UK based e-reader - questions from a newbie

Georgiegirl2012 · 09-05-2010, 11:07 AM

Hi
I am starting to get to grips with a few things (such as actually reading) but there are other things that completely blow my mind. As a very very newbie I would be grateful if those in the know could clear a few things up for me.

For my first downloaded book from the WH Smith Website I was told I needed to downloade Adobe Digital Editions in order to successfully complete the process, which I did.

Upon purchase of my Sony prs-600 in order to access the free 100 books which I was entitled to upon registration, it was necessary for me to download the Sony Reader Library software - which I did. However I now find out that I am unable to get books from the Sony store due to being outside the USA.

When exploring this forum, I discovered Calibre, which I understand can do all sorts of marvellous things (have not explored it very far as yet) so have also downloaded that.

So my first question is - Do I really need the Sony Reader library at all if I can't use it to download books from Sony Store and can I do all my organising through calibre?

And I suppose my second is, will I need to download new software for access books from various sites, or does it depend on the format of the book?
thanks

shanghaichica · 09-05-2010, 11:37 AM

If you want to use calibre (and I would recommend it) you wont need the sony software. You can organise all your books, convert files and transfer books to your PRS-600 using calibre. If you decide not to use the Sony software then you will need to download Adobe Digital aditions so that you can read DRM protected books on your PRS-600 (Books you buy online). Once you download ADE, it will ask you to set up an account and authorise your computer. Once you connect your PRS-600 to the computer and open up ADE it will ask you to authorise your device. Once you have done that you will be ready to go with both calibre and ADE.

ADE is used for DRM protected books that you will buy from sites like WH Smiths, Waterstones, the book depository etc.

Calibre will generally be used for DRM free books.

mr ploppy · 09-05-2010, 11:39 AM

Adobe and Sony readers will cover most of the ebooks you can buy, but Calibre won't be much use if they are DRM restricted.

As for not being allowed to buy books because you live in the wrong place, welcome to the crazy world of ebooks.

TGS · 09-05-2010, 11:43 AM

As for your question about the Sony software - I have never installed it. It means I can't use the Sony store - which is no bad thing - and by all accounts it gets in the way of other things.

Georgiegirl2012 · 09-05-2010, 01:52 PM

Thank you for help in my getting my head round what will be the first of many challenges no doubt.

So - given that I downloaded the Adobe Digital Extension (ADE) software first, the only reason that the Sony software was useful was to download the free books. As these free books are not protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM) I can view them using the free viewer in calibre?

The books I bought (Dragon Tattoo etc) are protected by DRM so they cannot be viewed by calibre. And given that they can be viewed through ADE, then Sony Reader Library can be safely uninstalled?

But of course they are all safely on my prs-600 so don't really need to be viewed on my pc at all, but can be should I so desire.

church mouse · 09-05-2010, 01:52 PM

As said above, ADE and Calibre is all you need. Furthermore, once you have authorised any drm protected book with ADE you can add it to your Calibre library and just use your Calibre for all syncing with your 600.

Assuming you have the Sony software installed, go in to its preferences and mark for it NOT to launch automatically - you do not want the Sony and the Calibre software open at the same time with your 600 connected.

church mouse · 09-05-2010, 01:58 PM

For viewing on your pc - drm epubs will have to be opened in ADE.

Non drm - if you still have your Sony software installed, just make sure the file itself has not be set to be opened with the Sony software, or change it if it has.

charleski · 09-05-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Georgiegirl2012

The books I bought (Dragon Tattoo etc) are protected by DRM so they cannot be viewed by calibre. And given that they can be viewed through ADE, then Sony Reader Library can be safely uninstalled?

Yes. You don't need it at all now you've downloaded the free books. Get rid of it and only use ADE to handle DRM-protected books, the fewer programs you have the better.

Georgiegirl2012 · 09-05-2010, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charleski

Yes. You don't need it at all now you've downloaded the free books. Get rid of it and only use ADE to handle DRM-protected books, the fewer programs you have the better.

Done it.

taming · 09-05-2010, 02:29 PM

Chances are you can get everything Sony was giving away in ePub format from the Kobo store--or many other places--as it is usually public domain books that are given way in this way. Kobo ePUB files use Adobe ADE.

Georgiegirl2012 · 09-05-2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taming

Chances are you can get everything Sony was giving away in ePub format from the Kobo store--or many other places--as it is usually public domain books that are given way in this way. Kobo ePUB files use Adobe ADE.

I came to this conclusion when I discovered Kobo and various other sites last night that the majority of free books on them are the same.

And Sony wasn't giving ePUB files they were giving BBeB versions with LRF file extensions.

neilmarr · 09-06-2010, 08:58 AM

Sorry to be late in, Georgie. Internet problems for the past few days. I've used a Sony for a couple of years now. The hardware's great ... the library software ain't. I've not used the Sony Library since I installed Calibre about eighteen months ago. Works like a charm. Good luck and best wishes. Neil

GeoffC · 09-06-2010, 10:26 AM

Calibre will allow you to sort and manage all your books as in a Library (DRM and non-DRM).

What Calibre will not do is allow you to use the in-built viewer to view the DRM'ed books, nor convert them to another format, (unless liberated).

Georgiegirl2012 · 09-09-2010, 05:14 PM

Thank you all for your help with my first questions. I have a few more if you don't mind - I have looked on the calibre section but it's all too technical for me at the moment.

I have now read 2 books and want to be able to indicate that I've read them. How do I do it?

And also - having now updated the metadata so that I've got cover pictures for books if I try and add them to my sony prs-600 will it just overwrite what's already on there or will they be added as extra books?

alecE · 09-10-2010, 02:40 PM

All my ebooks are organised in Calibre; I have a created a couple of custom metadata categories - both are 'yes/no' variety and are named 'Have Read' and 'Waiting'. I can therefore categorise titles as un-read and waiting to be read, un-read and unlikely to be read (think strange freebies which I don't have the heart to throw out). Obviously titles which I have read are then tagged as 'Have Read'.
I did try doing something similar with collections using the Sony software - the 'orrid quality was what drove me to discover Calibre.
Hope this helps!

09-05-2010, 11:07 AM	#1
Georgiegirl2012 Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 7038 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cwmbran, Wales, UK Device: Sony touch prs600	UK based e-reader - questions from a newbie Hi I am starting to get to grips with a few things (such as actually reading) but there are other things that completely blow my mind. As a very very newbie I would be grateful if those in the know could clear a few things up for me. For my first downloaded book from the WH Smith Website I was told I needed to downloade Adobe Digital Editions in order to successfully complete the process, which I did. Upon purchase of my Sony prs-600 in order to access the free 100 books which I was entitled to upon registration, it was necessary for me to download the Sony Reader Library software - which I did. However I now find out that I am unable to get books from the Sony store due to being outside the USA. When exploring this forum, I discovered Calibre, which I understand can do all sorts of marvellous things (have not explored it very far as yet) so have also downloaded that. So my first question is - Do I really need the Sony Reader library at all if I can't use it to download books from Sony Store and can I do all my organising through calibre? And I suppose my second is, will I need to download new software for access books from various sites, or does it depend on the format of the book? thanks

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09-05-2010, 11:37 AM	#2
shanghaichica Guru Posts: 991 Karma: 5782970 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Scribe,Kindle Oasis 3, iPad Pro 11,15 Pro Max,iPad mini 7,colorsoft	If you want to use calibre (and I would recommend it) you wont need the sony software. You can organise all your books, convert files and transfer books to your PRS-600 using calibre. If you decide not to use the Sony software then you will need to download Adobe Digital aditions so that you can read DRM protected books on your PRS-600 (Books you buy online). Once you download ADE, it will ask you to set up an account and authorise your computer. Once you connect your PRS-600 to the computer and open up ADE it will ask you to authorise your device. Once you have done that you will be ready to go with both calibre and ADE. ADE is used for DRM protected books that you will buy from sites like WH Smiths, Waterstones, the book depository etc. Calibre will generally be used for DRM free books.

09-05-2010, 11:39 AM	#3
mr ploppy Feral Underclass Posts: 3,622 Karma: 26821535 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire, tha noz Device: 2nd hand paperback	Adobe and Sony readers will cover most of the ebooks you can buy, but Calibre won't be much use if they are DRM restricted. As for not being allowed to buy books because you live in the wrong place, welcome to the crazy world of ebooks.

09-05-2010, 11:43 AM	#4
TGS Country Member Posts: 9,058 Karma: 7676767 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Denmark Device: Liseuse: Irex DR800. PRS 505 in the house, and the missus has an iPad.	As for your question about the Sony software - I have never installed it. It means I can't use the Sony store - which is no bad thing - and by all accounts it gets in the way of other things.

09-05-2010, 01:52 PM	#5
Georgiegirl2012 Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 7038 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cwmbran, Wales, UK Device: Sony touch prs600	Thank you for help in my getting my head round what will be the first of many challenges no doubt. So - given that I downloaded the Adobe Digital Extension (ADE) software first, the only reason that the Sony software was useful was to download the free books. As these free books are not protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM) I can view them using the free viewer in calibre? The books I bought (Dragon Tattoo etc) are protected by DRM so they cannot be viewed by calibre. And given that they can be viewed through ADE, then Sony Reader Library can be safely uninstalled? But of course they are all safely on my prs-600 so don't really need to be viewed on my pc at all, but can be should I so desire.

09-05-2010, 01:52 PM	#6
church mouse Evangelist Posts: 484 Karma: 5277078 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK Device: Kobo Clara HD, Boox Poke 2, PocketBook Verse Pro (634)	As said above, ADE and Calibre is all you need. Furthermore, once you have authorised any drm protected book with ADE you can add it to your Calibre library and just use your Calibre for all syncing with your 600. Assuming you have the Sony software installed, go in to its preferences and mark for it NOT to launch automatically - you do not want the Sony and the Calibre software open at the same time with your 600 connected.

09-05-2010, 01:58 PM	#7
church mouse Evangelist Posts: 484 Karma: 5277078 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK Device: Kobo Clara HD, Boox Poke 2, PocketBook Verse Pro (634)	For viewing on your pc - drm epubs will have to be opened in ADE. Non drm - if you still have your Sony software installed, just make sure the file itself has not be set to be opened with the Sony software, or change it if it has.

09-05-2010, 02:29 PM	#10
taming Trying for calm & polite Posts: 4,012 Karma: 9455193 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mostly in Canada Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura	Chances are you can get everything Sony was giving away in ePub format from the Kobo store--or many other places--as it is usually public domain books that are given way in this way. Kobo ePUB files use Adobe ADE.

09-06-2010, 08:58 AM	#12
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	Sorry to be late in, Georgie. Internet problems for the past few days. I've used a Sony for a couple of years now. The hardware's great ... the library software ain't. I've not used the Sony Library since I installed Calibre about eighteen months ago. Works like a charm. Good luck and best wishes. Neil

09-06-2010, 10:26 AM	#13
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Calibre will allow you to sort and manage all your books as in a Library (DRM and non-DRM). What Calibre will not do is allow you to use the in-built viewer to view the DRM'ed books, nor convert them to another format, (unless liberated).

09-09-2010, 05:14 PM	#14
Georgiegirl2012 Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 7038 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cwmbran, Wales, UK Device: Sony touch prs600	Thank you all for your help with my first questions. I have a few more if you don't mind - I have looked on the calibre section but it's all too technical for me at the moment. I have now read 2 books and want to be able to indicate that I've read them. How do I do it? And also - having now updated the metadata so that I've got cover pictures for books if I try and add them to my sony prs-600 will it just overwrite what's already on there or will they be added as extra books?

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09-10-2010, 02:40 PM	#15
alecE Evangelist Posts: 412 Karma: 546196 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK canal boat Device: sony prs505, prs650, kobo Glo HD liseuses	All my ebooks are organised in Calibre; I have a created a couple of custom metadata categories - both are 'yes/no' variety and are named 'Have Read' and 'Waiting'. I can therefore categorise titles as un-read and waiting to be read, un-read and unlikely to be read (think strange freebies which I don't have the heart to throw out). Obviously titles which I have read are then tagged as 'Have Read'. I did try doing something similar with collections using the Sony software - the 'orrid quality was what drove me to discover Calibre. Hope this helps!