sony Library software - does it work OK on a Mac?

[mwheinz]

Originally Posted by Pomtroll

I'm not sure I understand the problem. I have a 64bit Mac & have had no problems with the Sony software.....uhmmm knock on wood. And believe me I would have been here asking for help if I did.

Run System Profile. Macs produced between the switch to Intel processors (2005/2006) and mid-2010 boot into 32-bit mode for compatibility reasons, but can be booted into 64-bit mode if you want. Macs produced after that time boot into 64-bit mode by default and require a special key press if you need 32 bit mode.

I'm pretty sure the software won't run at all on a PowerPC Mac.

[mwheinz]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Windows 7 and Vista automatically installs 32-bit-only software in 32-bit mode. They have one Programs directory for 64-bit and one for 32-bit, and your software goes wherever it needs to go.

The problem is that Sony, in their wisdom, decided to actually hack the Mac operating system instead of using the built-in USB drivers, and then they wrote the hack in a half-baked manner that won't work with modern Macs.

Basically, it's as if they wrote a custom DLL that roots your Windows machine and that you needed to have installed to use their software on your machine.

Oh, wait, they did that once, too.

[mwheinz]

Originally Posted by amward

I'm now freaking out as I will be getting a sony next week and I use a macbook. What exactly is going to be my problem and what will I need to do? (in layman's language please) I am using mac os x 10.6.8 if that is significant.

If your Mac is older than mid-2010, you will have no problems at all. If it was produced after that time, you will need to either:

1. Reboot the machine into 32-bit mode to transfer files via Reader Library software.
2. Copy the books by hand or
3. Use Calibre

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by mwheinz

The problem is that Sony, in their wisdom, decided to actually hack the Mac operating system instead of using the built-in USB drivers, and then they wrote the hack in a half-baked manner that won't work with modern Macs.

Basically, it's as if they wrote a custom DLL that roots your Windows machine and that you needed to have installed to use their software on your machine.

Oh, wait, they did that once, too.

I remember that one! Their half-baked press conference excuses were hilarious.

And no, Sony was never good at the software part of anything they do, and the Reader Library and its horrible interface is just one more item on the list of proof that they need to outsource that part of their business to someone who knows what they're doing.

[EatingPie]

Originally Posted by amward

I get the calibre bit but what do you mean by copying the books manually? Sorry to be so clueless. Does this apply to all books or just those with DRM?

Just want to add to the answer already given... Drag and Drop is from the Mac OS X Finder.

The Reader Library is in:

Documents->My Books->Reader Library

You drag books from there to the following location on the Reader:

READER->database->media->books

And you're all set.

-Pie

[EatingPie]

Originally Posted by mwheinz

The problem is that Sony, in their wisdom, decided to actually hack the Mac operating system instead of using the built-in USB drivers, and then they wrote the hack in a half-baked manner that won't work with modern Macs.

Basically, it's as if they wrote a custom DLL that roots your Windows machine and that you needed to have installed to use their software on your machine.

Oh, wait, they did that once, too.

This is NOT AT ALL an accurate description.

There is no rooting involved. It's a custom driver (my HiFace bypasses the USB driver too with a custom driver, no rootkit there either). As stated like 20 times, you can use the software without the driver. It allows the Reader software to recognize when a Reader is plugged in, rather than a generic USB device. There is no hacking involved. There is no copy protection involved. It's a drag-to-the-trash uninstall. It's not even a DLL. And...

It is not a rootkit. Or even like a rootkit in any way.

These kinds of foolish accusations take on a life of their own on the Internet, and it's important to take care of this right away.

Sheesh.

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

I remember that one! Their half-baked press conference excuses were hilarious.

And no, Sony was never good at the software part of anything they do, and the Reader Library and its horrible interface is just one more item on the list of proof that they need to outsource that part of their business to someone who knows what they're doing.

And, ironically, that's exactly what Sony did!

The infamous rootkit was written by a company called First4Internet, outsourced by Sony! They walked scott free, and Sony took all the flack. (Not saying Sony didn't deserve flack, just that the guys who wrote the rootkit should have bourne some blame too.)

-Pie

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by amward

Thanks everyone for your help. I don't worry about keeping my books sorted into folders, I usually only read a book once, so I just delete them when I've finished. So it looks as though it should all work ok (fingers crossed). Am I right in assuming that if I can't put the book onto the reader using the Sony software I can do it with ADE, which is what I do now with my Eco eclipse.

I get the Sony on Thursday and if I have any trouble I'll get back to you wise ones.

Good luck! Don't be too freaked out. Just post back at MR if you have any problems, and I'm sure someone will be able to help you. I hope you enjoy your Sony reader as much as we all do.

[amward]

Originally Posted by EatingPie

Just want to add to the answer already given... Drag and Drop is from the Mac OS X Finder.

The Reader Library is in:

Documents->My Books->Reader Library

You drag books from there to the following location on the Reader:

READER->database->media->books

And you're all set.

-Pie

Thank you thank you

Something I can understand.

I'll be getting it on Thursday, the last pink one in captivity at the Sony store in Perth.

[amward]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

Good luck! Don't be too freaked out. Just post back at MR if you have any problems, and I'm sure someone will be able to help you. I hope you enjoy your Sony reader as much as we all do.

Thanks BG, much appreciated, I was starting to get cold feet.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by amward

Thank you thank you
Something I can understand.
I'll be getting it on Thursday, the last pink one in captivity at the Sony store in Perth.

I have the pink 350. Love the color!

[amward]

Got it (complete with about 500/600 books, most of which I will probably delete) and I love it so far. I have a three hour drive home so I haven't tried loading any books, it's nearly killing me.

[amward]

Got home, got onto the puter and loaded the reader library, got straight onto the Library and downloaded a book and got it onto the reader. Yayyy!! It was so easy all my worries for nothing. Now I just have to worry about the screen breaking as in the thread in this forum.

[Bookworm_Girl]

That's great, amward! I suggest that you should buy a cover to protect your ereader if you have not done so already. Have a great weekend and happy reading!

[amward]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

That's great, amward! I suggest that you should buy a cover to protect your ereader if you have not done so already. Have a great weekend and happy reading!

I got the cover with the integrated light when I bought the reader, it's so cute!

Thanks for your help and good wishes, this is such a great forum.

[gianfri]

Regarding the new Mac OS 10.7 (Lion). I, like others, cannot use the Reader with the Lion software. From reading other posts, it looks like I should be able at least to see the Reader in the finder, but I cannot. The reader is just invisible. I cannot even charge it when connected to the Mac. The reader display will show USB CONNECTED and BATTERY NOT CHARGING.
I downloaded the most recent version of Sony software.
I tried a different cable.
**I tried to boot in 32 bit mode**

Nothing worked. The reader simply is not detected.

Is anyone else having this problem?

Thanks.