31 replies to this topic

[wolster]

Well after our new new Sony eReader linked us to Borders online and the associated Angus and Robertson, I raised an eyebrow at the eBook prices. The books I have bought on Amazon for the iPad were much cheaper.

A search found booksonboard.com for our first purchase but their must be others out there. Any suggestions, guys?

[Super Mustud]

Well after our new new Sony eReader linked us to Borders online and the associated Angus and Robertson, I raised an eyebrow at the eBook prices. The books I have bought on Amazon for the iPad were much cheaper.

A search found booksonboard.com for our first purchase but their must be others out there. Any suggestions, guys?

Oh Wolly, now you've gone and done it. Bought the wrong eReader. Wiki tells me that the Sony displays epub. Oh well, use Google to find free epub downloads or buy from Amazon. I know that Calibre (free download) will convert from epub to mobi (Amazon format) as I do it all the time. I expect it will do the reverse as well.

You might also be interested in the free downloads from Gutenberg and other sites. Try these as a start.

http://www.epubbud.c....php?g=EAUJA4JS

http://www.gutenberg.../wiki/Main_Page

http://www.feedbooks...top?range=month

[Jake]

Amazon.....

[Luc]

+1 what Jake says(even though Idon't and will probably never own one...mates of mine just use amazon at a couple of bucks a book I think)

[Super Mustud]

Amazon.....

+1 what Jake says(even though Idon't and will probably never own one...mates of mine just use amazon at a couple of bucks a book I think)

Yes, but remember that you will need to convert the books to epub format from Amazon's mobi.

That means you need an Amazon account to download it to your iPad kindle app. Check with a free Amazon book that you will be able to convert to epub and load it on your Sony. I am uncertain about the conversion of Amazon mobi to epub. Why? Because I do not know if Amazon has some sort of copyright bar that stops the conversion to epub. No problems with the freebie mobi downloads from the sites I linked earlier, but mobi download from Amazon might be more problematic.

Actually it would have taken me less time to try it myself than to type the above... Silly me.

[Super Mustud]

Just tried it. You will not be able to convert Amazon books to epub to load onto the Sony. Not by using Calibre, anyway. You get a "DRM" popup telling you it ain't going to happen.

Looks like you will be buying from other vendors or selecting from a free epub download site.

[wolster]

So amazon are doing what Sony used to do, Mr. Mustud, while Sony have moved to open source - just like FLAC ;-)
Sony also handles PDF and plain text.

Maybe someone has found a way of converting the Amazon files?

Edited by wolster, 15 January 2012 - 10:22 PM.

[bactamtung]

If you google for free ebook to download, I think you will probably find what you're looking for. At least there'll be the pdf version.

If different format for ebook you can convert them.

Cheers,

tung

[nofixedaddress]

Two Sony ereader family here. As you found BoB is one site, Kobo is another (haven't used that site yet), WHSmith we also use. Used to use Amazon also as some of their books came in epub format.

Tend to buy books in one hit so it has been a while since I last bought books. There are several ereader forums out there that have good advice.

Don't let the Kindle bullies push you around - Sony ereaders do have a large following as they are reliable and well built units. Just mention KOBO and the Kindle mob will start to run. Kobo uses epub also.

Only just started using Calibre as a friend got a whole lot of ebooks from amazon in some sort of deal (I didn't ask). Since he doesn't use ereaders he gave the books to me. Converted OK via Calibre using the direct upload rather than converting prior to uploading into reader. Don't know about the DRM though from books downloaded direct from amazon.

You might just have to dig a bit more for the cheaper books.

NFA

[nofixedaddress]

Have a look here Wol - linky thing

NFA

[wolster]

Have a look here Wol - linky thing

NFA

Thanks, NFA. A very handy linky thing indeed.
And thanks for mentioning the Sony Reader earlier in this thread. The Kindle mob don't know what they are missing.

[Super Mustud]

Don't let the Kindle bullies push you around - Sony ereaders do have a large following as they are reliable and well built units. Just mention KOBO and the Kindle mob will start to run.

NFA

Nonsense. There is not one good book released on Sony. NOT ONE!!

Kindle rules. The vinyl of eReaders.

[Jake]

Nonsense. There is not one good book released on Sony. NOT ONE!!

Kindle rules. The vinyl of eReaders.

It's like analogue e-reading.

[Super Mustud]

It's like analogue e-reading.

Quite.

I don't know what it is, I can't find a scientific reason, but the look of Kindle is just so...real.

I do a lot of writing, and Kindle just says it all to me.

[nofixedaddress]

Analogue ereading on a Kindle? Oh dream on.............

Kindle, the MP3 Itunes of the book world.




NFA

[Jake]

Analogue ereading on a Kindle? Oh dream on.............

It's like the book is right in front of you.

[Super Mustud]

It's like the book is right in front of you.

I find that the button clicks are just part of the experience. I know that Drizt will disagree, however that's part of the quaint appeal of the Kindle. Anyway, provided you look after your equipment and don't get bikkie crumbs on it I find the clicks are very smooth and unobtrusive.

[Jake]

The button clicks remind me of the pistachio shells I drop between the pages of an engrossing novel.

[Super Mustud]

I think we have pretty much given Wolly the right idea about eReaders.

It makes me feel good when we can help one of our members.

[nofixedaddress]

I hear the Sony does coffee ring stains like no other.

Get a well created book on a Sony....and it just pops out in front of you.....makes my hair stand on edge.

[nofixedaddress]

The button clicks remind me of the pistachio shells I drop between the pages of an engrossing novel.

The buttons are that hard?

Glad I bought a touch ereader then...........

[soundfan]

I have a usb stick loaded with about 900 or so books, some great ones too. A mate gave it to me recently. I immediately loaded around 170 of them onto my Kindle. Books by Michael Connelly, James Ellroy, Steven King,Dan Brown, John Grisman etc etc
I now have them on my desktop, if any kindle owner wants them you can pm me your email address and I'll see if I can't forward them on.

Chris

[Jake]

I hear the Sony does coffee ring stains like no other.

They would be tear stains.

[nofixedaddress]

They would be tear stains.

of the Kindle owners when they see the Sony.

[Jake]

of the Kindle owners when they see the Sony.

Hmmm....a worthy opponent methinks.

[nofixedaddress]

Lucky we don't have any Canadian Kobo users here.....we would be in deep do do then!

NFA

[wolster]

Interesting. Last night I did some price comparisons. I selected a crime book at random - Fuzz (Rosetta Books) by Ed McBain.

I checked booksonboard, amazon US, amazon UK, ebooks, kobo, Barnes & Noble and the local Borders online.

Prices ranged from $5.87 at kobo to $7.95 at Borders.

Bottom line: There 'aint a lot of difference, no matter where you buy.

Another issue is that amazon US, after my last purchase, have again queried my US address. This time they want me to fax proof of residence.
After the exercise above, I no longer need to bother :-)

Edited by wolster, 17 January 2012 - 02:16 PM.

[nofixedaddress]

Nice to know. Thanks Wol. I've never done a price comparison. More bought books based on availability and selection of a supplier. They tend to vary. That Diesel Store looked promising last time we looked.

Did you use Kobo? How were they? Don't forget the Google account option for BoB regional issues. I worked for us Nov last year.


I give you 4 months before you ereader for yourself.

NFA

[wolster]

I give you 4 months before you ereader for yourself.

NFA

That's crazy, NFA. Bloody ridiculous.

.....but, on the other hand, if I had my own...

[nofixedaddress]

That is exactly what I thought when my wife bought one.

I found I started to read it when she wasn't and eventually faltered and bought my own. Mine came with 300 free classic titles on a memory stick which I enjoy pointing out every so often........

Maybe 3 months, the Pad won't last that long

NFA

[wolster]

Just an update on this topic.
In the past couple of days I have purchased two ebooks from booksonboard and diesel. In both cases the payment went through but the download did not happen as the books had 'territory restrictions'. Had no problem getting the refunds but it is an example of how publishers can control just what you can and can't buy and what price you will pay.
I even tried using a proxy server to hide my location but that didn't work.
In one case, a book that was $7.50 at booksonboard is $15 from the local ebook retailers. Perhaps they are allowing for freight and handling on those heavy digital files. Bastards.
Even Amazon are making it harder to buy territory restricted ebooks. They recently asked for a scanned copy of ID to prove I lived in the U.S.

[nofixedaddress]

Thanks for the update. I haven't bought for a while now so it looks like the region restrictions are still there.

NFA