travelling with epub reader? - Page 3

HarryT · 07-11-2014, 02:08 PM

You certainly may struggle to find somewhere with WiFi, yes, but if you do find it, it will work. It's not like mobile phone networks, which come in several different and incompatible flavours.

pidgeon92 · 07-11-2014, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.p.s

I am pretty sure that there are holes (some quite large) in wifi and cellular coverage all over the world. That is most certainly a limitation.

If you're stuck in the middle of a desert with no wi-fi, I doubt that getting a new novel to read is your biggest worry.

HarryT · 07-11-2014, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

If you're stuck in the middle of a desert with no wi-fi, I doubt that getting a new novel to read is your biggest worry.

Depends where the desert is. Most parts of the Egyptian desert have wonderful mobile phone coverage - absolutely fabulous

. Far, far better than in the UK where, if you go a few miles off the beaten track, your phone says "No Signal".

eschwartz · 07-11-2014, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billi

Read one of the 1473 books you have on your device.

And stop this my-neighbour-has-such-nice-things-I-must-have-them-too-immediately.

But the Kindle Paperwhite only holds an average of of 1100 books, not 1473 (since they cut the storage). Don't you have any pity for all those PW owners who are always running out of saved reading material and are in desperate need for more books while in the desert?

bgalbrecht · 07-12-2014, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

But the Kindle Paperwhite only holds an average of of 1100 books, not 1473 (since they cut the storage). Don't you have any pity for all those PW owners who are always running out of saved reading material and are in desperate need for more books while in the desert?

That's why he has an epub reader. Most of them (except for the latest Nook) have an SD card slot so that it's harder to run out of books.

Personally, I'm not worried about running out of material, I'm worried about missing a sale. Maybe I should just post to the Ebook Buying Addicts' Support Thread instead.

AnemicOak · 07-12-2014, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattrix

I see.
The senario was that the book wasn't on the Kobo store.

I'm sure there must be books not available from kobo. Or is their some international agreement that distributors like Kobo,Amazon must be provided access to all epubs published anywhere.

Amazon doesn't sell ePubs at all. Kobo, while having a lot of what's out there doesn't have quite as big a catalog (they have fewer small & self-pubbed titles) as Amazon.

If the book isn't in the Kobo store there will generally be one of two scenarios.

1) It will be a DRM-Free ePub (most small/indie/digital first pubs & Smashwords don't use DRM) in which case you can use the Kobo devices web browser and it will download the ePub and add it to your readers library.

2) It will have DRM. Assuming it's Adobe DRM, the Kobo browser will offer to download the acsm file, but the device doesn't know what to do with it (unlike Sony devices) so you won't be able to download directly to the device.

Of course if one has a laptop with them you can download either DRM'd or DRM-Free ePub's to that and then transfer them to the Kobo via USB.

Ripplinger · 07-12-2014, 01:06 AM

When traveling (and I count traveling even as going downtown for a day!

) I always have at least 300 books with me. That avoids the immediate "gotta-have-this-book-NOW!" thing, as I always have plenty to read. I'd simply make a note of the book and get it when I'm back home.

But in case I really really need it right then and there that day, when out of town I always have my netbook with me, which is loaded with Calibre and Uncle Alf, so once I got back to my netbook, I could hunt down the best price and sideload it to my reader. And that's barring any problems trying to buy through my US accounts if traveling overseas.

But I really can't imagine anytime I couldn't wait until I got home, unless it was a much needed translation dictionary maybe depending on where I was.

mattrix · 07-12-2014, 09:14 PM

Thanks everyone,

Kudos to AnemicOak who answered the question I should have asked.

Quote:

...the Kobo browser will offer to download the acsm file, but the device doesn't know what to do with it (unlike Sony devices) so you won't be able to download directly to the device.

Don't know why, but I thought all DRM compatable readers could do that, not just Sony.

eschwartz · 07-12-2014, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgalbrecht

That's why he has an epub reader. Most of them (except for the latest Nook) have an SD card slot so that it's harder to run out of books.

It is already more than hard enough.

Any device will hold at least a few hundred books, and any other than the Nook (that restricts sideloaded books) can hold 1000+, and that gives you enough reading material for a year even as a voracious reader. Assuming all books are on there because you want to read them, there should be no worries.

I rarely venture past 500 MB of used storage and have never run out of books on my device. But then again, I have never been away from the computer for more than a month.

(This takes into account the need to keep ALL favorites for random reference, for most of the memory usage.)

I hate the myth that expandable storage is a must-have for ereaders. Tablets, yes -- because a single movie can be 1GB+ and you can run out of new material in two days if you really try.

And by the same extension, like Billi said -- why must there be any sort of desperate-need-to-have-OMG-NEW-BOOK-immediately!! (!!!) ? Read one of the 1000+ books you already have (which you have because you want to read them too) and get the new one when you get the chance.

rcentros · 07-13-2014, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattrix

So you head off to the nearest internet cafe, find the book on some online bookstore, as a DRM'ed epub.

What do you do now?

Well, if you're using a Nook, you can buy Nook books directly from Barnes & Noble using the Nook device. If you're using a Kobo or Sony T1, T2 or T3, you can directly buy books from Kobo's online book store. On my Sony T2, I can also buy books from online standard DRM ePub sellers, as the Sony has built-in ADE. At least I think I can. I know I can download ePub books directly from Overdrive without having to use the computer.

Of course that's no guarantee that I will have instant access to any eBook that was ever published. These things are not miracle workers.

bobstro · 07-13-2014, 12:44 PM

I think deftly stealing your neighbor's device is the way to go. No dealing with sketchy wifi, no credit card concerns, no DRM foolishness.

rcentros · 07-15-2014, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

But the Kindle Paperwhite only holds an average of of 1100 books, not 1473 (since they cut the storage). Don't you have any pity for all those PW owners who are always running out of saved reading material and are in desperate need for more books while in the desert?

What difference does it make if you have 1100 books if the one you want to read is not one of those 1100? The whole point of 3G and WiFi features on eReaders is to get books when you want them. It seems like there is a tendency to get sidetracked in these threads with irrelevant observations.

eschwartz · 07-15-2014, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

What difference does it make if you have 1100 books if the one you want to read is not one of those 1100? The whole point of 3G and WiFi features on eReaders is to get books when you want them. It seems like there is a tendency to get sidetracked in these threads with irrelevant observations.

I will come to Billi's defense (even though properly your comment should've been addressed to her):

That is the sacrifice you make when you go traveling without immediate access to WiFi.

Her whole point was "And stop this my-neighbour-has-such-nice-things-I-must-have-them-too-immediately."

Tarana · 07-15-2014, 10:12 AM

Been there done that. I had no idea when next I would be home (I was caring for a relative). I had a Nook, B&N had it, I bought it and downloaded it directly. When I got home, I downloaded it to the computer, removed DRM to add to my library. If it was a Kindle book, I could have done the same thing. Many other smaller publishers actually let you email your book directly to your kindle as well.

I only buy from sources where I know I can remove DRM. Doesn't matter to me how badly I want it. I just consider it unavailable and move on.

Last summer was a hassle to download Baen book bundles without having a computer, but they have fixed that for both the Nook (US) and the Kindle (US and Europe).

bobstro · 07-15-2014, 10:47 AM

The premise of the question seems to be that you've got occasional access to a computer at an Internet cafe and can install necessary apps and download the DRM-encumbered ebook on that computer. I assume you have a USB cable for computer-to-device transfer. (If not, this is really getting silly.) Assuming you used the same Adobe accounts on computer and reader, copying it over shouldn't be a big deal, though we can argue the wisdom of entering account information into an Internet cafe computer.

If the question is whether it's possible to be in a situation where you can't access that hot new title you absolutely must have, the answer is "YES". You might have access to wifi and an online bookstore, only to find that the title is only available in a format/DRM that your device doesn't support (e.g. you've got a Kobo and it's an Amazon-only title.)

If the question is how to be best prepared for any eventuality, my answer is to carry a device capable of supporting the widest range of online stores and formats possible. This likely means a general-purpose tablet of some sort, pre-loaded before your departure with a number of apps with in-app purchasing, all pre-authorized as needed with Adobe accounts (need to be online to authorize). If THAT doesn't cover all your bases, assuming you can get to wifi at some point, Aldiko is capable of reading .acsm files directly and downloading the title.

Alternately, shop carefully for your single-source device before purchasing to make sure it provides access to an online store covering your favorite publishers and authors.

I assume most of this would work on a T68 just fine.

All this assumes you remembered to pack a charger and that there's sufficient light to see your device.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
PRS-T1 travelling with your T1	lmcread	Sony Reader	13	04-10-2012 04:55 PM
ebook reader for travelling	merapi	Which one should I buy?	1	10-22-2011 09:12 PM
Travelling to Mexico	flossie	Which one should I buy?	2	01-02-2011 09:36 PM
PRS-300 URGENT - Travelling with Sony Reader Pocket	jtdavies1000	Sony Reader	6	12-21-2009 07:34 AM
Travelling with the Cybook	tompe	Bookeen	31	04-02-2008 09:26 PM

07-11-2014, 02:08 PM	#31
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,556 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	You certainly may struggle to find somewhere with WiFi, yes, but if you do find it, it will work. It's not like mobile phone networks, which come in several different and incompatible flavours.

07-12-2014, 01:06 AM	#37
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	When traveling (and I count traveling even as going downtown for a day! ) I always have at least 300 books with me. That avoids the immediate "gotta-have-this-book-NOW!" thing, as I always have plenty to read. I'd simply make a note of the book and get it when I'm back home. But in case I really really need it right then and there that day, when out of town I always have my netbook with me, which is loaded with Calibre and Uncle Alf, so once I got back to my netbook, I could hunt down the best price and sideload it to my reader. And that's barring any problems trying to buy through my US accounts if traveling overseas. But I really can't imagine anytime I couldn't wait until I got home, unless it was a much needed translation dictionary maybe depending on where I was.

07-13-2014, 12:44 PM	#41
bobstro Zealot Posts: 100 Karma: 440392 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: MA Device: Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014,Hisense Sero Pro 7,Kobo Aura, Kobo Mini	I think deftly stealing your neighbor's device is the way to go. No dealing with sketchy wifi, no credit card concerns, no DRM foolishness.

07-15-2014, 10:12 AM	#44
Tarana Wizard Posts: 4,039 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	Been there done that. I had no idea when next I would be home (I was caring for a relative). I had a Nook, B&N had it, I bought it and downloaded it directly. When I got home, I downloaded it to the computer, removed DRM to add to my library. If it was a Kindle book, I could have done the same thing. Many other smaller publishers actually let you email your book directly to your kindle as well. I only buy from sources where I know I can remove DRM. Doesn't matter to me how badly I want it. I just consider it unavailable and move on. Last summer was a hassle to download Baen book bundles without having a computer, but they have fixed that for both the Nook (US) and the Kindle (US and Europe).

07-15-2014, 10:47 AM	#45
bobstro Zealot Posts: 100 Karma: 440392 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: MA Device: Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014,Hisense Sero Pro 7,Kobo Aura, Kobo Mini	The premise of the question seems to be that you've got occasional access to a computer at an Internet cafe and can install necessary apps and download the DRM-encumbered ebook on that computer. I assume you have a USB cable for computer-to-device transfer. (If not, this is really getting silly.) Assuming you used the same Adobe accounts on computer and reader, copying it over shouldn't be a big deal, though we can argue the wisdom of entering account information into an Internet cafe computer. If the question is whether it's possible to be in a situation where you can't access that hot new title you absolutely must have, the answer is "YES". You might have access to wifi and an online bookstore, only to find that the title is only available in a format/DRM that your device doesn't support (e.g. you've got a Kobo and it's an Amazon-only title.) If the question is how to be best prepared for any eventuality, my answer is to carry a device capable of supporting the widest range of online stores and formats possible. This likely means a general-purpose tablet of some sort, pre-loaded before your departure with a number of apps with in-app purchasing, all pre-authorized as needed with Adobe accounts (need to be online to authorize). If THAT doesn't cover all your bases, assuming you can get to wifi at some point, Aldiko is capable of reading .acsm files directly and downloading the title. Alternately, shop carefully for your single-source device before purchasing to make sure it provides access to an online store covering your favorite publishers and authors. I assume most of this would work on a T68 just fine. All this assumes you remembered to pack a charger and that there's sufficient light to see your device.