impatient and neo-luddite but it sure seems to take a long time to get started. I resumed one just went to a website and downloaded ebooks and then dragged and dropped into the device. No. This is going to be inconvenient for someone without a laptop even. Does this mean I will have to download the software at every internet cafe I visit in Bangladesh and Mongolia? At least the Apple rep was straight 'The ipad is not a stand-alone device, You need a computer.' Ok, a computer, but my own?

Why didn't I buy a Kindle which seems to have the best worldwide coverage? From what I read it seems that Amazon, Kindle's owner, has a broom up its ass about proprietary formats - rather like Apple. But mostly this Sony model has got to be the world's smallest dedicated e-reader. I am the type of guy when he packs he tosses the fuller snorkeling face mask out in favour of the cheap and simple goggles because of size. In fact, not *like*, actually did this precise culling yesterday. Who needs bells and whistles?

I played with a little before reading the user manual and it seemed cool. I can't say strongly enough how much I like both the feel of it (size held in the hand(s), sound of flesh against the brushed metal, even the simple aesthetic).

Had to read in order to learn that a tap versus two taps yields very different results (if on what looks like a link, that is greyed out it takes one there, whereas two taps brings up dictionary). Imovie and tunes too some learning but both seemed more obvious. Maybe I am just getting older. Hmm, how do I get the place to go back to where I was reading 80 pages before, before advancing on a 'link'?

I was delighted to see the box is full of almost zero - just a decently long USB cable (though I would have preferred a generic size one)

Can use touch screen or stylus. Cool. It fits nice and neat inside. But I just know I am going to lose that stylus in a few weeks. Salesman didn't offer to sell me three backups. Maybe a wooden pencil works just as well?

Downloading, installing etc the software was if not exactly a breeze, but I liked that there is no CD.

But then something happened that irritated me. It went straight to the Sony store. This is not some $99 device where they make their real money from selling content. This is a premium brand and in my experience as a videographer Sony is worth the price - both for features and worldwide service (except in India - ugh!).

But the first real disappointment is this... Sony store, should I want to use it, works only in USA and Canada. Well, I spend more time in Borneo than I do in Yukon or Arizona. NOT international.

Then "You must use the Reader library software and create an account to purchase, download and transfer books." Huh? The buying books I understand, sort of. But in order to use other format books such as from my public library or freebies or books I have scanned myself - I need to use Sony website? Ferget it!

Technical snag. Told I need to click on an icon that does not exist (just an underlined link which does) When I restart for the second time it does show up in my dock (I am using a mac). Instructions are incomplete, not instructing that I have several steps to go through to get their software working. In fact it takes asking a computer savvy person to do it for me. This is not as easy as Mac. To heck with it - I am going straight to calibre.

Very impressive tutorial though it is a bit geeky compared to mac.

I will explain my problems and any solutions integrating calibre with the sony ereader in another post.

[Asawi]

You can drag and drop without additional software, as long as the computer recognizes the reader and the books are DRM free.
You "just" need to know where to drop the ePub fil.
This is where I find my books in my Windows Explorer:
Reader - database - media - books

If books are not DRM free i suspect you need to go through either Adobe Digital Editions or Reader library. So I guess purchases on the go on Internet cafes might be a problem.

Oh yeah, another thing: I use the Sony book store even though I'm in Sweden. Works just fine as long as I use a US "shipping" address. (Billing address)

OT:
By the way, another light packer here. When I went to USA for 3 weeks 3 years ago I actually had problems at the Swedish airport because the extra US security officers looked at my luggage (just a carry-on).
Him (extremely grumpy) "You're going for 3 weeks and that's all your luggage?"
Me (cheerful as ever): "Yeah, I used to be a biker so I'm used to packing light."
WRONG thing to say! Extra special screening, I had to explain my travelling plans day by day, what friends to visit, how long had I known them, yadda, yadda, yadda...
I now pack my big suitcase for my US trips even if it's more than half empty going out and I make sure to not make any jokes, what-so-ever however stupid questions I get asked by security officers!

[Shopaholic]

Yes you should return it. You should have taken the time to find the PDF owner's manual and read up on how to get books onto the reader rather than or in addition to people's opinion of the unit itself. Excuse me for saying but it's a no brainer that you'd have to have your own computer in order to get books onto the unit. The thing doesn't have wi-fi so it can't do it on it's own. It needs a computer and software to do so unless all you want are older free books.

If you don't have a computer or don't want to carry one with you - buy a Kindle and be on your merry way. Clearly the Sony isn't for you.

[pidgeon92]

Definitely take a few minutes and read the manual before deciding to return it. The 350 is a fine device. No, you do not need to use the Sony software. Purchasing ebooks is going to be a challenge if you are trekking through the world, but downloading free items from the public domain and loading them up is very simple.

My suggestion is for you to check out Calibre. It is free and is a great ebook cataloging program. It is Mac friendly (I use it almost daily).

Be sure to watch the demo video on the website.

It integrates well with the Sony, and every other ereader I have used. You can use it to upload ebooks to the Sony.

Once you get a stack of ebooks on the device - I myself have ~200 on my Kindle right now - you will have no need to download books while traveling.

[odiakkoh]

Between your 2 threads I don't think any ereader will work for you in the conventional sense.

If you really don't want to leave any traces you're going to have to just buy books in paper form, scan them into the computer and make your own ebooks. Put them on your device manually without the software and you're good to go. I think the Sony will be perfect for you if you go that route.

[hermes]

Asawi wrote: "You can drag and drop without additional software, as long as the computer recognizes the reader and the books are DRM free.

I will try this. Thank you.

> You "just" need to know where to drop the ePub fil.
This is where I find my books in my Windows Explorer:
Reader - database - media - books

Yes, I need to be careful about where I place things. Set it up to be the same place and write it down. I must ask the owner of this computer is everything gets erased when I turn it off. Everything going to the desktop on this guest account does, but I believe if it goes to a folder, it does not.

>If books are not DRM free i suspect you need to go through either Adobe Digital Editions or Reader library.

Do you have an opinion on the strengths and weakness of both?

>So I guess purchases on the go on Internet cafes might be a problem.

Yes, I did not think this one out in advance. But better than 24 hours before I get on a plane.

>Oh yeah, another thing: I use the Sony book store even though I'm in Sweden. Works just fine as long as I use a US "shipping" address. (Billing address)

I appreciate learning from your experience. I wonder why they need a shipping address if nothing is shipped? Perhaps it has something to do with licensing or markets or differing laws in different jurisdictions about content. Book A can be sold in country 1 but not country 2 etc. But if one is a nomad the idea seems kind of silly. CAre to say if your address a fantasy one that matched a real zipcode?

>OT: By the way, another light packer here. When I went to USA for 3 weeks 3 years ago I actually had problems at the Swedish airport because the extra US security officers looked at my luggage (just a carry-on).

American officers working on Swedish soil? Yeah, we might have the same here.

[details of conversation snipped]

Just don't do what I used to do - challenge them to an argument on their rights to do what they are doing, how they are doing it, etc. I get held at customs for three hours every time I return to the country of my citizenship because I challenge them: 'Arrest me or let me go. I am not going to answer your personal questions about what I did overseas, what my job is here, why I paid cash for my ticket. Your job is to look through my bags to see if I am bringing drugs or other contraband. My life here or overseas is none of your business." Just as you have experienced, this doesn't help.

>I now pack my big suitcase for my US trips even if it's more than half empty going out and I make sure to not make any jokes, what-so-ever however stupid questions I get asked by security officers!

I have learned to smile and be silent.

BTW, Based on my experiences and that of others frequent travellers, it seems that the biggest threats to personal freedoms are not foreign governments but the governments of whatever passport one travels on. Indians going home to Delhi or wherever have more hassles then we tourists going to Bombay. Canadians coming home to Ontario have more hassles than American tourists. They seem to behave as if they want to control domestics more than foreigners.

[hermes]

>Definitely take a few minutes and read the manual before deciding to return it. The 350 is a fine device. No, you do not need to use the Sony software. Purchasing ebooks is going to be a challenge if you are trekking through the world,

This wasn't and isn't really my intention. I have hundreds of books I have annotated and scanned as either jpgs, other formats or pdfs.

>but downloading free items from the public domain and loading them up is very simple.

Great.

>My suggestion is for you to check out Calibre. It is free and is a great ebook cataloging program. It is Mac friendly (I use it almost daily).

Perhaps I could put the software and the library on a USB flashdrive and be done with all the steps. You see I switch from Mac to PC according to what I have access to. I am leery about using net cafes as I lost a huge amount of data in both Bangladesh an Nepal due to malware. Then this means setting up some sort of protection on the flashdrive. Ugh.

>Be sure to watch the demo video on the website.

> Yes, indeed. Wonderful. I was impressed by the developer Mr. Kovid Goyal's presentation and the features of his program. Looks like it does almost everything. A *bit* geeky for someone used to macs but I'll just have to learn something new. Good for the brain.

>It integrates well with the Sony, and every other ereader I have used. You can use it to upload ebooks to the Sony.

Good to know.

>Once you get a stack of ebooks on the device - I myself have ~200 on my Kindle right now - you will have no need to download books while traveling.

I actually don't plan on downloading much while on the road, maybe when I stop for a few months in each country.

Thank you for your suggestions.

[hermes]

>Between your 2 threads I don't think any ereader will work for you in the conventional sense.

You could be right. It is a compromise between ideals and usefulness/simplicity.

>If you really don't want to leave any traces you're going to have to just buy books in paper form, scan them into the computer and make your own ebooks.

This is indeed what I have done in the past. And when in third world nations such as Cambodia it is easy to find local businesses whose staff will do this for nominal cost, saving a *lot* of time. If you are interested I will post on this modus operendi in another thread.

I actually prefer real books - the much better selection, the feel of paper, the ability to highlight with a pen, etc. The only things I don't like are 1) weight and bulk while travelling; 2) indiscretion crossing borders; 3) unsearchableness. My sense is that ebooks are not quite there yet as to the switch from paper to digital. Maybe in 8 years.

>Put them on your device manually without the software and you're good to go. I think the Sony will be perfect for you if you go that route.

Thanks. I am reluctant to give up too soon on this model as I really like the compactness and lightweightness of it

[hermes]

Current experience trying to buy a Sony gift card = no go.

Best Buy: Sony cards are either out of stock or not sold. The staff seems a bit, er... unsure.

Sony Store: Clerk does not know what is the maximum dollar value is of gift cards. Sounds like they are custom made. I ask if 'my sister' will be able to make purchases on this card in Singapore. He asks what she is going to purchase, and I tell him ebooks and audiobooks. I am told that Canadian Sony stores do not sell gift cards with that capability. He does not advice me whether US cards are activatable in Canada.

Future Shop: Even less knowledge.

My preliminary conclusion from this is that people on this forum know more about ereaders than salespeople of them, and that it appears that Sony gift cards are not universal in use, to put it mildly.

[mrmls]

Originally Posted by hermes

>Oh yeah, another thing: I use the Sony book store even though I'm in Sweden. Works just fine as long as I use a US "shipping" address. (Billing address)

I appreciate learning from your experience. I wonder why they need a shipping address if nothing is shipped? Perhaps it has something to do with licensing or markets or differing laws in different jurisdictions about content. Book A can be sold in country 1 but not country 2 etc. But if one is a nomad the idea seems kind of silly. CAre to say if your address a fantasy one that matched a real zipcode?

I also being outside US or Canada can buy books in Sony store. The shipping address is clearly for legal reasons. And as far as I know, they don't check it against reality. Just add Beverly Hills 90210

[Poppaea]

Take the address of your favourite telephone booth or restaurant in the States and everything will be fine with Sony Store. I use my Borderlinx address with them and a German pre-paid VisaCard.

[hermes]

Thanks for advising me and others that my concerns were neurosis only.

[Poppaea]

Originally Posted by hermes

Thanks for advising me and others that my concerns were neurosis only.

Does that mean you think it is a common state of mind???

[carpetmojo]

Nah - he's probably paranoid 'cos everyone's after him ............

[delphin]

I agree that given your requirements, the 350 is a good choice.

Here is some info to help you get started with your 350 -

The Sony appears as a standard USB storage device, just like a memory stick or thumb-drive, so YES you CAN 'drag-and-drop' books onto the 350 with your mac, or ANY PC, as long as they are in a DRM free compatible format.

If you want to try this, download some free titles in EPUB format from the public domain section of feedbooks.com

You can buy books from the Sony Ebook Store, Google Books, or even Kobo. The reason that you need to use a U.S. address to buy books is because they are restricted to the U.S. market by their publishers (so if you want to rant at someone, blame them NOT Sony, Kobo, etc.)

You can also blame the publishers for REQUIRING that their ebook titles, whether sold by Amazon, Sony, Google, Kobo or anyone else, be protected by some form of DRM (Digital Rights Management Copy Protection).

Were it not for DRM, you would be able to simply drag and drop purchased books as simply as the free feedbook titles above. Because of DRM, you will indeed need special software to buy and transfer books to your PRS-350. With a PC you can use either Adobe Digital Editions (ADE is free from Adobe) or use the 'Sony Reader Library' software that came with your Sony. With a Mac, you will probably want to use the 'Sony Reader Library' because the Adobe ADE software reportedly has trouble with not recognizing the Sony Readers on Macs.

- You can't have a non-wireless device, and still expect books to just magically appear on the device, so obviously you need a computer of some sort, and unfortunately, BOTH Adobe ADE and the Sony software is registered to a specific PC during installation, so you can't just wander willy-nilly around the planet installing copies wherever you need them. You will eventually run out of allowable authorizations (Adobe allows only Six computers or reader devices to be authorized at one time, with your PRS-350 counting as one of them). There is a way to de-register a computer when you are done using it, so you can retain unused authorizations, but it requires a lot of that geeky garbage that you don't seem to like very much.

Even if you like to travel lite, you will find things a lot easier all around, if you at least consider investing in an inexpensive Netbook PC. I'm not talking about a huge 15 inch screen laptop here, just a tiny 10 inch Netbook about the size of a medium sized hardback book. I paid just over 200 dollars for mine a few months back, and consider it the best money I ever spent on a PC in my life. Recently I just saw an equivalent Acer 1.8GHz Atom Netbook with a 250 GB hard drive on sale locally for 185 dollars.

In an ideal world, all our apps would be perfectly portable between devices, and would sync data perfectly from the web, but until we reach that utopian point, having a portable device that meets all my needs, and that is portable enough to travel with me is a not a luxury, it's a necessity.