Stupid Kobo tricks: "Sign Out" when not signed in

[bsammon]

So, I've got a recently acquired Libra 2, that I set up via the "hack the user table in SQLite" method, so I don't need to create a Kobo store account or install Kobo Desktop.

I'm poking around the configuration options and I go to the "Accounts" section of the settings. I see there's a section of Accounts for "kobo", with a <Sign Out> button. I think "how cute, it thinks I'm signed in to kobo.com. Let's see what happens if I click on <Sign Out> "

Well THAT's what happens when you mess with stuff you don't understand!

It promptly goes through some restart-like transition and dumps me at the "Choose a language for device setup" screen that I had when I first got the device. I find myself wondering if it did a device reset or something.

I connect it to my computer to find out that it deleted all the entries from the "users" table in the KoboReader.sqlite db (IIRC, the device came with one entry and I created a second one in order to be able to use it)

After I create a new entry in the users table, all was well again, and I still have the (few) mods I've made to the device so far (mainly NickelMenu and FBInk).

Anyways, moral of the story is...trial and error is fun?

[Sirtel]

All you need to set up your Kobo without an account is add the following line to the configuration file:
SideloadedMode=true
under [ApplicationPreferences]

No need to hack the database.

[geek1011]

I don't know what you expected to happen tbh; that outcome is pretty obvious based on what you did.

And yes, use SideloadedMode.

[bsammon]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

All you need to set up your Kobo without an account is add the following line to the configuration file:
SideloadedMode=true
under [ApplicationPreferences]

No need to hack the database.

Hmm... I already redid the database hack before starting this thread. I may try adding the "SideloadedMode=true" config item as well, and then do the "Sign Out" thing again, to see what happens when I've got the kobo in belt-and-suspenders mode.

[bsammon]

Originally Posted by geek1011

I don't know what you expected to happen tbh; that outcome is pretty obvious based on what you did.

Hm... it may be obvious to someone who's owned a few Kobos over the past few years, but I'd say it's not all that obvious to someone who's only ever had one, and for only a few weeks.

Maybe it's my experience in systems administration, where "sign out" is something very different from "delete all entries in the user table".

Also... after only 8 posts, I've already got two responses saying something is obvious. Is it common practice on this forum to call people stupid?

[geek1011]

Originally Posted by bsammon

Also... after only 8 posts, I've already got two responses saying something is obvious. Is it common practice on this forum to call people stupid?

I didn't mean it that way; and I do suppose I'm a bit biased after doing a lot of Kobo stuff.

Something else you might find interesting, though: Kobo device auth tokens are NEVER invalidated, even after "signing out".

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by bsammon

So, I've got a recently acquired Libra 2, that I set up via the "hack the user table in SQLite" method, so I don't need to create a Kobo store account or install Kobo Desktop.

This is one of the worst things you can do with a Kobo. There have been 2 or three cases where a firmware update caused this hack to fail. It wiped everything and you have to start over. I suggest you sign out and sign in properly or else you could get well and truly screwed.

Kobo does not sell your information. They do not send you unsolicited email. Kobo is based in Canada and they take the privacy laws very seriously.

Do you have an Amazon account? If you do, why? You give more information to Amazon then you could ever give to Kobo. Do you have a credit card? You give more information to the credit card company then Kobo. Do you have a bank account? Again, the bank gets more information then Kobo. Do you have a library account> Again more information is given to the library then Kobo.

If yes to any of those account, then you are being very hypocritical.