Ease of ebook transference to 600

Pangolin · 01-08-2010, 05:54 PM

Hi everyone, I'm sorry if this is a stupid post.
I'm a complete neewb and have been reading around the various threads here very keenly. I've finally decided to head in a Sony direction and go for the Touch.

But I'm finding all the reference to file conversions and re formatting a little intimidating. I really do just want to drag and drop downloaded books onto the device, I may be spoiled having used Apple/itunes and iPod which, I've found, very glitch free and totally simple

So my question is this, if I want to read - hassle free - books mainly from Gutenburg and Manybooks (other similar sites that I have yet to come across), is this the device for me? or is a lot fiddling around with various programmes

and so on, necessary. I have seen criticism about the sony library softwear programme (see how clueless i am!!

) does this mean a lot of work-arounds?

Is the Reader very limited regarding the formats it can handle. I'm in Europe so the sony ebook shop is not an option, not that I would want to go but it raises issues about availability of content.

I was tempted by the Pocketbook because it really did seem to be a case of drag and drop, but I really like the looks and functions on the 600

Thanks very much for any advice and for all the info I have been able to find out so far.

Pan

pilotbob · 01-08-2010, 06:08 PM

Not at all. Just go to Feedbooks or right here in our own library and download the ePub (or .lrf) version of the ebook you want. You won't need to do any conversion at all.

You can use the file manager on your computer to copy books.

If you want to make it a bit easier you can install the Sony eBook Library software and d/l public domain ebooks from Google right into the Library then copy them to your reader.

It's really quite simple... really the type of reader doesn't change much except for which format you download.

BOb

Pangolin · 01-08-2010, 06:26 PM

Good Macaulay quote.
Thanks for reply. So Gutenburg and Manybooks and similar sites - out of copyright texts ; ) - use the ePub format and the Reader supports that without need for any adaptation.
'The file manager' on my computer.... do you mean Finder? I'm on a MacBook. I think I'll take the Sony eBook Library route.

So given that the Reader seems to support fewer file types than some other devices, where would that cause a problem?

Your answer has helped a lot, many thanks

pan

gwynevans · 01-08-2010, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pangolin

So given that the Reader seems to support fewer file types than some other devices, where would that cause a problem?

No, in short. It's actually got a good range covered, with the EPUB & PDF support being the important ones. A couple of posts on my site (see .sig) that might help are "Ebook Formats" and "Where to get ebooks for your Reader".

As far as copy books to your reader, you can use the Sony software, the open-source Calibre software (very popular & definitely worth trying) or just drag & drop via the Finder.

omk3 · 01-08-2010, 06:49 PM

You can drag and drop files on your reader, use the sony software, or use calibre (a free and very powerful software, give it a try!).

The filetypes supported are not really limited. Epub is looking like it's going to be the standard format, at least it's supported by most devices and ebook stores. With epub, lrf and pdf support, there's not much you can't read, and the little you can't, you can easily convert (with calibre again)

By the way you can find beautifully formatted public domain books right here on this forum (check the ebook uploads section)

Pangolin · 01-08-2010, 07:12 PM

Thanks guys - my mind is at ease and since nothing seems to be coming up at the CES that interests me, I think I'll go ahead and buy one.

I've looked through the list of forums and I can't see one that would answer my next question, another, I'm sure daft question, so apologies because no doubt I'm posting this in the wrong place but....

Since last logging on here I have down loaded Adobe digital editions, I registered the lap top and installed the software and then tried to down load a book from their library. Clicked several times on 'download and read' and nothing at all happened. I have no idea why.

So then I went to Manybooks and downloaded a book. all well and good, up it pops and I dropped it onto my desk top, but I can't see how I can get it into the Adobe library programme. I can see I need to select 'Add item to library', and i can see my desk top, but the book file is greyed out and I can't select it. Looking into Finder I see that all files are greyed out.

Hmmmmmm. And there seems to be no help option in the programmes' toolbar.
Any ideas?

Sorry to take up your time, thanks for patience. My needs are simple so I'll be out of your hair soon : )

Again, thanks

RonF · 01-08-2010, 07:36 PM

Take a look at Calibre. It really is THAT good

For non-DRM'd books it is probably the easiest way to keep your collection on/off your reader. I never even loaded the Sony Reader Library onto my PC (until I went to check on something) and I do not have the Adobe software either. All of my books are DRM free and I exclusively use Calibre to track the books. I also use Windows Explorer (I guess it's=Finder for Mac) to drag and drop books as well. Calibre also allows you to change the info associated with the eBook.

Also, something I just started searching (and wish I found earlier

) is the eBooks uploaded here. The members here have taken the public domain books and have hand formatted them into, imo, a nicer cleaner read. Take a look here:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=127
Just an FYI for when you search - If you want "Tale of Two Cities" a search of "Tale Two" will return 0 records, but "Tale of Two" will show the books. So try your search a couple of different ways.

Good Luck

Pangolin · 01-08-2010, 07:41 PM

Thanks.

Curious to know how to add downloads into the Adobe Digital Editions - i can't get the darn thing to recognise anything and so can't get the books into the library. Empty shelves and lots of books on my desk top (I've been busy in the last half hour!!) ...... myssssstery.

The uploaded books here are great, people are very generous with their time.

omk3 · 01-08-2010, 07:46 PM

I only use Adobe Digital Editions to authorize bought books for my reader, so I can't really help you. I do everything else with Calibre. Trust us, it's a great program, from organizing your library to converting and sending to your reader.

pilotbob · 01-08-2010, 08:14 PM

Yes, on the Mac you would use Finder.

On ADE for Mac it looks like ⌘O lets you add books. Or you can pull down the library menu and choose it from the menu. See screen shot attached below.

BOb

Pangolin · 01-08-2010, 09:10 PM

Hi Bob, nope, when I do that, as mentioned, the book on the desk top is not selectable/greyed out/not active - sorry but don't know the term. I have found the 'Help' section, not that it did. There is an entry for 'Adding Books' and it explains there are three ways including just simply dragging it in from the desk top and dropping it into the prog. Nothing works.
But but but, I think I may have worked it out. The books I have tried to add have been free books and perhaps this is a programme that just works with dram protected examples (is that the term, the 'protected'/commercial books). Perhaps that's why the adobe programme just doesn't recognise the books I'm trying to add.
I tried to buy a book from WhSmith but it was limited geographically so now I'm beginning to flag.
But thanks for all the advice and I know what I really needed to know. The rest will no doubt become clear.
Thanks

omk3 · 01-08-2010, 09:14 PM

No I don't think it's only for commercial books.
Actually, have you tried just double-clicking the book? (or whatever the mac equivalent is). It should probably be associated to open with Adobe Digital Editions. Or maybe Adobe Digital Editions doesn't work well with mac systems... Who knows... I'll repeat myself, get calibre

WHSmith books are geographically restricted for Belgium????

I thought that at least within Europe there were no geographical restrictions... This is getting a bit too much!

Pangolin · 01-08-2010, 09:33 PM

Hey okr3 - thanks for Calibre advice.
WH Smith - not all books, but the book I was interested in was restricted, quite a few were, as indicated by a little globe icon.

Hmmmm if Adobe library should work with all texts generally then why can't I get the damn thing to recognise my downloads. Hey ho. I chose to download them in .lrf format - that shouldn't change anything should it. Ohhh, am I being really stupid, being Adobe, will it only recognise pdf?

The Sony file type advised is .lrf so I didn't choose to download in pdf.

Its 3 30 am, I'll get 'calibrated' tomorrow.

Thanks for helping me out.

dreams · 01-08-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pangolin

Hey okr3 - thanks for Calibre advice.
WH Smith - not all books, but the book I was interested in was restricted, quite a few were, as indicated by a little globe icon.

Hmmmm if Adobe library should work with all texts generally then why can't I get the damn thing to recognise my downloads. Hey ho. I chose to download them in .lrf format - that shouldn't change anything should it. Ohhh, am I being really stupid, being Adobe, will it only recognise pdf?

The Sony file type advised is .lrf so I didn't choose to download in pdf.

Its 3 30 am, I'll get 'calibrated' tomorrow.

Thanks for helping me out.

I think that's it! It needs to be ePub, I believe. Lrf goes through Sony Reader Library and calibre.

Pangolin · 01-08-2010, 09:48 PM

Hokay, so I went back to Manybooks and downloaded a Conan Doyle in epub format rather than in .lrf (which was the advised format for the Sony Reader). This time the text was recognised and I added it very easily. So then it is a question of the format.

Well, that's resolved, so all well and good. Only thing is, if .lrf is the advised Sony format, is it not better that epub, or perhaps it makes no difference.

I shall find out when I get the Reader.

As for all this geographical stuff - nightmare. Belgium no Sony readers at all, UK only silver and black, except for the country that is John Lewis (!?) - France all three. This is the single market EU, I'm sure this is illegal. Let alone the mad pricing. I can understand that the publishing world and the idea of contracts and copyright is no doubt complex - but the hardware?

Anyhoo, John Lewis it is.

01-08-2010, 05:54 PM	#1
Pangolin Pangolin Posts: 204 Karma: 1243880 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brussels, Belgium Device: PW 2	Ease of ebook transference to 600 Hi everyone, I'm sorry if this is a stupid post. I'm a complete neewb and have been reading around the various threads here very keenly. I've finally decided to head in a Sony direction and go for the Touch. But I'm finding all the reference to file conversions and re formatting a little intimidating. I really do just want to drag and drop downloaded books onto the device, I may be spoiled having used Apple/itunes and iPod which, I've found, very glitch free and totally simple So my question is this, if I want to read - hassle free - books mainly from Gutenburg and Manybooks (other similar sites that I have yet to come across), is this the device for me? or is a lot fiddling around with various programmes and so on, necessary. I have seen criticism about the sony library softwear programme (see how clueless i am!! ) does this mean a lot of work-arounds? Is the Reader very limited regarding the formats it can handle. I'm in Europe so the sony ebook shop is not an option, not that I would want to go but it raises issues about availability of content. I was tempted by the Pocketbook because it really did seem to be a case of drag and drop, but I really like the looks and functions on the 600 Thanks very much for any advice and for all the info I have been able to find out so far. Pan

01-08-2010, 08:14 PM	#10
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	Yes, on the Mac you would use Finder. On ADE for Mac it looks like ⌘O lets you add books. Or you can pull down the library menu and choose it from the menu. See screen shot attached below. BOb Attached Thumbnails

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01-08-2010, 06:08 PM	#2
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	Not at all. Just go to Feedbooks or right here in our own library and download the ePub (or .lrf) version of the ebook you want. You won't need to do any conversion at all. You can use the file manager on your computer to copy books. If you want to make it a bit easier you can install the Sony eBook Library software and d/l public domain ebooks from Google right into the Library then copy them to your reader. It's really quite simple... really the type of reader doesn't change much except for which format you download. BOb

01-08-2010, 06:26 PM	#3
Pangolin Pangolin Posts: 204 Karma: 1243880 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brussels, Belgium Device: PW 2	Good Macaulay quote. Thanks for reply. So Gutenburg and Manybooks and similar sites - out of copyright texts ; ) - use the ePub format and the Reader supports that without need for any adaptation. 'The file manager' on my computer.... do you mean Finder? I'm on a MacBook. I think I'll take the Sony eBook Library route. So given that the Reader seems to support fewer file types than some other devices, where would that cause a problem? Your answer has helped a lot, many thanks pan

01-08-2010, 06:49 PM	#5
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4	You can drag and drop files on your reader, use the sony software, or use calibre (a free and very powerful software, give it a try!). The filetypes supported are not really limited. Epub is looking like it's going to be the standard format, at least it's supported by most devices and ebook stores. With epub, lrf and pdf support, there's not much you can't read, and the little you can't, you can easily convert (with calibre again) By the way you can find beautifully formatted public domain books right here on this forum (check the ebook uploads section)

01-08-2010, 07:12 PM	#6
Pangolin Pangolin Posts: 204 Karma: 1243880 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brussels, Belgium Device: PW 2	Thanks guys - my mind is at ease and since nothing seems to be coming up at the CES that interests me, I think I'll go ahead and buy one. I've looked through the list of forums and I can't see one that would answer my next question, another, I'm sure daft question, so apologies because no doubt I'm posting this in the wrong place but.... Since last logging on here I have down loaded Adobe digital editions, I registered the lap top and installed the software and then tried to down load a book from their library. Clicked several times on 'download and read' and nothing at all happened. I have no idea why. So then I went to Manybooks and downloaded a book. all well and good, up it pops and I dropped it onto my desk top, but I can't see how I can get it into the Adobe library programme. I can see I need to select 'Add item to library', and i can see my desk top, but the book file is greyed out and I can't select it. Looking into Finder I see that all files are greyed out. Hmmmmmm. And there seems to be no help option in the programmes' toolbar. Any ideas? Sorry to take up your time, thanks for patience. My needs are simple so I'll be out of your hair soon : ) Again, thanks

01-08-2010, 07:36 PM	#7
RonF Zealot Posts: 139 Karma: 306 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY Device: Sony PRS-300, K3 WiFi, K4 NT, PW2	Take a look at Calibre. It really is THAT good For non-DRM'd books it is probably the easiest way to keep your collection on/off your reader. I never even loaded the Sony Reader Library onto my PC (until I went to check on something) and I do not have the Adobe software either. All of my books are DRM free and I exclusively use Calibre to track the books. I also use Windows Explorer (I guess it's=Finder for Mac) to drag and drop books as well. Calibre also allows you to change the info associated with the eBook. Also, something I just started searching (and wish I found earlier ) is the eBooks uploaded here. The members here have taken the public domain books and have hand formatted them into, imo, a nicer cleaner read. Take a look here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=127 Just an FYI for when you search - If you want "Tale of Two Cities" a search of "Tale Two" will return 0 records, but "Tale of Two" will show the books. So try your search a couple of different ways. Good Luck

01-08-2010, 07:41 PM	#8
Pangolin Pangolin Posts: 204 Karma: 1243880 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brussels, Belgium Device: PW 2	Thanks. Curious to know how to add downloads into the Adobe Digital Editions - i can't get the darn thing to recognise anything and so can't get the books into the library. Empty shelves and lots of books on my desk top (I've been busy in the last half hour!!) ...... myssssstery. The uploaded books here are great, people are very generous with their time.

01-08-2010, 07:46 PM	#9
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4	I only use Adobe Digital Editions to authorize bought books for my reader, so I can't really help you. I do everything else with Calibre. Trust us, it's a great program, from organizing your library to converting and sending to your reader.

01-08-2010, 09:10 PM	#11
Pangolin Pangolin Posts: 204 Karma: 1243880 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brussels, Belgium Device: PW 2	Hi Bob, nope, when I do that, as mentioned, the book on the desk top is not selectable/greyed out/not active - sorry but don't know the term. I have found the 'Help' section, not that it did. There is an entry for 'Adding Books' and it explains there are three ways including just simply dragging it in from the desk top and dropping it into the prog. Nothing works. But but but, I think I may have worked it out. The books I have tried to add have been free books and perhaps this is a programme that just works with dram protected examples (is that the term, the 'protected'/commercial books). Perhaps that's why the adobe programme just doesn't recognise the books I'm trying to add. I tried to buy a book from WhSmith but it was limited geographically so now I'm beginning to flag. But thanks for all the advice and I know what I really needed to know. The rest will no doubt become clear. Thanks

01-08-2010, 09:14 PM	#12
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4	No I don't think it's only for commercial books. Actually, have you tried just double-clicking the book? (or whatever the mac equivalent is). It should probably be associated to open with Adobe Digital Editions. Or maybe Adobe Digital Editions doesn't work well with mac systems... Who knows... I'll repeat myself, get calibre WHSmith books are geographically restricted for Belgium???? I thought that at least within Europe there were no geographical restrictions... This is getting a bit too much!

01-08-2010, 09:33 PM	#13
Pangolin Pangolin Posts: 204 Karma: 1243880 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brussels, Belgium Device: PW 2	Hey okr3 - thanks for Calibre advice. WH Smith - not all books, but the book I was interested in was restricted, quite a few were, as indicated by a little globe icon. Hmmmm if Adobe library should work with all texts generally then why can't I get the damn thing to recognise my downloads. Hey ho. I chose to download them in .lrf format - that shouldn't change anything should it. Ohhh, am I being really stupid, being Adobe, will it only recognise pdf? The Sony file type advised is .lrf so I didn't choose to download in pdf. Its 3 30 am, I'll get 'calibrated' tomorrow. Thanks for helping me out.

Advert

Advert

01-08-2010, 09:48 PM	#15
Pangolin Pangolin Posts: 204 Karma: 1243880 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brussels, Belgium Device: PW 2	Hokay, so I went back to Manybooks and downloaded a Conan Doyle in epub format rather than in .lrf (which was the advised format for the Sony Reader). This time the text was recognised and I added it very easily. So then it is a question of the format. Well, that's resolved, so all well and good. Only thing is, if .lrf is the advised Sony format, is it not better that epub, or perhaps it makes no difference. I shall find out when I get the Reader. As for all this geographical stuff - nightmare. Belgium no Sony readers at all, UK only silver and black, except for the country that is John Lewis (!?) - France all three. This is the single market EU, I'm sure this is illegal. Let alone the mad pricing. I can understand that the publishing world and the idea of contracts and copyright is no doubt complex - but the hardware? Anyhoo, John Lewis it is.