Basic Kobo Questions

[BuzzB]

I'm thinking of replacing my Nook with a Kobo Glo or Aura.

Excuse the basic questions but here goes:

1) Can I sideload some of the epub titles I bought for my Nook to the Kobo the same way I did onto the Nook? (Simply by plugging in the Nook into my computer and dragging files from my computer onto the device.)

2) Can I categorize titles on the Kobo? Such as Mystery, Humor, Self-Help, etc?

3) I'm having trouble choosing between the Glo and the Aura....tell me why I should spend the extra money for the Aura?

Thanks.

Sorry about the misspelling in the title. I'm getting used to a new keyboard.

[PeterT]

Sure you can just drag and drop ePubs, however there are some LARGE benefits to configuring and using calibre and using it to manage the device.

Without calibre, you are stuck to having to organize books on the device itself; creating what Kobo now call "Collections" but used to be "Shelves". A book can be placed in as many collections as you desire.

With calibre you handle the collection management strictly through calibre; updates made to the shelves on calibre are then replicated onto your device the next time it is connected.

[Ken Maltby]

Or you can use an alternative reader like Koreader or Coolreader. They use File Managers that let you select files from a normal file structure. So you can make folders and subfolders for your ebook files. Just like you manage your files on your PC.

The stock Kobo software manages the books using a database that includes a reference to where the actual ebook file is. The database is used by a most of functions of the Kobo software. It takes time to build the database entries for each book and there are apparently strict requirements for the ebook files that the database will accept. Even when the database is built, it can become corrupted (as any database can), and the Kobo software is totally dependent upon it to function properly.

Fortunately, for users of the alternative readers, it is easy to hide your ebook files from Kobo database processing. I have 7,217 Files in 51 folders inside a hidden folder on my external uSD card. I have a Mysteries folder and a Humor folder as well as 48 others.

Luck;
Ken

[BuzzB]

I have Calibre and have used to convert pdf files to epub to read on my device but I've never used it for file managment. Where can I learn how to do this with Calibre?

And are you saying I can't just drop epub files onto the Kobo without building a database entry for each one? If that's the case, I'll stick with Nook. All I have to do is transfer the epub file and read. I can't believe it has to be more complicated than that.

[PeterT]

Originally Posted by BuzzB

I have Calibre and have used to convert pdf files to epub to read on my device but I've never used it for file managment. Where can I learn how to do this with Calibre?

And are you saying I can't just drop epub files onto the Kobo without building a database entry for each one? If that's the case, I'll stick with Nook. All I have to do is transfer the epub file and read. I can't believe it has to be more complicated than that.

Noooo.

The Kobo will build a database itself. Of course you can just drop the ePubs onto the device and it will just work.

All I am saying is that using calibre will make it a lot simpler in the long run, and will let you just concentrate on reading

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by BuzzB

I'm thinking of replacing my Nook with a Kobo Glo or Aura.

1) Can I sideload some of the epub titles I bought for my Nook to the Kobo the same way I did onto the Nook? (Simply by plugging in the Nook into my computer and dragging files from my computer onto the device.)

Yes you can do it that way. However, using Calibre to load your books, as suggested will allow you to:

Originally Posted by BuzzB

2) Can I categorize titles on the Kobo? Such as Mystery, Humor, Self-Help, etc?

With a few settings in Calibre, you can create tags for Mystery, Humor, Self-Help, which will create collections (categories)on your Kobo, and update them automatically whenever you connect your device. That is how I categorize all my titles.

Originally Posted by BuzzB

3) I'm having trouble choosing between the Glo and the Aura....tell me why I should spend the extra money for the Aura?

Pro's for the Aura - it has 4gb internal memory.
Pro's for the Glo - it has a raised bezel, which some people find superior to the flat bezel of the Aura.

I have both, and I can't say which I like best. They are both great!

[BuzzB]

Are there any tutorials that will show me how to use Calibre? I'm not a techie.

And honestly, you're making this sound way too complicated.

Please answer this question yes or no...not this will be better or that will be better.

Here's the question:

I want to load 10 books onto Kobo. Once loaded I want to create categories/shelves/whatever on the device......let's say mystery, humor, non-fiction. I want to split the 10 books into these categories. I turn Kobo off. When I return, the books are still in the categories.

Yes or no.

[buffaloseven]

Originally Posted by BuzzB

I'm thinking of replacing my Nook with a Kobo Glo or Aura.

Excuse the basic questions but here goes:

1) Can I sideload some of the epub titles I bought for my Nook to the Kobo the same way I did onto the Nook? (Simply by plugging in the Nook into my computer and dragging files from my computer onto the device.)

2) Can I categorize titles on the Kobo? Such as Mystery, Humor, Self-Help, etc?

3) I'm having trouble choosing between the Glo and the Aura....tell me why I should spend the extra money for the Aura?

Thanks.

Sorry about the misspelling in the title. I'm getting used to a new keyboard.

To keep it simple:

1. Yes. As long as the ePubs are either DRM-free or utilize Adobe's DRM.
2. Yes. Kobo devices allow you to create "shelves" of books. A book can belong to multiple shelves.
3. The Aura has a better backlight, more elegant design, a capacitive (vs infrared) touch screen, and utilizes a new method of changing pages that practically eliminates screen flashing. I owned a Glo and have upgraded to the Aura and would easily recommend it over the Glo.

As others have said, Calibre is a fantastic resource, but may be overkill if your library is small. It can do some powerful stuff to ePub files and automate a lot of tasks involving metadata on the device, but it isn't overly simple. There are plenty of instructions on this site how to accomplish all sorts of neat things that are very easy to follow once you have the program in front of you.

Hope this helps!

[hleo12]

Originally Posted by BuzzB

Are there any tutorials that will show me how to use Calibre? I'm not a techie.

And honestly, you're making this sound way too complicated.

Please answer this question yes or no...not this will be better or that will be better.

Here's the question:

I want to load 10 books onto Kobo. Once loaded I want to create categories/shelves/whatever on the device......let's say mystery, humor, non-fiction. I want to split the 10 books into these categories. I turn Kobo off. When I return, the books are still in the categories.

Yes or no.

yes, it will still be there...

[BuzzB]

Thank you buffaloseven for your answers. It was exactly what I was looking for.

I'm sure Calibre can do quite a bit and someday I may spend the time learning to use it. But for now, I just wanted something basic with a light and wanted to stay away from Kindle.

I did find the Aura's owner's manual online and read it and that also answered some of my questions. I think I'll go with the Aura.

And thanks to Hleo12 as well.

[PeterT]

Originally Posted by BuzzB

Thank you buffaloseven for your answers. It was exactly what I was looking for.

I'm sure Calibre can do quite a bit and someday I may spend the time learning to use it. But for now, I just wanted something basic with a light and wanted to stay away from Kindle.

I did find the Aura's owner's manual online and read it and that also answered some of my questions. I think I'll go with the Aura.

And thanks to Hleo12 as well.

Seriously, calibre is not complex. There are tutorials / guides available. You should start with it and while it might take a bit of playing to get going in the long (and even medium, if not short) run you will be glad that you did.

[BuzzB]

I've used Calibre to convert formats and fix metadata and then used Calibre to send the corrected copy to my ereader. So I guess I can also put them into categories. But why bother putting a book that needs no correction through Calibre? It seems like an extra step when I can load the book directly. Of are the categories made by Calibre only accessible through Calibre? In that case, I've created a lot of extra work.

I must be missing something. And I've read the Calibre's User's Guide.

Thanks anyway for your responses.

[PeterT]

Do you want a single, easily searchable location on your PC for eBooks?

Do you want a means of future proofing your eBook library so that IF you ever change to say a Kindle, all that is needed is to resend the books to the new device and the books will change to what ever format IS needed?

Do you want an easy means of reloading your device if a full reset is required (and of restoring reading locations easily)?

Do you want a simple means to eMail books off to friends (in whatever format THEY need) (with formats being created as needed)?

Do you want a far simpler means of adding books to collections / shelves than native Kobo facilities support?

Do you want the ability to automatically download newspapers to your device?

But if you are happy without simplicity, more power to you.

[davidfor]

The collections on the Kobo devices are stored in an internal database. When you add a collection using the devices UI, it adds to the database and each book in the collection is another entry. The KoboTouch driver in calibre can create or remove those database entries when it sees the device. If you want to do it yourself, then you just need a little SQL knowledge.

Personally, I use calibre to manage my ebooks. That way I have a copy of everything in a known place. When I connect my Glo, I can see what is on the device. Then I can manage exactly what is on the device though calibre. As I maintain my collections in calibre, they are automatically maintained on the device. Calibre also gives me the ability to change formats, fiddle with the metadata and covers and edit the epubs if I want to fix something (and I do as I am fussy). Plus I record the reading status, my rating and maybe some other things. And of course, I just like to play with it. And yes, I do actually read the books from time to time

[BuzzB]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Do you want a single, easily searchable location on your PC for eBooks?

I have all my books in categories on my PC.

Do you want a means of future proofing your eBook library so that IF you ever change to say a Kindle, all that is needed is to resend the books to the new device and the books will change to what ever format IS needed?

I started with a Kindle and don't want to go back

Do you want an easy means of reloading your device if a full reset is required (and of restoring reading locations easily)?

I'll give you this one. That would be a plus. Extra points to you.

Do you want a simple means to eMail books off to friends (in whatever format THEY need) (with formats being created as needed)?

Doing this is illegal and talking about it can get you banned from the site. I asked about this on another thread and was warned by a moderator.

Do you want a far simpler means of adding books to collections / shelves than native Kobo facilities support?

So I can't make my own shelves in Kobo? I have to use whatever they have?
I know the new Kindles don't allow shelves made on devices--only through the cloud which is one of the reasons I don't want a new Kindle.

Do you want the ability to automatically download newspapers to your device?

Newspapers? They still exist?

But if you are happy without simplicity, more power to you.

Sometimes simple is the best policy--but not for everyone. We all have to do what makes us happy.

You make some excellent points here and I thank you for taking the time to write it. Who knows, I may change my mind and do it your way.

So let me ask you a question.....how do I set up categories/shelves in Calibre so they show up on the Kobo? Tags?