Took the plunge...

jrl007 · 02-14-2010, 05:40 PM

and ordered the Jetbook Lite, $129 @ Newegg. I did a lot of research here (thanks everyone who directly and indirectly helped) and other places, and I think I'm going to be happy with it. I just have a few questions:

1) Library books. Our local library here has a pretty large section of E-books, and I guess I ASSumed that if a reader could handle epub, I'd be able to utilize the library's ebook section, but in one of the threads in the Ectaco section mentioned that the JBL could NOT read library books? I went through all of the threads in this section, read most of them from as far back as I could go, so it may have been an older post and no longer relevant. It mentioned an Adobe Format that a reader has to handle in order to read library books. I'm a little confused, I thought library books were the epub format? Is there any way that I could find out if my library's books are comaptible with the JBL? Maybe they have some info on their website to point me in the right direction. I wanted to check here first so I'd know what to look for.

2) periodicals, newspapers, etc? Is there anyplace to download things like this, and once again what format should I look for?

3) RSS newsfeeds? Can I read these on the JBL? I *think* that I read it does HTML but once again not sure.

I have/had a TON of questions and a lot of them were/will be answered by the posts that are already here, I've got a lot of reading to do to learn the ins and outs of my new device, these were just a couple of questions that I hadn't been able to find answers for yet, or was confused but what I've read.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies!

Jack Tingle · 02-14-2010, 06:13 PM

In answer to your questions:

1) No, it cannot. For that you need something that Overdrive (or its equivalent) can handle. That's generally a specific type of file-format/DRM combination.

2) I'm sure there are. You might look at Fictionwise Multiformat. I don't know how many or what kind of periodicals publish that way.

3) You'll have to aggregate them somehow as a static file and transfer them to the jetBook. I belive there are such programs/services, but I've never used them. I doubt they're easy to use, but I could be wrong.

On a broader note, you might want to reconsider the jetBook if those uses are very important to you. The jetBook is primarily intended for reading unencrypted text files. It accepts a wide variety of file formats, but tends to defeature them to a lowest common denominatory for display.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

Kralik · 02-14-2010, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Tingle

3) You'll have to aggregate them somehow as a static file and transfer them to the jetBook. I belive there are such programs/services, but I've never used them. I doubt they're easy to use, but I could be wrong.

On a broader note, you might want to reconsider the jetBook if those uses are very important to you. The jetBook is primarily intended for reading unencrypted text files. It accepts a wide variety of file formats, but tends to defeature them to a lowest common denominatory for display.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

Calibre has some decent options for downloading RSS feeds and converting/copying to a reader.

But Jack, I would disagree with your statement on the jetBook primarily being for text... unencrypted files, sure, but it handles ePUB, MOBI, PDF, etc. just fine.

jrl007 · 02-14-2010, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Tingle

In answer to your questions:

1) No, it cannot. For that you need something that Overdrive (or its equivalent) can handle. That's generally a specific type of file-format/DRM combination.

2) I'm sure there are. You might look at Fictionwise Multiformat. I don't know how many or what kind of periodicals publish that way.

3) You'll have to aggregate them somehow as a static file and transfer them to the jetBook. I belive there are such programs/services, but I've never used them. I doubt they're easy to use, but I could be wrong.

On a broader note, you might want to reconsider the jetBook if those uses are very important to you. The jetBook is primarily intended for reading unencrypted text files. It accepts a wide variety of file formats, but tends to defeature them to a lowest common denominatory for display.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

I seriously need to reconsider this purchase if there's no way to read netlibrary or overdrive library ebooks.

Should have done more research I guess...

Thanks for the reply.

GhostHawk · 02-14-2010, 09:24 PM

All depends on the Format jrl. I think the Overdrive are DRM'd pdf, those the jetbook will have problems with. However it should read epub, the only likely issues would be a DRM'd epub from someplace like Barnes and Noble.

And, if you can't use your library, don't despair, all is not lost.
There are loads of books at project Gutenburg, manybooks.net, and other sites. Many of which you can choose your format. Download to a PC, copy to an SD card, drop it into the Jetbook and your set for a long time.

jrl007 · 02-14-2010, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GhostHawk

All depends on the Format jrl. I think the Overdrive are DRM'd pdf, those the jetbook will have problems with. However it should read epub, the only likely issues would be a DRM'd epub from someplace like Barnes and Noble.

And, if you can't use your library, don't despair, all is not lost.
There are loads of books at project Gutenburg, manybooks.net, and other sites. Many of which you can choose your format. Download to a PC, copy to an SD card, drop it into the Jetbook and your set for a long time.

Thanks Ghost. I guess I will keep it, it was just a shock to hear that it couldn't read some library books. I was more concerned about new books coming out, which I usually get from the library, and was looking forward to reading on the JBL. I lost my job last July and can't really afford to buy a lot of books, even at $9.99. It was a stretch even getting the reader, but the income tax refund is in, so this is sort of like a Valentine's day/Annerversary/Father's day present.

Thanks for the words of hope, I didn't get much of that in the other replies. I'll take your advice and not despair

As you said, I'm sure that there are tons of free books out there I haven't read yet, and possibly in the future maybe the libraries will provide more compatible formats.

Have a GREAT day!

raven312 · 02-14-2010, 10:48 PM

I have to agree with GhostHawk; I don't have a JBL but there are a LOT of free books out there (not all necessarily the classics, either - check out smashwords, for instance.) I have 60-something free books that I haven't read yet. They're kind of distracting me from the ones I've paid for, knowing I have so many books to read. If you love reading and even if you have a limited budget, I'd challenge you to try to run out of things to read. Enjoy your JBL.

GA Russell · 02-14-2010, 10:49 PM

jrl, I got a JBL for Christmas, and I've been busy since then just reading the books that came with it.

I think that at its price the JBL is a great bargain, notwithstanding its limitations.

Kralik · 02-15-2010, 12:52 AM

If you like classics (i.e. anything written before the 1920's-ish), there's plenty to be found for free!

booklover6 · 02-15-2010, 07:29 AM

One of the science fiction publishers has ebooks for free on their web site. I don't remember which one, but they have good authors, like Eric Flint. You could read a lot of awesome books, for free! just going there.

Also, there are 75 pages of free books in epub format right here at mobilereads....sure to be some good stuff in there!

jrl007 · 02-15-2010, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booklover6

One of the science fiction publishers has ebooks for free on their web site. I don't remember which one, but they have good authors, like Eric Flint. You could read a lot of awesome books, for free! just going there.

Also, there are 75 pages of free books in epub format right here at mobilereads....sure to be some good stuff in there!

Wow! I'm really excited now, can't wait to get it. I ordered from Newegg and when I've ordered computer stuff from them before the shipping has been really fast. I ordered it on Saturday, hoping to get it by Wednesday!

Ken Maltby · 02-15-2010, 10:20 AM

Sounds like the SciFi site would be:
http://www.baen.com

Ectaco provided these on a card with the JBL:

http://www.ereader.com/

http://www.fictionwise.com/

Free eBooks at:

http://www.feedbooks.com/

http://www.manybooks.net/

http://www.gutenberg.org

Then there are

http://www.smashwords.com/

For as long as the USENET survives there are a few binary Newsgroups that have
ebooks for download. (search for groups with "ebook" in their name)

alt.binaries.e-book.palm or alt.binaries.e-books.palm for instance.

Luck;
Ken

PodPeople · 02-15-2010, 10:25 AM

jrl007,

The Aluratek Libre is almost identical to the Jetbook Lite (it has a rechargeable battery instead of AA's.)

http://www.aluratek.com/product_info...02&display=All

It DOES download library books via Overdrive that are encrypted with Adobe DRM (both epub and pdf).

It is available from many retailers:

http://www.aluratek.com/wheretobuy.php

CyberSmoke53 · 02-15-2010, 01:07 PM

jrl007

Ectaco is not finished with firmware upgrades either.

I had some issues with V15's use of Larger fonts and paging with eReader DRM files and had emailed Ectaco support. Support responded that they are working on various issues such as more/better fonts, more features and the ability to support more types of drm files and better pdf support.

I was assured that these updates will be available to all current customers free of charge on the Ectaco website.

I have enjoyed my JetBook lite. I had a fairly good sized bookshelf at Fictionwise and have been able to read all of those books on my JetBook lite. I also the free as well as purchased Baen books loaded on JetBook lite.. they work great! The formatting and features still are a work in progress.

02-14-2010, 05:40 PM	#1
jrl007 Enthusiast Posts: 27 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: Jetbook Lite	Took the plunge... and ordered the Jetbook Lite, $129 @ Newegg. I did a lot of research here (thanks everyone who directly and indirectly helped) and other places, and I think I'm going to be happy with it. I just have a few questions: 1) Library books. Our local library here has a pretty large section of E-books, and I guess I ASSumed that if a reader could handle epub, I'd be able to utilize the library's ebook section, but in one of the threads in the Ectaco section mentioned that the JBL could NOT read library books? I went through all of the threads in this section, read most of them from as far back as I could go, so it may have been an older post and no longer relevant. It mentioned an Adobe Format that a reader has to handle in order to read library books. I'm a little confused, I thought library books were the epub format? Is there any way that I could find out if my library's books are comaptible with the JBL? Maybe they have some info on their website to point me in the right direction. I wanted to check here first so I'd know what to look for. 2) periodicals, newspapers, etc? Is there anyplace to download things like this, and once again what format should I look for? 3) RSS newsfeeds? Can I read these on the JBL? I think that I read it does HTML but once again not sure. I have/had a TON of questions and a lot of them were/will be answered by the posts that are already here, I've got a lot of reading to do to learn the ins and outs of my new device, these were just a couple of questions that I hadn't been able to find answers for yet, or was confused but what I've read. Thanks in advance for any and all replies!

02-15-2010, 07:29 AM	#10
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,533 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle	One of the science fiction publishers has ebooks for free on their web site. I don't remember which one, but they have good authors, like Eric Flint. You could read a lot of awesome books, for free! just going there. Also, there are 75 pages of free books in epub format right here at mobilereads....sure to be some good stuff in there! Last edited by booklover6; 02-15-2010 at 07:31 AM.

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02-14-2010, 06:13 PM	#2
Jack Tingle Punctuation Fetishist Posts: 557 Karma: 1070000 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Bluest Commonwealth In East America Device: Kindle PW, Nexus 7 (2013), Galaxy S5 phone, Galaxy Tab 4 8.0	In answer to your questions: 1) No, it cannot. For that you need something that Overdrive (or its equivalent) can handle. That's generally a specific type of file-format/DRM combination. 2) I'm sure there are. You might look at Fictionwise Multiformat. I don't know how many or what kind of periodicals publish that way. 3) You'll have to aggregate them somehow as a static file and transfer them to the jetBook. I belive there are such programs/services, but I've never used them. I doubt they're easy to use, but I could be wrong. On a broader note, you might want to reconsider the jetBook if those uses are very important to you. The jetBook is primarily intended for reading unencrypted text files. It accepts a wide variety of file formats, but tends to defeature them to a lowest common denominatory for display. Regards, Jack Tingle

02-14-2010, 09:24 PM	#5
GhostHawk Data Privateer! Posts: 586 Karma: 62887 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fargo ND Device: Ectaco Jetbook& Jetbook Lite	All depends on the Format jrl. I think the Overdrive are DRM'd pdf, those the jetbook will have problems with. However it should read epub, the only likely issues would be a DRM'd epub from someplace like Barnes and Noble. And, if you can't use your library, don't despair, all is not lost. There are loads of books at project Gutenburg, manybooks.net, and other sites. Many of which you can choose your format. Download to a PC, copy to an SD card, drop it into the Jetbook and your set for a long time.

02-14-2010, 10:48 PM	#7
raven312 Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 6462 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago Device: Kindle 2	I have to agree with GhostHawk; I don't have a JBL but there are a LOT of free books out there (not all necessarily the classics, either - check out smashwords, for instance.) I have 60-something free books that I haven't read yet. They're kind of distracting me from the ones I've paid for, knowing I have so many books to read. If you love reading and even if you have a limited budget, I'd challenge you to try to run out of things to read. Enjoy your JBL.

02-14-2010, 10:49 PM	#8
GA Russell Montreal wins Grey Cup! Posts: 7,583 Karma: 31484197 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	jrl, I got a JBL for Christmas, and I've been busy since then just reading the books that came with it. I think that at its price the JBL is a great bargain, notwithstanding its limitations.

02-15-2010, 12:52 AM	#9
Kralik Guru Posts: 609 Karma: 1013897 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Rooted NST	If you like classics (i.e. anything written before the 1920's-ish), there's plenty to be found for free!

02-15-2010, 10:20 AM	#12
Ken Maltby Wizard Posts: 4,465 Karma: 6900052 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Heart of Texas Device: Boox Note2, AuraHD, PDA,	Sounds like the SciFi site would be: http://www.baen.com Ectaco provided these on a card with the JBL: http://www.ereader.com/ http://www.fictionwise.com/ Free eBooks at: http://www.feedbooks.com/ http://www.manybooks.net/ http://www.gutenberg.org Then there are http://www.smashwords.com/ For as long as the USENET survives there are a few binary Newsgroups that have ebooks for download. (search for groups with "ebook" in their name) alt.binaries.e-book.palm or alt.binaries.e-books.palm for instance. Luck; Ken

02-15-2010, 10:25 AM	#13
PodPeople Connoisseur Posts: 94 Karma: 134 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Houston, TX Device: Nook Simple Touch, iPad 3, Kindle 4B	jrl007, The Aluratek Libre is almost identical to the Jetbook Lite (it has a rechargeable battery instead of AA's.) http://www.aluratek.com/product_info...02&display=All It DOES download library books via Overdrive that are encrypted with Adobe DRM (both epub and pdf). It is available from many retailers: http://www.aluratek.com/wheretobuy.php

02-15-2010, 01:07 PM	#14
CyberSmoke53 Enthusiast Posts: 47 Karma: 480454 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Georgia , USA Device: NookColor Galaxy Tab 2 7.0	jrl007 Ectaco is not finished with firmware upgrades either. I had some issues with V15's use of Larger fonts and paging with eReader DRM files and had emailed Ectaco support. Support responded that they are working on various issues such as more/better fonts, more features and the ability to support more types of drm files and better pdf support. I was assured that these updates will be available to all current customers free of charge on the Ectaco website. I have enjoyed my JetBook lite. I had a fairly good sized bookshelf at Fictionwise and have been able to read all of those books on my JetBook lite. I also the free as well as purchased Baen books loaded on JetBook lite.. they work great! The formatting and features still are a work in progress.

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