Kobo management questions from an eReader newb

JJ Johnson · 02-22-2020, 02:19 PM

I have a new Libra H20. I downloaded and have been using Calibre from my Windows 7 machine to load a few free books onto to it. So far, so good.

I keep reading here about 'sync'ing, but don't have a clear idea what that is. I've also heard there's a Kobo desktop application for the reader. Is this software necessary for anything in particular, or does Calibre do everything needed?

Is wifi enabled on the reader by default and needs to be turned off if unneeded, or must it be manually started?

Sirtel · 02-22-2020, 03:08 PM

Syncing is not necessary if you don't buy your ebooks from Kobo. The Kobo desktop software is not necessary either.

You should see for yourself whether the wifi is on or not. There's an icon at the top of the screen when you're on the home page, like an inverted triangle (with the top pointing downward). Tap on it.

stumped · 02-22-2020, 04:10 PM

You may also need sync if you use the borrow books via Overdrive option. Sync will find library loans that you may have checked out on other devices, so long as they are in the kobo catalogue

Articles for pocket will also benefit from sync. And sync will check for firmware updates.

But if all you do is sideload books ,then WiFi can stay off, and sync is unnecessary.

JJ Johnson · 02-22-2020, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stumped

You may also need sync if you use the borrow books via Overdrive option. Sync will find library loans that you may have checked out on other devices, so long as they are in the kobo catalogue

That's good to know, as I plan on using OverDrive. Can I assume that's done through the OverDrive software running on a computer? Does it require a wifi network connection, or can it also be done through a USB connection to the computer running OverDrive?

DNSB · 02-22-2020, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ Johnson

That's good to know, as I plan on using OverDrive. Can I assume that's done through the OverDrive software running on a computer? Does it require a wifi network connection, or can it also be done through a USB connection to the computer running OverDrive?

You can set up Overdrive on your Libra so you can check out books and have them automagically synced to your Libra. Once you have configured Overdrive on your Libra, you'll see an Overdrive option on the search location dropdown.

My personal preference is to use the library web site on my computer and then sync the books after I've checked them out.

If you use multiple libraries, you can configure an Overdrive account connected to those libraries however the search from your Libra will only work with a single library.

If you want to sync the books directly to your Libra, you will need a WiFi connection. An alternative is to use ADE or the Kobo desktop app to download the books to your computer and use an USB connection to send them to to Libra. You could also import them into calibre but I prefer not to do that with library books. I suspect I would find myself justifying not returning the book when the loan period expires since I just need a bit longer to finish reading it so I would prefer not to start down that slippery slope.

stumped · 02-23-2020, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ Johnson

That's good to know, as I plan on using OverDrive. Can I assume that's done through the OverDrive software running on a computer? Does it require a wifi network connection, or can it also be done through a USB connection to the computer running OverDrive?

you have to set up overdrive on the kobo with your library details
then you can either browse and checkout directly on the device, and loans will download, or you can do the browwe and checkout bit elsewhere, and just do a sync on kobo for it to find the checked out books
overdrive is confusingly in the kobo shop section of device menus
1st time you tap it, if there is no library account linked it will guide you through the process

4691mls · 02-24-2020, 09:53 AM

The Kobo Overdrive library sync only works if the library and Kobo store have the exact same edition. I've had some books that won't sync and had to be sideloaded from my PC using ADE. Most books are available to sync but just be aware that you might come across some that don't.

stumped · 02-24-2020, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4691mls

The Kobo Overdrive library sync only works if the library and Kobo store have the exact same edition. I've had some books that won't sync and had to be sideloaded from my PC using ADE. Most books are available to sync but just be aware that you might come across some that don't.

Yes, I came across one recently - spent ages trying to trouble shoot why it would not sync, even though others did, then realized that was probably why

02-22-2020, 02:19 PM	#1
JJ Johnson Connoisseur Posts: 70 Karma: 2119794 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Colorado Device: Kobo Libra H20	Kobo management questions from an eReader newb I have a new Libra H20. I downloaded and have been using Calibre from my Windows 7 machine to load a few free books onto to it. So far, so good. I keep reading here about 'sync'ing, but don't have a clear idea what that is. I've also heard there's a Kobo desktop application for the reader. Is this software necessary for anything in particular, or does Calibre do everything needed? Is wifi enabled on the reader by default and needs to be turned off if unneeded, or must it be manually started?

02-22-2020, 03:08 PM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,473 Karma: 239219543 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Syncing is not necessary if you don't buy your ebooks from Kobo. The Kobo desktop software is not necessary either. You should see for yourself whether the wifi is on or not. There's an icon at the top of the screen when you're on the home page, like an inverted triangle (with the top pointing downward). Tap on it. Last edited by Sirtel; 02-22-2020 at 03:11 PM.

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02-22-2020, 04:10 PM	#3
stumped Wizard Posts: 3,305 Karma: 10259306 Join Date: May 2016 Device: kobo forma, Kobo Libra, Huawei media Tab, fire HD10, PW3 HDX8.9,	You may also need sync if you use the borrow books via Overdrive option. Sync will find library loans that you may have checked out on other devices, so long as they are in the kobo catalogue Articles for pocket will also benefit from sync. And sync will check for firmware updates. But if all you do is sideload books ,then WiFi can stay off, and sync is unnecessary.

02-24-2020, 09:53 AM	#7
4691mls Wizard Posts: 2,776 Karma: 30081762 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: US Device: ALL DEVICES ARE STOCK: Kobo Clara, Tolino Shine 2, Sony PRS-T3, T1	The Kobo Overdrive library sync only works if the library and Kobo store have the exact same edition. I've had some books that won't sync and had to be sideloaded from my PC using ADE. Most books are available to sync but just be aware that you might come across some that don't.