Sony software & store

[greenwitch]

I just got a Sony PRS-300, and for the few hours I've had it I'm digging it. I haven't yet bothered to install the software that came with it, since I already had Calibre installed and don't plan on buying from the Sony store. Are there any benefits to using/installing the software in this case? Does it lock-in the device in any way? (I switch between a PC and a Macbook, and don't want any issues.) Do I need to register the device using the software? Are there any freebies in the Sony store that would be different from Fictionwise or Booksonboard? That sort of thing. Would appreciate any opinions!

Comments

[amalthia]

I only use the Sony software to view epubs and check my LRF table of contents because Calibre won't view LRF Table of Contents. However, if you're sticking with epub...I don't think you need to bother with the Sony Library software. I never use it for anything except checking my LRF TOC. :) It also gives a great idea of how the story will look on your device. Calibre I believe lets you set reading preferences but it may not give an accurate view of your story.

[greenwitch]

So far, so good (I'm using Calibre to convert to epub -- it's working well on some files, not so much on others... downloaded a lot of PDFs before I knew about converting, unfortunately). I don't have any LRFs, just files I've converted myself and I'll be using it for library books through Overdrive. We'll see how it goes!

[amalthia]

Yeah, I'm trying to spread the word in ebook reading circles to not use PDFs...because they are a nightmare to convert and don't display well on devices.

the problem is it's super easy for an author to create PDF of their story but I haven't see any authors change the page size of their story down to fit a 6 inch or 5 inch screen. I've also seen plenty of PDFs where the authors didn't change the metadata and as a result we get their real name and not their pen name on our devices.

You'll probably find when it comes to converting docs it's nice to start off with an HTML or word doc file...

Good luck!

[greenwitch]

Oh yeah, HTML and LIT have been converting really well. I'm a fan.

Actually, I just learned that to download books from the library, I'll need to use the sony software anyway (it's DRM, but I suppose it's free DRM...) So I guess this post was moot, heh. Oh well!

[amalthia]

I'm a big fan of LIT files. I don't know why but they sometimes convert better than HTML...

I use the Sony Library Software for my adobe digital editions. Previously I'd also had to install the Adobe Digital Editions software and it was crazy how many ebook reader programs I had installed on my computer since I was trying to read on my Sony PRS. :)

[(Anonymous)]

my notebook is rather old, calibre is too slow
but i found an online converter instead
http://www.2epub.com

[shanaqui]

I haaaated the Sony software. Personally, I wouldn't bother with it at all.

[greenwitch]

The only reason I could see using it would be if I wanted a bestseller that wasn't available somewhere else, although I would probably buy a paper copy of such a thing anyway. If there's no other reason to use the software than to use the store, I'll probably not bother also.

Thanks!