B&N removed download option on all books in "My Nook" library

[Ken Maltby]

Originally Posted by Joykins

You'd encounter it in downloading, if you have a very large library. The software just doesn't handle very large libraries well, in any respect. It's actually better for reading than downloading or organizing; once you're IN a book it's OK.

My ebook library is in the tens of thousands, the one on my AuraHD is ~7000 My last purchase from B&N (made to test my ability to download, after this change) only took a couple of seconds to download after clicking on the book in Nook for PC. I don't have that many appearing in Nook for PC, of course, as I really don't need any there, after I have processed them.

Luck;
Ken

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

My ebook library is in the tens of thousands, the one on my AuraHD is ~7000 My last purchase from B&N (made to test my ability to download, after this change) only took a couple of seconds to download after clicking on the book in Nook for PC. I don't have that many appearing in Nook for PC, of course, as I really don't need any there, after I have processed them.

If you KNOW exactly what book you want to download, it's OK, because you can search on it and the search is OK.

It's downloading and browsing the entire library that's a problem. Especially if you have it on the "grid" rather than "list" view. That crashed the entire program.

You can't get the books to not show up unless you delete them from the account (even archived books show up on that tab), and I certainly consider the B&N cloud an emergency backup of sorts. I still have the right to access it, anyway.

My overall ebook library is over 3500 but my B&N library is about 1000. I don't have any use for tens of thousands of ebooks yet. I only read at most a couple hundred a year.

[Ken Maltby]

Originally Posted by Joykins

If you KNOW exactly what book you want to download, it's OK, because you can search on it and the search is OK.

It's downloading and browsing the entire library that's a problem. Especially if you have it on the "grid" rather than "list" view. That crashed the entire program.

You can't get the books to not show up unless you delete them from the account (even archived books show up on that tab), and I certainly consider the B&N cloud an emergency backup of sorts. I still have the right to access it, anyway.

My overall ebook library is over 3500 but my B&N library is about 1000. I don't have any use for tens of thousands of ebooks yet. I only read at most a couple hundred a year.

It seems you are using it for much more than I am. I just click on the "Buy Now" button at the B&N site, then find the book I just bought in the Nook for PC program and click on it, which does the download. Sorta like the .ascm files Adobe uses. I admit that I will miss the old way, but it is not much different from Adobe and Amazon.

Luck;
Ken

[taustin]

Originally Posted by Apache

It is not a problem, it is inconvenient and has to many steps. I would prefer to be able to download the file directly to a folder on my HD and use the name of the book as the file name. As it stands now, I have to open Kindle for PC, find each book I have purchased, right click the book and select download. Then I have to navigate to the Kindle for PC Folder open the file to make sure it is the correct book, close Kindle for PC and then change the file name. This is a pain in the lower extremity. At least when B&N had a download button I could download the book directly to my HD.
Apache

As opposed to opening Nook for PC, click once on the title, and again on the download button. I find it's actually quite a bit fewer steps than logging in to my B&N account, multiple mouse clicks to get to the library, click download, make sure it's going to the correct directory or navigate there if not, then click Save. About 1/4 as many steps.

Still buggy software, though, and I'll be surprised if it continues to work when (if) they roll out their new web site next year.

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by taustin

As opposed to opening Nook for PC, click once on the title, and again on the download button. I find it's actually quite a bit fewer steps than logging in to my B&N account, multiple mouse clicks to get to the library, click download, make sure it's going to the correct directory or navigate there if not, then click Save. About 1/4 as many steps.

Still buggy software, though, and I'll be surprised if it continues to work when (if) they roll out their new web site next year.

If they don't continue it they won't be able to sell to anyone who doesn't have a Nook or will use the Nook app. I wonder how many still shop at B&N that don't have a Nook or use the Nook app. With their prices and lack of customer service it can't be many.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I know all that.

The thought experiment was getting your purchase on a device (or into an app) when all you have is a borrowed, internet-connected PC (that you don't/can't have Kindle for PC on--perhaps you're travelling/visiting), a usb cable and no Wifi. With a registered Kindle device, you can at least download the file for USB transfer using nothing but the browser. With no registered Kindle device in the same scenario, you're out of luck.

The same scenario with Nook (now that they've discontinued browser downloads), and you're completely out of luck.

Of course you're always good to go at home with all the necessary reader programs, your special greasemonkey/tampermonkey scripts installed, and Python with alf-scripts and/or calibre with alf-plugins.

You should be able to (in the leisure of your own home) install K4PC or ADE to a flashdrive and run the executable directly, on another computer. No need for administrative privileges (which the installer itself needs) and you can even put them in say, the PortableApps menu. You would have to login as on a new computer, of course.

[taustin]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

If they don't continue it they won't be able to sell to anyone who doesn't have a Nook or will use the Nook app.

That is correct. And? B&N appear to have chosen to simply go out of business.

[JSWolf]

The way to download eBooks from B&N (not counting the Greasemoney script) is no different then the way I have to do it from Amazon. I have always had to use Kindle for PC to download from Amazon. Now I have to use nook for PC. Same difference really.

[simplyparticular]

Well this explains why I couldn't get into my library several times last week - I kept getting error messages from B&N's site. I've still got $40+ in credit from the ebook settlement and a Christmas gift card. I'll have to see if it lets me order p-books online for my kids - I'm not buying books I can't side load to my Sony.

I haven't owned a Nook in years, and this isn't making me want to.

[Froide]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The way to download eBooks from B&N (not counting the Greasemoney script) is no different then the way I have to do it from Amazon. I have always had to use Kindle for PC to download from Amazon. Now I have to use nook for PC. Same difference really.

If only that were true, in my experience. There's a huge difference, at least for me:

• I've never had problems downloading ebooks to my computer via Kindle for PC (excepting the sizeable number of Kindle books that can only be read via the Kindle Cloud or a Kindle device)
• I've never had problems downloading ebooks to my computer via Kobo for PC
• I've always have trouble downloading ebooks to my computer via NOOK for PC and NOOK Study (both of which are abominable in my experience; the former even more so than the latter): both apps have always taken an inordinate amount of time to load, and more often than not they've frozen

[Wearever]

I also used my credit to download my last Nook Book, I backed up my library. I have also asked family members not to give me anymore B&N gift cards. I just don't want the hassle of backing up another Nook book. I just don't know how much longer B&N will be supporting Nook apps. or anything else in the future. It's a trust issue more than anything else.

[Jane12]

Originally Posted by Froide

... I've never had problems downloading ebooks to my computer via Kindle for PC (excepting the sizeable number of Kindle books that can only be read via the Kindle Cloud or a Kindle)

How sizeable is this number of Kindle books that can't be downloaded to a computer? I thought one of Amazon's selling points was that Kindle books can be read on all your devices.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The way to download eBooks from B&N (not counting the Greasemoney script) is no different then the way I have to do it from Amazon. I have always had to use Kindle for PC to download from Amazon. Now I have to use nook for PC. Same difference really.

I download my Amazon books directly from my Kindle to Calibre. I can't do that with my Nook. The only way I had to download books from B&N was from the website. I don't use a Windows or Mac computer. I use Linux, so the Nook for PC software is not an option. For now the Greasemonkey script works, but I'm definitely no longer buying from B&N just because they're B&N. I used to pick them even when the cost of the book was a bit more because I wanted to help out the "little guy." That's now over.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Jane12

How sizeable is this number of Kindle books that can't be downloaded to a computer? I thought one of Amazon's selling points was that Kindle books can be read on all your devices.

Print Replica, comics, stuff with lots of high-quality pictures will usually say they are only available on certain devices (the ones which will do a good job displaying them).

Most books are novels, and readable on any device. The exceptions are only noticeable when you specifically look for them.

Textbooks, for example, are usually Print Replica. You will need a tablet, either an app or the Fire, to read them (I think the PW may do them also).

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The way to download eBooks from B&N (not counting the Greasemoney script) is no different then the way I have to do it from Amazon. I have always had to use Kindle for PC to download from Amazon. Now I have to use nook for PC. Same difference really.

Kindle for PC and the B&N download link give you files that have cryptic names. The one plus of Nook for PC is that the file name has the book title embedded in it.

On the other hand, while I *have* managed to crash earlier versions of Kindle for PC (rarely), I have had a lot more trouble loading and navigating the library on Nook for PC. It's buggier, especially when dealing with a lot of files. Nook for PC makes more boook downloads take a lot longer on a normal basis. And I can, when purchasing or through Amazon's website "manage your digital content and devices" website "deliver to" function, queue up specific books for Kindle 4 PC to download whenever I next happen to fire the program up. That's a huge plus for me, not having to keep a checklist handy.

That's why I'm upset about the download button being gone (even though I have the script, I don't expect it to work forever and in fact it delivered a few wrong books). It was so much FASTER.