sony Library software - does it work OK on a Mac?

[andym]

Thanks for the help so far. As far as Adobe Digital Editions is concerned, Adobe say:

Owners of these devices can use Adobe Digital Editions 1.7 and later to transfer Adobe DRM-protected content to and from the Sony Reader on Windows [my emphasis]. Windows and Mac OS users can both use Sony's latest eBook Library software to transfer Adobe DRM-protected content to and from the Sony Reader. See Sony's site for more information.

Note: On Mac OS, the new eBook Library software does not add support for these devices to Digital Editions itself. However, it's necessary to install Digital Editions and authorize it to an Adobe ID.

Which has left me scratching my head.

Can I authorise the reader using ADE on the Mac - or do i need a windows machine to do that? Once I've authorised it, can I then transfer books using ADE or calibre or both?

[Bookworm_Girl]

The ADE for Mac software works on a Mac. You can open ACSM files that you get from a bookstore or the library with it and read them in the software. I even use it to transfer DRM'ed books to my NOOKcolor. It just does not recognize the Sony ereaders as a device connected to your computer via USB. However, the PC version does recognize the Sony ereaders.

Therefore you cannot use ADE for Mac to authorize a Sony ereader or transfer books to it. Don't panic though. You do not need a Windows computer. Sony has a special agreement with Adobe that when you install the Sony software and create a log-in ID for a Sony account, they will also use your email and password to create an Adobe ID. If you already have ADE for Mac installed and an existing Adobe ID, then just use the same email and password as your existing Adobe ID when you install the Sony software and create a Sony account.

Some people choose to open ACSM files with ADE and import the book into their ADE library. They then locate where the EPUB file was stored by ADE on their computer (Documents/Digital Editions). Next they import the EPUB into their calibre library. They then use calibre to transfer the book to their Sony.

Myself, I prefer to use the Sony Reader Library software to manage my library. I open ACSM files with it and transfer ebooks to my ereader via the Sony software. I like how it autosyncs my book collections (just like a playlist syncs with your iPod in iTunes). Therefore, I never use (or even miss) ADE for Mac with my Sony ereader. calibre is very powerful, and many people prefer it to manage their library over the Sony software.

ACSM files are what you get when you download a DRM'ed book from an ebookstore or the library. You then open that file on your computer with either ADE or Sony Reader Library. This action downloads the EPUB/PDF file from the server where you purchased the book and applies the appropriate DRM encryption specific to your Adobe account ID and stores a copy of the book on your hard-drive. It sounds complicated, but it's really just downloading a file and then opening it and everything else happens automatically in the background for you.

[EatingPie]

Originally Posted by andym

Hi

I'm debating taking the plunge and getting an eReader. But I saw some (old) reports that the sony software didn't work well on Macs. There are a couple of threads on here from 2009. Should I from the silence since then that the problems have been fixed?

Any Mac users out there who can reassure me? I'm using Snow Leopard - if it matters.

I already have a lot of DRMed ePub books that I would want to transfer to the reader, and I'm assuming Calibre is only an option for non-DRMed books.

Thanks.

Just want to clarify a few things in this thread.

You use the Sony Reader software for four tasks (more or less).

1) Purchasing/Downloading books.
2) Managing your library.
3) Reading Books on the Mac.
4) Transferring books to the reader.

The software works perfectly in 32-bit or 64-bit mode for everything except transferring books to the Reader. That requires a boot into 32 bit mode (hold CMD-OPT-3-2 after start-up chime).

Also worth noting: the Reader itself will mount on the Desktop when you connect it via USB. This happens whether you are in 32-bit or 64-bit mode.

I personally stay booted in 64-bit mode, and use the Reader Software for purchasing books and for testing LRFs and EPUBs that I reformat myself. To transfer books to the Reader, you have several options. Since the Reader mounts on the Desktop, you can simply drag/drop the book to the Reader. Just make sure you put it in READER->database->media->books. You can also use the command line (/Volumes/READER/database/media/books), or Calibre to manage the transfer.

I honestly do not know why Sony even requires a driver since the Reader acts as a generic USB device. But, for me, the Reader software functions just fine since I manage the transfers on my own.

-Pie

[andym]

BookwormGirl (and everybody else). Thanks very much - that's really helpful.

[pidgeon92]

Originally Posted by EatingPie

The software works perfectly in 32-bit or 64-bit mode for everything except transferring books to the Reader. That requires a boot into 32 bit mode (hold CMD-OPT-3-2 after start-up chime).

You only need to hold down the 3 and 2 keys.

[mhare24]

I got my reader in February and have a MacBook Pro from 2009. Everything worked fine until about 2 weeks ago. Now I can see the Reader icon in the dock and Reader Library up in the task bar but there are no commands and nothing happens when I plug my reader in. I've uninstalled and reinstalled but to no avail.

[EatingPie]

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

You only need to hold down the 3 and 2 keys.

Oops, so much for me being Mr Know-it-All!

Thanks for the correction.

-Pie

[GraceKrispy]

I don't understand half of this thread, but from a technodunce, the software works as well on the mac as it did on the PC. Actually, maybe better, I haven't (knock on wood) had any major issues on the mac beyond the tiny delay whenever I try to make it do anything. I always have auto sync OFF.

[mwheinz]

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

I don't understand half of this thread, but from a technodunce, the software works as well on the mac as it did on the PC.

The conversation's been derailed a good deal, but the basic point is that it depends on how old your Mac is. Older machines will sync correctly, newer machines have to be rebooted into a special mode in order for Sony's drivers to work.

I'm glad it works for you - even before I upgraded to a new Mac, mine had corrupted its own database so many times that I just got tired of re-downloading my books from Sony and started using Calibre.

[elcreative]

Originally Posted by mwheinz

The conversation's been derailed a good deal, but the basic point is that it depends on how old your Mac is. Older machines will sync correctly, newer machines have to be rebooted into a special mode in order for Sony's drivers to work.

I'm glad it works for you - even before I upgraded to a new Mac, mine had corrupted its own database so many times that I just got tired of re-downloading my books from Sony and started using Calibre.

It isn't a special mode, it's just 32-bit mode and Sony software isn't the only software that objects to 64-bit... basically if you are using older (and not upgraded) software then 32-bit usage is often needed... the same goes with PCs and things like compatibility mode. They're not "special" just other modes...

[mwheinz]

Originally Posted by elcreative

It isn't a special mode, it's just 32-bit mode and Sony software isn't the only software that objects to 64-bit...

Except I only reboot my Mac every couple of months, and shutting down all my apps makes rebooting a 5 minute procedure. I'm sorry but as a computer programmer I consider this basic laziness on the part of Sony - worse, actually, since the reader doesn't actually need the special kernel driver at all.

[elcreative]

So one company upgrades their stuff which results in some older stuff (from other companies) being incompatible with the new mode but they provide for this by allowing you still access it in an older mode and the makers of the older software are lazy because they don't upgrade their software which will still work!! OK, perfect sense in modern society... provide something for nothing which isn't really needed...

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by elcreative

if you are using older (and not upgraded) software then 32-bit usage is often needed... the same goes with PCs and things like compatibility mode.

Windows 7 and Vista automatically installs 32-bit-only software in 32-bit mode. They have one Programs directory for 64-bit and one for 32-bit, and your software goes wherever it needs to go. If it's installed in the 32-bit directory it runs in a sort of emulated 32-bit mode (can't remember the details right now), without the need for reboot or any other weird action on the user's part.

Really old or inflexible programs might need to be run in Compatibility Mode for older Windows versions, but the only ones I have ever had to do that with are games that were initially coded for XP and never patched/updated to support Vista properly.

[EatingPie]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Windows 7 and Vista automatically installs 32-bit-only software in 32-bit mode. They have one Programs directory for 64-bit and one for 32-bit, and your software goes wherever it needs to go. If it's installed in the 32-bit directory it runs in a sort of emulated 32-bit mode (can't remember the details right now), without the need for reboot or any other weird action on the user's part.

Really old or inflexible programs might need to be run in Compatibility Mode for older Windows versions, but the only ones I have ever had to do that with are games that were initially coded for XP and never patched/updated to support Vista properly.

I think things are getting mixed up a bit here. There are two pieces to the puzzle.

1) The Reader Library Application
2) The Sony Reader Kernel Extension (device driver).

In terms of item #1, the application, Mac OS X behaves similarly to Windows: it runs 32 bit apps just fine when booted in 64 mode (in a twist, it also runs 64 bit apps when booted in 32 bit mode). So the Reader Library Application runs, no problem, all (most) systems go, regardless of 32 or 64 bit boot.

However, the problem is item #2, Sony's separate Kernel extension that installs at the same time as the Reader Library Application. It is 32 bit only and means the 64 bit booted OS cannot run it because anything in the Kernel must match (32 extension for 32 bit OS, 64 bit extension for 64 bit OS).

Without this Kernel Extension, the Reader Library Application will not communicate with your Reader. The Application will do everything else, like display books, let you make purchases, handle downloads, etc., but it will not copy to your Reader (hence "most" systems go).

So, in short, the Reader Library Application runs fine regardless of OS mode. It's the Kernel Extension that depends on the OS mode.

-Pie

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by EatingPie

I think things are getting mixed up a bit here.

I wasn't really addressing the Mac issue at all. I was just responding to this part.

Originally Posted by elcreative

It isn't a special mode, it's just 32-bit mode and Sony software isn't the only software that objects to 64-bit... basically if you are using older (and not upgraded) software then 32-bit usage is often needed... the same goes with PCs and things like compatibility mode. They're not "special" just other modes...

It's very rare that you need to manually change things to Compatibility mode on a Windows 7 or Vista system. Most of the time, and all of the time when it's a matter of 32 vs 64 bit, the O/S does it for you.