Interested in getting a kobo but I have a concern..

kleinjar · 07-21-2015, 10:42 AM

I'm interested in getting a kobo (possibly an H2O) but I want to know how highlights and notes work.

-I've read that there's no simple way to export highlights and notes from kobos, is this true?
-And what if I install and use Cool Reader -- does Cool Reader allow for easy retrieval of highlights and notes? I couldn't find much information about Cool Reader in this regard.
-Can Cool Reader even be installed on the H2O?

The highlighting will be the deciding factor on whether I will get a kobo or not. Thanks!

Ken Maltby · 07-21-2015, 08:48 PM

In addition to the stock readers, with their highlight/annotation support, you can add Koreader, with its highlighting and Evernote export plugin.

The features list with some additions since it was last updated (like a text search, pdb, png and other format support, wireless calibre support).

There is also a port of CoolReader and a number of utilities and games, that can be added to the Kobo devices.

An install guide.

Luck;
Ken

meeera · 07-21-2015, 09:48 PM

The other thing you may wish to note is that if you're doing an enormous amount of highlighting, the performance on Kobo is a bit hit and miss. It's better on a Kindle (though I don't know what the export options are there). I only do about 0-4 short highlights per book so it doesn't bother me; but if it were many dozens, or they were multi-page, I'd think twice about Kobo.

eschwartz · 07-21-2015, 10:06 PM

On the Kindle, all highlights are automatically logged to a text file called "My Clippings.txt".

There are various websites and services that can take your clippings file and make a spreadsheet out of it.

kleinjar · 07-22-2015, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

In addition to the stock readers, with their highlight/annotation support, you can add Koreader, with its highlighting and Evernote export plugin.

There is also a port of CoolReader and a number of utilities and games, that can be added to the Kobo devices.

I understand that Koreader doesn't do notes, which is kind of a dealbreaker for me. Does Coolreader do both highlights and notes and can they be exported easily?

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

The other thing you may wish to note is that if you're doing an enormous amount of highlighting, the performance on Kobo is a bit hit and miss.

I suppose this applies to the stock kobo reader? Perhaps it's not a problem in Cool Reader.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

On the Kindle, all highlights are automatically logged to a text file called "My Clippings.txt".

There are various websites and services that can take your clippings file and make a spreadsheet out of it.

Yes. It's a history of every note and highlight you did; it doesn't reflect the current state of your highlights and notes. It includes even deleted ones. Plus, I just find the Kindle too dumbed down for me. I don't like it.

Rizla · 07-22-2015, 07:04 AM

I checked Cool Reader on a Kobo. It doesn't support annotations as far as I can see. The Android version of Cool Reader does support annotations that can be exported to a text file and works very well. But the Kobo version of Cool Reader is not based on the Android version.

I'm sure the default Kobo software does annotations, but I need to check how well it does it. I'll check later.

The Kindle does annotations well (from what I hear), but does it offer annotation export facilities for non-Amazon books? Something to check if you side-load books. Also the Kindle touch-screen sensitivity is probably better.

Personally I couldn't live with a Kindle. Too limited, too locked down.

The Kobo is much more open with more options.

But you might want to get an Android device. Ultimately it is my choice. This will offer the most options. As I said, Cool Reader for Android has nice annotation and export features, if you're happy dumping them to a txt file.

If you go with a Kobo, maybe get an old Glo or Aura HD because you can install Android on them if you unhappy with the Linux-based solutions. Android on the Glo I believe is the more stable and with the most features.

kleinjar · 07-22-2015, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizla

I checked Cool Reader on a Kobo. It doesn't support annotations as far as I can see.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizla

But you might want to get an Android device. Ultimately it is my choice. This will offer the most options. As I said, Cool Reader for Android has nice annotation and export features, if you're happy dumping them to a txt file.

If you go with a Kobo, maybe get an old Glo or Aura HD because you can install Android on them if you unhappy with the Linux-based solutions. Android on the Glo I believe is the more stable and with the most features.

Thanks much! Yes, I believe it will have to be an android or androidable device that I should get.

I have a paperwhite and sideloaded books do not get the benefit of online-accessible clippings. And it's just too locked down as you say.

Ken Maltby · 07-22-2015, 11:14 AM

Perhaps something like this? It is e-ink, for better than tablet battery usage and can be used in bright light.

Luck;
Ken

johnnyb · 07-23-2015, 05:44 AM

There is an unlockable option on Kobo to export highlights (without location time, date, chapter) into a text file for single books... the expanded keyboard is great on the H2O...
Other than that, the Kindle is faster, more reliable, has third party export tools and you get highlights and notes sync to iOS and Android apps (where you can copy them individually)...
Koreader seems like an option but using it generally leads to crashes in the main system. There is nomrecent stable build for Kobo, the guys do great work but generally only add minor tweaks without testing... Plus, you cannot add comments to highlights in Koreader...
If you are new and looking for a reliable platform that is great for annotations, Kindle, as sad as it may seem, is your only option...

Rizla · 07-23-2015, 07:57 AM

Not really sure *exactly* what annotation functionality the OP wants.

Kindle is one option.
Android reader is the other.

Depending on *exactly* what you want, it's one of these options. I suppose if you get a Kindle with FW < 5.6.x, you'll get the Kindle functionality without the lock-down. Increasingly hard to find, I imagine.

howyoudoin · 07-23-2015, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyb

There is an unlockable option on Kobo to export highlights (without location time, date, chapter) into a text file for single books... the expanded keyboard is great on the H2O...
Other than that, the Kindle is faster, more reliable, has third party export tools and you get highlights and notes sync to iOS and Android apps (where you can copy them individually)...
Koreader seems like an option but using it generally leads to crashes in the main system. There is nomrecent stable build for Kobo, the guys do great work but generally only add minor tweaks without testing... Plus, you cannot add comments to highlights in Koreader...
If you are new and looking for a reliable platform that is great for annotations, Kindle, as sad as it may seem, is your only option...

Can't the kobo also sync highlights across devices and apps like Amazon does?

Amazon also most certainly does not sync highlights for sideloaded books, just like kobo.

eschwartz · 07-23-2015, 06:50 PM

The difference is Amazon allows you to upload "Personal Documents", which do get synced.

Rizla · 07-23-2015, 07:17 PM

Personally I don't bother with all that. I annotate and export to a text file using Cool Reader in android. Fine for my uses. Again, it depends on the OP's requirements which I think remained undefined.

johnnyb · 07-24-2015, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howyoudoin

Can't the kobo also sync highlights across devices and apps like Amazon does?

Amazon also most certainly does not sync highlights for sideloaded books, just like kobo.

1. Kobo is very unreliable in that regard, even for Kobo books...
2. Amazon does allow syncing for cloud-loaded books (and that includes mobi versions of any book you like)

Don’t get me wrong, I use an H2O myself which is fine for me most of the time and is generally better designed to work as a standalone device (you can browse full quotes of annotations instead of just first lines) and does so well in my case, but I sometimes wish that one of the two companies would take a page out of the other company’s book and improve their cloud services and general software reliability (Kobo) or add some tweaks to their software that makes standalone use of annotations better and offer a larger screen size reader (Amazon) so I could settle for one of the two devices and have everything in one place...

Ken Maltby · 07-24-2015, 01:50 PM

As "Rizla" mentioned "it depends on the OP's requirements", and his workflow. For instance, while Koreader has no notation function, Evernote has. Once you open the "Koreader" notebook in the Evernote program on your PC, where your highlights are, you can add all the notes you want.

It is also possible that the Koreader "Progress Sync" would include the highlights, given the way it appears to work. (I haven't tried progress syncing a highlighted ebook, though.)

Luck;
Ken

07-21-2015, 10:42 AM	#1
kleinjar Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 14210 Join Date: Jul 2015 Device: none	Interested in getting a kobo but I have a concern.. I'm interested in getting a kobo (possibly an H2O) but I want to know how highlights and notes work. -I've read that there's no simple way to export highlights and notes from kobos, is this true? -And what if I install and use Cool Reader -- does Cool Reader allow for easy retrieval of highlights and notes? I couldn't find much information about Cool Reader in this regard. -Can Cool Reader even be installed on the H2O? The highlighting will be the deciding factor on whether I will get a kobo or not. Thanks!

07-21-2015, 08:48 PM	#2
Ken Maltby Wizard Posts: 4,466 Karma: 6900052 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Heart of Texas Device: Boox Note2, AuraHD, PDA,	In addition to the stock readers, with their highlight/annotation support, you can add Koreader, with its highlighting and Evernote export plugin. The features list with some additions since it was last updated (like a text search, pdb, png and other format support, wireless calibre support). There is also a port of CoolReader and a number of utilities and games, that can be added to the Kobo devices. An install guide. Luck; Ken Last edited by Ken Maltby; 07-21-2015 at 08:56 PM.

07-22-2015, 07:04 AM	#6
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	I checked Cool Reader on a Kobo. It doesn't support annotations as far as I can see. The Android version of Cool Reader does support annotations that can be exported to a text file and works very well. But the Kobo version of Cool Reader is not based on the Android version. I'm sure the default Kobo software does annotations, but I need to check how well it does it. I'll check later. The Kindle does annotations well (from what I hear), but does it offer annotation export facilities for non-Amazon books? Something to check if you side-load books. Also the Kindle touch-screen sensitivity is probably better. Personally I couldn't live with a Kindle. Too limited, too locked down. The Kobo is much more open with more options. But you might want to get an Android device. Ultimately it is my choice. This will offer the most options. As I said, Cool Reader for Android has nice annotation and export features, if you're happy dumping them to a txt file. If you go with a Kobo, maybe get an old Glo or Aura HD because you can install Android on them if you unhappy with the Linux-based solutions. Android on the Glo I believe is the more stable and with the most features. Last edited by Rizla; 07-22-2015 at 07:07 AM.

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07-21-2015, 09:48 PM	#3
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,808 Karma: 68407974 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	The other thing you may wish to note is that if you're doing an enormous amount of highlighting, the performance on Kobo is a bit hit and miss. It's better on a Kindle (though I don't know what the export options are there). I only do about 0-4 short highlights per book so it doesn't bother me; but if it were many dozens, or they were multi-page, I'd think twice about Kobo.

07-21-2015, 10:06 PM	#4
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	On the Kindle, all highlights are automatically logged to a text file called "My Clippings.txt". There are various websites and services that can take your clippings file and make a spreadsheet out of it.

07-22-2015, 11:14 AM	#8
Ken Maltby Wizard Posts: 4,466 Karma: 6900052 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Heart of Texas Device: Boox Note2, AuraHD, PDA,	Perhaps something like this? It is e-ink, for better than tablet battery usage and can be used in bright light. Luck; Ken

07-23-2015, 05:44 AM	#9
johnnyb Cloud Reader Posts: 1,124 Karma: 4000066 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle Oasis, Kindle Scribe, iPad Pro 11	There is an unlockable option on Kobo to export highlights (without location time, date, chapter) into a text file for single books... the expanded keyboard is great on the H2O... Other than that, the Kindle is faster, more reliable, has third party export tools and you get highlights and notes sync to iOS and Android apps (where you can copy them individually)... Koreader seems like an option but using it generally leads to crashes in the main system. There is nomrecent stable build for Kobo, the guys do great work but generally only add minor tweaks without testing... Plus, you cannot add comments to highlights in Koreader... If you are new and looking for a reliable platform that is great for annotations, Kindle, as sad as it may seem, is your only option...

07-23-2015, 07:57 AM	#10
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	Not really sure exactly what annotation functionality the OP wants. Kindle is one option. Android reader is the other. Depending on exactly what you want, it's one of these options. I suppose if you get a Kindle with FW < 5.6.x, you'll get the Kindle functionality without the lock-down. Increasingly hard to find, I imagine.

07-23-2015, 06:50 PM	#12
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	The difference is Amazon allows you to upload "Personal Documents", which do get synced.

07-23-2015, 07:17 PM	#13
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	Personally I don't bother with all that. I annotate and export to a text file using Cool Reader in android. Fine for my uses. Again, it depends on the OP's requirements which I think remained undefined.

07-24-2015, 01:50 PM	#15
Ken Maltby Wizard Posts: 4,466 Karma: 6900052 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Heart of Texas Device: Boox Note2, AuraHD, PDA,	As "Rizla" mentioned "it depends on the OP's requirements", and his workflow. For instance, while Koreader has no notation function, Evernote has. Once you open the "Koreader" notebook in the Evernote program on your PC, where your highlights are, you can add all the notes you want. It is also possible that the Koreader "Progress Sync" would include the highlights, given the way it appears to work. (I haven't tried progress syncing a highlighted ebook, though.) Luck; Ken

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