Sony Software Poll.....v2

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The software is basic, but it gets the job done. I've had absolutely no problems with it on any machine.

I've run Reader Library on Vista Home Premium, XP Pro, Windows 7 Home Premium & Windows 7 Ultimate. Oh yes, I've also run eBook Library on Windows 7 Ultimate Beta (build 7100).

Not a single problem on any of them. I think the reason for the problems is due to other software. Like someone else recently found out that netdrive was the problem. And supposedly having a non-US version of MS Office can also be a problem. And for some it's DEP. So I say it's not the Sony software as I can prove it works with a variety of different Windows versions.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

My one major issue with the software is that they took away the ability to read BBeB format (LRF and LRX) ebooks. I can load the ones I have on my 505 but I can only read them there and not on my PC. That's annoying when I want to review a book I'm creating or one that someone else has made. It's also annoying because there are times when I'm sitting at my PC that I want to read. And, it's also annoying because I object to elimination of a good format. I'm relying on Calibre now for an LRF viewer (but not LRX, of course) and, frankly, although I love Calibre, the viewer is not terrific.

I've had zero problems with the software otherwise.

Reader Library will display LRF no problem. But as for LRX, it will only work if you did an upgrade from a registered eBook Library.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Very good Harry.

My next question is........

Is that because the majority of users are more computer/e-book knowledgeable?

I know many of the long time users here have been reading on e-books, and dealing with their computers before they got the sony.......while for many of the newbies this is their first device.

Could that make a difference in the difficulty for some?

You betcha!

I an somewhat knowledgeable and I did not have to do anything other then install. I think it's due to some suspect software installed on the machine.

[RPG Master]

I don't use it because I use Linux
Plus, Calibre's awesome

But, has anyone gotten it to work with WINE? I would like to get books from there store....

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I an somewhat knowledgeable and I did not have to do anything other then install. I think it's due to some suspect software installed on the machine.

See, right now I actually wish I had a Sony.....so I could try it for myself!

[omk3]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

See, right now I actually wish I had a Sony.....so I could try it for myself!

Well, you can install it if you really really want to. (I really can't imagine why)
It will be of no use to you whatsoever, but still... at least you will be able to vote in your own poll

[hnoto]

Perhaps the real question is not whether the software is difficult to use or install, but if it does what you NEED it to do. I have installed and used mine. It worked ok...but had some glitches to it that drove me crazy.

Using the Sony s/ware, I put a group of books on my reader. I create a collection. I order the collection from first to last. HOWEVER, the books show up in my reader, under collection name, in whatever order they were dragged/downloaded. Not even in ALPHABETICAL order, which I could have worked with. But order of d/l to the library. Unbelievable.

That is to say nothing of the incorrect metadata and inability to fix it issues. I didn't WANT to use Calibre. I figured that the Sony software couldn't be that bad. But, after accidentally leaving my reader plugged in when shutting off my computer (or unplugging my reader without telling the s/w I was doing it or something equally goofy), and losing ALL my collections, (twice) I gave up. Not worth the headache.

I use my Sony software to get to the store ONLY. D/L what I want to buy. Copy the file to my personal library storage, rename it of course, use Calibre to tag/series it and put it on the book. MUCH more reliable.

[Fledchen]

I don't use Sony's software any more. I used to use it for freebie books, but the way in which the books from Sony are formatted simply does not meet my needs. I prefer large fonts for clarity, and minimal margins to maximize the number of words that can fit on each screen. I prefer to make my own ebook files using Book Designer and then load them on my reader using Calibre. It's not that the Sony software or ebookstore are objectively bad, they just do not meet my personal needs.

[lilac_jive]

Good poll, DGma. I've installed the software on four computers (one a Mac, and on another loaded the software twice - to get the upgrade) and never had a problem. It does what I need it to do. I also like the Sony store, which I browse via the web for optimum speed.

[NekoGurrl]

I did install the Sony software on my Macbook, but most of what I am reading where already in Calibre it ended up causing problems.

The Sony software launches imediatly when my PRS-600 is connected via usb, and I haven't found a way to disable that. If Calibre is open at the same time I have problems on my hands. Ended up corrupting something on the Sony, to the point I had to format both my SD card and internal flash. Hoping to get it figured out this weekend as there are 2 books I want to buy from the reader store.

Thinking I may install the reader software on another machine and only use that one to sync purchased books.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

See, right now I actually wish I had a Sony.....so I could try it for myself!

Am I sensing yet another Grand Experiment?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by hnoto

Using the Sony s/ware, I put a group of books on my reader. I create a collection. I order the collection from first to last. HOWEVER, the books show up in my reader, under collection name, in whatever order they were dragged/downloaded. Not even in ALPHABETICAL order, which I could have worked with. But order of d/l to the library. Unbelievable.

The reason is that Sony allows you to put the eBooks in the collections in any order you want. Select the collection and drag them around till they are in the order you want and all set.

That is to say nothing of the incorrect metadata and inability to fix it issues.

There is no incorrect metadata issue with Sony's software. Any incorrect Metadata would have to be in the ebook in question.

[JSWolf]

I've installed 3.0.x eBook Library on Vista Home Premium and XP Home. I've installed Reader library on Windows 7 Ultimate (two different systems), Windows 7 Ultimate beta (build 7100), Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows XP Pro.

I would say give all the different Windows and systems (5 different computers), I'd say it's possible that some other dodgy software is the issue and not Reader Library.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Am I sensing yet another Grand Experiment?

NO.

[hnoto]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The reason is that Sony allows you to put the eBooks in the collections in any order you want. Select the collection and drag them around till they are in the order you want and all set.

Jon, that has NOT been my experience. I did drag my books in all kinds of configurations, but nothing I did put them in the "correct" order, unless I deleted them from my Reader and THEN downloaded them specifically in the correct order. The problem with that is this. Say I have books 1, 2 and 5. Then I finally get book 3. To get them in the correct order, I have to remove 1, 2, and 5 and then reupload them w/3 in the correct position. Then a few months later, when I buy 4, I have to do it again. Some people may not care, but it is a MAJOR irritant to me to not have my books in the correct order.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

There is no incorrect metadata issue with Sony's software. Any incorrect Metadata would have to be in the ebook in question.

Oh, I know the problem was with my personal books that I downloaded. But when I was a newbie, I couldn't figure out a way to fix the metadata, until I gave in and started using Calibre. That is NOT Sony's fault; it doesn't expect that you might want to change the title of the book. It is, however, a limitation.

And, hey--if it works for you, that is great! I'm only sorry I couldn't get it to work properly for me.