New (& frustrated) owner of a Sony Reader

tnreader · 05-17-2009, 12:53 PM

Hi, all! I've been reading the threads on several MobileRead forums and am impressed with the amount of info shared! I received my Sony for Mother's Day from my son who appreciates my fascination with gadgets. However, though thrilled and impressed with this new Reader at first, I have a dozen or so Secured eReader books sitting on the Fictionwise book shelf that I can't read!!!

I've seen the various threads on Python and using it with the ereader2html script to convert the ebooks to html, then using Calibre to convert the html files to a Sony-compatible format. But after hours and hours, I am still lost!

Is there a one-stop-shopping site/thread with step-by-step instructions for performing this process in Windows Vista? This gadget mom would be so appreciative of any assistance!

Oh, and is there any relief from the compatiblility insanity anytime soon???

MJG956 · 05-17-2009, 01:02 PM

Maybe you need to ask for a KindleDX for your birthday. You can pay the usual 9.95 fee from the Kindle store and get the books direct,without being on a computer. You can send matereal directly to the Kindle from a computer,but not sure how.I would think you could scan the matereal from a printer and send convert it and send it to the newest model KindleDX or XD?

MJG956 · 05-17-2009, 01:05 PM

Maybe you need to ask for a KindleDX for your birthday. You can pay the usual 9.95 fee from the Kindle store and get the books direct,without being on a computer. You can send matereal directly to the Kindle from a computer,but not sure how.I would think you could scan the matereal from a printer and send convert it and send it to the newest model KindleDX. Sorry about the last reply,I was not sure of the exact Kindle model number. It is DX.

tnreader · 05-17-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Maybe you need to ask for a KindleDX for your birthday.

Well, I didn't ask for the Sony. And though I consider myself an avid reader, I never thought about the convenience or greeness of ebooks. My sweet son, either tired of the books or just simply showing his appreciation of my love for them, thought he was doing a great thing. In fact, I've had to stifle my frustration in his presence, he'd really be hurt to know I'm ready to throw this thing out the window! I'm shopping for compatible books now, but still hopeful of learning the "secret" of converting those FW books! Going on a two day road trip next week, what a way to while away the hours (maybe)!

Good luck on winning the new Kindle!

Moejoe · 05-17-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnreader

Well, I didn't ask for the Sony. And though I consider myself an avid reader, I never thought about the convenience or greeness of ebooks. My sweet son, either tired of the books or just simply showing his appreciation of my love for them, thought he was doing a great thing. In fact, I've had to stifle my frustration in his presence, he'd really be hurt to know I'm ready to throw this thing out the window! I'm shopping for compatible books now, but still hopeful of learning the "secret" of converting those FW books! Going on a two day road trip next week, what a way to while away the hours (maybe)!

Good luck on winning the new Kindle!

Hi tnreader, and welcome to Mobileread

I'm sure someone with a lot more knowledge about python than I and how to get it working will pop along shortly and give you some helpful tips

I know some things can be daunting about ebooks and converting them at first, but you'll soon get the hang of it and be wondering how you ever managed without an ereader before.

AbFabGab · 05-17-2009, 01:49 PM

I can't help you with python... but I wanted to make sure you knew
about getting ebooks from public libraries. Your own local library may
even offer ebooks.

Check out Mobile Read's wiki page on ebook lending libraries:
https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/EBook_Lending_Libraries

kazbates · 05-17-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnreader

Hi, all! I've been reading the threads on several MobileRead forums and am impressed with the amount of info shared! I received my Sony for Mother's Day from my son who appreciates my fascination with gadgets. However, though thrilled and impressed with this new Reader at first, I have a dozen or so Secured eReader books sitting on the Fictionwise book shelf that I can't read!!!

I've seen the various threads on Python and using it with the ereader2html script to convert the ebooks to html, then using Calibre to convert the html files to a Sony-compatible format. But after hours and hours, I am still lost!

Is there a one-stop-shopping site/thread with step-by-step instructions for performing this process in Windows Vista? This gadget mom would be so appreciative of any assistance!

Oh, and is there any relief from the compatiblility insanity anytime soon???

Which Sony do you have? The 505 or the 700?

Elsi · 05-17-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnreader

However, though thrilled and impressed with this new Reader at first, I have a dozen or so Secured eReader books sitting on the Fictionwise book shelf that I can't read!!!

How did you wind up with Secured eReader books? How did you read those books before you got your Sony reader? Are you moving to the Sony from a reader which had eReader support in it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnreader

I've seen the various threads on Python and using it with the ereader2html script to convert the ebooks to html, then using Calibre to convert the html files to a Sony-compatible format. But after hours and hours, I am still lost!

Is there a one-stop-shopping site/thread with step-by-step instructions for performing this process in Windows Vista? This gadget mom would be so appreciative of any assistance!

The MobileRead wiki provides some basic assistance on how to install Python on Windows and then has a number of pages in the Visual Kindle Guide which show how to use the Python scripts for Mobipocket file manipulation. In your case, you'd need to use the eReader scripts instead of the Mobipocket ones, but you may find the info in the wiki helpful. And, of course, consult the wiki for help with Calibre.

And -- if any of that fails to make you comfortable with the tools, please feel free to post pleas for help, describing in as much detail as you can what you have already tried and where you got stuck. The folks here are very helpful.

tnreader · 05-17-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

I can't help you with python... but I wanted to make sure you knew
about getting ebooks from public libraries. Your own local library may
even offer ebooks.

Thanks, AbFabGab! I'll do that.

Quote:

Which Sony do you have? The 505 or the 700?

Kaz, I have the 505.

tnreader · 05-17-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

How did you wind up with Secured eReader books? How did you read those books before you got your Sony reader? Are you moving to the Sony from a reader which had eReader support in it?

Elsi - FW membership was part of the gift - with a dozen books purchased by giver based on his observations of recent reading material. I believe I have MS Reader on my PC, but have spent available hours trying to get them to the Sony. I think he connected the "Readers." It's the thought that counts, right?

Reading on the laptop is an alternative, I suppose, but I'll have to get a bigger purse!

Quote:

The MobileRead wiki provides some basic assistance on how to install Python on Windows and then has a number of pages in the Visual Kindle Guide which show how to use the Python scripts for Mobipocket file manipulation. In your case, you'd need to use the eReader scripts instead of the Mobipocket ones, but you may find the info in the wiki helpful. And, of course, consult the wiki for help with Calibre.

Thank you for the links -- I'll hit them later this afternoon after the g-babies' soccer games!

zelda_pinwheel · 05-17-2009, 02:22 PM

hi tnreader, welcome to mobileread ! sorry you're having such a hard time getting started ; like others have said, you'll soon get it figured out and then you'll love it !

if the ereader books were a gift that someone else bought for you from fictionwise, i recommend contacting them to see whether they could be exchanged for another format. explain the situation, and tell them you're not sure what to do with these ereader format books, and would it be possible to exchange them for a different format. fictionwise is usually very responsive and most people have had really good experiences with their customer service.

the best format for the sony is epub, and it also reads lrf natively (that's sony's proprietary format).

if neither of those formats are available for the books you've got on your bookshelf, then the easiest / best formats for conversion are Lit (best choice) and then mobipocket.

good luck ! hopefully you'll get it all sorted soon.

in the meantime, take a look at our free ebooks right here (click the "ebooks" link in the blue nav bar at the top of the page) so you'll have something to read right away ! you'll want the epub or lrf formats. no drm, and no conversion needed, for those.

zelda_pinwheel · 05-17-2009, 02:23 PM

oh, and definitely download calibre (it has its own forum here) ; it's an excellent (and free !) library management, conversion, and rss feed aggregation tool. it will make your life much simpler !

MickeyC · 05-17-2009, 02:33 PM

Hi tnreader and welcome to MobileRead. Good luck with your Sony

DixieGal · 05-17-2009, 03:44 PM

Zelda beat me to it. I think you should contact FW, explain that the books were gifts, and ask them to exchange them for ePub format. You might also mention that you got the idea to contact them from MobileRead, it might just help. Don't forget "please" and "thank you." Keep your frustration out of your email to them and explain that you need to exchange them simply and clearly.

GraceKrispy · 05-17-2009, 05:51 PM

I was going to suggest what zelda and dixie already did- contact FW directly. I hope you can get it figured out, because the sony is an awesome machine! Like you, I didn't ask for one, and I was actually a bit miffed my husband bought one for me (me having never expressed interest in ebooks before), but now I'm so thankful. best purchase ever!

I also was going to suggest what abfabgab said-- almost all the books I read come free from the local library or this site (check out all the free books!) or feedbooks.com (more free books!). I use both feedbooks and epub and have had great success with both.

Enjoy your reader! I hope it ceases to be frustrating for you and begins being great fun. It was really sweet of your son to purchase one for you!

05-17-2009, 12:53 PM	#1
tnreader Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 112 Join Date: May 2009 Device: Sony Reader	New (& frustrated) owner of a Sony Reader Hi, all! I've been reading the threads on several MobileRead forums and am impressed with the amount of info shared! I received my Sony for Mother's Day from my son who appreciates my fascination with gadgets. However, though thrilled and impressed with this new Reader at first, I have a dozen or so Secured eReader books sitting on the Fictionwise book shelf that I can't read!!! I've seen the various threads on Python and using it with the ereader2html script to convert the ebooks to html, then using Calibre to convert the html files to a Sony-compatible format. But after hours and hours, I am still lost! Is there a one-stop-shopping site/thread with step-by-step instructions for performing this process in Windows Vista? This gadget mom would be so appreciative of any assistance! Oh, and is there any relief from the compatiblility insanity anytime soon???

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05-17-2009, 01:02 PM	#2
MJG956 Mr. Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Oklahoma Device: Kindle2	Maybe you need to ask for a KindleDX for your birthday. You can pay the usual 9.95 fee from the Kindle store and get the books direct,without being on a computer. You can send matereal directly to the Kindle from a computer,but not sure how.I would think you could scan the matereal from a printer and send convert it and send it to the newest model KindleDX or XD?

05-17-2009, 01:05 PM	#3
MJG956 Mr. Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Oklahoma Device: Kindle2	Maybe you need to ask for a KindleDX for your birthday. You can pay the usual 9.95 fee from the Kindle store and get the books direct,without being on a computer. You can send matereal directly to the Kindle from a computer,but not sure how.I would think you could scan the matereal from a printer and send convert it and send it to the newest model KindleDX. Sorry about the last reply,I was not sure of the exact Kindle model number. It is DX.

05-17-2009, 01:49 PM	#6
AbFabGab Gadget-Luster Posts: 330 Karma: 2157280 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY - USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Samsung Galaxy Tab S2	I can't help you with python... but I wanted to make sure you knew about getting ebooks from public libraries. Your own local library may even offer ebooks. Check out Mobile Read's wiki page on ebook lending libraries: https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/EBook_Lending_Libraries

05-17-2009, 02:22 PM	#11
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	hi tnreader, welcome to mobileread ! sorry you're having such a hard time getting started ; like others have said, you'll soon get it figured out and then you'll love it ! if the ereader books were a gift that someone else bought for you from fictionwise, i recommend contacting them to see whether they could be exchanged for another format. explain the situation, and tell them you're not sure what to do with these ereader format books, and would it be possible to exchange them for a different format. fictionwise is usually very responsive and most people have had really good experiences with their customer service. the best format for the sony is epub, and it also reads lrf natively (that's sony's proprietary format). if neither of those formats are available for the books you've got on your bookshelf, then the easiest / best formats for conversion are Lit (best choice) and then mobipocket. good luck ! hopefully you'll get it all sorted soon. in the meantime, take a look at our free ebooks right here (click the "ebooks" link in the blue nav bar at the top of the page) so you'll have something to read right away ! you'll want the epub or lrf formats. no drm, and no conversion needed, for those.

05-17-2009, 02:23 PM	#12
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	oh, and definitely download calibre (it has its own forum here) ; it's an excellent (and free !) library management, conversion, and rss feed aggregation tool. it will make your life much simpler !

05-17-2009, 02:33 PM	#13
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Hi tnreader and welcome to MobileRead. Good luck with your Sony

05-17-2009, 03:44 PM	#14
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Zelda beat me to it. I think you should contact FW, explain that the books were gifts, and ask them to exchange them for ePub format. You might also mention that you got the idea to contact them from MobileRead, it might just help. Don't forget "please" and "thank you." Keep your frustration out of your email to them and explain that you need to exchange them simply and clearly.

05-17-2009, 05:51 PM	#15
GraceKrispy It's Dr. Penguin now! Posts: 3,909 Karma: 4705733 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: (USA) Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)	I was going to suggest what zelda and dixie already did- contact FW directly. I hope you can get it figured out, because the sony is an awesome machine! Like you, I didn't ask for one, and I was actually a bit miffed my husband bought one for me (me having never expressed interest in ebooks before), but now I'm so thankful. best purchase ever! I also was going to suggest what abfabgab said-- almost all the books I read come free from the local library or this site (check out all the free books!) or feedbooks.com (more free books!). I use both feedbooks and epub and have had great success with both. Enjoy your reader! I hope it ceases to be frustrating for you and begins being great fun. It was really sweet of your son to purchase one for you!

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