Why can't I search for B&N?? - Page 2

FizzyWater · 07-23-2010, 04:38 AM

Well, this thread might be the one... (I tried searching for the newest upgrade number).

I also found some complaints about the newest B&N desktop upgrade at the B&N forums.

Finally, I also found this note that said the B&N eReader Desktop software will soon be renamed (first post on this thread).

So now I'm just googling to see if there are any other definitive comments about what changed. I'm wondering if what I saw before was saying that then new software won't read the eReader PDB files any more (which ties in to the complaints thread). Still not sure...

FizzyWater · 07-23-2010, 04:46 AM

Hmmm....found this comment on the B&N eBook FAQ:

Quote:

* Version 2.5+ is installed separately from previous PC versions at this time. You can still use your previous version to see your old annotations. Just use your Start Menu to open version 2.1 Programs - Desktop Reader - Barnes & Noble - Version 2.1.
* New annotations in version 2.5 will sync going forward with 2.5. We encourage you to begin using 2.5.

Surprising - it actually installs a separate incidence of B&N software...wonder if that is because of the switch over from PDB to ePub...?

ATDrake · 07-27-2010, 04:06 PM

Well, as a test, I went and installed both B&N's latest Desktop reader straight from the website, and the corresponding eReader software from eReader.com, using Wine on my Mac, then copied the program folders over to a USB stick to try out on the library's Windows computers.

Both B&N & eReader apps seemed to coexist okay.

Loaded up fine, opened and read books in pdb & epub format (where supported), both DRM and and non perfectly well, and I could use the two at the same time without any noticeable problems.

So unless some extraneous weird stuff gets put in the system which might screw things up, it should probably be safe enough to upgrade.

FizzyWater · 07-28-2010, 02:09 AM

Does the new B&N software still read eReader formatted books, or only ePub?

ATDrake · 07-28-2010, 02:24 AM

B&N app read both ePub and eReader pdbs, with or without the DRM.

I'm not sure how one would go about adding them to the Library (sorry, didn't think to see if they'd be automatically picked up from the B&N Userdata folder), but my DRMed PDBs popped up the Name/CC dialogue when I drag and dropped them straight onto the B&N app window.

The books unlocked just fine and I could flip back and forth through the pages without any problems. I tried a book from each combination of formats (ePub/PDB|DRM/free) in both readers, though the regular eReader app could only read eReader format (didn't respond to drag & drop, either, had to manually select books from the menu).

Hope this helps.

FizzyWater · 07-28-2010, 02:26 AM

Thanks ATDrake! I understand the newer version of B&N software took away some functionality (i.e., changing fonts?), but since I still have eReader too, I'll probably just go ahead and upgrade next time it asks.

ATDrake · 07-28-2010, 02:40 AM

Yeah, judging from the differences between new B&N app for Windows, and the old version still being used for Mac, apparently the ability to set your own fonts and background are gone, everything's all bunched up in one window with a sidebar, you can only highlight in one colour and can't seem export your notes, and adding books that aren't on your B&N account is hidden under My Stuff (just checked w/Wine on Mac; barfs on ePub, but okay with PDB), and you can no longer do that 2-page layout or the auto-scrolling.

On the plus side, it does keep a nice catalogue listing of all your books once you've got them entered, showing titles and covers and all. And you can skip straight to your annotations and highlights from the sidebar for the book you're currently reading.

And now you can access the table of contents in a rollout sidebar while you're reading, which seems to be very handy (doesn't exist in current Mac version) and "flip" through a book by sliding back and forth on the bottom progress navbar.

If I were you, I'd keep a copy of the old B&N version and install package around, just in case. I hope they don't mess things up too much when they finally do the Mac upgrade.

FizzyWater · 07-28-2010, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATDrake

If I were you, I'd keep a copy of the old B&N version and install package around, just in case. I hope they don't mess things up too much when they finally do the Mac upgrade.

I am a packrat in almost all things.

Still have my LIBPRS500 install files somewhere.

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07-23-2010, 04:38 AM	#16
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	Well, this thread might be the one... (I tried searching for the newest upgrade number). I also found some complaints about the newest B&N desktop upgrade at the B&N forums. Finally, I also found this note that said the B&N eReader Desktop software will soon be renamed (first post on this thread). So now I'm just googling to see if there are any other definitive comments about what changed. I'm wondering if what I saw before was saying that then new software won't read the eReader PDB files any more (which ties in to the complaints thread). Still not sure...

07-27-2010, 04:06 PM	#18
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	Well, as a test, I went and installed both B&N's latest Desktop reader straight from the website, and the corresponding eReader software from eReader.com, using Wine on my Mac, then copied the program folders over to a USB stick to try out on the library's Windows computers. Both B&N & eReader apps seemed to coexist okay. Loaded up fine, opened and read books in pdb & epub format (where supported), both DRM and and non perfectly well, and I could use the two at the same time without any noticeable problems. So unless some extraneous weird stuff gets put in the system which might screw things up, it should probably be safe enough to upgrade.

07-28-2010, 02:09 AM	#19
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	Does the new B&N software still read eReader formatted books, or only ePub?

07-28-2010, 02:24 AM	#20
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	B&N app read both ePub and eReader pdbs, with or without the DRM. I'm not sure how one would go about adding them to the Library (sorry, didn't think to see if they'd be automatically picked up from the B&N Userdata folder), but my DRMed PDBs popped up the Name/CC dialogue when I drag and dropped them straight onto the B&N app window. The books unlocked just fine and I could flip back and forth through the pages without any problems. I tried a book from each combination of formats (ePub/PDB\|DRM/free) in both readers, though the regular eReader app could only read eReader format (didn't respond to drag & drop, either, had to manually select books from the menu). Hope this helps.

07-28-2010, 02:26 AM	#21
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	Thanks ATDrake! I understand the newer version of B&N software took away some functionality (i.e., changing fonts?), but since I still have eReader too, I'll probably just go ahead and upgrade next time it asks.

07-28-2010, 02:40 AM	#22
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	Yeah, judging from the differences between new B&N app for Windows, and the old version still being used for Mac, apparently the ability to set your own fonts and background are gone, everything's all bunched up in one window with a sidebar, you can only highlight in one colour and can't seem export your notes, and adding books that aren't on your B&N account is hidden under My Stuff (just checked w/Wine on Mac; barfs on ePub, but okay with PDB), and you can no longer do that 2-page layout or the auto-scrolling. On the plus side, it does keep a nice catalogue listing of all your books once you've got them entered, showing titles and covers and all. And you can skip straight to your annotations and highlights from the sidebar for the book you're currently reading. And now you can access the table of contents in a rollout sidebar while you're reading, which seems to be very handy (doesn't exist in current Mac version) and "flip" through a book by sliding back and forth on the bottom progress navbar. If I were you, I'd keep a copy of the old B&N version and install package around, just in case. I hope they don't mess things up too much when they finally do the Mac upgrade.

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