Installation Instructions for Kobo-1, Release 1.8.1

[taming]

Please check out JCKobo's post Database and SD Card Images for 1.8. It will be the ultimate solution for corrupted databases. My understanding is that the preloaded books will then be kepub files which will mean that the dictionary will work with them.

[EDinNB]

Originally Posted by taming

I assume you mean backup the sideloaded books onto an SD card, which you can then use on your Kobo during these few days when Calibre isn't playing nicely with it. It looks fine to me, but others may want to weigh in.

I just copied them to a folder on my computer then moved them back at the appropiate time.

EDinNB

[taming]

Originally Posted by djloewen

On an unrelated note, the primary reason I've been downloading/using epubs rather than syncing with the software is that I never liked the idea of "Kobo optimized versions". I want to see the publisher's layout, the publisher's font, etc. Of course, books missing their pictures was a perfect example of the problem with that system. I frankly don't like that you can change between "serif" and "sans serif" because that tells me that the original intended fonts aren't being used. So, what can anyone tell me about the new "kepub" system? It sounds like a step in the right direction, but in what way are they being altered from their original versions? It would certainly be simpler to just sync my device, but I will tolerate no alterations to the original intended layout/format.

Adobe ADE editions are very often not a good match with the paper book. For example, the Publishers seem to mess up fairly often when they do their font declarations and ADE ePUB does not always "read" the custom fonts. Some books are well prepared for digital editions, whilst some are very poorly done.

The new kepub format includes support for images. They have a CSS group working on other enhancements, but that is not a part of the current update. The update will though assure that when changes are made to individual books, they are passed through to existing books through sync. And, of course, if you read on multiple devices, the kepub editions can sync up so your reading changes propagate through all of the devices you use.

[HarleyB]

Originally Posted by Greenmantle

I wouldn't be surprised if you have a corrupt database.
There was an earlier posting that the Kobo team were going to be supplying a clean image of the database file soon, so try replacing it when it becomes available.

By the way, I can tell you from experience that if you had previously synced from say a Borders desktop and then loaded the Kobo one and synced to it you WILL corrupt your database.

That was not my experience.
I originally used the Borders Desktop app as I purchased my Kobo from Borders in Australia. However I soon discovered that the books I wanted to read were signficantly cheaper from kobobooks.com
I started purchasing from kobobooks.com and downloaded epubs through ADE. A few weeks later I mistakenly purchased a book from Kobo that wasn't available as an epub. My fault for not being observant but the only way to get it was to download the Kobo app and sync.
The only "problem" I encountered was that it all my books from Kobo were duplicated as I had the ADE epubs and the synced Kobo versions. I had that sorted by removing the books from my Kobo library and resyncing with only the one book I needed.
Of course now the Borders app doesn't work anymore as you can only have one OR the other not both. But in my experience you can certainly change from one app to the other if you are not happy with the app you start with.

[Greenhat]

Originally Posted by taming

The dictionary works on kepub files only.

What is KePub format please? I have googled it but no answer.

[3d0g]

Originally Posted by Greenhat

What is KePub format please? I have googled it but no answer.

It's basically an EPUB that's been enhanced by kobo to support additional features like bookmark syncing. The kobo eReader has two built-in rendering engines - ADE for pure EPUBs and it's own for viewing kepub books.

[taming]

kepub files are Kobo's proprietary DRM ePUB files--like adept is for Adobe. You may want to take a look at the Kobo user guides here: http://koboereader.com/user-guide The guide for version 1.8 is included in the update for the Kobo-O, but does not appear to be on the website yet.

[Greenhat]

thanks for your explanation :-)

[EDinNB]

After a lot of frustration and some learning (learning is good) I think this new firmware will be a great enhancement to my Kobo, Now while the Mrs is at work, I'll redo her new one and have it fully charged for her come Christmas Morning..

FYI Re Kobo sales... Chapters in Moncton got 20 Kobo WiFi's in today, at 1300 there were 7 left, Daughter got 1 of the last 5 an hr later... in and out on the same day... Way to Go Kobo...

EDinNB

[dafrizz]

Originally Posted by EDinNB

I just copied them to a folder on my computer then moved them back at the appropiate time.

EDinNB

Using what ? Calibre ? File Manager ? Thanks.

[EDinNB]

C&P with file manager... why use an external program when Windows will do it for you.

EDinNB

[dafrizz]

Originally Posted by EDinNB

C&P with file manager... why use an external program when Windows will do it for you.

EDinNB

And the kobo recognised them alright ? Showed up in "Your books" ? Thanks.

[anidel]

Damn Kobo! Why I have to exit Dictionary after EACH word!!!

[kiwipippa]

I have now done the upgrade. Installed it all last night without any problems (or so I thought). All my calibre books showed on the device under my books, with those in I'm Reading all still there and book marked. But when I downloaded a new library book via ADE this morning the content was locked on my kobo - despite me reauthorising with ADE. Thanks to taming's advice, I did a factory reset (reluctantly I must say as I didn't want to lose my books). I can now read my library books and I'm waiting until tomorrow's release of calibre before loading the rest.

Reasonably painless but I do think that Kobo should add the factory reset to the end of their instructions as most people use ADE and would run into similar issues. But overall, I'm happy (except for the fact NZ'ers and Australian's don't yet have newspapers and magazines)

I don't use the desktop app so can't comment on that.

[pejorg2000]

Originally Posted by taming

Please check out JCKobo's post Database and SD Card Images for 1.8. It will be the ultimate solution for corrupted databases. My understanding is that the preloaded books will then be kepub files which will mean that the dictionary will work with them.

This got me my ADE/ePub book back (THANKS!!!) - but now when I try to access "Three Musketeers" I get this:

'The content you are trying to view is locked. Please update your library to access your books. Press the "shop" button and select "update library".'

Clicking "Update Library" in the desktop app didn't seem to do anything.