Newbie eReader (Sony 505) owner

momtodogs · 07-04-2009, 12:18 AM

and so excited about it!

I've never had an eReader, and have a HUGE overgrown collection of books (which I hope to replace in e-form, cull, and not add to, in paper form.) I am a widow, retired, have 2 dogs (dachshund and Papillion) and 1 cat (of the cat variety.) Besides books and pets, I collect pewter figurines, angels, anything Eeyore, beads*, and containers (to put my collections in or on.)
*my sister and I plan to make jewelry and sell it, but so far, I've just been collecting and sorting beads (LOTS of beads.)

I will admit, I have not yet downloaded any books. I've been busy 'reading up'

on all the how to's, hints, and cautions.

I considered the Kindle 2 (being a long-time Amazon shopper) and the Sony 505. They seemed the most reasonable in cost. My nephew has the Sony, so I was able to hold that one, and liked it; but, I chose it mainly because of the ability to use SD cards. I am a bit obsessive compulsive about sorting things (pretty much anything

), and liked the idea of being able to have separate cards for my favorite author's collections, or genre.

I have a few beginner questions:

What is the best format in ebooks to use with the Sony 505?
What can't I use?
Can I use .lit files?
Are .txt files hard to read?
I've seen comments about problems with .pdf format and the Sony. What's that all about?
What is the deal with having to convert files for the Sony eReader?
Where is/are the best sites for obtaining books (cheap)?
What concerns should I have about 'free ebook' sites my nephew has told me about?

Thanks so much for your patience and help!

new · 07-04-2009, 12:43 AM

Welcome! You will soon be addicted to your Sony reader like I am; that is as soon as you soak up everything on this website.

I love your dogs, both breeds are so cute. Boys or girls?

I am only a 2 week new Sony PRS-505 owner. I too am trying to figure out what formats to use. Also what is the deal with .pdf format????

Look to your local library for Overdrive books, they are free, last 3 weeks. Great finds there. Free books are here too, they are older books that are copyright expired.

Have fun!

Ervserver · 07-04-2009, 01:16 AM

I use a txt format books and they look great.

momtodogs · 07-04-2009, 02:38 AM

New - my pups are girls, Pepper (5) and Nutmeg (8). I call them my Spice Girls. I used to have a Sugar, and my sister has Ginger. The cat is Chloe (2), and she named herself .... somehow.

Thanks for the info about the library. The problem is, I tend to stockpile books, and don't always read them right away. I'll keep that in mind for when I am looking for a specific book to read NOW!

Ervserver - good to know about .txt books. I was a bit worried. I read somewhere that the text was tiny.

Thanks for your input.

MickeyC · 07-04-2009, 08:00 AM

Hi momtodogs and welcome to MobileRead. I've had a Sony 505 for over a year and a half and really like it. Here are some thoughts:

What is the best format in ebooks to use with the Sony 505?
Sony can handle .lrf which is their proprietary format and ePub which is the emerging industry standard. Also Word and PDFs
What can't I use?:
Unless you convert them, the Sony can't read most other formats
I've seen comments about problems with .pdf format and the Sony. What's that all about?
PDF which you read through Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) does not work very well on the Sony. The default text size is VERY small and, if you enlarge it, it does not reflow well. For example, it can run dialogue together making it difficult to determine which character is talking. It's not unreadable but nowhere near as easy to follow as .lrf or ePub
What is the deal with having to convert files for the Sony eReader?from other formats to ePub or .lrf for the Sony
You can use Calibre (free software on this site) to convert books unless they are DRM protected.
Where is/are the best sites for obtaining books (cheap)?
Check out the WIKI at the top of the page for a list of eBook stores. https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_stores

Lady Blue · 07-04-2009, 09:58 AM

Hello momtodogs, and

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to Mobileread.

I've had a Sony 505 for quite awhile and really like it. Congrats on your new toy.

ficbot · 07-04-2009, 11:34 AM

The free books here are the necest because they are specially formatted for the sony and there are a lot of them! I also get free books off feedbooks, and manybooks (but Feedbooks ones look nicer). I buy from Fictionwise; their multiformat titles can be downloaded in LRF and their secure titles can be converted if you are not opposed to cracking the DRM.

kazbates · 07-04-2009, 09:45 PM

Welcome to MobileRead, momtodogs!

I have a Sony 700 and absolutely love it. Since cassidym answered your questions, I'll just tell you that there is more to MR than just ereading! If you like to be a little silly or discuss other topics not related to ereading, check out the Lounge, but be warned. It can be VERY addictive.

Happy reading.

new · 07-05-2009, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momtodogs

New - my pups are girls, Pepper (5) and Nutmeg (8). I call them my Spice Girls. I used to have a Sugar, and my sister has Ginger. The cat is Chloe (2), and she named herself .... somehow.

Thanks for the info about the library. The problem is, I tend to stockpile books, and don't always read them right away. I'll keep that in mind for when I am looking for a specific book to read NOW!

Ervserver - good to know about .txt books. I was a bit worried. I read somewhere that the text was tiny.

Thanks for your input.

I love those dog names!

Start collecting those .lrf books right here on the column "Ebooks" they are formatted nicely by people here. I started with F. Scott Fitzgerald, I never read his work before.

Enjoy!

Elfwreck · 07-05-2009, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momtodogs

What is the best format in ebooks to use with the Sony 505?
What can't I use?
Can I use .lit files?
Are .txt files hard to read?
I've seen comments about problems with .pdf format and the Sony. What's that all about?
What is the deal with having to convert files for the Sony eReader?
Where is/are the best sites for obtaining books (cheap)?
What concerns should I have about 'free ebook' sites my nephew has told me about?

1) LRF, very likely; the problem is that you can't easily convert from LRF to other formats, so a lot of people prefer ePub.

2-3) Can't use mobi/prc or lit, but Calibre will convert them nicely.
Also can't use .rb, .pdb (neither palmDOC nor eReader), .fb2, various Palm-OS focused types, nor the seven zillion small proprietary ebook types.

4) TXT files are easy to read; the only drawback is lack of formatting--bold, italics, table of contents, and so on. If you're reading straight text, .txt is an elegant format.

5) Most PDFs are not made for 6" screens, so they show up with a lot of useless white space, and tiny text. The Reader has a reflow, but how well it works depends on how well the PDF is made, and even if it's made perfectly, the reflow tends to run short lines of text together (poetry, short dialogue) into a single paragraph.

6) Any ebook that's not in .epub, .pdf, .lrf, .txt, or .rtf will need to be converted first. Fortunately, there are free document conversion programs; Calibre outshines the others as being the most versatile & useful.

7-8) The Mobileread wiki has a great list of *legit* free ebook sites. There are plenty of non-legit free ebook sites. Telling the difference can be a bit troublesome, but you can be sure that if it offers for free books that cost serious money at booksonboard.com or fictionwise.com (like the Tolkein books), they're not legit; if they offer ebooks that don't exist elsewhere at all (like the Harry Potter books), they're also not legit. If there's no convenient "CONTACT US" spot, that's a warning sign.

hnoto · 07-05-2009, 01:49 AM

It looks like you got your questions answered, but welcome to MobileRead!

Peverel · 07-05-2009, 02:48 AM

Hi momtodogs welcomne to mobileread

07-04-2009, 12:18 AM	#1
momtodogs Lovin' the e-life!!! Posts: 31 Karma: 2044130 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pacific Northwet Device: iPad Mini	Newbie eReader (Sony 505) owner and so excited about it! I've never had an eReader, and have a HUGE overgrown collection of books (which I hope to replace in e-form, cull, and not add to, in paper form.) I am a widow, retired, have 2 dogs (dachshund and Papillion) and 1 cat (of the cat variety.) Besides books and pets, I collect pewter figurines, angels, anything Eeyore, beads, and containers (to put my collections in or on.) my sister and I plan to make jewelry and sell it, but so far, I've just been collecting and sorting beads (LOTS of beads.) I will admit, I have not yet downloaded any books. I've been busy 'reading up' on all the how to's, hints, and cautions. I considered the Kindle 2 (being a long-time Amazon shopper) and the Sony 505. They seemed the most reasonable in cost. My nephew has the Sony, so I was able to hold that one, and liked it; but, I chose it mainly because of the ability to use SD cards. I am a bit obsessive compulsive about sorting things (pretty much anything ), and liked the idea of being able to have separate cards for my favorite author's collections, or genre. I have a few beginner questions: What is the best format in ebooks to use with the Sony 505? What can't I use? Can I use .lit files? Are .txt files hard to read? I've seen comments about problems with .pdf format and the Sony. What's that all about? What is the deal with having to convert files for the Sony eReader? Where is/are the best sites for obtaining books (cheap)? What concerns should I have about 'free ebook' sites my nephew has told me about? Thanks so much for your patience and help!

07-04-2009, 12:43 AM	#2
new K3, K4B, KDX, KFHD, PW1&2 Posts: 704 Karma: 3000002 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: USA Device: K3, K4B, KDX3G, KFHD, PW1, PW2	Welcome! You will soon be addicted to your Sony reader like I am; that is as soon as you soak up everything on this website. I love your dogs, both breeds are so cute. Boys or girls? I am only a 2 week new Sony PRS-505 owner. I too am trying to figure out what formats to use. Also what is the deal with .pdf format???? Look to your local library for Overdrive books, they are free, last 3 weeks. Great finds there. Free books are here too, they are older books that are copyright expired. Have fun! Last edited by new; 07-04-2009 at 12:46 AM.

07-04-2009, 08:00 AM	#5
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Hi momtodogs and welcome to MobileRead. I've had a Sony 505 for over a year and a half and really like it. Here are some thoughts: What is the best format in ebooks to use with the Sony 505? Sony can handle .lrf which is their proprietary format and ePub which is the emerging industry standard. Also Word and PDFs What can't I use?: Unless you convert them, the Sony can't read most other formats I've seen comments about problems with .pdf format and the Sony. What's that all about? PDF which you read through Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) does not work very well on the Sony. The default text size is VERY small and, if you enlarge it, it does not reflow well. For example, it can run dialogue together making it difficult to determine which character is talking. It's not unreadable but nowhere near as easy to follow as .lrf or ePub What is the deal with having to convert files for the Sony eReader?from other formats to ePub or .lrf for the Sony You can use Calibre (free software on this site) to convert books unless they are DRM protected. Where is/are the best sites for obtaining books (cheap)? Check out the WIKI at the top of the page for a list of eBook stores. https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_stores Last edited by MickeyC; 07-04-2009 at 08:02 AM.

07-04-2009, 09:58 AM	#6
Lady Blue the snarky blue one Posts: 6,001 Karma: 3877825 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: deep in the heart Device: PRS500, 505 & 600, PRST1 & T2, Kindle PW, Moto Razr, Galaxy Tab 2-10"	Hello momtodogs, and to Mobileread. I've had a Sony 505 for quite awhile and really like it. Congrats on your new toy.

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07-04-2009, 01:16 AM	#3
Ervserver Wizard Posts: 2,624 Karma: 1008294 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Iowa, USA Device: Nook Simple Touch	I use a txt format books and they look great.

07-04-2009, 02:38 AM	#4
momtodogs Lovin' the e-life!!! Posts: 31 Karma: 2044130 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pacific Northwet Device: iPad Mini	New - my pups are girls, Pepper (5) and Nutmeg (8). I call them my Spice Girls. I used to have a Sugar, and my sister has Ginger. The cat is Chloe (2), and she named herself .... somehow. Thanks for the info about the library. The problem is, I tend to stockpile books, and don't always read them right away. I'll keep that in mind for when I am looking for a specific book to read NOW! Ervserver - good to know about .txt books. I was a bit worried. I read somewhere that the text was tiny. Thanks for your input.

07-04-2009, 11:34 AM	#7
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	The free books here are the necest because they are specially formatted for the sony and there are a lot of them! I also get free books off feedbooks, and manybooks (but Feedbooks ones look nicer). I buy from Fictionwise; their multiformat titles can be downloaded in LRF and their secure titles can be converted if you are not opposed to cracking the DRM.

07-04-2009, 09:45 PM	#8
kazbates Wizard Posts: 2,627 Karma: 406616 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Device: SurfacePro, SurfaceBook 2	Welcome to MobileRead, momtodogs! I have a Sony 700 and absolutely love it. Since cassidym answered your questions, I'll just tell you that there is more to MR than just ereading! If you like to be a little silly or discuss other topics not related to ereading, check out the Lounge, but be warned. It can be VERY addictive. Happy reading.

07-05-2009, 01:49 AM	#11
hnoto Groupie Posts: 194 Karma: 177180 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Device: Sony PRS 505	It looks like you got your questions answered, but welcome to MobileRead!

07-05-2009, 02:48 AM	#12
Peverel Still Easily Confused Posts: 889 Karma: 505319 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampshire/Berkshire/Surrey - yes I am that big Device: Kindle	Hi momtodogs welcomne to mobileread

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