The Ultimate Kobo Tips & Tricks Thread - Page 3

JSWolf · 05-13-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corona

I'm using 7zip as and archive manager. When it comes to deleting that pesky .css file, 7zip just opens the *.epub file as an archive and then you just close it. No renaming or anything needed. 7zip is open-source:

http://www.7-zip.org/

The CSS is not pesky and should not be deleted. The problem is not the CSS but bugs in the Kobo reader. Deleting the CSS can cause your ePub to look awful instead of formatted.

techie42 · 05-13-2010, 11:42 AM

I think one of us here needs to take a look at what is causing this bug. What is it that KOBO is stumbling on?

Turt99 · 05-13-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turt99

Also I did some research and it looks to me that the eReader firmware is applying styles to the <P> tags in ePub, I think this is how it is controlling the font-size and font-family. The reason I think this is the case is when I edit my troublesome ePubs and place the font-size: 1em; line on a class used for a <SPAN> tag within the <P> tags then the scaling works just fine.

Techie, this is what I found regarding the difference in ePubs that work and ones that don't work. Its not something that can be fixed just by changing 1 thing all the time, its more involved since its how the html is structured.

techie42 · 05-13-2010, 12:46 PM

Okay. I guess I am just a bit worried by the tone of the KOBO reply.

This is a major issue for me. And, I assume that this will be a major issue when KOBO is released in the USA. If this is not fixed then it is a "fit for use" issue with me. As there are many ebooks that I cannot use the work around on.

As a developer and x-qa I understand how a product can get shipped this way. But, I do not see how this can be anything but a show stopper for a 1.1 release of the firmware.

I think I need to learn more about the style sheets. This is one of those subjects that I have happily ignored for years on end. And now it is biting me.

Turt99 · 05-13-2010, 12:58 PM

techie42, I share your concern as well.

I was a web developer (now report writer) so I know HTML and CSS, so I guess I could fix my ePub books, but like I said its different for each book what the actual fix will be. Plus, if its a DRM file I'm not even sure you can.

One of the nice things of the Kobo is that they say you can use multiple different stores (any ePub Store) but that is not the case if they don't work properly.

SameerH · 05-13-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by techie42

Okay. I guess I am just a bit worried by the tone of the KOBO reply.

This is a major issue for me. And, I assume that this will be a major issue when KOBO is released in the USA. If this is not fixed then it is a "fit for use" issue with me. As there are many ebooks that I cannot use the work around on.

As a developer and x-qa I understand how a product can get shipped this way. But, I do not see how this can be anything but a show stopper for a 1.1 release of the firmware.

I think I need to learn more about the style sheets. This is one of those subjects that I have happily ignored for years on end. And now it is biting me.

Hi Techie,

Sorry if the tone of my earlier reply was concerning, didn't mean to diminish the importance of this issue. I can safely say that this is the top priority issue we are addressing right now based on customer feedback here and elsewhere.

I received your PM, will reply as soon as I can

Stinger · 05-13-2010, 04:25 PM

NEW TIP:

I've found that if you plug in the Kobo, and then just unplug it again. Any 'NEW' (and thus unopened) books that were on the I'm Reading list get safely filed away into the bookshelf. (I can only attest to this with regular epubs, dunno about Kobo store books)

Figured this might help the people that have complained about cluttered I'm Reading lists after transferring their library to the Kobo

StealthyScribe · 05-13-2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinger

NEW TIP:

I've found that if you plug in the Kobo, and then just unplug it again. Any 'NEW' (and thus unopened) books that were on the I'm Reading list get safely filed away into the bookshelf. (I can only attest to this with regular epubs, dunno about Kobo store books)

Figured this might help the people that have complained about cluttered I'm Reading lists after transferring their library to the Kobo

Good tip, but unfortunate it doesn't work with books bought from Kobo. At least, not for me anyways.

corona · 05-14-2010, 12:19 PM

I found that PDF ebooks dowloaded from the public library wouldn't appear in the reader under "books" or "documents." There was no problem at all with books in ePub format.

ADE read the PDFs just fine, and showed they were in the reader. When viewed with Windows, the files appeared in the '"digital editions" folder in the reader, even though they were inaccessible.

In the kobo, I moved them from the "digital editions" folder to the root directory. They now appear in the reader as "documents."

Of course the font size can't be changed, and they can't be converted to ePub with Calibre 'cause they're DRM'd, but at least they can be read.

corona · 06-01-2010, 10:06 PM

This from the Firmware Wish List (and I'm just assuming this is okay w/ the OP!):

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRoverJ

I just deleted the whole sqlite database on the Kobo and drag and dropped the ePubs that I wanted. When I unplugged the Kobo from my computer it recreated the sqlite database quite quickly, and much smaller, than the original.

Worked like a damn.

eli4672 · 06-03-2010, 10:17 PM

Deleting the sqLite database from my Kobo removed the 'free' books and caused 'Sync' to start working.

wilbrich · 06-03-2010, 10:47 PM

New Tip:

I read earlier where someone suggested using a Post Office bubble mailer as a Kobo sleeve. I thought this was a good idea but maybe the mailer wouldn't last too long on its own. So I used my Foodsaver to fit a plastic sleeve over the mailer. It's not the prettiest but it sure is functional.

RedRoverJ · 06-03-2010, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eli4672

Deleting the sqLite database from my Kobo removed the 'free' books and caused 'Sync' to start working.

I really think the sqlite database is the source of many of the troubles people are having. After removing mine, the only issues I have is the known font problem. Everything is fast and works great otherwise.

techie42 · 06-04-2010, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRoverJ

I really think the sqlite database is the source of many of the troubles people are having. After removing mine, the only issues I have is the known font problem. Everything is fast and works great otherwise.

Is there a step by step instructions for this?

anagel · 06-04-2010, 04:30 PM

I read somewhere that a DVD case works extremely well with a few modifications. And you can print out a nice cover and slip it under the see-through front. You have to remove the dvd holder part and allow for the button to fit in....but try that. This way your Kobo will be protected with a hardcover case.

05-14-2010, 12:19 PM	#39
corona Addict Posts: 324 Karma: 25168 Join Date: May 2010 Device: kobo	PDFs from ADE don't appear I found that PDF ebooks dowloaded from the public library wouldn't appear in the reader under "books" or "documents." There was no problem at all with books in ePub format. ADE read the PDFs just fine, and showed they were in the reader. When viewed with Windows, the files appeared in the '"digital editions" folder in the reader, even though they were inaccessible. In the kobo, I moved them from the "digital editions" folder to the root directory. They now appear in the reader as "documents." Of course the font size can't be changed, and they can't be converted to ePub with Calibre 'cause they're DRM'd, but at least they can be read. Last edited by corona; 05-14-2010 at 12:25 PM.

06-03-2010, 10:47 PM	#42
wilbrich Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 1412 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Vox, Kobo (original), Sony Tablet, Sony PRS505	Budget Kobo Sleeve New Tip: I read earlier where someone suggested using a Post Office bubble mailer as a Kobo sleeve. I thought this was a good idea but maybe the mailer wouldn't last too long on its own. So I used my Foodsaver to fit a plastic sleeve over the mailer. It's not the prettiest but it sure is functional.

06-04-2010, 04:30 PM	#45
anagel Member Posts: 18 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Make a kobo sleeve out of a DVD case I read somewhere that a DVD case works extremely well with a few modifications. And you can print out a nice cover and slip it under the see-through front. You have to remove the dvd holder part and allow for the button to fit in....but try that. This way your Kobo will be protected with a hardcover case.

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05-13-2010, 11:42 AM	#32
techie42 Zealot Posts: 138 Karma: 76 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto Device: KOBO and iPad	I think one of us here needs to take a look at what is causing this bug. What is it that KOBO is stumbling on?

05-13-2010, 12:46 PM	#34
techie42 Zealot Posts: 138 Karma: 76 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto Device: KOBO and iPad	Okay. I guess I am just a bit worried by the tone of the KOBO reply. This is a major issue for me. And, I assume that this will be a major issue when KOBO is released in the USA. If this is not fixed then it is a "fit for use" issue with me. As there are many ebooks that I cannot use the work around on. As a developer and x-qa I understand how a product can get shipped this way. But, I do not see how this can be anything but a show stopper for a 1.1 release of the firmware. I think I need to learn more about the style sheets. This is one of those subjects that I have happily ignored for years on end. And now it is biting me.

05-13-2010, 12:58 PM	#35
Turt99 Connoisseur Posts: 92 Karma: 14 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	techie42, I share your concern as well. I was a web developer (now report writer) so I know HTML and CSS, so I guess I could fix my ePub books, but like I said its different for each book what the actual fix will be. Plus, if its a DRM file I'm not even sure you can. One of the nice things of the Kobo is that they say you can use multiple different stores (any ePub Store) but that is not the case if they don't work properly.

05-13-2010, 04:25 PM	#37
Stinger Asha'man Posts: 335 Karma: 844 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canada Device: Kobo	NEW TIP: I've found that if you plug in the Kobo, and then just unplug it again. Any 'NEW' (and thus unopened) books that were on the I'm Reading list get safely filed away into the bookshelf. (I can only attest to this with regular epubs, dunno about Kobo store books) Figured this might help the people that have complained about cluttered I'm Reading lists after transferring their library to the Kobo

06-03-2010, 10:17 PM	#41
eli4672 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 12 Join Date: May 2010 Device: Kobo	Deleting the sqLite database from my Kobo removed the 'free' books and caused 'Sync' to start working.

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