Have you used the Sony software/store, or not? - Page 2

kovidgoyal · 04-09-2009, 03:08 PM

Sony store? What Sony store?

Xenophon · 04-09-2009, 05:04 PM

What he said. I haven't been back since I bought the $50/reader worth of books that came as part of the original deal for buying a PRS-500.

Two reasons:

I refuse to purchase any eBook that has DRM that I cannot remove. Further, I try hard not to purchase any eBook that has any DRM whatsoever! I keep books and re-read them, so I expect permanent access when I purchase. And I've already been screwed by one hardware change (from REB-1100 to Sony) where incompatibilities deprived me of my eLibrary. I will not permit this to happen again.
As a Mac user, I cannot use the Sony store anyway. Aside: What on earth posessed them to build a store where you have to use their software to give them money? What's wrong with Web standards, anyway???

Anyway, if they fix those issues I might be back. Maybe.

Xenophon

Curly · 04-09-2009, 05:16 PM

When I first got my reader, I used the Sony software to manage my books, but I have since switched to calibre. I do use the Sony software to get the free books, but I don't buy books at the ebook store. Since I don't live in the US, I would have to get vouchers to buy books anyway.

rebarnmom · 04-09-2009, 05:24 PM

I would buy more, but I can only buy from the store when/after I call my ISP and have my content filter uninstalled which requires a special key code. It's ridiculous, but that is the only way I can connect with the Sony store (something about a conflict between proxies-- whatever that means). It's so frustrating!

Stitchawl · 04-09-2009, 05:44 PM

I use the software (along with Calibre) often, but only used the store once to get my free classics. When I discovered that it was easier and faster to get the same ones from Project Gutenberg I bid farewell to the Sony shop and get all my reading materials from other sources.

Stitchawl

frabjous · 04-09-2009, 05:56 PM

I voted "I have not used the software nor have I bought from the store," but that's a bit misleading. Technically I have used the software, but I've only used it in any real way twice. Once to see what it's like, and another time to get the free 100 books--though I've since replaced them with better versions of the same. I haven't paid any money for books at the store.

The poll is kinda funky since the other options seem to suggest that you use it regularly, and I certainly don't do that. They also say something about managing your reader. I don't do that but I have used the viewer in there some additional times just to see how some conversion I did ended up without the reader even plugged in.

Angst · 04-09-2009, 05:58 PM

I will only buy from Sony when they have the cheapest price. That is very rare. I think I've only bought 2 books from them. I would buy more often if they were even competitive. Why should I buy a book from Sony, (Sony proprietary format), for $18.00 when I can find the same book elsewhere for $8.00 (Adobe digital editions)? I prefer Sony formatted books, but I won't pay extra for them.

Tattncat · 04-09-2009, 06:48 PM

I voted other. I use a combination of the Sony Library (it runs smoothly on both of our readers) And I use Calibre to convert whenever necessary. I buy my books from whichever source is least expensive and convert when necessry. The vast majority of our books are Public Domain downloads.

rhadin · 04-09-2009, 07:25 PM

I do buy ebooks from the Sony store. I consider my ebook purchases to be read-once throw-aways. Consequently, I am price conscious. I might not think that way except for the DRM. Once DRM goes ("Someday, my DRM will go" sung to "Someday my prince will come"

), I might be willing to spend more and not think of ebooks as disposables. But until then . . . Anything that I might want to reread or keep, I buy in hardcover pbook.

GeneS · 04-10-2009, 07:35 AM

I used Sony software when I first obtained my 500, and purchased books. Since that time, I've used calibre almost exclusively.

nancie · 04-10-2009, 08:18 AM

I found the software very useful - I wasn't sure how to create collections until I browsed through it. So far, that's the only thing I had questions about that made me refer to it. Now, I love my 700... but there are some things that are a real pain in my kiester and make me wonder whether it was worth the HUGE expense. Living in Canada is a headache because pretty much all the cool general science books I am interested in (ie 'An Apple a Day' - which was written by a Montreal professor - where I live!- is not available for purchase to Canadians) - the explanation being that they don't have the publishing rights. Okay, I get that. Also, living in Montreal, it was a pain ordering the device because of our retarded language laws that forbid a device to be sold in 'English Only' format. (at first, they actually stocked it, then they had to immediately pull it off the shelves because of language issues - that's what the salesman told me a the downtown store) So, I had to order the device and then buy it at the counter before even having a look at the darn thing. I felt like I was buying Crack or something. This is what life is like here for us square-head English-speakers. Even movies aren't released unless it's been dubbed into French. And don't get me started on the schooling policies! I digress.... THANK every deity out there, that at least they haven't stopped us from being able to download books from the ebookstore because they don't stock French books. One last thing that I found a bit of a pain is this: I downloaded quite a few books in pdf format and the formatting is terrible when it moves on to the reader. Many, many words are missing spaces between them and it's distracting. Also, highlighting the pdf books is a test in patience because it doesn't just highlight the text you're underlining - I highlights a huge block of it above or below your target. I don't recall having the smushed-words in a downloaded book from the sonystore so far. I am not computer savvy in the least, so if anyone has a trick for the pdf books, I would love to hear about it. Thanks. And, one last word - despite my frustration at not having access to all those great books I want to read, I still love my reader. I never thought I would be able to let go of paper, but the transition has been more pleasant than I thought it would be.

Lilly · 04-10-2009, 08:32 AM

Sony store was my #1 place of purchase the 1st 9 months that I owned my reader; even though I learned how to buy books in Lit format and use Calibre to make an LRF book after Convertlit, I continued to mainly buy from Sony because of the price and convenience. In October I added a 2nd reader, kindle 1, and learn how to purchase Mobi books also; now I only buy from Amazon, Books on Board, and CyberRead. I buy, Mobi or Lit. I will never go back to buying from the Sony store until the stupid DRM they use can be broken. Now I have 2 reader, I realize, how short sighted I was to buy a proprietary format. I still love my PRS-505 and have replaced the Kindle 1 with a Kindle 2. The last time I purchased a book from Sony was the beginning of October 2008, before that, I must have bought over 300 books from them.

tech_au · 04-10-2009, 10:14 PM

I get the freebies when available and only buy books when the Sony price is better than the BooksOnBoard price as I have to use gift cards and don't want to have a large credit amount sitting in my account.

Satans Puppet · 04-11-2009, 04:29 AM

Just got my reader and so far I've only used booksonboard and whsmithto buy my books. I have looked at the Sony store and they have so my have so much more on offer to my Reading tastes which is a shame as the drm thing concerns me aswell. What happens when the ereader Market picks up the pace here in the uk?

I'll have a non Sony reader and I'll be screwed

Renaldo · 04-11-2009, 08:03 AM

I use calibre to edit and convert files, and I use the Sony software to load them on to my 505. I seem to have better luck with everything working that way, so that's what I do. I think I've only used the Sony store to get some free texts, the only books I've bought are from Fictionwise.

View Poll Results: Have you used the sony software/store?
I use the Sony software and have bought from the store	73	52.90%
I use the Sony software to manage my reader but have not bought from the store	21	15.22%
I have not used the software nor have I bought from the store	30	21.74%
Other	14	10.14%
Voters: 138. You may not vote on this poll

04-09-2009, 05:04 PM	#17
Xenophon curmudgeon Posts: 1,487 Karma: 5748190 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Redwood City, CA USA Device: Kobo Aura HD, (ex)nook, (ex)PRS-700, (ex)PRS-500	What he said. I haven't been back since I bought the $50/reader worth of books that came as part of the original deal for buying a PRS-500. Two reasons: I refuse to purchase any eBook that has DRM that I cannot remove. Further, I try hard not to purchase any eBook that has any DRM whatsoever! I keep books and re-read them, so I expect permanent access when I purchase. And I've already been screwed by one hardware change (from REB-1100 to Sony) where incompatibilities deprived me of my eLibrary. I will not permit this to happen again. As a Mac user, I cannot use the Sony store anyway. Aside: What on earth posessed them to build a store where you have to use their software to give them money? What's wrong with Web standards, anyway??? Anyway, if they fix those issues I might be back. Maybe. Xenophon

04-09-2009, 05:56 PM	#21
frabjous Wizard Posts: 1,213 Karma: 12890 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Amherst, Massachusetts, USA Device: Sony PRS-505	I voted "I have not used the software nor have I bought from the store," but that's a bit misleading. Technically I have used the software, but I've only used it in any real way twice. Once to see what it's like, and another time to get the free 100 books--though I've since replaced them with better versions of the same. I haven't paid any money for books at the store. The poll is kinda funky since the other options seem to suggest that you use it regularly, and I certainly don't do that. They also say something about managing your reader. I don't do that but I have used the viewer in there some additional times just to see how some conversion I did ended up without the reader even plugged in. Last edited by frabjous; 04-09-2009 at 05:59 PM.

04-10-2009, 08:18 AM	#26
nancie Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Sony PRS-700	PRS-700, Sony CD and Store I found the software very useful - I wasn't sure how to create collections until I browsed through it. So far, that's the only thing I had questions about that made me refer to it. Now, I love my 700... but there are some things that are a real pain in my kiester and make me wonder whether it was worth the HUGE expense. Living in Canada is a headache because pretty much all the cool general science books I am interested in (ie 'An Apple a Day' - which was written by a Montreal professor - where I live!- is not available for purchase to Canadians) - the explanation being that they don't have the publishing rights. Okay, I get that. Also, living in Montreal, it was a pain ordering the device because of our retarded language laws that forbid a device to be sold in 'English Only' format. (at first, they actually stocked it, then they had to immediately pull it off the shelves because of language issues - that's what the salesman told me a the downtown store) So, I had to order the device and then buy it at the counter before even having a look at the darn thing. I felt like I was buying Crack or something. This is what life is like here for us square-head English-speakers. Even movies aren't released unless it's been dubbed into French. And don't get me started on the schooling policies! I digress.... THANK every deity out there, that at least they haven't stopped us from being able to download books from the ebookstore because they don't stock French books. One last thing that I found a bit of a pain is this: I downloaded quite a few books in pdf format and the formatting is terrible when it moves on to the reader. Many, many words are missing spaces between them and it's distracting. Also, highlighting the pdf books is a test in patience because it doesn't just highlight the text you're underlining - I highlights a huge block of it above or below your target. I don't recall having the smushed-words in a downloaded book from the sonystore so far. I am not computer savvy in the least, so if anyone has a trick for the pdf books, I would love to hear about it. Thanks. And, one last word - despite my frustration at not having access to all those great books I want to read, I still love my reader. I never thought I would be able to let go of paper, but the transition has been more pleasant than I thought it would be. Last edited by nancie; 04-10-2009 at 08:20 AM. Reason: typos - havent' had my second coffee yet, so...

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04-09-2009, 03:08 PM	#16
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,355 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Sony store? What Sony store?

04-09-2009, 05:16 PM	#18
Curly I need a holiday! Posts: 1,227 Karma: 4622 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Scotland Device: PRS-505, ipod touch	When I first got my reader, I used the Sony software to manage my books, but I have since switched to calibre. I do use the Sony software to get the free books, but I don't buy books at the ebook store. Since I don't live in the US, I would have to get vouchers to buy books anyway.

04-09-2009, 05:24 PM	#19
rebarnmom Wizard Posts: 1,289 Karma: 4525055 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: rural Illinois, USA Device: Sony PRS-700 (traded in), Sony PRS-650	I would buy more, but I can only buy from the store when/after I call my ISP and have my content filter uninstalled which requires a special key code. It's ridiculous, but that is the only way I can connect with the Sony store (something about a conflict between proxies-- whatever that means). It's so frustrating!

04-09-2009, 05:44 PM	#20
Stitchawl Opsimath Posts: 12,344 Karma: 187123287 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand Device: Sony PRS-650, iPhone 5, Kobo Glo, Sony PRS-350, iPad, Samsung Galaxy	I use the software (along with Calibre) often, but only used the store once to get my free classics. When I discovered that it was easier and faster to get the same ones from Project Gutenberg I bid farewell to the Sony shop and get all my reading materials from other sources. Stitchawl

04-09-2009, 05:58 PM	#22
Angst Cannon Fodder Posts: 2,878 Karma: 52253556 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Probably a library Device: PRS-350, Kindle DX, Kindle Paperwhite	I will only buy from Sony when they have the cheapest price. That is very rare. I think I've only bought 2 books from them. I would buy more often if they were even competitive. Why should I buy a book from Sony, (Sony proprietary format), for $18.00 when I can find the same book elsewhere for $8.00 (Adobe digital editions)? I prefer Sony formatted books, but I won't pay extra for them.

04-09-2009, 06:48 PM	#23
Tattncat Bookworm Posts: 673 Karma: 1029391 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Device: Nook Tablet, Samsung Galaxy Tab3, Sony PRS700, Sony PRS505	I voted other. I use a combination of the Sony Library (it runs smoothly on both of our readers) And I use Calibre to convert whenever necessary. I buy my books from whichever source is least expensive and convert when necessry. The vast majority of our books are Public Domain downloads.

04-09-2009, 07:25 PM	#24
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 4,833 Karma: 59674358 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Nook, Nook Tablet	I do buy ebooks from the Sony store. I consider my ebook purchases to be read-once throw-aways. Consequently, I am price conscious. I might not think that way except for the DRM. Once DRM goes ("Someday, my DRM will go" sung to "Someday my prince will come" ), I might be willing to spend more and not think of ebooks as disposables. But until then . . . Anything that I might want to reread or keep, I buy in hardcover pbook.

04-10-2009, 07:35 AM	#25
GeneS eBook Enthusiast Posts: 120 Karma: 726 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-350, Astak PocketPro, iPhone, Asus eee Pad Transformer	I used Sony software when I first obtained my 500, and purchased books. Since that time, I've used calibre almost exclusively.

04-10-2009, 08:32 AM	#27
Lilly Guru Posts: 688 Karma: 2090 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-900 & PRS-950, Amazon Kindle2	Sony store was my #1 place of purchase the 1st 9 months that I owned my reader; even though I learned how to buy books in Lit format and use Calibre to make an LRF book after Convertlit, I continued to mainly buy from Sony because of the price and convenience. In October I added a 2nd reader, kindle 1, and learn how to purchase Mobi books also; now I only buy from Amazon, Books on Board, and CyberRead. I buy, Mobi or Lit. I will never go back to buying from the Sony store until the stupid DRM they use can be broken. Now I have 2 reader, I realize, how short sighted I was to buy a proprietary format. I still love my PRS-505 and have replaced the Kindle 1 with a Kindle 2. The last time I purchased a book from Sony was the beginning of October 2008, before that, I must have bought over 300 books from them.

04-10-2009, 10:14 PM	#28
tech_au Oz Bookworm Posts: 516 Karma: 4056 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Australia Device: Sony PRS 505,PRS 650	I get the freebies when available and only buy books when the Sony price is better than the BooksOnBoard price as I have to use gift cards and don't want to have a large credit amount sitting in my account.

04-11-2009, 04:29 AM	#29
Satans Puppet Enthusiast Posts: 45 Karma: 100 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Sony Reader PR(whusit)505	Just got my reader and so far I've only used booksonboard and whsmithto buy my books. I have looked at the Sony store and they have so my have so much more on offer to my Reading tastes which is a shame as the drm thing concerns me aswell. What happens when the ereader Market picks up the pace here in the uk? I'll have a non Sony reader and I'll be screwed

04-11-2009, 08:03 AM	#30
Renaldo Addict Posts: 294 Karma: 250590 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Great Pacific Northwest Device: Kindle 3G + WiFi	I use calibre to edit and convert files, and I use the Sony software to load them on to my 505. I seem to have better luck with everything working that way, so that's what I do. I think I've only used the Sony store to get some free texts, the only books I've bought are from Fictionwise.