Libra Kobo E-reader - couple of questions

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Also kepub don't always render margins the correct size (depends if em or pt etc). The epub2 renders correctly with 12 pt = 1 em and looks the same as Nook, Sony, Binatone and the the same file downloaded from Amazon as azw/KF8. The Amazon KFX though using the same epub2 source uploaded to KDP, as the Amazon KF8 conversion, renders slightly differently, the so called enhanced typesetting.
KFX is Amazon only and kepub is Kobo only, though you can make your own.

But you don't need margins because there is the margin slider. That's why I edit out the margins so I can have the margins that I want.

[james_]

Originally Posted by Murre

What are the minimum amount of plugins I need to install to send books to the Kobo?
Any of them I need to download from external source?

You don't need any if you're buying from Kobo. But if you do happen to want to borrow or buy ePubs then you'll need Calibre and the Kobo touch extended driver found on this forum here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=211135

The reason you'll want this driver is that it converts ePubs to kepubs on the fly when you upload books to the reader from Calibre. And the reason you'll want to do that is not because of page turns, it's because you'll likely want to zoom in to pictures/illustrations in your books, and you can't do this with ePubs on a Kobo. (Well, at least last time I checked!). I'd say this was the key thing you need in Calibre for a Kobo.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by Murre

What are the minimum amount of plugins I need to install to send books to the Kobo?
Any of them I need to download from external source?

The minimum number of plugins is none at all.

If the books don’t have DRM and are in a compatible format, you can just tether your Kobo and drag and drop or send to device. If they do have DRM, you can either strip it first, or authorize your Libra with ADE and sideload from ADE on your computer.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by james_

You don't need any if you're buying from Kobo. But if you do happen to want to borrow or buy ePubs then you'll need Calibre and the Kobo touch extended driver found on this forum here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=211135

The reason you'll want this driver is that it converts ePubs to kepubs on the fly when you upload books to the reader from Calibre. And the reason you'll want to do that is not because of page turns, it's because you'll likely want to zoom in to pictures/illustrations in your books, and you can't do this with ePubs on a Kobo. (Well, at least last time I checked!). I'd say this was the key thing you need in Calibre for a Kobo.

Most eBooks I read either don't have images or don't have images I need to zoom. But I say try ePub before deciding to just read KePub. There are one typography issues with KePub that do not exist with ePub. And because of that I read ePub except for the eBooks where I want to use KePub features that do not exist in ePub. I prefer the better typesetting with ePub.

But the best advice for a new user is to give the pros/cons of ePub & KePub and suggest trying both to see which is preferred. I prefer ePub. There are others who prefer KePub. But I could not have made an informed decision without trying both.

[twowheels]

All of these hacking enthusiasts are scaring you.

As a few have said, if you just buy your books from Kobo or use your local library's Overdrive features, then it's super easy, no hacking, no installing, no plugins, nothing. Log into Kobo and Overdrive on your kobo, connect to wifi, and just hit the sync button.

If you just download free epub books from places like standardebooks.org, or any other source, or even buy them from a DRM free site like Tor.com or Baen.com, it's still dead simple... just plug your Kobo into your computer, and copy the file onto it like you would a USB flash drive, eject, and you're done.

You can ignore all of the rest for the rest of your life if you'd like, and unless you're really picky about managing your library of books you'll be just fine.

Don't get overwhelmed, just start reading, then when you see something that you think could be improved, come back and ask and then you can have fun with the thousands of options that the Kobo user community has to offer.

[Murre]

Woho, its waiting for me to get picked up.

I didn't fully understand, do I need a plugin to transfer epub (without converting to kepub) from Calibre?

Also, just wanna make sure, Kobo Libra H2O supports ePub3?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Murre

Woho, its waiting for me to get picked up.

I didn't fully understand, do I need a plugin to transfer epub (without converting to kepub) from Calibre?

Also, just wanna make sure, Kobo Libra H2O supports ePub3?

You do not need to download any plugin to transfer ePub to your Libra. Most ePub 3 are backwards compatible with ePub 2 so you still don't need to convert to KePub in most cases. It's rare to find ePub 3 that is not backwards compatible.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by Murre

Woho, its waiting for me to get picked up.

I didn't fully understand, do I need a plugin to transfer epub (without converting to kepub) from Calibre?

A new install of calibre has full support for any Kobo ereader. Everything else mentioned in this thread is an extra that you might like. Or might not like.

Also, just wanna make sure, Kobo Libra H2O supports ePub3?

The epub render has some support for epub3. It should fallback gracefully to epub2.

[JJ Johnson]

Originally Posted by Murre

I did not expect to have to do this much work

Welcome to the club. Neither did I.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by JJ Johnson

Welcome to the club. Neither did I.

Again, you don’t. It works perfectly out of the box. Jumping through various hoops is user choice.

[JSWolf]

I don't mind patching and using Calibre. It works well for me.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I don't mind patching and using Calibre. It works well for me.

But for some, especially those who post here that it’s their first dedicated ereader, it can be overwhelming and counterproductive to be told that various plugs and patches are virtually compulsory in order to use the device with satisfaction.

And for those who like to promote Kobo, it might not be the best strategy at that!

[4691mls]

Originally Posted by issybird

Again, you don’t. It works perfectly out of the box. Jumping through various hoops is user choice.

Originally Posted by issybird

But for some, especially those who post here that it’s their first dedicated ereader, it can be overwhelming and counterproductive to be told that various plugs and patches are virtually compulsory in order to use the device with satisfaction.

And for those who like to promote Kobo, it might not be the best strategy at that!

Amen!
I used the built-in settings to choose the header/footer display. I adjust the font as needed with each book. I don't mess with patches.

[JJ Johnson]

Yes, it works fine out of the box. But like any tech, it's nearly impossible to say "Why doesn't it ...?" or "How can I ...?" and soon you're down the rabbit hole.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by JJ Johnson

Yes, it works fine out of the box. But like any tech, it's nearly impossible to say "Why doesn't it ...?" or "How can I ...?" and soon you're down the rabbit hole.

And that's absolutely fine, when it happens at the user's choice and their pace. What issybird and others are trying to stress, I think, is that going down the rabbit hole of patches and mods is OPTIONAL, that there is nothing substandard or unsatisfying about the OOBE for any Kobo ereader. There does seem to have sprung up a mythos that Kindles have the edge over Kobos in terms of ease of use, that the first thing one must do when using a Kobo is patch it, mod it, install endless tweaks, etc. As Gershwin so eloquently reminded us, it ain't necessarily so. Turn it on, login, buy a book, read. THEN, when and if you want to, play around with all the cool customisation options. If not, one has the option of being a true individualist and defying the herd by daring to use one's Kobo ereader simply as, a reader