is there a guide for how to use an ereader in linux?

[ottdmk]

Just to mention: I'm running ADE 2.0.1 under Wine in FreeBSD. The installation was slightly painful, I'll admit. You have to follow the directions on the Wine page quite closely, and it takes a while. It also doesn't look quite right when running. However, it does the job. (I need ADE to borrow library books.)

[latepaul]

I tried once to get ADE 2.0 working under Wine but gave up pretty quickly. I've not come across an ADE book that I couldn't open with 1.7 yet. But then Most of my books are from Amazon.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The question is, can you still get ADE 1.72? Without it, Linux is a boat anchor.

Getting the ADE has been a big part of the problem. Actually when you follow Alf's "old" tools for Linux and you go to the link for ADE it takes you to an error page. (I haven't tried the new Alf tools yet.)

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

You have to make sure, when you drag and drop via USB, that you put the books into the documents directory, not the root directory, of the Kindle.

Ok. Thanks Susan. That's the sort of thing I was wondering about.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Instead of Wine, you could also use vmware and run a complete windows on it for the only purpse of downloading and de-drm ing anything. Only need ADE, calibre, apprentice alf plugin installed. Turn off updates in Windows (no need to keep your virtual machine up to date). Once the books are dedrmed, just copy them to linux and import them to the linux calibre. Save the state of the virtual machine just after everything works and before it breaks - this way if Windows self-destructs, you can always go back to the state it was in that worked. You may even be able to share the same library in vmwin-calibre and linux-calibre, but I would recommend against it for security. Only use a shared folder between vmware and linux for transfer of dedrmed books. For Kindle books either use linux calibre, or make your virtual machine work whichever you prefer.

howto for vmware player: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/18768...vmware-player/ this should be close enough to adapt to the xubuntu flavor (the xubuntu vmware player does exist)

This sounds really great, Tigger, thanks. And thanks for the link. I don't really anticipate having a lot of books to DEDRM so that would be ideal. I hung with everything you said except near the end.

Only use a shared folder between vmware and linux for transfer of dedrmed books.

So when I'm done DeDRMing the books in vmware then I put them in a folder and then close out vmware and transfer what's in the folder to a new folder in linux (or Calibre)?

Is there a risk of getting a virus from the vmware?

For Kindle books either use linux calibre, or make your virtual machine work whichever you prefer.

Okay, why wouldn't I do the DEDRMing of all the ebooks with DRM in vmware?

I realize I need to learn more about how vmware works but this sounds really promising. Esp. if it will work on Xubuntu.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@Gregg Bell - you could get something like a refurbished HP Mini (because its small) with a kosher Windows 7 licence to do your DRMing etc. Here's a guide to sharing files between Linux and Windows ==>> How to Share Files Between Windows and Linux. And of course there's always the pain free sneakernet option.

Down here a refurbished HP-Mini can be had for ~AU$100, I would think a lot fewer US$'s over there. Yes, I am aware of your problems with a refurbished Sony Reader.

In essence I agree with JSWolf's sentiments in post #6.

Kovid Goyal makes some interesting observations in which you might be interested ==>> Linux definitely has more problems than any other OS...



BR

Thanks BR. Oh man, you don't know how close I've come to getting something. (I'm more Dell-ish than HP though.) Refurbished, yes. But 4GB RAM, 250GB Hardrive 3+Megahertz processor and all for under $150 USD. But then waiting on all the MS updates. Anti-virus etc. etc.

I still might do it. (On Black Friday Newegg had an HP for $59! W/Windows 7.)

Yeah, Linux has problems. I agree. But it's also so satisfying somehow too.

Thanks for the links. The transfer may come in very handy. (Although with my low tech-ness sneakernet is very appealing. ) And interesting to get the technical side of the situation from Kovid's post.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by theducks

When you try to 'download' an EPUB Firefox will open it
You find Books with your browser (Firefox), just as normal. The only difference is if it is type EPUB it opens a new tab with the book.
If the book is inside a Zip/RAR: you extract as any other archive, the select open with Firefox

WINE is only needed to run ADE (1.7) DRM to read infested books

I ended up removing the PI as I wanted most books to SAVE initially and 'ASK' was not a configuration option.

Thanks ducks. I'm going to re-visit it. I really started there (Firefox and the Epub reader there) then got drawn away by Chrome (and Calibre's eBook Viewer).

[Gregg Bell]

You know, the whole Windows/Linux debate. As you know I'm a late entry (I'm really just a writer) to this whole issue. The 'end of XP' is what got me hearing about Linux. And so the computer I had (which was working well) was suddenly going to be garbage. So a friend helped me install Xubuntu on it. Well, it worked so much faster, so much more reliably than XP ever did that I was blown away. Add to that that that with the XP I had my fair share of time spent at bleepingcomputer dot com and computerhope dot com and tech support guy and that it took seven or eight minutes just to effectively open the computer, well, that really added to me being smitten by Linux.

And as rccentros said, quite eloquently, there is something edifying, in my case deeply edifying, about learning and working through the issues that come up in Linux.

Now that's a two-edged sword. Lately with Alf's tools and trying to get some other stuff I'm really getting pretty sick of trying to figure out some of the winding directions to install stuff. And I mean that. I am so close to getting a cheap refurbished Windows 7 installed Dell and dual booting. (And when I'm frustrated enough single booting--with Windows!)

But Linux and me are pals by now.

And Linux people are so willing to help you. It's awesome.

A long time ago I saw a tutorial on Linux and the "expert" said Linux was fantastic for servers but terrrible for the individual PC-type user. He said Linux crashed all the time and was generally unreliable.

Well, all I can say is (from an individual PC-type user) I have no idea what that guy was talking about. Linux has run cleaner, more dependably on my 12 year old Dell than many of the much newer Windows computers in the office where I work.

And Linux is a computer. I've enjoyed learning about it. I do stuff on the command line. I don't have forever to do it but it's fun to know this stuff (as opposed to just clicking on buttons in Windows).

Let's face it both Windows and Linux have advantages. But I'm still leaning toward Linux. And it's motivating--David vs. Goliath. Bill "monopoly" Gates vs all the awesome Linux volunteers.

[DuckieTigger]

Re: risk of virus from vmware:

No there is virtually no risk to catch a virus (pun intended). The reason I suggest for the Windows computer (what runs in vmware is practically a whole simulated computer hardware and all) to not have too broad write access to your real file system is corruption (not necessary virus only). Even though you could give vmware full access to the directory that contains your calibre library for convenience. The problem I see is the chance of the database getting corrupted by simultaneous access of the calibre in linux and the calibre in windows. Also having the epub books in your real calibre library in linux and in your virtual machine is good in case something happens to your library before you can back it up off the computer.

As for the calibre in windows (vm) or the calibre in linux concerning Kindle books - that will be up to you to decide. Make it work in linux, then you don't need to start the VM to buy Kindle books. Or make the book downloading / dedrming both in windows and only setup Alf and friends up once.

On a 12 year old computer you might get a big performance hit when running the VM, it is naturally slower compared to dual booting on same computer even.

[arjaybe]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Let's face it both Windows and Linux have advantages. But I'm still leaning toward Linux. And it's motivating--David vs. Goliath. Bill "monopoly" Gates vs all the awesome Linux volunteers.

If you're going to use Linux you'll have to get used to this. Windows users especially, it's not so common with Apple users, seem to take it personally and as a challenge. If you ever admit to the least difficulty, they will rush to point out how Windows is so much easier. If you try to explain that you enjoy using Linux and actually prefer it, they will explain how that's not possible, you're simply deluding yourself.

My experience is that it's best to either ignore them or, if they matter to you, thank them for their concern and try to move on.

I'm glad to see that you've discovered some of the hidden benefits of Linux. We get the satisfaction of solving things, and of being amongst people who enjoy helping us solve things. I don't think most Windows users get to experience that.

So, Gregg, don't worry about how difficult it is for Kovid to write code for all those different versions of Linux. You only have to figure it out for one. And you will, with the help you get here and in your other communities. Don't panic, and don't lose your towel.-)

rjb

[JSWolf]

But Windows is easier to use and less headaches and less dependency issues. Windows 7 runs very well. Windows 8.1 with Classic Start Menu runs very well.

Both are more reliable then XP and faster.

[arjaybe]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But Windows is easier to use and less headaches and less dependency issues.

Do you have evidence for that? My OS is easy to use, doesn't give me headaches and has no dependency issues. Mind you, I've never been a Windows or Apple user, so I don't have any experience with their problems to compare to.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by arjaybe

Do you have evidence for that? My OS is easy to use, doesn't give me headaches and has no dependency issues. Mind you, I've never been a Windows or Apple user, so I don't have any experience with their problems to compare to.

I have read about many more dependency issues with Linux then with Windows.

Kovid says that most support issues are from Linux users even though they are a small percentage of Calibre users.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Re: risk of virus from vmware:

No there is virtually no risk to catch a virus (pun intended). The reason I suggest for the Windows computer (what runs in vmware is practically a whole simulated computer hardware and all) to not have too broad write access to your real file system is corruption (not necessary virus only). Even though you could give vmware full access to the directory that contains your calibre library for convenience. The problem I see is the chance of the database getting corrupted by simultaneous access of the calibre in linux and the calibre in windows. Also having the epub books in your real calibre library in linux and in your virtual machine is good in case something happens to your library before you can back it up off the computer.

As for the calibre in windows (vm) or the calibre in linux concerning Kindle books - that will be up to you to decide. Make it work in linux, then you don't need to start the VM to buy Kindle books. Or make the book downloading / dedrming both in windows and only setup Alf and friends up once.

On a 12 year old computer you might get a big performance hit when running the VM, it is naturally slower compared to dual booting on same computer even.

Enjoyed the pun. I've heard the virtual boxes are slow. I single booted the XP I have so dual booting isn't an option. Slow or not I'm thinking the VM is my best shot at this point. Esp. since I'm not going to have to be doing it a lot. Thanks for the info. I never think about corruption. In my mind everything lasts forever.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by arjaybe

If you're going to use Linux you'll have to get used to this. Windows users especially, it's not so common with Apple users, seem to take it personally and as a challenge. If you ever admit to the least difficulty, they will rush to point out how Windows is so much easier. If you try to explain that you enjoy using Linux and actually prefer it, they will explain how that's not possible, you're simply deluding yourself.

My experience is that it's best to either ignore them or, if they matter to you, thank them for their concern and try to move on.

I'm glad to see that you've discovered some of the hidden benefits of Linux. We get the satisfaction of solving things, and of being amongst people who enjoy helping us solve things. I don't think most Windows users get to experience that.

So, Gregg, don't worry about how difficult it is for Kovid to write code for all those different versions of Linux. You only have to figure it out for one. And you will, with the help you get here and in your other communities. Don't panic, and don't lose your towel.-)

rjb

Thanks rjb. Yeah, you know Linux almost becomes like a lifestyle thing. I was so upset about not being to do my work flow exclusively on Linux (I thought I needed Kindle Previewer and hence Windows). Then someone showed me how to do Kindlegen in the command line and someone reminded me of KDP's previewer and I was celebrating! Ha ha.

You only have to figure it out for one.

That's a really good point.