STFU && RTFM

Note: For the next few posts, I will be discussing my choice of eBook, what I think of the device, the software, and finish off with a few tips for users.
 
In my last post, I mentioned that metadata-handling was my best argument for using Calibre instead of Sony eBook Reader. What I didn’t say, was why.
 
I read several different series of books. Among others, I am currently reading the First Law series by Joe Abercrombie. Having bought these with Adobe Digital Editions-protection, I then loaded them into Calibre, and then edited the metadata to reflect that this was a series. I then added info on which number in the series each book was.
 
When I uploaded this to the Reader, each series was recognized as a collection, and the books are displayed in the proper order within each collection.

Note: For the next few posts, I will be discussing my choice of eBook, what I think of the device, the software, and finish off with a few tips for users.
 
As I have stated, Sony eBook Library is not a bad piece of software, but there is no handling of metadata whatsoever. The better choice is called Calibre, and is a free, open source alternative to using Sony eBook Library.
 
Calibre supports Kindle and iPhone as well as Sony Reader, and not only handles metadata, but also has features like automatic news subscriptions, format conversions and even a content server option, allowing you access to your eBook collection from anywhere in the world.

Note: For the next few posts, I will be discussing my choice of eBook, what I think of the device, the software, and finish off with a few tips for users.
 
Since the firmware for the Sony Reader reached version 1.1, the Sony Reader has had support for Adobe Digital Editons, a DRM-protected format for eBooks. To use Adobe Digital Editions with your Reader, you need to do the following:
 

1. Go to the Adobe Digital Editions website
2. Sign up for an account (it is free)
3. Download and install the software
4. Authorize your computer
5. Connect the Reader
6. Authorize the Reader

 
After that is done, you simply need to buy books (which I will cover in a later post), download them, and then copy them to your Reader. You don’t actually need to use Adobe Digital Editions for this, which has an advantage; Adobe Digital Editions is unable to edit the metadata of the files.

Note: For the next few posts, I will be discussing my choice of eBook, what I think of the device, the software, and finish off with a few tips for users.
 
One of the two CDs shipped with the Reader contained a program called eBook Library. According to Sony it is
 

…an Internet interface for finding and downloading eBooks from the World Public Library to the Sony eBook Reader. All 500,000 files are in either Adobe PDF or in MP3. These file formats have been selected and optimized for the Sony eBook Reader.

 
Simply put, this is for the Sony Reader what iTunes is for the iPod. It is software created to manage the content on the Reader, and copy new content to the Reader. It is simple to use, but has its flaws. I found it too simple, giving the user too little control.
 
Even so, there is one thing you will need Sony eBook Library for; upgrading the firmware on your eBook. In my next two posts, I will write about alternative software.

Note: For the next few posts, I will be discussing my choice of eBook, what I think of the device, the software, and finish off with a few tips for users.
 
As I stated in my previous post, I decided to go for Sony’s Reader as my choice of eBook. Getting one was easier said than done, as the Reader was not available in Norway at the time (a fact that has since been remedied).
 
The Reader comes with a brown faux-leather cover, adding to the book-feel. It is encased in a silver material of unknown type, though it seems to be some kind of metal. The eInk display is 6 inches, and the reader has ten numbered buttons, as well as a bookmark button, zoom button, two sets of page turn buttons and a directional button set. There is also an on/off slider and volume buttons.
 
Sony claims a battery life of up to 7500 page turns, which seems a little high, but close enough to the mark. The OS of the Reader is simple to navigate using the buttons, and the unit is very intuitive to use. Any supported files you might want to read can be either loaded to the Reader via USB, or copied to a memory card (SDHC and Memory Stick expansion ports are located on the top of the book) that you insert into the Reader, which will then display them in the menu system.
 
The Reader is slightly heavier than a book at 9oz, and a bit wider and taller than a paperback. The design of the Reader makes it immediately obvious that this is a Sony. The look and feel of the device is simply unmistakeable.
 
Along with the Reader comes a CD with one hundred books (all in the public domain), a user’s manual, a software CD, a USB cable and warranty information. A charger is available at an extra charge.

Note: For the next few posts, I will be discussing my choice of eBook, what I think of the device, the software, and finish off with a few tips for users.
 
For a while, I’ve been wanting to buy an eBook. The reason is simple enough; I spend a lot of time and money on books, but I’m not too keen on carrying them all around with me.
 
When the Kindle became available, I looked into getting it, but as I do not live in the United States, I can’t readily buy one. Also, I think it looks like it is too heavily tied into Amazon’s specific DRM system for my liking.
 
I looked around the web, reading a lot of reviews and commentaries, and at last found that what seemed to be the perfect choice for me would be Sony Reader (PRS-505). The reason was that it handles a lot of formats (PDF, TXT, RTF, DOC, LRF, LRX, ePub, JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP, MP3, AAC w/o DRM), it connects to computers via USB, and it has two expansion slots (SD and Memory Stick).