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

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by arjaybe

Does this ADE stuff need the Internet? If not, you don't even have to let Windows expose itself.

Yes, of course it does. That's how it downloads your book .

[kacir]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I have the prefect guide for using a Reader from Linux.

Step 1. Install Windows
Step 2 forget Linux
Step 3. Install ADE 2.01, nook study, Kindle For PC
Step 4. Install Calibre
Step 5 Install the DRM removal plugin
Step 6. Configure the plugin and Calibre
Step 7. Enjoy!

Earlier I wrote that everyone has permission to like, and even consider superior whatever system [s]he likes.

I would just ask you to kindly:

- edit your post and add a dot '.' after number five. It looks jarring

- somewhere before or after point two add following:
-- activate the system through the Internet and humbly ask for permission to use your own computer with an OS that you have paid for with a good money.
-- spend couple of hours making backup of your restore partition (unless you have Lenovo, where you can't make a backup media to restore in case of HD failure) (If you have Toshiba notebook spend additional 15 minutes looking for bloody program to make backup, because it isn't available as a shortcut anywhere)
-- spend two days removing crapware that came installed on your notebook "out of the box" and is helpfully included in an image for restoring your notebook to the "factory default"
-- spend whole day updating the system
-- purchase an antivirus program that will eat up computer resources and inspect every single file before opening. Symantec Notron AntiCPU is a good choice. -- oh wait ... it already came installed with the crapware bundle, all you need is start paying (or spend whole day removing the bloody thing so you can purchase something saner and less anti-CPU)
-- install antimalware software
-- spend half a day on the net figuring out how to operate Internet Explorer in its default "metro" mode, how to switch to desktop, how to install proper start menu
-- spend another couple of days installing:
--- same file manager (such as Total Commander)
--- sane browser, media player, PDF reader, archiver, even decent text editor, mp3 playing software, decent media player, image viewer, ...
--- pay for office (it already came installed and will ask for ransom to access your own documents after the free period is over), system for making backup image (such as Acronis True Image), and other utilities that are included in any good distro by default

- add following after point 8:
-- keep paying for Antivirus
-- keep removing crap and malware that your broswer and OS *will* get infested with when used by:
1. your teenage kids
2. your pre-teenage kids
3. other hosuehold members that are less technically savvy than you

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Most computers come with Windows. Just do a recovery install to go back to Windows as it came.

But then you would still be stuck with Windows. Ugh! Besides, Windows on my 12 year old computer would be about worthless -- and XP (the newest version that would run) became slower than molasses with SP 3.

BTW, Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays everyone.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by kacir

Earlier I wrote that everyone has permission to like, and even consider superior whatever system [s]he likes.

I would just ask you to kindly:

- edit your post and add a dot '.' after number five. It looks jarring

- somewhere before or after point two add following:
-- activate the system through the Internet and humbly ask for permission to use your own computer with an OS that you have paid for with a good money.
-- spend couple of hours making backup of your restore partition (unless you have Lenovo, where you can't make a backup media to restore in case of HD failure) (If you have Toshiba notebook spend additional 15 minutes looking for bloody program to make backup, because it isn't available as a shortcut anywhere)
-- spend two days removing crapware that came installed on your notebook "out of the box" and is helpfully included in an image for restoring your notebook to the "factory default"
-- spend whole day updating the system
-- purchase an antivirus program that will eat up computer resources and inspect every single file before opening. Symantec Notron AntiCPU is a good choice. -- oh wait ... it already came installed with the crapware bundle, all you need is start paying (or spend whole day removing the bloody thing so you can purchase something saner and less anti-CPU)
-- install antimalware software
-- spend half a day on the net figuring out how to operate Internet Explorer in its default "metro" mode, how to switch to desktop, how to install proper start menu
-- spend another couple of days installing:
--- same file manager (such as Total Commander)
--- sane browser, media player, PDF reader, archiver, even decent text editor, mp3 playing software, decent media player, image viewer, ...
--- pay for office (it already came installed and will ask for ransom to access your own documents after the free period is over), system for making backup image (such as Acronis True Image), and other utilities that are included in any good distro by default

- add following after point 8:
-- keep paying for Antivirus
-- keep removing crap and malware that your broswer and OS *will* get infested with when used by:
1. your teenage kids
2. your pre-teenage kids
3. other hosuehold members that are less technically savvy than you

Exactly. I can do a new Linux Mint install with all drivers and updates -- and with all applications (including LibreOffice) with all their updates in about 40 minutes without a single reboot. I wouldn't even have the first install done on a Windows machine in that time. And for whatever reason, Windows requires several updates -- one after the other -- all of which require at least one reboot. When I have to reinstall one of my kid's Windows computers, it takes about four or five hours ... and they have much faster computers than I do. And this doesn't include all the application installations and updates -- which also have to be done. No, I can't run niche programs in Linux, like Photoshop or AutoCad, but I do have everything I need and use installed -- well, I guess I need to add Calibre at this point, but that literally takes about two minutes.

So Windows might be easy if you buy it preinstalled -- and you don't mind investing time in constantly updating anti-malware -- but it's a royal pain if you have to install it yourself. Much, much more difficult than a Linux installation.

[HarryT]

Most people use computers to run applications on, not because they prefer one operating system over another, and it's perhaps easy to overlook this in our "enthusiasm" for an o/s.

Sure, if you're just buying a computer for web browsing, email, and word processing (which studies have shown is all that many computers get used for), you can use pretty much any o/s you like. If, however, you have more specific application needs, then that drives the choice of o/s.

Eg, I'm a keen photographer, and I'd be lost without Adobe Lightroom, so that constrains my choice of o/s to either Windows or Mac, and my personal preference is for Windows. I'm sure that there probably are Linux apps that can do most of what Lightroom does, but I don't want to have to learn how to use a new app. I'm happy with what I have.

[Terisa de morgan]

When I see all this discussions about Linux, (which one? ), Windows (which one?), I feel I'm lost. I agree with Harry, I choose my computer OS as a tool, not a way of life. I don't feel more tech savvy by running Linux, or more sold to capitalism by running Windows

I however think, however, it's bad or trollish manners coming to a Linux thread with the only advice: Leave the evil, come to God (sorry, leave Linux, come to Windows).

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Most people use computers to run applications on, not because they prefer one operating system over another, and it's perhaps easy to overlook this in our "enthusiasm" for an o/s.

Sure, if you're just buying a computer for web browsing, email, and word processing (which studies have shown is all that many computers get used for), you can use pretty much any o/s you like. If, however, you have more specific application needs, then that drives the choice of o/s.

Eg, I'm a keen photographer, and I'd be lost without Adobe Lightroom, so that constrains my choice of o/s to either Windows or Mac, and my personal preference is for Windows. I'm sure that there probably are Linux apps that can do most of what Lightroom does, but I don't want to have to learn how to use a new app. I'm happy with what I have.

If you have a specific use for your computer -- yes, buy the one that does that job. When folks ask me about Linux, the first question I ask them is, "are you a big game player?" If they yes, I tell them they probably would want to stay with Windows -- or at least plan on dual-booting. If you're one of the few who needs AutoCad or Photoshop, by all means, get a PC with Windows (in the case of AutoCad) or choose a Mac or Windows PC for Photoshop. But to say Linux is only good for web browsing or email is simply not true. There are a lot specialized software packages for Linux. Not many commercial ones -- but that doesn't mean they're not good applications. (With Steam you can even play a lot of the big PC games now -- at least that's what I'm told. I've hardly ever played games on my PC.)

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan

When I see all this discussions about Linux, (which one? ), Windows (which one?), I feel I'm lost. I agree with Harry, I choose my computer OS as a tool, not a way of life. I don't feel more tech savvy by running Linux, or more sold to capitalism by running Windows.

Actually I agree. That's why I use Linux -- because I don't want to spend a lot of time worrying about anti-malware and Windows maintenance (the Registry is a notoriously weak link in the Windows infrastructure).

There was a time when I enjoyed experimenting with different OSes -- Sinclair QL's QDOS, CP/M, DR-DOS, Windows 3.1 (with MS DOS), OS/2, Windows 98, Windows XP -- than various Linuxes (+ Windows 7 on my wife's computer). That time has passed now. I specifically chose the long-term support release version of Linux Mint Mate (2012 to 2017) because I didn't want to play with it or make it "a way of life." I installed it about two and half years ago and I just do automatic updates about every week -- and I get a constantly fresh new version. Meanwhile Windows 8 has come, and will soon go and Linux Mint 13 will still be around for over two more years. Who knows, when (if) I get my new computer, I might install Linux Mint 17 (another LTS release) which will be supported into 2019.

Linux Mint is much easier to install and much easier to maintain than is Windows. And it has longer-term support (if you use the LTS versions).

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by rcentros

But to say Linux is only good for web browsing or email is simply not true.

Of course it's not true, and it's not what I said. I said that if those are your only needs, then you're not constrained in your choice of o/s. There are specialist apps for Linux, just as there are for Windows or MacOS.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Of course it's not true, and it's not what I said. I said that if those are your only needs, then you're not constrained in your choice of o/s. There are specialist apps for Linux, just as there are for Windows or MacOS.

I tend to answer (and see) other's arguments in posts when I shouldn't. I'm sorry for not reading your post carefully.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by rcentros

Linux Mint is much easier to install and much easier to maintain than is Windows. And it has longer-term support (if you use the LTS versions).

Well... I suppose it depends. I have too poor "standard" desktops with Windows 7 for more than 2 years (I think one of them will be 4 years old this New Year and the other six months else, more or less). No maintenance aside of free anti-virus when I purchased it. My previous desktops died with Windows XP (as they were born I think six or seven years previous)... and changing from a computer to the next I only have a problem with a very specific hardware.

And the comment "try Linux" doesn't work, I did it... and cygwin is enough for my needs

At the end, it's the own experience which matters.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by arjaybe

I have it down to six steps:

Step 1. Install Windows in Virtualbox
Skip Step 2.
Steps 3 through 7.

If someone really needs a Windows program, this is the best way. You get to sandbox Windows and still use your chosen OS. Does this ADE stuff need the Internet? If not, you don't even have to let Windows expose itself.

I have a better idea. Change step 1 to...

Step 1. Install Windows OVER Linux

Now you can do away with step 2 as you don't have Linux any longer.

[JSWolf]

But in all honesty, dealing with eBooks, DRM, Calibre, and the various bits of software you need for all of this is actually easier to deal with using Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 as long as you have a new enough processor. You don't have to jump through hoops to get it working under Wine. It just works. I'm not saying it's always going to be smooth sailing, but here it was. I had no trouble with Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. if you do want Linux, dual-boot. That way you can have Windows instead of Wine and you can have the easy of use instead of the hassle that Wine can be.

I've seen others who are on XP get the advices that in order to be able to run Calibre 2.x (later then 2.0), you should move to Linux. That doesn't work. If it's a limitation of the processor, then Qt5 won't work even if you have Linux. I don't see why so many want to stay with XP. XP is no longer supported and it's slow. If you have a processor that can run Windows 8.1, Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 are both faster. In Windows 8.1, I suggest installing Classic Start Menu do get the Start Menu back for a proper desktop.

Before you go to Linux, take stock of what it is you want to do. Can you do it under Linux? Are there programs to do what you want? Even though you want Linux, do you need Windows to run stuff that you cannot under Linux? You can always dual-boot. But if you do run Windows, use Windows for your eBook needs as it just works better overall for that.

[kacir]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I can do a new Linux Mint install with all drivers and updates -- and with all applications (including LibreOffice) with all their updates in about 40 minutes without a single reboot.

And you can browse the net or play or work during the install, because it is done from the Live system.

Originally Posted by HarryT

Most people use computers to run applications on, not because they prefer one operating system over another, and it's perhaps easy to overlook this in our "enthusiasm" for an o/s.

That is why I use Windows at work.
At home, I have all the apps I need.
I have no problem to change the system. I started on Linux, many, many years ago - it was only for persistent nerds and it left much to be desired. So I was dual-booting with Windows 98. Then I used FreeBSD for quite a few years, because I found out it works better and I could install most of software I needed using the excellent ports system. At that time I had relatively weak hardware and with FreeBSD you have very fine-grained control about what exactly runs on your PC.
Later on I got lazy to set up FreeBSD on a new computer - much less constrained computer - so I started to use PC-BSD.
Then came period when standard FreeBSD kernel had problem with my particular hardware configuration. So I have abandoned the ship again and discovered Mint Linux. I was delighted. It came installed out of box configured *exactly* to my taste.
I have changed my Desktop system many times Gnome, KDE, Lxde, xface and quite a few others over the years. As long as it has features I need and stays out of my way I do not really care for "The perfect desktop holly war".

As I wrote in previous post I can use DraftSight on linux - so I even have AutoCAD clone for my hobby needs. I have even started to migrate myself and our department from Autocad software to DraftSight (some of my colleagues prefer Intellicad [Zwcad]) at work, because I strongly dislike attitude of Autodesk towards paying customers (us)

Originally Posted by HarryT

Eg, I'm a keen photographer, and I'd be lost without Adobe Lightroom, so that constrains my choice of o/s to either Windows or Mac, and my personal preference is for Windows. I'm sure that there probably are Linux apps that can do most of what Lightroom does, but I don't want to have to learn how to use a new app.

For Linux enthusiasts there is DarkTable. No. I am not persuading you to ditch your perfectly working system with all the software you acquired and all the know-how you have accumulated over the years.

I consider myself a power user and at work I miss some features that my Mint Linux at home has. On the other hand, I do different things at home. When I went to USA couple of years ago I only took one computer and I needed to change my work-flow (for things I do at home) when using a Windows computer.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

That way you can have Windows instead of Wine and you can have the easy of use instead of the hassle that Wine can be.
...
Before you go to Linux, take stock of what it is you want to do. Can you do it under Linux? Are there programs to do what you want? Even though you want Linux, do you need Windows to run stuff that you cannot under Linux? You can always dual-boot. But if you do run Windows, use Windows for your eBook needs as it just works better overall for that.

Thank you for a much more reasonable post ;-)

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I don't see why so many want to stay with XP. XP is no longer supported and it's slow.

I stay with XP on my old notebook at work. It works. It is *very* fast on Pentium III based notebook, as long as it is a clean install and has minimum of software installed. I need a "clean" computer to connect to a corporate Intranet (belonging to our client) so I can fill in various reports, work logs and other nonsense using desperately bad corporate web apps (many of those were up until very recently optimized for MSIE6).

Other people insist on using XP because that is what they are familiar with. They were able to do the work on that computer for many. many years, so why shouldn't they continue doing exactly the same work? In many cases those people have little understanding of dangers lurking on the net and have no means to pay somebody to do the update for them.

Look at Calibre.
It is free software. It has much better support from developer than the vast majority of commercial products.
It is the proof that free software can be really good.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by kacir

And you can browse the net or play or work during the install, because it is done from the Live system.

That is why I use Windows at work.
At home, I have all the apps I need.
I have no problem to change the system. I started on Linux, many, many years ago - it was only for persistent nerds and it left much to be desired. So I was dual-booting with Windows 98. Then I used FreeBSD for quite a few years, because I found out it works better and I could install most of software I needed using the excellent ports system. At that time I had relatively weak hardware and with FreeBSD you have very fine-grained control about what exactly runs on your PC.
Later on I got lazy to set up FreeBSD on a new computer - much less constrained computer - so I started to use PC-BSD.
Then came period when standard FreeBSD kernel had problem with my particular hardware configuration. So I have abandoned the ship again and discovered Mint Linux. I was delighted. It came installed out of box configured *exactly* to my taste.
I have changed my Desktop system many times Gnome, KDE, Lxde and quite a few others over the years.

As I wrote in previous post I can use DraftSight on linux - so I even have AutoCAD clone for my hobby needs. I have even started to migrate myself and our department from Autocad software to DraftSight (some of my colleagues prefer Intellicad [Zwcad]) at work, because I strongly dislike attitude of Autodesk towards paying customers (us)

For Linux enthusiasts there is DarkTable. No. I am not persuading you to ditch your perfectly working system with all the software you acquired and all the know-how you have accumulated over the years.

I consider myself a power user and at work I miss some features that my Mint Linux at home has. On the other hand, I do different things at home. When I went to USA couple of years ago I only took one computer and I needed to change my work-flow (for things I do at home) when using a Windows computer.


Thank you for a much more reasonable post ;-)
I stay with XP on my old notebook at work. It works. It is *very* fast on Pentium III based notebook, as long as it is a clean install and has minimum of software installed. I need a "clean" computer to connect to a corporate Intranet (belonging to our client) so I can fill in various reports, work logs and other nonsense using desperately bad corporate web apps (many of those were up until very recently optimized for MSIE6).

Other people insist on using XP because that is what they are familiar with. They were able to do the work on that computer for many. many years, so why shouldn't they continue doing exactly the same work? In many cases those people have little understanding of dangers lurking on the net and have no means to pay somebody to do the update for them.

Look at Calibre.
It is free software. It has much better support from developer than the vast majority of commercial products.
It is the proof that free software can be really good.

If I ever did decide to give Linux a try, I would dual-boot because I would not want to lose what I already have. I know you can do a lot of Windows things using Wine, but some things are a hassle to do. For example, using ADE 2.01 under Wine is a hassle. It can be done, but is the effort worth it if I have a perfectly good working Windows setup? I think not. But dual-booting is better (IMHO) then a virtual environment. A VM will slow you down.

Not all software has to be pay. There's a lot of good free software for all the major OSs and Calibre is one of the best. Heck, I use a number of free programs. Not all are open source, but they work and work well.

I know people don't like to hear they are best to switch operating systems to get done what they want done. The only OS that really needs a switch is XP if you have a processor capable of running Windows 8.1. XP is slow and no longer supported by Calibre or Sigil. And if you don't know what your processor is capable of, then you'll possible have crashes and data loss. Switching to Linux from XP won't help if the process is not up to the task. They only think Linux will do is allow you to install versions of Calibre and Sigil that might not work.

I've been using Windows 8.1 with Classic Start menu and it runs very well and is not slow. Without Classic Start menu, I find Windows 8.1 to be clunky and not so easy to use. The Metro interface feels more like an afterthought then an integral part of Windows 8.

One problem with some versions of Linux is that the users get their software/updates from the repository and that's not always kept updated. We quite often see Calibre support messages from a Linux user who is using some outdated version of Calibre or some outdated support software because the repository is not updated. This is one issue with Linux that is more common then some realize.

But overall, if it works and you know what you are doing, that's great (whatever the OS). XP is the only OS I'd seriously say to dump even if it is currently working. And in dumping XP, there's also a good chance the computer will need some sort of hardware upgrade.