Kobo and Linux - situation in 2017?

[kite]

I'm one of the economic refugees from XP-land to Linux Mint. My tech skills are medium-poor-patchy, though I can get lucky with simple cookbook instructions.

What is the current situation around connecting a Kobo to a Linux desktop/laptop via USB cable so I can downgrade Kobo software/firmware?

I've got a Aura HD but I assume that the method is common with other models. Is this so?

I've found that Kobo offer no Linux support.
And that downloading the Kobo Desktop program to my Linux computer is blocked in both Firefox and Chromium browsers.

Currently when I connect the PC and Kobo via USB the Kobo is recognised but File manger shows no folders or files on the device.

[jcn363]

Originally Posted by kite

...Currently when I connect the PC and Kobo via USB the Kobo is recognised but File manger shows no folders or files on the device.

I have not problem at all with Mint.
It mounts kobo in /media/user/KOBOeReader

Good luck.

[davidfor]

And the only directories on the device after the initial setup have names that start with dot. You might need to get the file manager you are using to show system files and directories.

[kite]

Ooo, this is good.
Just had to go to File Manager/Edit/Preferences and check "Show hidden and backup files", and then navigate to

Originally Posted by jcn363

/media/user/KOBOeReader

and there is .kobo and .kobo-images

Thanks

[GERGE]

Or just set an alias for "your_file_manager your_kobo_folder".

[the.Mtn.Man]

Yeah, Kobo works great with Linux. Use Calibre for maintaining your collection and transferring books to your device.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by davidfor

And the only directories on the device after the initial setup have names that start with dot. You might need to get the file manager you are using to show system files and directories.

In Linux Mint you just hit CTRL+h to toggle hidden files on and off.

[rashkae]

Kobo Desktop Software does *not* work with Linux, but you don't need it. (You, do, however, need Wifi so the Kobo can connect to the Internet and take care of itself. This can be worked around, if that's your preference, but that takes a bit of skillz, or, at least, the patience to find and follow instructions.)

As far as sideloading (both content and firware updates.), as already mentioned above, Kobo works just as well on Linux as Windows/Mac.

[filmo]

Calibre E-book management is free open source program. Easy to use and install onto any Linux OS by following instructions on calibre download for linux page.

https://calibre-ebook.com/about

https://calibre-ebook.com/download_linux

[sjfan]

Originally Posted by rashkae

Kobo Desktop Software does *not* work with Linux, but you don't need it. (You, do, however, need Wifi so the Kobo can connect to the Internet and take care of itself. This can be worked around, if that's your preference, but that takes a bit of skillz, or, at least, the patience to find and follow instructions.)

If you’re using Calibre to manage your books, it’ll also automatically prompt you about whether you want to install new firmware updates or not—and it will install them for you if you say yes. It’s probably best to keep wifi off, since with it on you’ll be forced into new firmware updates without a chance to opt out (unless you’ve patched your firmware to avoid that).

But if you want to use Kobo’s ecosystem, you will probably want wifi.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by sjfan

If you’re using Calibre to manage your books, it’ll also automatically prompt you about whether you want to install new firmware updates or not—and it will install them for you if you say yes.

Just to be clear, that is a part of the Kobo Utilities plugin. It isn't native to calibre.

[sjfan]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Just to be clear, that is a part of the Kobo Utilities plugin. It isn't native to calibre.

Right, yes. You'll certainly want the Kobo Utils plugin if you're using a kobo with calibre, and that does require a couple of clicks to install.