Help with a few questions

[markman]

I'm brand new to the ereader universe and have been looking for a basic reader (around $200) that can read multiple formats. It looks like the Astak Pocket Pro might be the one but I have a few questions.

1. What other software will I need beyond what comes with the unit
2. Is there a way/software to subscribe to magazines, newspapers, etc.
3. Will the reader software (on the computer) support 2 units (one for the wife and I)

Thanks in advance for the help!

[polly]

The PP doesn't require any software. You're computer will (should) see it as a flash drive right out of the box. It comes with all of the accessories you'll need to get started.

The Calibre program offers free news downloads from a bunch of different sites formatted as ebooks. Calibre is a free program that also does a nice job managing and converting ebooks.

No problem at all supporting two books. Your computer won't care and Calibre only knows what's currently connected to it.

The PocketPro can read DRMed books in ePub or Adobe format EXCEPT from Barnes & Noble. Lots of websites sell books that it can read, including Sony, and your local library may offer ebooks it can read.

I'd invite you to come visit the Astak forum (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=204) to get questions answered by the larger community. Calibre also has a forum here where the developers offer lots of support.

[markman]

Originally Posted by polly

The PP doesn't require any software. You're computer will (should) see it as a flash drive right out of the box. It comes with all of the accessories you'll need to get started.

The Calibre program offers free news downloads from a bunch of different sites formatted as ebooks. Calibre is a free program that also does a nice job managing and converting ebooks.

No problem at all supporting two books. Your computer won't care and Calibre only knows what's currently connected to it.

The PocketPro can read DRMed books in ePub or Adobe format EXCEPT from Barnes & Noble. Lots of websites sell books that it can read, including Sony, and your local library may offer ebooks it can read.

I'd invite you to come visit the Astak forum (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=204) to get questions answered by the larger community. Calibre also has a forum here where the developers offer lots of support.

Thanks for the info! It sounds like it's pretty easy to use. I'm assuming that I will need to install the ebook software from Sony, etc. in order to download/buy books, right, and load the books into Calibre?

I will check out the Astak forum as well.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by markman

I'm assuming that I will need to install the ebook software from Sony, etc. in order to download/buy books, right, and load the books into Calibre?

You will need Desktop Adobe Digital Editions to download Adobe ebooks, and (once) to register your Pocket Pro. If you buy from Sony, the the Sony eBL software is required (otherwise not).

Typically you would register both your devices to the same AdobeID in Adobe Digital Editions. This allows the two to share ebooks (limit of 6 devices and 6 desktops per AdobeID).