Three Weeks with Libre Pro

k9reeder · 12-03-2010, 12:10 PM

Thanks to everyone who contributes. I used this site as part of my research before buying my first e-reader about 3 weeks ago.

I decided on the Libre Pro, and I'm happy with it. I can read for hours with no eye strain problem. I wasn't looking for anything "fancy", just something basic, plain text display, able to display many open formats, easy to transfer files. I didn't need any special connections, or online bookstores, etc; and I really didn't like how some other e-readers flashed the page at you every time you turned a page.

On the downside, I find the Libre Pro very quirky, perhaps even unstable at times, but nothing a quick Reset hasn't been able to fix so far. The e-reader doesn't always act or react as you might expect. At times this might be blamed on poorly formatted ebooks, but other times, well, from all I've read online and at Aluratek's own website, a new owner really needs to expect the unexpected from time to time.

As small examples of the above (and I've seen this noted by others on this Forum): sometimes after the Libre has been fully charged, it will not correctly indicate that it is fully charged without a reset. Another, sometime after adding a new book, the Libre needs to be powered on twice before the book will show up in the menu.

Anyway, I've been reading a lot more than usual since I got this e-reader.

petechan · 12-03-2010, 04:19 PM

k9reeder

I know what you mean. The new Libre I got, I plugged in for the first charge. It went charging for 22 hours and was still going. So I unplugged it, started it up for the first time. Turned it off, then I replugged the charger cord, and it was done within 15 minutes.

I have a book or two where the Libre will stall in flipping to the next page (strangely always this same page- maybe Kralik or jlgg or some other expert can explain this), the light will flicker furiously, but if you wait long enough, it will flip to it eventually. Resist resetting it right away. I have only had to reset my Libre once this last eight months. I tried to go back and forth from listening to music and reading a book. It doesn't like being stressed like that.

jlg432 · 12-05-2010, 05:11 PM

I have had both the ALP and the JB for approx 11 months now.

I would like to add that installing the lastest firmware JB (FW 35m) and ALP FW 18g has resolved a lot of the earlier issues that existed when first purchased with both devices.

Both devices a physically the same and pretty well react the same way w/re to charging.

I would like to say that my new ebook entries tend to be recognized pretty well every time. The only issues are with overlays. I believe this is due to cache memory not being refreshed. I use SyncToy to keep my master book library in sync with my e-reader's SDHC card via usb connection between reader and PC.

I have also found that books that give me problems (even after being downloaded a second time) may have their issues fixed by using Calibre to reformat them. You don't have to change them to another format - just run them through ie: input= ePub output=ePub. If you need to add TOC you can do this by using the Sigil software.

You will have to remove DRM from an ebook before processing it with Calibre. Calibre does not remove DRM (afaik).

I have both the JB and ALP and like them equally. The JB currently supports more DRM than the ALP but living outside the USA I find that ADE DRM is the main format for my needs. I remove all DRM after a purchase anyway.

Enjoy your new ALP.

John

k9reeder · 12-06-2010, 05:04 PM

Thanks for the comments.

I had been transferring files using the SD card, putting files on the card with my PC, then inserting the card in ALP and then turning it on. But I recently saw another thread here that suggests having ALP turned on first before inserting the card, and that does seem to work better, usually.

Thanks also for the SyncToy suggestion. And that's also got me using the USB file transfer method now, (transferring the files from PC directly onto the card while in the reader) and that does have the new files showing up immediately in the menus, as advertised.

Summary: Guess I've been managing to always find the quirky way to do things with the ALP thus far

(And yes, it doesn't like to be stressed at all, patience helps.)

Xanthe · 12-06-2010, 06:28 PM

Glad to hear that you are enjoying the Libre. Despite its quirks, it's a sturdy little reader, and I still am of the opinion that its screen is easier to read than the e-ink ones (and I've got the new Pearl e-ink screen on my Sony).

12-03-2010, 12:10 PM	#1
k9reeder Groupie Posts: 173 Karma: 216716 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Sony PRS-350, Galaxy Tab S2, PW3(7th) Kobo H2O (1st), Forma	Three Weeks with Libre Pro Thanks to everyone who contributes. I used this site as part of my research before buying my first e-reader about 3 weeks ago. I decided on the Libre Pro, and I'm happy with it. I can read for hours with no eye strain problem. I wasn't looking for anything "fancy", just something basic, plain text display, able to display many open formats, easy to transfer files. I didn't need any special connections, or online bookstores, etc; and I really didn't like how some other e-readers flashed the page at you every time you turned a page. On the downside, I find the Libre Pro very quirky, perhaps even unstable at times, but nothing a quick Reset hasn't been able to fix so far. The e-reader doesn't always act or react as you might expect. At times this might be blamed on poorly formatted ebooks, but other times, well, from all I've read online and at Aluratek's own website, a new owner really needs to expect the unexpected from time to time. As small examples of the above (and I've seen this noted by others on this Forum): sometimes after the Libre has been fully charged, it will not correctly indicate that it is fully charged without a reset. Another, sometime after adding a new book, the Libre needs to be powered on twice before the book will show up in the menu. Anyway, I've been reading a lot more than usual since I got this e-reader. Last edited by k9reeder; 12-03-2010 at 12:12 PM.

12-06-2010, 05:04 PM	#4
k9reeder Groupie Posts: 173 Karma: 216716 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Sony PRS-350, Galaxy Tab S2, PW3(7th) Kobo H2O (1st), Forma	Thanks for the comments. I had been transferring files using the SD card, putting files on the card with my PC, then inserting the card in ALP and then turning it on. But I recently saw another thread here that suggests having ALP turned on first before inserting the card, and that does seem to work better, usually. Thanks also for the SyncToy suggestion. And that's also got me using the USB file transfer method now, (transferring the files from PC directly onto the card while in the reader) and that does have the new files showing up immediately in the menus, as advertised. Summary: Guess I've been managing to always find the quirky way to do things with the ALP thus far (And yes, it doesn't like to be stressed at all, patience helps.) Last edited by k9reeder; 12-06-2010 at 05:53 PM.

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12-03-2010, 04:19 PM	#2
petechan Connoisseur Posts: 92 Karma: 148 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Aluratek libre	k9reeder I know what you mean. The new Libre I got, I plugged in for the first charge. It went charging for 22 hours and was still going. So I unplugged it, started it up for the first time. Turned it off, then I replugged the charger cord, and it was done within 15 minutes. I have a book or two where the Libre will stall in flipping to the next page (strangely always this same page- maybe Kralik or jlgg or some other expert can explain this), the light will flicker furiously, but if you wait long enough, it will flip to it eventually. Resist resetting it right away. I have only had to reset my Libre once this last eight months. I tried to go back and forth from listening to music and reading a book. It doesn't like being stressed like that.

12-05-2010, 05:11 PM	#3
jlg432 Addict Posts: 237 Karma: 15786 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: jetBook, ALP, Pandigital 7"Color(Black+ White), Kyros MID7015a	I have had both the ALP and the JB for approx 11 months now. I would like to add that installing the lastest firmware JB (FW 35m) and ALP FW 18g has resolved a lot of the earlier issues that existed when first purchased with both devices. Both devices a physically the same and pretty well react the same way w/re to charging. I would like to say that my new ebook entries tend to be recognized pretty well every time. The only issues are with overlays. I believe this is due to cache memory not being refreshed. I use SyncToy to keep my master book library in sync with my e-reader's SDHC card via usb connection between reader and PC. I have also found that books that give me problems (even after being downloaded a second time) may have their issues fixed by using Calibre to reformat them. You don't have to change them to another format - just run them through ie: input= ePub output=ePub. If you need to add TOC you can do this by using the Sigil software. You will have to remove DRM from an ebook before processing it with Calibre. Calibre does not remove DRM (afaik). I have both the JB and ALP and like them equally. The JB currently supports more DRM than the ALP but living outside the USA I find that ADE DRM is the main format for my needs. I remove all DRM after a purchase anyway. Enjoy your new ALP. John

12-06-2010, 06:28 PM	#5
Xanthe Plan B Is Now In Force Posts: 1,894 Karma: 8086979 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Surebleak Device: Aluratek,Sony 350/T1,Pandigital,eBM 911,Nook HD/HD+,Fire HDX 7/8.9,PW2	Glad to hear that you are enjoying the Libre. Despite its quirks, it's a sturdy little reader, and I still am of the opinion that its screen is easier to read than the e-ink ones (and I've got the new Pearl e-ink screen on my Sony).

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