Calibre/Kindle 3--killer combination!

nickredding · 10-12-2010, 05:48 PM

I upgraded from Kindle 2 to Kindle 3 for the reduced form factor and improved e-ink contrast. However, I have discovered that the most valuable new capability of Kindle 3 comes when combined with Calibre. I was accustomed to having Calibre download my favorite newspapers daily, which I would load into my Kindle 2 via the USB connection. I reckon I would have spent over $75/month using Amazon's 3G wireless delivery service (at 35 cents/mb if I remember correctly).

The Kindle 3 will download documents sent to yourname@free.kindle.com when it is wifi-connected, at no charge. The convenience of finding my morning newspapers on my Kindle 3 every day when I open it is worth the cost of the unit by itself. Add to that the vastly improved e-ink contrast and it's a no-brainer.

My only regret is paying the extra $50 for the 3G/wifi version instead of just getting the wifi version. I doubt I will ever use the 3G--the web interface over 3G is speed-crippled and pretty well useless, and when I want something I'm generally in a wifi zone. My only other complaint is the Back button is right below the redesigned 4-way controller, and I sometimes hit it by accident when aiming for the down button. All in all, though, Kindle 3 combined with calibre is absolutely fabulous!

kovidgoyal · 10-12-2010, 05:53 PM

Indeed, if you are a heavy user of periodicals, the email delivery to the wifi K3 is very convenient

Mixx · 11-03-2010, 10:24 AM

Yes, indeed, and I am just getting my teeth into this.

And am already overwhelmed by the number of news dowload on Kindle. For some reason, I can not put them into any collection, the option on the menu for news items is grayed out.

Is there a way to have the news feed land in some (periodicals?) collection or anything like that?

Also, on the Kindle-3 the date of the feed is displayed in the column where for other books the author is shown. However, when I sort according to author, they all show up at "C", I suppose C for Calibre (which is the author showing in Calibre on the desktop).

Interestingly, if I email the feed, then the date is added to the title and shown on the Kindle. However, when I download using the USB cable, the date is not appended to the title.

Are these metadata issues?

Thanxx, Mixx

kovidgoyal · 11-03-2010, 11:24 AM

the kindle does not allow periodicals to be put into collections, ask Amazon why.

I decided not to put the date in the title for kindle news since it is displayed anyway.

Mixx · 11-03-2010, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

I decided not to put the date in the title for kindle news since it is displayed anyway.

Thanks Kovid,

but what I am saying is that the date is added to the title (and thus shown twice) if I automatically mail the news to my kindle.

Not a big deal, but it is different if the news is transferred via USB.

Regards, Mixx

kovidgoyal · 11-03-2010, 02:11 PM

That will be done by the amazon conversion service.

Mixx · 11-03-2010, 04:54 PM

I see, thanks. Since they detect that this a news feed (they do not append the date for books) they could just as well put it into the periodicals collection. I'll make the suggestion.

10-12-2010, 05:48 PM	#1
nickredding onlinenewsreader.net Posts: 324 Karma: 10143 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ & Victoria, BC Device: Kindle 3, Kindle Fire, IPad3, iPhone4, Playbook, HTC Inspire	Calibre/Kindle 3--killer combination! I upgraded from Kindle 2 to Kindle 3 for the reduced form factor and improved e-ink contrast. However, I have discovered that the most valuable new capability of Kindle 3 comes when combined with Calibre. I was accustomed to having Calibre download my favorite newspapers daily, which I would load into my Kindle 2 via the USB connection. I reckon I would have spent over $75/month using Amazon's 3G wireless delivery service (at 35 cents/mb if I remember correctly). The Kindle 3 will download documents sent to yourname@free.kindle.com when it is wifi-connected, at no charge. The convenience of finding my morning newspapers on my Kindle 3 every day when I open it is worth the cost of the unit by itself. Add to that the vastly improved e-ink contrast and it's a no-brainer. My only regret is paying the extra $50 for the 3G/wifi version instead of just getting the wifi version. I doubt I will ever use the 3G--the web interface over 3G is speed-crippled and pretty well useless, and when I want something I'm generally in a wifi zone. My only other complaint is the Back button is right below the redesigned 4-way controller, and I sometimes hit it by accident when aiming for the down button. All in all, though, Kindle 3 combined with calibre is absolutely fabulous!

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10-12-2010, 05:53 PM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,156 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Indeed, if you are a heavy user of periodicals, the email delivery to the wifi K3 is very convenient

11-03-2010, 10:24 AM	#3
Mixx Zealot Posts: 143 Karma: 387 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	Yes, indeed, and I am just getting my teeth into this. And am already overwhelmed by the number of news dowload on Kindle. For some reason, I can not put them into any collection, the option on the menu for news items is grayed out. Is there a way to have the news feed land in some (periodicals?) collection or anything like that? Also, on the Kindle-3 the date of the feed is displayed in the column where for other books the author is shown. However, when I sort according to author, they all show up at "C", I suppose C for Calibre (which is the author showing in Calibre on the desktop). Interestingly, if I email the feed, then the date is added to the title and shown on the Kindle. However, when I download using the USB cable, the date is not appended to the title. Are these metadata issues? Thanxx, Mixx

11-03-2010, 11:24 AM	#4
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,156 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	the kindle does not allow periodicals to be put into collections, ask Amazon why. I decided not to put the date in the title for kindle news since it is displayed anyway.

11-03-2010, 02:11 PM	#6
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,156 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	That will be done by the amazon conversion service.

11-03-2010, 04:54 PM	#7
Mixx Zealot Posts: 143 Karma: 387 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	I see, thanks. Since they detect that this a news feed (they do not append the date for books) they could just as well put it into the periodicals collection. I'll make the suggestion.

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