I'm a mac user and just got the PRS-505. help me!

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by cdenes

Here's the thing. The reader is expensive. I'm now feeling uncertain I'll actually be able to get a lot of use out of it since I do not have regular access to a PC. And I'm busy so not inclined to do a lot of technical runaround every time I want to read a new book. If you were me, knowing what you know about mac use + PRS-505.... would you keep the Reader or return it for a refund?

Wow... that is really a loaded question. But, no the Sony is not the best machine for a Mac user... especially one without easy access to a Windows PC. Assuming you don't want to spend $300 on Windows and a VM solution because that would be silly.

Personally, I think the best reader for a Mac person in the US is the Kindle. You never even need to hook it to a PC if you don't want to. But, you can if indeed you wanted to get books from places other than Amazon. Also, the books are generally cheaper from Amazon than Sony which will quickly pay for the reader price difference if you buy alot of books.

That said, "technical runaround" is not really that bad. You can buy mobi books and deDRM them in a matter of minutes. However, with my Kindle I have only done this more to learn how than to need how since the Kindle store is well stocked.

If you are outside of the US then the CyBook or BeBook is probably the best choice.

Hth,
BOb

[hackettt]

I may be having a similar issue with my 505 and mac. I have been able to download non-DRM texts and load them via the Finder with my Mac. In addition, I have been able to use Calibre to convert some books. I have even purchased a book from Sony Connect and transferred the file with the Sony Software on my Asus eee pc. (In addition, I have installed Adobe Digital Editions on my Mac and eee pc.)

But here is my problem. I read Kovid's response, "You can't use calibre with DRM protected content." However, I have also read his advice about not using both the Sony software and Calibre.

Recently, I wanted to purchase a book from Books on Board because I do so through my browser on my Mac. However, their test file for Adobe (http://www.booksonboard.com/index.ph...ok&BOOK=201834)
would not open on my reader and gave me the "Protected Page" icon.

Does this mean I am only able to buy books through my Windows machine and transfer the files via Sony software? Or can I purchase from ebook stores other than Sony from Mac and transfer the files via the Finder?

Thank you in advance.

--- Timm

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by hackettt

Recently, I wanted to purchase a book from Books on Board because I do so through my browser on my Mac. However, their test file for Adobe (http://www.booksonboard.com/index.ph...ok&BOOK=201834)
would not open on my reader and gave me the "Protected Page" icon.

Is DE on your Mac registered to the same Adobe ID as your PC and reader? If so this should work. I think Adobe had a blog entry about this somewhere.

BOb

[igorsk]

You can buy and transfer DRMed EPUB books on your Mac, however you need to authorize the Reader for your Adobe ID first. This is a one-time process but it can be done only on a Windows machine with Digital Editions and eBook Library installed.
You can also use shops that provide books without DRM, e.g. Baen's Webscriptions, Fictionwise (Multiformat books) and some others. See here.

[hackettt]

Originally Posted by igorsk

you need to authorize the Reader for your Adobe ID first.

Forgive my ignorance (I have had the 505 for 48 hours now), but didn't I do that already to allow me to purchase from the Sony Connect Store? Or do I need to authorize the reader for the store and through Adobe, as well?

I guess my confusion is that reader shows the Sherlock Homes "test" book from ADE, but the "protected page" still shows when I access the "test" book from Books on Board.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by hackettt

Forgive my ignorance (I have had the 505 for 48 hours now), but didn't I do that already to allow me to purchase from the Sony Connect Store? Or do I need to authorize the reader for the store and through Adobe, as well?

Yes you have to activate the reader for DE as well as for Sony connect. On your windows machine open DE and connect the reader. You should be able to activate it from there.

BOb

[hackettt]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Yes you have to activate the reader for DE as well as for Sony connect.

Lovely. I will do so this afternoon.

Cheers.

[gwynevans]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Is DE on your Mac registered to the same Adobe ID as your PC and reader? If so this should work. I think Adobe had a blog entry about this somewhere.

Jim Lester's post here - http://www.adobeforums.com/webx?14@@.59b5f2cb/5

[glassbell]

@cdenes:

I'm a new PRS505 owner. I'm a Mac-user (Intel MacBook). I have access to a Windows-machine. I found the same information in this forum that is in this thread. ( Thanks to everybody who posted it!)

It took me about 30 minutes (largely because of updates) to install Sony's eLibrary software and Adobe Digital Editions on the Windows-machine. After that, it was a few seconds to get the 505 authorized to my Adobe ID.

I already had a DRM'd PDF on my Mac. Once I connected the 505 to the Mac, all I had to do was find the PDF in <username>/Documents/Digital Editions and drag it to the Digital Editions folder in the 505's Finder window. That easy. I'm looking at Jim Butcher's Dead Beat (Dresden Files #7), right now.

As for your deeper question of keeping the 505 or exchanging it for a Kindle . . . Well, my wife's going to purchase the Kindle. I didn't want to spend that much money on the device. Hands-down, the Kindle's got everything (right now) beat for ease-of-acquisition. But I think I'll be able to get what I want to read (assuming it's available as an ebook) onto the Sony. I also think the difference in device-purchase-price will absorb quite a bit of the difference in book-purchase-price, at least for a while. There are also aesthestic considerations, and the fact that a Kindle won't arrive for weeks/months (unless you're willing to pay exhorbitant eBay prices). All said, I'm sticking with the Sony.

[CCDMan]

Personally, I think the best reader for a Mac person in the US is the Kindle.

Yup. I also have both the 500 and a Kindle. Kindle is way better for a number of reasons, not the least of which is being able to use it with any kind of computer (or none at all). Also the books are more plentiful and generally cheaper. Yes, the Sony is cheaper and more available - but there is a reason for that.....

I have a friend who bought a 505 instead also. His reason was that he lived in Alaska and did not have Sprint EVDO access. It made no sense to me since he could still use the PC for book download with the Kindle, which he has to do with the 505 anyway. Maybe he got it because it was cheaper but I suspect that, since he is a heavy reader, he will make up the price difference inside of a year. Oh Well.

If Amazon can come out with a cheaper Kindle they will kill the Sony device - I wonder if that is what is in the works for the Kindle 2 due early 2009?

Well, my wife's going to purchase the Kindle

All the more reason to buy a second Kindle. If they are on the same account, you can buy books once and share them (up to 5 Kindles on an account, if memory serves).

[BooksOnBoard]

Hi cdenes,

BooksOnBoard sells DRM copyrighted Adobe EPUB and Adobe PDF eBooks that all work on the Sony PRS-505 and Sony PRS-700 (DRM copyrighted Adobe eBooks still cannot be read on the older Sony PRS-500 reader)

This page has detailed instructions for transferring DRM Adobe eBooks to your Sony Reader, including instructions for Mac users:
http://www.booksonboard.com/index.php?F=sony_reader_help

Hopefully this information helps clear up any questions for Mac users about reading Adobe eBooks on the Sony Reader.

BooksOnBoard's customer support is also available to answer any questions seven days a week at support@booksonboard.com

Sincerely,

The BooksOnBoard Support Team

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by BooksOnBoard

BooksOnBoard sells DRM copyrighted Adobe EPUB and Adobe PDF eBooks that all work on the Sony PRS-505 and Sony PRS-700 (DRM copyrighted Adobe eBooks still cannot be read on the older Sony PRS-500 reader)

You should tone it down... your getting a bit SPAMy. I have seen this message from you in several threads.

BOb

[lesleyad]

I really struggle with windows. I have authorised my Sony prs 505 with adobe digital editions. I have bought & downloaded a book onto digital editions on my mac. I cannot transfer the file to the reader. I have also bought a book and transferred it into digital editions on the hated windows but that has not appeared in the e-reader either.

It seems to me that the software leaves a lot to be desired. I am a reasonably competant computer user.

Clearly I have missed the point somewhere.

Any help would be most gratefully received.

I am very pissed off with the guy who sold me the e-reader assuring me that it worked with a mac no problem

[glassbell]

Originally Posted by CCDMan

Yup. I also have both the 500 and a Kindle. Kindle is way better for a number of reasons, not the least of which is being able to use it with any kind of computer (or none at all). Also the books are more plentiful and generally cheaper. Yes, the Sony is cheaper and more available - but there is a reason for that.....

The Sony's going back to Target.

I priced 6 books (Kindle & something that I could get onto the Sony) that I either purchased in the last year, or expect to purchase soon. The total for the Kindle was $50 less. And that doesn't include a $32 book that simply wasn't available in a 505-friendly format! Six purchases would virtually eliminate the difference in the price of the devices.

I like the 505. I like the way it feels. I like the 8-shades of gray. I like the size. I like the clean, easy to use interface. But, as much as I like it, it's simply too expensive to own.

Many thanks to those who provided help with the 505.

[astrodad]

Originally Posted by glassbell

The Sony's going back to Target.

I priced 6 books (Kindle & something that I could get onto the Sony) that I either purchased in the last year, or expect to purchase soon. The total for the Kindle was $50 less. And that doesn't include a $32 book that simply wasn't available in a 505-friendly format! Six purchases would virtually eliminate the difference in the price of the devices.

I like the 505. I like the way it feels. I like the 8-shades of gray. I like the size. I like the clean, easy to use interface. But, as much as I like it, it's simply too expensive to own.

Many thanks to those who provided help with the 505.

That might be true if you're only interested in buying books from the Sony and Amazon stores. With a little "know how" you can save a ton by buying books from other vendors such as Fictionwise and Books on Board.