Need help understanding Kobo vs Pocketbook

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by pypeke

Thanks. I will add that to my list. I do want to make the fonts thicker so I am glad I can do that on the stock Kobo fonts.

I don't know what AFAIK is though. I guess OS on the Pocketbook? No idea.

I have been reading about KOReader. Are the native readers that bad?

AFAIK = As far as I know.

No, native readers aren't bad. I use the stock reader on my Kobos (although patched). I've tried KOReader, but found it not really my cup of tea.

[pypeke]

Originally Posted by ableal

Calibre has an "embed metadata" feature that you can use to modify Epub books so they carry the metadata shown in the Calibre UI.

Perhaps it's a plugin. Curiously, it is disabled when a reader is connected.

Thanks.

So, if I did not use the plugin or whatever it is, then the metadata does not show up? I need to "embed metadata" so I can see the cover, etc on the Kobo?

So much to learn....

I would need that plugin whatever it is.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by pypeke

Thanks. I have not heard about that.

I have wondered about syncing and keeping track of what page I was on. I had thought about getting both a Kobo and a Pocketbook to try both, then I thought I could not sync because they are two different ereaders. ????

You can sync between Kobo and Pocketbook with KOReader, but not with the stock readers.

Personally I just find my place manually when I switch between my Kobos. Some people use the trick of remembering a phrase on the page you left off.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by pypeke

Thanks.

So, if I did not use the plugin or whatever it is, then the metadata does not show up? I need to "embed metadata" so I can see the cover, etc on the Kobo?

So much to learn....

I would need that plugin whatever it is.

If you load your books from Calibre via USB, you won't need to embed the metadata. Embedding is for wireless sending (via wifi).

[pypeke]

Originally Posted by cellaris

"If you send books wirelessly, do you also have all these options?"

Originally Posted by Quoth

No, because Calibre can't edit the Kobo database on a second connection.

Usually I don't need to charge the Kobo Sage as leaving it connected for a while when USB based updating is enough.

Ok, I am confused.

"send books wirelessly" ???? what do you mean exactly?

"can't edit the Kobo database on a second connection" ???

I don't even understand enough to ask a question....I only know old Nooks and tablets. I have never sideloaded anything and I am just barely learning Calibre.

[pypeke]

Originally Posted by John F

NickleSeries may help. From another thread:

Thanks for posting.

Another one over my head. LOL


I know epub.

I am just now reading about kepub, epub2, and epub3.

Still no idea.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by pypeke

Originally Posted by cellaris

"If you send books wirelessly, do you also have all these options?"

Ok, I am confused.

"send books wirelessly" ???? what do you mean exactly?

"can't edit the Kobo database on a second connection" ???

I don't even understand enough to ask a question....I only know old Nooks and tablets. I have never sideloaded anything and I am just barely learning Calibre.

Wirelessly = via wifi. There are several methods to send your non-Kobo books to your Kobo via wifi. But there are also drawbacks compared to the USB transfer, the lack of automatic metadata and collections management being one of them.

The second connection is for automatic series information. First, you connect your Kobo and send the books over; then you eject, wait until the books have been processed (a few seconds usually) and connect again to get the series info transferred over.

[pypeke]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

AFAIK = As far as I know.

No, native readers aren't bad. I use the stock reader on my Kobos (although patched). I've tried KOReader, but found it not really my cup of tea.

Oh, geez! I am so clueless! I need a keeper! or a new brain...maybe a younger brain....



What Kobo patches do you use and why?

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by pypeke

What Kobo patches do you use and why?

Here is the list of the patches I use:

          My 24 line spacing values
          Custom font sizes
          ePub disable built-in body padding-bottom
          Force user line spacing in KePubs
          Force user line spacing in ePubs (part 1 of 2)
          Un-Force user font-family in KePubs
          Custom navigation menu page number text
          KePub stylesheet additions - word-spacing
          Always show confirmation dialog before upgrading
          Remove recommendations (row1col2) from home screen
          Never show Kobo Plus, wishlist, and points SmartLinks
          Remove title from reading header/footer
          Custom header/footer page number text
          FeatureSettings - ExportHighlights
          Unify font sizes
          Force user line spacing in ePubs (Part 2 of 2)
          Custom synopsis details line spacing
          Custom synopsis font size
          Dictionary pop-up - increase available text area
          Increase Book Details synopsis area
          Reduce new header/footer height
          Remove footer (row3) and increase cover size on new home screen
          Reduce top/bottom page spacer

As to why, to further customize my reading experience to better suit my preferences.

[pypeke]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

You can sync between Kobo and Pocketbook with KOReader, but not with the stock readers.

Personally I just find my place manually when I switch between my Kobos. Some people use the trick of remembering a phrase on the page you left off.

Remembering a phrase? LOL I still need a younger brain transplanted. I am lucky if I remember where I left my phone.

So if I bought a Sage and a Libra Colour, I can only sync if I install KOReader? If I use a laptop or tablet to read, I would have the same problem, I guess.



Wireless sending via Wifi- like when I buy Kindle books with my Fire tablet?
I don't mind using USB to connect my Kobo and laptop to get books. Hmmm, I might have that wrong. I can use Wifi to download books from the Kobo store, but then I would need to connect my Kobo to the laptop to do anything to change them. Or not change them at all. I went down that rabbit hole and wasn't even thinking about Wifi.

It would help if I had a Kobo in my hand to try it. Thanks for being so kind and helpful and very patient!

I assume with a Kobo that I cannot use the Kobo to buy Nook or Kindle books because it is a different ecosystem. Not that I will ever buy another Nook book. I would use my laptop to buy Kindle books if they are not available at the Kobo store.



I think I am getting a little less clueless...maybe...possibly.

[pypeke]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Here is the list of the patches I use:

          My 24 line spacing values
          Custom font sizes
          ePub disable built-in body padding-bottom
          Force user line spacing in KePubs
          Force user line spacing in ePubs (part 1 of 2)
          Un-Force user font-family in KePubs
          Custom navigation menu page number text
          KePub stylesheet additions - word-spacing
          Always show confirmation dialog before upgrading
          Remove recommendations (row1col2) from home screen
          Never show Kobo Plus, wishlist, and points SmartLinks
          Remove title from reading header/footer
          Custom header/footer page number text
          FeatureSettings - ExportHighlights
          Unify font sizes
          Force user line spacing in ePubs (Part 2 of 2)
          Custom synopsis details line spacing
          Custom synopsis font size
          Dictionary pop-up - increase available text area
          Increase Book Details synopsis area
          Reduce new header/footer height
          Remove footer (row3) and increase cover size on new home screen
          Reduce top/bottom page spacer

As to why, to further customize my reading experience to better suit my preferences.

I took a screenshot to remember them. I can see a couple that I already need. So, when I complain about something, you can say, "I told you so!"

I think I am ready to order. I just hope I can find a Kobo locally that is already in the U.S. because of the Canadian Postal Strike. Maybe Walmart has some already in their warehouses.

Thanks for leading me to the Libra 2 and Sage.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by pypeke

So if I bought a Sage and a Libra Colour, I can only sync if I install KOReader? If I use a laptop or tablet to read, I would have the same problem, I guess.

You can sync the books purchased and downloaded directly from the Kobo store, but not those loaded from Calibre.

I assume with a Kobo that I cannot use the Kobo to buy Nook or Kindle books because it is a different ecosystem. Not that I will ever buy another Nook book. I would use my laptop to buy Kindle books if they are not available at the Kobo store.
I think I am getting a little less clueless...maybe...possibly.

To read a Kindle book on a Kobo you'd need to remove the DRM and convert it. And removing the DRM from Kindle books is getting more and more difficult, because Amazon is actively trying to stop it.

[pypeke]

Another question...or three.

If I buy a Stylus 2, can I use it with both the Sage and the Libra Colour? Or is it configured to only work with one eReader at a time?

Does the stylus need charging? Use batteries?

Do the ereaders need screen protectors?


I am trying to convince my favorite leather cover store to start making covers for Kobos. They only make ones to fit Kindles.

[pypeke]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

You can sync the books purchased and downloaded directly from the Kobo store, but not those loaded from Calibre.


To read a Kindle book on a Kobo you'd need to remove the DRM and convert it. And removing the DRM from Kindle books is getting more and more difficult, because Amazon is actively trying to stop it.

Thanks.
Well, I guess I will not buy any more Kindle books. Hopefully, the Kobo store will have all that I need. If not, I will have to buy a Boox.

[DNSB]

For what it may be worth, I use both of Kobo's native renders, RMSDK for most epubs since I prefer it's font handling which is likely of little interest to anyone who doesn't find themselves commenting "why would they use Flox Regular for an entire book?" I use the Kobo Webkit based renderer (kepub.epub) for books where I like being able to zoom images and for ePub3 ebooks using features such as fixed layout.

I have both KOReader and Plato installed and play with them occasionally but since Kobo improved their PDF handling, I haven't had much of an excuse to use KOReader. Given that I edit my ebooks before sending them to my Kobos, there is little need to being able to tweak my ebooks on device.