Newbie's first questions

[Flygrl]

Okay, got my 950 for Christmas and have been dealing with frustrations since.

My first bummer came when I realized I couldn't directly download from the web into the reader from any content source and the second when I couldn't use the reader software w/our Macbook Pro (64bit - sigh). I've been using my little netbook for downloads. FWIW I called Sony to complain and they said it was an Apple problem - really?! I'd say it's theirs if they want Mac users to buy their product.

Now that I've resigned myself to those, I'm trying to decide if I can just dump the reader software and if so, what's the best to replace it? I want to be able to do some audio files (instrumental background noise ) - can other programs do those? I have ADE.

I have some music that I bought and when I've tried to transfer it from Itunes... it doesn't - says it's protected? From me obviously. Know a way around that?

Silly me likes to work the occasional word game, i.e. - crossword, word find or sudoku for a break - hubby's kindle has word games. Any out there for Sony E-readers?

To anyone who wants to tackle these, I thank you profusely in advance.

[natasha_fawn]

Calibre is a great library program. It's not as good for Mac as it is for Linux, but it's good. It's easy to organize things and transfer them, you can get periodicals, and there's a subforum here for it that the creator stops by. It doesn't do audio, but I think you should be able to drag and drop audio files onto your reader. There should be a file with a fairly intuitive name for them, and the samples that came with it will be in there. (Sorry, I don't have the cord with me to check what the file is called.) It will sort them by album, there's no way to get around that that I know of. (Except maybe changing the metadata for each file.)

I haven't heard of any games made for the *50 series, though there are some for the 505. For crossword puzzles and sudoku, you could just download a bunch, put the files on your reader, and then use the notes function to write in solutions.

[Flygrl]

Thanks Natasha! Do I understand correctly that you can't put individual songs, only albums? Is that why they won't transfer and show "protected"?

Also, if you use ADE or Calibre do you still need to go trough the Reader program or can you use those to download instead. I am trying to find a way to use my Macbook (64 bit!) an wonder if it's just the computer software that won't work. Sorry if that's a really dumb one - I'm obviously not a computer geek.

[natasha_fawn]

For the music, I think you can transfer individually, but if the metadata says that two songs are in different albums you won't be able to play them one after another. When you're transferring, are you doing it from iTunes directly, or the actual files? Try the latter if you haven't, it might just be that iTunes doesn't know what to do with the reader as a drive.

If you're buying something from the Sony store, I'm pretty sure you have to go through the Reader software, unfortunately. Since you have a 950, if you want to buy something from Sony you could just buy it from the link on your reader, and then you can use Calibre to organize it with the rest of your books if you want to. If you have things from other sources (Kobo, or one of the infinite other ebook stores), there should be a way to authenticate them with ADE and use Calibre for organization and loading to the reader. If you have things that don't have any DRM, you can put them straight into Calibre.

[Flygrl]

Wellll, I did download the songs into a file then transferred them to a jump-drive (they were on my Mac!) then loaded them into my netbook where they could be found or d & d to the reader software - I thought. The only thing that transferred was a whole album. When I tr to d & d a box pops up that they are protected.

I realize I don't even need to use my computer to purchase from the Sony store since I can do that wirelessly, but for other stores' content and to use the Philly Free Library I will need to download it into a program in my computer. SO, you say I can do that WITHOUT using Sony's Reader software, correct? I am sort of boycotting Sony's site as of now (except for freebies) because of their callousness to me an other customers.

DRM?? How would I know if something has it?

Thanks again!

[natasha_fawn]

Originally Posted by Flygrl

Wellll, I did download the songs into a file then transferred them to a jump-drive (they were on my Mac!) then loaded them into my netbook where they could be found or d & d to the reader software - I thought. The only thing that transferred was a whole album. When I tr to d & d a box pops up that they are protected.

I realize I don't even need to use my computer to purchase from the Sony store since I can do that wirelessly, but for other stores' content and to use the Philly Free Library I will need to download it into a program in my computer. SO, you say I can do that WITHOUT using Sony's Reader software, correct? I am sort of boycotting Sony's site as of now (except for freebies) because of their callousness to me an other customers.

DRM?? How would I know if something has it?

Thanks again!

So are you not able to see your reader at all on your Mac? When I attach mine (to my Mac) it shows up as a pair of external drives, one of which has all of the various book and media files on it. You should be able to do any drag and dropping right on your Mac.

Which are protected, the files you're transferring, or the reader file you're transferring to? It just occurred to me that there could be a problem with whatever protection Apple puts on the things you download from the iTunes store. If I remember right they use a special form of DRM (Digital Rights Management) that might not play nice with the Sony reader. Is it possible that the album that was transferred is something you got from a non-iTunes source, and the others that didn't transfer could be from the iTunes store?

DRM is used to protect books (and media like music) from unauthorized copying. Everything you get from the library is protected and needs to be authenticated using ADE. Many things you get from ebook stores (Sony, Kobo, etc.) are also protected with DRM, and will need to be authenticated with ADE as well. (B&N and Amazon have a different kind of DRM that doesn't work with ADE.) You should be able to avoid the Reader software altogether if you can get ADE to work. This thread https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90446 might be of more help, since I haven't tried library books yet.

(Ah, and how to know if something has DRM. If it's a .acsm file, it's protected with ADE. If you have an epub file that can't be opened on your computer with a normal epub reader, like the one that comes with Calibre, it likely has DRM. This site http://www.ereadable.com/info/FAQ.asp might help.)

Keep an eye out for Bookworm_Girl, I believe she has a Mac too, and she can be extremely helpful with this kind of thing.

[SeaBookGuy]

Fly,

You can download library books via Adobe Digital Editions instead of Sony Reader if you prefer. Most purchased music is DRM protected (I think) - I've never bought music.

The way to load music from different artists/albums is to create a folder for the tracks, say "Sony Music", then drop in your tracks, then batch change the Album name to whatever you'd like (say "The Sixties"), and the artist to "Various"; the individual tracks should be edited to artist - title ("Beatles - Hey Jude" for example), and you're set.

It is possible to add individual songs, but that'd really clutter up your audio database fast.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Hi, Flygrl. I posted to some of your questions in the other thread about your Mac not recognizing your reader. Here are my thoughts about some of the difficulties you are experiencing.

Audio: You should be able to drag-and-drop your music files into the folder READER > database > media > audio. I agree with Natasha that the problem is likely that you are trying to transfer iTunes AAC files which are DRM protected. Check the file extension and see if they are *.M4P files (the P stands for Protected). The 950 can only read iTunes AAC files which are non-DRM protected. These files will have the extension *.M4A. The 950 can also read non-DRM'ed MP3 files. If you click on the song in iTunes to highlight it and then enter Command-I it opens up the info box where you can see the filename and extension. Also I have a column in iTunes called "Kind" that says Protected AAC if the song has DRM.

I am going to assume that you will be using your PC workaround since the Mac (for now) isn't recognizing your 950.

You should be able to purchase books from other sources without the Sony software, e.g. Borders, Kobo, Booksonboard. When you purchase the book, it will download a *.ACSM file. You can then open this file with Adobe Digital Editions. When it opens in ADE, it adds it to your ADE Library and also saves a copy of the EPUB to your hard-drive in the folder Documents > Digital Editions. [Well, that's the Mac path; I assume the PC path is similar.] Your 950 will show up in ADE for PC as a device just like your iPod shows up in iTunes. So you can use the ADE software to transfer books to your 950.

NOTE: In order to use ADE for PC, you have to install the Sony Reader Library. You don't have to use it, but you have to install it. That's because the installation process provides the necessary drivers that ADE needs to see your 950 as a device in order to transfer books.

However, many people actually prefer to use the software calibre rather than the Sony Reader Library or ADE. It is very powerful at managing and organizing your books. Add the EPUB file from the Documents > Digital Editions folder into your calibre library and then use calibre to transfer to your 950. If the book doesn't have DRM, then you don't have to use ADE as this middle-step. You can download the book and then import it straight to calibre.

Library Books: You have to use either the Sony software or ADE to transfer library books to your 950. calibre can't do that one. The reason is there is a special expiration date in the library book that only seems to get applied properly when you transfer via Sony software or ADE. The process is similar to purchased books. You will download an ACSM file from your library website, open it in ADE and then use ADE to transfer to your 950.

Hope that helps!

[luv2knit]

I think once you read the responses here and do a bit of work, you will be MUCH happier with the 950 than you would with the Nook or Kindle....

remember, the nook and kindle are proprietary - so yes you can get instant gratification with downloads, but the books are in that proprietary format so you can't just transfer them around to/from any reader for the rest of your life (unless you want to start stripping DRM, etc)...

so embrace your Sony 950 and you'll soon by happy!

1. Remember that your eReader is really just another drive to your computer, so to get anything there you will essentially drag and drop. you'll get the hang of it over time.

2. you are going to LOVE getting digital library books and putting them on your Sony. Essentially, you just save the file the library tells you to download, then open it quickly in ADE (see below) to get it to recognize you and your reader, and then transfer that book to your reader via any combo of tools (ADE software, Calibre software, Sony reader software, drag and drop).

3. Remember that ADE, Adobe Digital Editions, is really just a tool to open up your protected (DRM) books and get them opened up so you can read them. Once you click on the file you downloaded in the library ADE will unlock the file for you and approve your reader, and then you can do whatever you need with it.

4. Start exporing all those other eBook stores and you'll realize you have a TON of places to get your books from easily, and you'll love it.

5. Explore the use of calibre, and you may just decide that it is wonderful and does the trick for you. I avoided it at first, then jumped in and am so happy about it. It is essentially the itunes for eBooks and it is wonderful and easy to use.

If you decide the Sony 950 isn't for you - sell it to me for half price! I really, REALLY wanted the Sony but couldn't afford it so went with a lower priced reader. I am very happy with my BeBook Neo, but would love a 950!

[neilmarr]

Sony hardware is the tops, Flygirl. Sony software ain't. I dumped it a couple of years ago and now buy or download from wherever I like. Calibre is your friend -- and your hardware is flexible. You've made a good choice of reader, but it'll take some getting used to before your absolutely comfortable. The only trick is patience ... oh, and a good, solid mains charge rather than relying on USB to your PC or laptop. Good luck and best wishes. Neil

[doreenjoy]

I'll be the odd one out and say that I prefer the Sony Library software over Calibre. I find the UI of Calibre inscrutable, I don't like having folders created for every single book I add to the library, and I like to sort my titles within collections.

The mileage of others definitely varies on this topic.

With a Mac, Calibre may be best.

[Flygrl]

Wow, I've hit the mother-load!! You guys are wildly helpful and also kind!! I am still sorting through the info.

Clarification on my end: when connected to my Mac the reader shows that it seems to be trying to charge and on the computer in the Sony Reader software it does not show in the list on the left. I checked in Mac Finder and it doesn't show as a connected device. I think I am sunk for the Mac, thank goodness I have my little Asus.

On another note, I am psyched 'cause I got my Free Library Philly card today - woohoo! Sadly, I live in an area w/out access to a public internet library so Philly was my cheapest alternative.

New question - Do I have to download the "Overdrive media console" or will I be able to download the file (epub) directly to my computer and place in a program? I'm cheap, so this will be my main way of acquiring content - unless I REALLY want to share/reread it later.

Oh, and nice legs Neil!

[SeaBookGuy]

The Overdrive Media Console is for audiobooks, not ebooks.

1) You put the book(s) in your cart (or bag)

2) You check them out for the loan period you've selected

3) You click on "download" for each book to send it to ADE (or Sony Library) - you'll need to "associate" downloading with one of the two the first time.

4) When your books are downloaded, you drag and drop them to where it says "reader" on the left panel at ADE (Sony)

5) After the transfer, they should show up as being on your device, so you disconnect your reader, you'll see a rotating arrow that the Sony is "updating", and the books should then appear with a the number of days remaining on your loan indicated. Bear in mind the clock starts from the time of check-out not download or transfer.

That's how it works for Windows - I'm sure you'll get Mac-specific fine-tuning soon, but it's basically the idea.


Folks here are generally INCREDIBLY helpful - you'll see lots of "tips" that folks have discovered regarding "I can't find specific information, but there's got to be a way to ...."

[natasha_fawn]

Originally Posted by Flygrl

Wow, I've hit the mother-load!! You guys are wildly helpful and also kind!! I am still sorting through the info.

Clarification on my end: when connected to my Mac the reader shows that it seems to be trying to charge and on the computer in the Sony Reader software it does not show in the list on the left. I checked in Mac Finder and it doesn't show as a connected device. I think I am sunk for the Mac, thank goodness I have my little Asus.

On another note, I am psyched 'cause I got my Free Library Philly card today - woohoo! Sadly, I live in an area w/out access to a public internet library so Philly was my cheapest alternative.

New question - Do I have to download the "Overdrive media console" or will I be able to download the file (epub) directly to my computer and place in a program? I'm cheap, so this will be my main way of acquiring content - unless I REALLY want to share/reread it later.

Oh, and nice legs Neil!

Hm, there's no good reason your reader shouldn't show up as an external drive. Two questions then: 1. Have you had other external drives show up in the past? 2. Does it show in System Profiler? (If you don't know how to check, start by going to the apple menu, then About this Mac. Then on the window that pops up click the button that says "More Info..." This will bring up System Profiler. There should be a column on the left that says "contents" and under "hardware" should be "USB." Click that. I'm not sure how many USB ports your computer has, but one of them should show "Sony Digital Book Reader." If you don't see that but do see something unknown attached, it might be your reader if it shows a capacity of 1.45 GB. Make sure you do all this with the reader attached, by the way. ) So, if it shows up in System Profiler it means that the computer knows it's there but isn't showing it in finder for some reason (perhaps a funny preference got toggled, we might be able to fix that). If it doesn't show up in System Profiler it means that your computer can't see it at all. That could mean a bad USB port, a bad cable (unlikely if it works with your ASUS), or some weird formatting.

(No worries if you'd rather just use the ASUS, I just get annoyed when things don't play nice with Macs.)

[Flygrl]

Thanks Natasha, but I tried your suggestion w/the system profiler and it isn't there either. I think it's the 64 bit thing. Irksome since I know there are others with the same problem and Sony hasn't made them compatible.