Sony Software Poll.....v2 - Page 5

JSWolf · 01-11-2010, 11:39 AM

OOHHH! Will this firmware update be for all Sony Readers and will it include an updated ADE?

Wetdogeared · 01-11-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazbates

... When I spoke to the Sony rep on Saturday at the CES, she told me that a firmware update was coming in about a month...

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

OOHHH! Will this firmware update be for all Sony Readers and will it include an updated ADE?...

Arrg! Could you not have wrestled her to the floor and demanded "Where's the dictionary support for my PRS-700?".

(I'm just thinking of your daughter here of course to whom, if I remember correctly, you gave your PRS-700.

)

kazbates · 01-11-2010, 12:09 PM

I tried to get more details out of her but there were so many people around that it was tough to just get that much information. she did say it would fix the problem of the software crashing with big file transfers. When I asked her about anything new in the works from Sony, she told me that was "G14 classified".

We did have a chuckle about that! When I told her I thought they needed something bigger and in color so that they could tap into the Education market, she winked at me and told me that was more "G14" information but to keep my eyes open. I told her that there had been some concerns about the strength of the Sony corporation and (as expected) she said the company was just fine. I also told her I thought they could bump up their marketing to try to compete more with the Kindle market. As much as I love Payton Manning (and dislike Justin Timberlake), I think Sony's TV ads really miss the mark.

I also asked about a trade in option for the 700 to upgrade to the 600 she said, "I thought we did have that", but then she told me to try to sell it on ebay because they are still selling there and for more money than Sony would give for an upgrade. I'm not ready to sell the 700, Shannon is still using it after all, but I really think if Sony were to market themselves a little more and extend more goodwill towards previous customers, it might go along way to promoting thier products.

donovan1983 · 01-12-2010, 11:33 PM

I installed it and had no issues with it. It has a few quirks but is serviceable.

The thing is that I don't actually use it to manage my PRS-300 and don't even have it installed on my Mac, which is my primary computer. I use Calibre to manage my ereader. The Sony software is installed on my netbook and is only used for purchasing ebooks. I also have the Kindle for PC software installed on there. I just de-DRM the files and email them to myself and then put them into Calibre on my Mac.

So I chose the first, third, and fifth options since those all apply

happy_terd · 01-14-2010, 05:28 PM

I dont like the software very much at all. I understand it and it still doesnt sync correctly for me. It is piss-poor in my opinion. I love my sony reader, just not the software.

toolio · 01-23-2010, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazbates

She said the firmware should fix that. When I questioned why it was a firmware update instead of a software update, she started to explain and then got pulled away to answer a question from another colleague.

How do they think a firmware update will fix software that won't even install on PCs for many of us? I can't even get it to be useful enough to connect a Reader, although it did work for me for months before conking out.

I have tried all solutions posted elsewhere to no avail, and have given up on this piece of garbage. As a result I have also given up on buying books from the Sony store. I am happy to use Calibre and buy books from Kobo (my favorite store), BooksonBoard or other sources. The prices are usually better elsewhere, anyway. So in my case Sony software has been such an irritant that Sony is unlikely to ever get another cent from me.

JSWolf · 01-23-2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toolio

How do they think a firmware update will fix software that won't even install on PCs for many of us? I can't even get it to be useful enough to connect a Reader, although it did work for me for months before conking out.

I have tried all solutions posted elsewhere to no avail, and have given up on this piece of garbage. As a result I have also given up on buying books from the Sony store. I am happy to use Calibre and buy books from Kobo (my favorite store), BooksonBoard or other sources. The prices are usually better elsewhere, anyway. So in my case Sony software has been such an irritant that Sony is unlikely to ever get another cent from me.

Right before Reader Library stopped working, what changes did you make to your computer? Did you change AV? Did you install a program? Did you you do anything you know of that might have caused the problem?

kazbates · 01-24-2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toolio

How do they think a firmware update will fix software that won't even install on PCs for many of us? I can't even get it to be useful enough to connect a Reader, although it did work for me for months before conking out.

I have tried all solutions posted elsewhere to no avail, and have given up on this piece of garbage. As a result I have also given up on buying books from the Sony store. I am happy to use Calibre and buy books from Kobo (my favorite store), BooksonBoard or other sources. The prices are usually better elsewhere, anyway. So in my case Sony software has been such an irritant that Sony is unlikely to ever get another cent from me.

As I stated, she was pulled away and didn't have time to explain. If you've never been to a huge trade show, it's hard to understand (this was my first), but the place is insane. It's not really conducive to extensive discussions. I did wonder the same thing, however.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Right before Reader Library stopped working, what changes did you make to your computer? Did you change AV? Did you install a program? Did you you do anything you know of that might have caused the problem?

Jon's questions are very valid and something to consider. My Reader Library was having trouble closing when I disconnected my reader. I blamed it on the software until I loaded it all on my kitchen laptop and found that it worked just fine (with the exception of crashing when exporting large ebook files to my reader). I had even gone through the hassle of completely uninstalling the software (including deleting the weird files listed in the troubleshooting forum) and doing a hard reset of my reader. As it turns out, there is some program on my personal laptop that is conflicting with the reader software. I've tried trying to turn off all unnecessary background processes and programs and have had some success, but still haven't isolated the problem (I basically got tired of messing with it).

GeoffC · 01-24-2010, 10:30 AM

pppssssstttt!

why this in the Lounge, and not the Sony place....

some of us trying to get some kip.....

rmm200 · 01-24-2010, 10:46 AM

I did not vote because the choices we were given overlap and did not cover my common case....

Yes I did find the software easy to install.

I use it to download MP3 tracks, which Calibre does not do.

I find the Sony software quirky and badly in need of a design review.

I downloaded 10 tracks, and they wound up with no album art.
OK - I added the album art and replaced them in the Sony library. The library re-synched to the device, and I now had 20 tracks (with duplicate names on the device. !!! OK says I - I will delete the extra tracks on the device using the library software. Then I get the message I can't manually delete anything on the device because it is synched - even though the library software shows 10 tracks and the device shows 20.

I include this little example just to show how little thought went into the Sony design.

Bottom line - I use the Sony software when I feel I need to, and Calibre at all other times.

I used msconfig to remove the Sony software from the run automatically list - I did not want it popping up whenever the device was connected.

Windows 64 Ultimate.

Robert

desertgrandma · 01-24-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

pppssssstttt!

why this in the Lounge, and not the Sony place....

some of us trying to get some kip.....

AH! A question I can answer!!!

(Because I didn't know you could post a poll anywhere else besides the lounge until my learning experience with the astak peoples......

)

desertgrandma · 01-24-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmm200

I did not vote because the choices we were given overlap and did not cover my common case....

Yes I did find the software easy to install.

I use it to download MP3 tracks, which Calibre does not do.

I find the Sony software quirky and badly in need of a design review.

I downloaded 10 tracks, and they wound up with no album art.
OK - I added the album art and replaced them in the Sony library. The library re-synched to the device, and I now had 20 tracks (with duplicate names on the device. !!! OK says I - I will delete the extra tracks on the device using the library software. Then I get the message I can't manually delete anything on the device because it is synched - even though the library software shows 10 tracks and the device shows 20.

I include this little example just to show how little thought went into the Sony design.

Bottom line - I use the Sony software when I feel I need to, and Calibre at all other times.

I used msconfig to remove the Sony software from the run automatically list - I did not want it popping up whenever the device was connected.

Windows 64 Ultimate.

Robert

Well, Robert, ask anyone and they'll tell you I never can get a poll correct. Always something is left out!

However, I appreciate you posting your comments anyway.

You raise osme good points.

GeoffC · 01-25-2010, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

AH! A question I can answer!!!

(Because I didn't know you could post a poll anywhere else besides the lounge until my learning experience with the astak peoples......

)

and it's taken you over 9000 posts and 500,000 hits of karma to gain that experience ....

we oldies really know how to teach the youngers tricks ....

View Poll Results: What do you think of the Sony Software?
I use the software and had no problems installing it.	61	59.80%
I use the software, but found it difficult to learn/install	11	10.78%
The directions for installing the software were clear .	19	18.63%
The directions for installing the software were not clear.	3	2.94%
I don't use the software. (please post why)	34	33.33%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 102. You may not vote on this poll

01-24-2010, 10:46 AM	#70
rmm200 Groupie Posts: 195 Karma: 414 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bend, OR Device: Sony PRS-600	The poll choices don't cover me... I did not vote because the choices we were given overlap and did not cover my common case.... Yes I did find the software easy to install. I use it to download MP3 tracks, which Calibre does not do. I find the Sony software quirky and badly in need of a design review. I downloaded 10 tracks, and they wound up with no album art. OK - I added the album art and replaced them in the Sony library. The library re-synched to the device, and I now had 20 tracks (with duplicate names on the device. !!! OK says I - I will delete the extra tracks on the device using the library software. Then I get the message I can't manually delete anything on the device because it is synched - even though the library software shows 10 tracks and the device shows 20. I include this little example just to show how little thought went into the Sony design. Bottom line - I use the Sony software when I feel I need to, and Calibre at all other times. I used msconfig to remove the Sony software from the run automatically list - I did not want it popping up whenever the device was connected. Windows 64 Ultimate. Robert

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01-11-2010, 11:39 AM	#61
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,657 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	OOHHH! Will this firmware update be for all Sony Readers and will it include an updated ADE?

01-11-2010, 12:09 PM	#63
kazbates Wizard Posts: 2,627 Karma: 406616 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Device: SurfacePro, SurfaceBook 2	I tried to get more details out of her but there were so many people around that it was tough to just get that much information. she did say it would fix the problem of the software crashing with big file transfers. When I asked her about anything new in the works from Sony, she told me that was "G14 classified". We did have a chuckle about that! When I told her I thought they needed something bigger and in color so that they could tap into the Education market, she winked at me and told me that was more "G14" information but to keep my eyes open. I told her that there had been some concerns about the strength of the Sony corporation and (as expected) she said the company was just fine. I also told her I thought they could bump up their marketing to try to compete more with the Kindle market. As much as I love Payton Manning (and dislike Justin Timberlake), I think Sony's TV ads really miss the mark. I also asked about a trade in option for the 700 to upgrade to the 600 she said, "I thought we did have that", but then she told me to try to sell it on ebay because they are still selling there and for more money than Sony would give for an upgrade. I'm not ready to sell the 700, Shannon is still using it after all, but I really think if Sony were to market themselves a little more and extend more goodwill towards previous customers, it might go along way to promoting thier products.

01-12-2010, 11:33 PM	#64
donovan1983 Member Posts: 23 Karma: 475310 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I installed it and had no issues with it. It has a few quirks but is serviceable. The thing is that I don't actually use it to manage my PRS-300 and don't even have it installed on my Mac, which is my primary computer. I use Calibre to manage my ereader. The Sony software is installed on my netbook and is only used for purchasing ebooks. I also have the Kindle for PC software installed on there. I just de-DRM the files and email them to myself and then put them into Calibre on my Mac. So I chose the first, third, and fifth options since those all apply

01-14-2010, 05:28 PM	#65
happy_terd Banned Posts: 13,045 Karma: 10105011 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Finally made it to Walmart. Device: PRS 420	I dont like the software very much at all. I understand it and it still doesnt sync correctly for me. It is piss-poor in my opinion. I love my sony reader, just not the software.

01-24-2010, 10:30 AM	#69
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	pppssssstttt! why this in the Lounge, and not the Sony place.... some of us trying to get some kip.....