New user and a question - Page 2

HarryT · 08-13-2007, 12:33 PM

So with a device like my Archos media player (which is, I believe, also based on Linux), the fact that it will charge from any "dumb" USB power supply (eg a car charger) is down to the fact that the device itself is saying something like "I see that something is connected to my USB port but I don't care what it is - if it won't talk to me using a mass storage driver I'll see if I can charge from it"?

If that is the case, couldn't the Reader do something similar, given the appropriate firmware code?

athlonkmf · 08-13-2007, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

All those other devices are USB class devices (they have a generic USB driver, typically the bulk storage driver). Windows requires a device to have a driver before initializing it. The SONY reader use a proprietary USB protocol and thus does not have a generic driver, so unless you install some driver either connect or libprs500, windows does not initialize the reader when it is plugged in.

Unix like OSes on the other hand dont have the concept of "registered drivers" so will initialize any USB device and then wait for a driver, either a kernel module or a userspace driver to claim the device.

Yet, all my other USB-devices can charge on my phone's USB-charger (that is an walladapter with instead of the normal powerconnector, has a mini USB-connector), but the SOny Reader can't. So it's also a sony reader problem.

Xenophon · 08-13-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluelight

One more question.

I get the impression Lib500 is a gui that would convert html, lit into lrf. But i can't seem to get that to work. any tutorials for the dummy on how to use. I've searched and all i could see in threads are people seems to know what they are doing in how to use the gui. and I'm still in the dark >.< any help?

libprs500 is many things.

It's a GUI tool for managing books for your eBook reader device, complete with database for book and metadata storage, and support for book transfers via USB.
It contains a bunch of command line tools for converting from various formats to other formats.
It contains a 'beta' of a new implementation of the GUI tool, with many fixes and upgrades and ongoing development.
It also peels potatoes, walks your dog, and whitens your teeth while you sleep.

The part you are asking about is the conversion tools. These run from the command line only (a terminal window on a Unix/Linux/Mac box; a command prompt on Windows), and take a bunch of switches to tell the converters what files to read, what to write, and set bunches of options about how the conversion should proceed. Look for instructions on html2lrf, lit2lrf, and so on. You should find something either here at mobileread, or on the libprs500 web site.

The developer says that he plans to integrate GUI support for conversions into the new GUI at some point. I expect that won't happen until after the beta GUI replaces the current one, i.e. it'll be in the next major round of development. Since I'm not the developer, take that with a wheelbarrow load of salt.

JSWolf · 08-13-2007, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

So with a device like my Archos media player (which is, I believe, also based on Linux), the fact that it will charge from any "dumb" USB power supply (eg a car charger) is down to the fact that the device itself is saying something like "I see that something is connected to my USB port but I don't care what it is - if it won't talk to me using a mass storage driver I'll see if I can charge from it"?

If that is the case, couldn't the Reader do something similar, given the appropriate firmware code?

We have an iGO car charger for our cell phones. All I did was just purchase the PSP tip and now the Sony can be charged in the car.

AmandaPup · 06-17-2008, 12:51 PM

Sorry this was supposed to be a new thread.

AmandaPup

AmandaPup · 06-17-2008, 01:02 PM

Sorry I am having trouble finding "new topic" button. Afraid the color and size of the buttons are not friendly to older eyes. I will learn, I am sure.

Newbie with Sony PRS 505 and a Mac
I got my ereader less than a week ago and really haven't given it too much attention - amazing that - but to prepare for the time when I finish the other reading I have, I feel I need some guidance.

Although I will probably eventually buy some ebooks, I have been downloading from Project Gutenberg and have several titles I want to put on the reader. Although I have a working Windows machine, I prefer to use the Mac which is my primary computer. Thus I haven't even looked at Sony's program even though I did load it. I have seen reference to lib500 which I gather works off the Mac. Where do I find and will I need a tutorial?

There will undoubtedly be more questions when I really start looking at the device, but so far the only thing I have begun to read is the owner's manual.

AmandaPup

astrodad · 06-17-2008, 01:34 PM

Amanda, what you want to do is to get calibre (formerly libprs500), it can convert many formats into the LRF the Reader requires. For the Gutenberg titles, cave you checked our own downloads section here on MobileRead? Many of the popular titles are in there, already formatted for the Reader.

Elsi · 06-17-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplumey

Amanda, what you want to do is to get calibre (formerly libprs500), it can convert many formats into the LRF the Reader requires. For the Gutenberg titles, cave you checked our own downloads section here on MobileRead? Many of the popular titles are in there, already formatted for the Reader.

Yes, before you download and install calibre, check here at the MobileRead E-Books forums and see if any of the books you want are already available in Sony (.lrf) format. Dr. Drib, JSWolf, Patricia, and Madam Broshkina have together uploaded some 2000 books formatted for the Sony reader.

pilotbob · 06-17-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elsi

Yes, before you download and install calibre, check here at the MobileRead E-Books forums and see if any of the books you want are already available in Sony (.lrf) format. Dr. Drib, JSWolf, Patricia, and Madam Broshkina have together uploaded some 2000 books formatted for the Sony reader.

Even if downloading books here in LRF format... calibre will catalog your books and allow you to transfer them from the software. Of course, with the 505 you don't need any software if you have .LRF files... the 505 will mount as a storage device on your mac and you can just drag-n-drop the files to it.

If you want to buy eBooks from Sony you have to use the Sony eBook Library software on a PC. (OR VM, I just got a Mac but haven't set up my Windows VM yet.)

BOb

Elsi · 06-17-2008, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Even if downloading books here in LRF format... calibre will catalog your books and allow you to transfer them from the software.

Ah see ... I have yet to download and install calibre, so I was only thinking about its book-making facilities. I forgot that it had all the support facilities like the catalog.

AmandaPup · 06-19-2008, 01:52 PM

Thanks for all the various hints you have given me. I have d/l'd calibre and between it and the conversion people have kindly made available here, I have loaded a dozen on so books to the reader. Although I know I am not nearly in danger of running out of space, I keep wondering how I get rid of content on the Sony. Mainly I find all the excerpts which they given in hopes you will buy the whole book annoying. Most are not things I would be interested in anyway and so there are just a bunch of titles be to flipped passed to get to one which interests me.

The only thing I found in the Owner's Manual which seemed even vaguely useful had to do with reformatting the device. It would be no problem now since everything is new and I can then reload just what I am interested in reading, but could be a nuisance down the road when I have books I might want to refer back to bookmarked, etc.

Am I just worrying ahead of the curve?

AmandaPup

astrodad · 06-19-2008, 05:21 PM

To remove stuff from the Sony using calibre, just plug the Reader in, fire up calibre, then click on the icon at the top for the Reader (either internal or card, or both) and then click on the book(s) you want and hit 'Remove Books'. You can also manage the metadata contents of the books (tags, etc.) from that view as well.

06-17-2008, 12:51 PM	#20
AmandaPup Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505	Newbie with Sony PRS 505 and a Mac Sorry this was supposed to be a new thread. AmandaPup

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08-13-2007, 12:33 PM	#16
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	So with a device like my Archos media player (which is, I believe, also based on Linux), the fact that it will charge from any "dumb" USB power supply (eg a car charger) is down to the fact that the device itself is saying something like "I see that something is connected to my USB port but I don't care what it is - if it won't talk to me using a mass storage driver I'll see if I can charge from it"? If that is the case, couldn't the Reader do something similar, given the appropriate firmware code?

06-17-2008, 01:02 PM	#21
AmandaPup Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505	Sorry I am having trouble finding "new topic" button. Afraid the color and size of the buttons are not friendly to older eyes. I will learn, I am sure. Newbie with Sony PRS 505 and a Mac I got my ereader less than a week ago and really haven't given it too much attention - amazing that - but to prepare for the time when I finish the other reading I have, I feel I need some guidance. Although I will probably eventually buy some ebooks, I have been downloading from Project Gutenberg and have several titles I want to put on the reader. Although I have a working Windows machine, I prefer to use the Mac which is my primary computer. Thus I haven't even looked at Sony's program even though I did load it. I have seen reference to lib500 which I gather works off the Mac. Where do I find and will I need a tutorial? There will undoubtedly be more questions when I really start looking at the device, but so far the only thing I have begun to read is the owner's manual. AmandaPup

06-17-2008, 01:34 PM	#22
astrodad Guru Posts: 962 Karma: 568242 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kindle Paperwhite 1, iPad, iPhone	Amanda, what you want to do is to get calibre (formerly libprs500), it can convert many formats into the LRF the Reader requires. For the Gutenberg titles, cave you checked our own downloads section here on MobileRead? Many of the popular titles are in there, already formatted for the Reader.

06-19-2008, 01:52 PM	#26
AmandaPup Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505	Thanks for all the various hints you have given me. I have d/l'd calibre and between it and the conversion people have kindly made available here, I have loaded a dozen on so books to the reader. Although I know I am not nearly in danger of running out of space, I keep wondering how I get rid of content on the Sony. Mainly I find all the excerpts which they given in hopes you will buy the whole book annoying. Most are not things I would be interested in anyway and so there are just a bunch of titles be to flipped passed to get to one which interests me. The only thing I found in the Owner's Manual which seemed even vaguely useful had to do with reformatting the device. It would be no problem now since everything is new and I can then reload just what I am interested in reading, but could be a nuisance down the road when I have books I might want to refer back to bookmarked, etc. Am I just worrying ahead of the curve? AmandaPup

06-19-2008, 05:21 PM	#27
astrodad Guru Posts: 962 Karma: 568242 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kindle Paperwhite 1, iPad, iPhone	To remove stuff from the Sony using calibre, just plug the Reader in, fire up calibre, then click on the icon at the top for the Reader (either internal or card, or both) and then click on the book(s) you want and hit 'Remove Books'. You can also manage the metadata contents of the books (tags, etc.) from that view as well.