I think I'm in love with Apprentice Alf - Page 2

KarenH · 01-07-2011, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

You are reduced to using the Calibre plug-ins, or having to choose the right tool depending on what kind of ebook you have. You might also need to install Active Python, and OpenSSL or PyCrypto for the stand-alone tools.

Until/unless someone writes something for Windows that's similar to Alf's AppleScript tool for Mac OS X 10.5/10.6.

Yeah, we Windows users are stuck with using Calibre plugins - I personally have no problem living with that option!

And you can add my name to the fan list - many thanks to all who have worked on these tools!

KevinH · 01-07-2011, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geeksquadofun

How about for us mere mortals with PCs and Windows, is it also possible ?

Hi,

If there existed a Windows volunteer developer that would like to help out at ApprenticeAlf, all he/she need to do is create an .bat or .exe file (to create a drag and drop target), which launches a single python script passing the paths for whatever was dropped on it to the python code. Everything else can be done in python. Then he/she could create an installer package that includes the latest Python 2.7, and OpenSSL as part of the app itself (just like Calibre does) to create a DeDRM app for Windows.

If you could point someone who can do that towards the Alf site, I am sure something could be done quite easily.

In fact, a similar thing could be done for Linux with integration into both kde and gtk desktops.

LaurieGator · 01-07-2011, 03:04 PM

Thanks again for the reminder.

I am home with a sinus headache and thought I would attempt to try this. I found that I didn't need the "drop book" file and Apprentice Alf's file is super easy to use. Once I have done that, I am putting them into catagories by file extension (like PDF, AZW, etc) then I can use Calibre to put them onto each ereader.

This is just as good as sliced bread! Especially for those of us with mixed marriages (Kindle and Nook, Sony and Kindle etc...)

Sydney's Mom · 01-07-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenH

Yeah, we Windows users are stuck with using Calibre plugins - I personally have no problem living with that option!

I agree. The topaz tool is awesome - I kinda freaked out when I saw the zip file, but it converted just fine. Most of the topaz books I am putting in a library for my daughter - hopefully she will convert to ebooks eventually.

trekchick · 01-08-2011, 02:02 PM

It worked like a magic charm yesterday - even on Topaz books and a couple of others that kept giving me trouble with the old method. It's like self-slicing, self-toasting, self-buttering and jamming bread.

But today, I stupidly "upgraded" Kindle for Mac to version 1.2.3 (from the Mac App Store) and K4M books no longer covert (the tool can't find a valid PID). Oh, well. At least I got a handful of old favorites converted yesterday.

DiapDealer · 01-08-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trekchick

But today, I stupidly "upgraded" Kindle for Mac to version 1.2.3 (from the Mac App Store) and K4M books no longer covert (the tool can't find a valid PID). Oh, well. At least I got a handful of old favorites converted yesterday.

Remove those books from K4M and re-download them from your archive. Then retry the Tool with those newly downloaded ebooks. If it still doesn't work, mention it over at Alf's blog so the right people can take a look and see what's up.

pdurrant · 01-08-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trekchick

It worked like a magic charm yesterday - even on Topaz books and a couple of others that kept giving me trouble with the old method. It's like self-slicing, self-toasting, self-buttering and jamming bread.

But today, I stupidly "upgraded" Kindle for Mac to version 1.2.3 (from the Mac App Store) and K4M books no longer covert (the tool can't find a valid PID). Oh, well. At least I got a handful of old favorites converted yesterday.

If you have Time Machine on your Mac, you could try reverting to the earlier version.

Loosheesh · 01-08-2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abookreader

Let me add my gushing and sign up for my fan club membership number.

awww - I love you all!

Me too, me too! It's so awesome to have my books liberated and not have to buy a 2nd eReader. And bonus, I can take advantage of KoboBooks' great promo codes and read their books on my Kindle

speedlever · 01-08-2011, 09:27 PM

Add another appreciative Windows user here. Calibre + plugins is a sweet combination. Finish up with a one step conversion and email to my wifi K3 and life is good!

Pushka · 01-09-2011, 12:30 AM

Another happy camper here using the plug in. So easy now and all my books are accessible across devices. Sweet.

trekchick · 01-09-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Remove those books from K4M and re-download them from your archive. Then retry the Tool with those newly downloaded ebooks. If it still doesn't work, mention it over at Alf's blog so the right people can take a look and see what's up.

I did. No newly downloaded books worked, not even ones that were successfully dedrm'ed the previous day. So, I de-registered, removed the updated version and the preference files, reinstalled version 1.2.2 from Amazon's web site, disabled automatic updating, re-registered and downloaded several books. Problem solved!

In their never-ending quest to thwart DRM removal, Amazon probably changed something in version 1.2.3 for the Mac App Store.

Chortie · 01-31-2011, 11:59 AM

I want to add my thanks to awesome Alf. I can now read my library books on my device and not just my computer. That was the purpose of getting a device....portability. Again Alf, thank you so much for your help.

Chortie

ProfCrash · 01-31-2011, 12:59 PM

Thanks to everyone who made life easier for people with e-readers. Hopefully Alf enjoys his retirement as much as we enjoy the fruits of his labor.

carpetmojo · 07-24-2011, 02:01 PM

My brain's gorn I'm afraid - how do I sign up for access to App Alf's blog please?

Very simple words much appreciated.

HarryT · 07-24-2011, 02:07 PM

You don't have to sign up. Just Google it.

07-24-2011, 02:01 PM	#29
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 Karma: 9269999 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5	Help....... My brain's gorn I'm afraid - how do I sign up for access to App Alf's blog please? Very simple words much appreciated.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Free (Kindle/Sony) The Healer's Apprentice	arcadata	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	5	01-04-2011 05:38 PM
Free ebook: Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold (worldwide, all formats)	Hatgirl	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	19	08-09-2010 05:08 PM
Love medieval English history? Love romance?	MargaretLake	Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers	11	07-21-2010 01:10 AM
Whatever happened to Beekeeper's Apprentice?	jgray	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	12	05-30-2009 02:33 AM
The Beekeeper's Apprentice Free on April 1	sirbruce	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	68	04-17-2009 10:12 AM

01-07-2011, 03:04 PM	#18
LaurieGator Crazy Cat Lady Posts: 96 Karma: 13662 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Arizona Device: Kindle 2i, Nook Color (Rooted)	Thanks again for the reminder. I am home with a sinus headache and thought I would attempt to try this. I found that I didn't need the "drop book" file and Apprentice Alf's file is super easy to use. Once I have done that, I am putting them into catagories by file extension (like PDF, AZW, etc) then I can use Calibre to put them onto each ereader. This is just as good as sliced bread! Especially for those of us with mixed marriages (Kindle and Nook, Sony and Kindle etc...)

01-08-2011, 02:02 PM	#20
trekchick Lurker Posts: 226 Karma: 9245 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Walton, KY Device: Sonys and Kindles and Nooks, oh my!	It worked like a magic charm yesterday - even on Topaz books and a couple of others that kept giving me trouble with the old method. It's like self-slicing, self-toasting, self-buttering and jamming bread. But today, I stupidly "upgraded" Kindle for Mac to version 1.2.3 (from the Mac App Store) and K4M books no longer covert (the tool can't find a valid PID). Oh, well. At least I got a handful of old favorites converted yesterday.

01-08-2011, 09:27 PM	#24
speedlever Fanatic Posts: 592 Karma: 138200 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NC, USA Device: PW2014, PW2012, iPad Pro	Add another appreciative Windows user here. Calibre + plugins is a sweet combination. Finish up with a one step conversion and email to my wifi K3 and life is good!

01-09-2011, 12:30 AM	#25
Pushka Wizard Posts: 1,119 Karma: 1019140 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Device: kindle, Ipad, Iphone, Nexus and PPW	Another happy camper here using the plug in. So easy now and all my books are accessible across devices. Sweet.

01-31-2011, 11:59 AM	#27
Chortie Member Posts: 11 Karma: 14 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Aluratek Libre Pro	I want to add my thanks to awesome Alf. I can now read my library books on my device and not just my computer. That was the purpose of getting a device....portability. Again Alf, thank you so much for your help. Chortie

01-31-2011, 12:59 PM	#28
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	Thanks to everyone who made life easier for people with e-readers. Hopefully Alf enjoys his retirement as much as we enjoy the fruits of his labor.

07-24-2011, 02:07 PM	#30
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	You don't have to sign up. Just Google it.