Advice/Opinions Needed, Thanks! - Page 2

NickyWithNook · 05-22-2015, 08:04 AM

My library loans epub and mobi but the mobi ones are delivered wirelessly and I have to tether my ereader and jump through a few more hoops to get the epub library books on my nook. I hate doing all of that to put one ebook on my ereader.

cybmole · 05-22-2015, 08:27 AM

my UK library uses overdrive, it offers epub only. that is true for all UK libraries and you can only join the one for your county or district. there is a postcode check or a visit is needed to sign up with proof of residence.

my paid for ( non_USA ) membership of free library of Philadelphia, also uses overdrive, but it offers both epub and mobi. As said above, the process for checking out mobi is more convoluted. The library has to tell amazon to send you a copy, IIRC.

For my Kobo reader I checkout books via PC browser, into Adobe digital editions, then sideload. it is possible to bypass the PC but navigating library pages is awful on black and white e-ink browsers, and is not much better on small screen tablets. I think also you need a PC , one time only, to get your e-reader authorised by Adobe.

eschwartz · 05-22-2015, 11:01 AM

How is Amazon checkout any more convoluted than ADE? The only difference is it is entirely browser-based rather than requiring ereader USB hookups and additional software running on your PC. Also it works across every OS on the planet (including ChoromeOS as well as general-purpose linux, AND Android or even embedded devices like a Kindle).

Also -- how do you download an ADE book directly to a Kobo? I was under the impression only the old Sonys could do that...

cybmole · 05-22-2015, 11:48 AM

ok - epub is overdrive -> you. wifi not required [wired PC, usb transfer]
mobi is overdrive -> amazon -> you. wifi essential
equally slick if all components are working , including your own wifi, I guess

As for ADE to Kobo, maybe you are right, I always go via PC. I guess I assumed because all the components exist. i.e. device has an auth and a web browser, and can read epub; that it would "just work" but maybe not. I do recall testing one tame but maybe that was when I still had Sony, before I bought the kobo.

NickyWithNook · 05-22-2015, 01:17 PM

I don't think you have to use wifi to get kindle overdrive books, it just makes it easier. But it seems like I've had the option of downloading instead of doing it by wifi. I'll have to check next time I get a library ebook. The "wifi is essential" doesn't seem like a problem if you have wifi. It is ridiculously easy to get library books that way.

hannah · 05-22-2015, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybmole

As for ADE to Kobo, maybe you are right, I always go via PC. I guess I assumed because all the components exist. i.e. device has an auth and a web browser, and can read epub; that it would "just work" but maybe not. I do recall testing one tame but maybe that was when I still had Sony, before I bought the kobo.

I think you can download the acsm file, but I don't think the reader can download the epub afterwards.

eschwartz · 05-22-2015, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybmole

ok - epub is overdrive -> you. wifi not required [wired PC, usb transfer]

Surely you meant to say "WiFi is not an option at all, wired PC via USB transfer is mandatory".

Quote:

mobi is overdrive -> amazon -> you. wifi essential
equally slick if all components are working , including your own wifi, I guess

WiFi has never and will never be a requirement for Amazon ebooks. It is always an option, in addition to downloading direct from the website and sideloading that file... once again easier than downloading a file into ADE, then using ADE to sideload... because there is no dependency on additional programs.

As I recall, certain publishers actually had an agreement that Kindle ebooks could only be checked out of the library if Amazon made you download via the browser and sideload... so if anything it is the opposite; it is manual download that is (was?) essential, and WiFi is a no-no. Making ADE and Amazon rather similar.
This was their officially recognized way of, to paraphrase their own words, not allowing it to be too easy to check out an ebook, lest people get in the habit of instantly borrowing a book instead of buying it.
(Of course, once you checked it out and "downloaded", you could then sync the Kindle and download via WiFi.

)

Quote:

As for ADE to Kobo, maybe you are right, I always go via PC. I guess I assumed because all the components exist. i.e. device has an auth and a web browser, and can read epub; that it would "just work" but maybe not. I do recall testing one tame but maybe that was when I still had Sony, before I bought the kobo.

It is missing the last component (I assume? I guess it could simply be turned off) -- an Adobe Content Server client.
Merely having RMSDK only serves to decrypt a book using the ADEPT method.
Decryption actually has nothing to do with registering and verifying an Adobe ID with ACS and negotiating book records (based on the .acsm permissions file) in order to download the ebook itself.

eschwartz · 05-22-2015, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hannah

I think you can download the acsm file, but I don't think the reader can download the epub afterwards.

Correct -- the browser can download "files" and save them to disk.

But the file still has to be opened by a software process, one that Sony clearly had, but doesn't seem to be embedded in any other ereader, or most apps either.

Though I know the OverDrive app can download books from OverDrive. I am not aware that it exposes its handling of .acsm to outside file handling.
Aldiko IIRC registers itself as a .acsm handler and can open .acsm file and download the EPUB, just like the Sonys.

cybmole · 05-22-2015, 02:30 PM

Can a mobi loan be returned early, like an ade epub ? I have only ever loaned one where there was no e pub option, and I recall having to manually delete it via amazon webpage after it expired.
EPub via wifi ? . Well the overdrive to pc step can be wifi. I don't have my Kobo hd to hand to test if I can also do step 2 without a wire, but pc could put the activated download into dropbox and Kobo browser could get it from there? Convoluted but not impossible

cybmole · 05-22-2015, 02:35 PM

Ps overdrive epub direct from library to Kobo Tablet works, simply and wirelessly, if overdrive android app is installed.

eschwartz · 05-22-2015, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybmole

Can a mobi loan be returned early, like an ade epub ? I have only ever loaned one where there was no e pub option, and I recall having to manually delete it via amazon webpage after it expired.

Yes, Amazon also allows you to return books early.

Quote:

EPub via wifi ? . Well the overdrive to pc step can be wifi. I don't have my Kobo hd to hand to test if I can also do step 2 without a wire, but pc could put the activated download into dropbox and Kobo browser could get it from there? Convoluted but not impossible

Whether the computer itself is hooked up to the World Wide Web via ethernet cables or a wireless card is competely orthogonal, and you know it.

It is true you *can* put the ADE ebook onto Dropbox and download it without a USB connection, but I think you also knew what I meant when I discussed the challenge of direct library ==> ereader integration vs. going through a computer+ADE.
Dropbox would be even more convoluted, but yeah, sure. Consider your point, whatever it is, proven.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybmole

Ps overdrive epub direct from library to Kobo Tablet works, simply and wirelessly, if overdrive android app is installed.

What on earth could your point possibly be?

An android tablet running an app everyone already knew downloads directly from OverDrive? No duh -- I myself pointed that out, two posts ago.
This helps people dealing with/discussing ereaders... how???

meeera · 05-22-2015, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Correct -- the browser can download "files" and save them to disk.

But the file still has to be opened by a software process, one that Sony clearly had, but doesn't seem to be embedded in any other ereader, or most apps either.

Now that Rakuten owns Overdrive, I'm hoping for OTA library book handling to be a future standard feature in Kobo ereaders.

rcentros · 05-23-2015, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybmole

ok - epub is overdrive -> you. wifi not required [wired PC, usb transfer]
mobi is overdrive -> amazon -> you. wifi essential
equally slick if all components are working , including your own wifi, I guess

WiFi is not required for Kindle books from Overdrive. I know this simply because some books I've borrowed wouldn't allow direct to WiFi downloads -- some kind of strange license agreement. If you're using a PC though, the WiFi download is the easiest way I know to get library books and I almost always use my Kindle for library books. I just borrowed a book on my Fire and told Amazon to download it to my 3G Touch. I think I should be able to do that even I didn't have WiFi. (Not absolutely sure, I've never done it.)

All my ePub library downloads are now downloaded to my Sony T2 (I don't even have ADE on my computer). I did try ADE in the past for a couple library downloads for my Nook and Kobo -- and I don't see the advantage. It just seems like an extra step.

Of course this all moot for Overdrive accounts anywhere else besides the United States.

hannah · 05-23-2015, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

Now that Rakuten owns Overdrive, I'm hoping for OTA library book handling to be a future standard feature in Kobo ereaders.

I'm hoping for the same thing

I read a lot and I have to attach my kobo quite often to my pc for transferring library books. It would be so much simpler to download them directly to the kobo.

05-22-2015, 11:01 AM	#18
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	How is Amazon checkout any more convoluted than ADE? The only difference is it is entirely browser-based rather than requiring ereader USB hookups and additional software running on your PC. Also it works across every OS on the planet (including ChoromeOS as well as general-purpose linux, AND Android or even embedded devices like a Kindle). Also -- how do you download an ADE book directly to a Kobo? I was under the impression only the old Sonys could do that... Last edited by eschwartz; 05-22-2015 at 11:03 AM.

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05-22-2015, 08:04 AM	#16
NickyWithNook Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 3942770 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: American living in Australia Device: Kobo Libra Colour, Kindle Fire, Kindle Pwhite (Don't use Nook anymore)	My library loans epub and mobi but the mobi ones are delivered wirelessly and I have to tether my ereader and jump through a few more hoops to get the epub library books on my nook. I hate doing all of that to put one ebook on my ereader.

05-22-2015, 08:27 AM	#17
cybmole Wizard Posts: 3,720 Karma: 1759970 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: none	my UK library uses overdrive, it offers epub only. that is true for all UK libraries and you can only join the one for your county or district. there is a postcode check or a visit is needed to sign up with proof of residence. my paid for ( non_USA ) membership of free library of Philadelphia, also uses overdrive, but it offers both epub and mobi. As said above, the process for checking out mobi is more convoluted. The library has to tell amazon to send you a copy, IIRC. For my Kobo reader I checkout books via PC browser, into Adobe digital editions, then sideload. it is possible to bypass the PC but navigating library pages is awful on black and white e-ink browsers, and is not much better on small screen tablets. I think also you need a PC , one time only, to get your e-reader authorised by Adobe.

05-22-2015, 11:48 AM	#19
cybmole Wizard Posts: 3,720 Karma: 1759970 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: none	ok - epub is overdrive -> you. wifi not required [wired PC, usb transfer] mobi is overdrive -> amazon -> you. wifi essential equally slick if all components are working , including your own wifi, I guess As for ADE to Kobo, maybe you are right, I always go via PC. I guess I assumed because all the components exist. i.e. device has an auth and a web browser, and can read epub; that it would "just work" but maybe not. I do recall testing one tame but maybe that was when I still had Sony, before I bought the kobo.

05-22-2015, 01:17 PM	#20
NickyWithNook Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 3942770 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: American living in Australia Device: Kobo Libra Colour, Kindle Fire, Kindle Pwhite (Don't use Nook anymore)	I don't think you have to use wifi to get kindle overdrive books, it just makes it easier. But it seems like I've had the option of downloading instead of doing it by wifi. I'll have to check next time I get a library ebook. The "wifi is essential" doesn't seem like a problem if you have wifi. It is ridiculously easy to get library books that way.

05-22-2015, 02:30 PM	#24
cybmole Wizard Posts: 3,720 Karma: 1759970 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: none	Can a mobi loan be returned early, like an ade epub ? I have only ever loaned one where there was no e pub option, and I recall having to manually delete it via amazon webpage after it expired. EPub via wifi ? . Well the overdrive to pc step can be wifi. I don't have my Kobo hd to hand to test if I can also do step 2 without a wire, but pc could put the activated download into dropbox and Kobo browser could get it from there? Convoluted but not impossible

05-22-2015, 02:35 PM	#25
cybmole Wizard Posts: 3,720 Karma: 1759970 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: none	Ps overdrive epub direct from library to Kobo Tablet works, simply and wirelessly, if overdrive android app is installed.

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