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General => Technical Help => Topic started by: JJen on Wednesday 15 November 17 13:55 GMT (UK)
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Hi,
I'm looking to purchase an e-reader but not too sure which one to buy and would appreciate some guidance please.
The UK library service within our county offers e-books to download, which I would like to take advantage of as well as downloading from other sites. However it would appear that not all e-readers are compatible with the library service (Overdrive).
I've spoken to the library for advice but have received conflicting information from two people regarding which e-readers are compatible.
If anyone has used the UK library e-books service or has experience of e-readers then I'd be grateful of any assistance.
Many thanks
JJ
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Hi.
Most books are in a format, they will end with .epub, .lit .azw etc once you know which format the library uses this should help.
But I googled overdrive and maybe this link will help https://help.overdrive.com/customer/portal/articles/1482564-what-are-the-differences-between-ebook-formats-
Good luck
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Many thanks for your reply Nic, I'll have a look at the link you supplied.
JJ
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I helped a friend to install Overdrive on their Kindle Fire. I also tried it on my iPhone and Windows tablet, just as a test.
This is what Overdrive's website has to say about compatible readers:
"Available for iPhone®, iPad®, Android, Chromebook, Windows 8 & 10, Kindle Fire HD"
https://app.overdrive.com/ (https://app.overdrive.com/)
If that doesn't help, let us know which specific makes/models you are considering.
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Given it's a downloadable App then it won’t work on the following Kindles, standard Kindle, Paperwhite, Voyage or Oasis.
I will charge my Sony and see if that works, if I can find the charger.
Although it sounds more towards tablets.
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The makes I was looking for are Kindle or Kobo, I've no preference at the moment as to which model.
Having looked at the e-books through my library it would appear that the format is epub.
Nic - the library said that Paperwhite was one of the models that could be used with their ebooks. Having searched for this model I did note that it's not compatible and your post confirms this.
I've noticed that it's possible to convert epubs to Kindle format using Calibre, does anyone have experience of this?
Thanks to everyone for their post, they are most useful. :) Grateful for any further help.
JJ
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A Kindle Paperwhite is a nice e reader.
You can do basic internet functions on it but it’s not great.
But if you are downloading EPub format books from other sources it is possible to load them via a Computer running a piece of software called Caliber (the Kindle is linked to pc via USB cable) I’ve used this many times to load free books on. Gutenberg.org is a great source.
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JJ
I read library e-books through Overdrive on my Kindle HD. It is a few years old but I believe you can still buy these.
KK
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I forgot to add the format is epub. I like the HD fire as I can access the internet as well as other features. More like a tablet.
KK
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KK - Thanks, I'll bear that model in mind.
Nic - You've been a great help, I certainly understand how e-readers work now more than I did a few hours ago!!
JJ
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Sorry I forgot to add if you are planning to listen to Audio books in the future then check what ever you’re purchasing has an Audio Jack. Paperwhite doesn’t but Fire versions do, I’m not sure about the newer 2 Kindles.
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Thanks :)
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The UK library service within our county offers e-books to download, which I would like to take advantage of as well as downloading from other sites. However it would appear that not all e-readers are compatible with the library service (Overdrive).
Hi Jen,
The library I use here, doesn't use Overdrive but ADE (Adobe Digital Editions) for my Kobo.
I have Calibre installed, so if anything happens to Kindle/Kobo you can easily download the books to the ereaders again as they are listed there. I switch between Kindle and Kobo, depends on the sites I use for my free books.
Cheers
KHP
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My sons library uses overdrive, which he download to pc and it is opened by adobe digital editions which gives permission to share on various readers although i believe that kindle one that is included.
He can read on pc, laptop and iPad but hasn't tried putting on kindle as the books are in epub format, which kindle doesn't support. He has a kindle for purchased books.
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Hi,
Thanks Kiwihalfpint and Mumjo,
Very interesting regarding the library that uses ADE instead of Overdrive.
The library chap I spoke to yesterday did mention that they were changing the e-book system that they use but didn't know to which one.
Tomorrow I'm going to a library within our county who has an information sheet regarding e-books. I'll quiz them about ADE or Overdrive.
I'm leaning towards a Kobo Aura H20 at the moment as it does give me the flexibility to use different e-book providers. Does anyone have experience of this device?
Once again many thanks to all, the posts have been most helpful :)
JJ
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JJ
The systems used may vary depending what county you are in. I don't know!!!!
Re mumjo's post, the Kindle does support epub format as that is what i use.
Good luck with whatever you choose. I find it is a real bonus as I can have books for when I go on holiday and if I run out I can download more as long as i have wifi.
KK
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Hi JJen, I bought a Kindle 7 inch fire tablet a couple of years ago just so I could read library books on it. Works a treat. ;)
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Hi Jen
I’ve used e readers for many years, I fact I still have my original Kindle which had a keyboard.
I currently own a Fire HD and a Paperwhite both of which are WiFi only. I prefer the paperwhite for every day reading for the following reasons, when WiFi is off the battery lasts well also the lack of reflection back from the screen, it is also it is lighter to carry. I find the Fire screen highly reflective and have found it not very usuable when out in bright daylight.
I have also found it useful to be able to email Word Docs to my Kindle account, they are then delivered to my Kindle .
I was also given a Sony a few years ago. It’s a nice reader but is very limited.
I have also loaded EPub files using Calibre to my Kindles.
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I'm leaning towards a Kobo Aura H20 at the moment as it does give me the flexibility to use different e-book providers. Does anyone have experience of this device?
JJ
I have one, very happy with it, have had it for a couple of years now, it is my 2nd kobo. My kindle is a paperwhite.
Cheers
KHP
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JJ
The systems used may vary depending what county you are in. I don't know!!!!
Re mumjo's post, the Kindle does support epub format as that is what i use.
Good luck with whatever you choose. I find it is a real bonus as I can have books for when I go on holiday and if I run out I can download more as long as i have wifi.
KK
the website for my library states that kindle readers do not support the epub format and therefore cannot be used. The website for my son's library states that ebooks can be loaded to kindle readers in US. So perhaps it depends on where you are in the country. Best for KHP to check with his/her library.
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Visited a library today who was able to offer more information than the main county library regarding e-readers!
Kobo and Kindle Fire tablets will work with the system our county uses. So that has now given me another option to the Kobo that I originally thought of buying.
I'm hoping to find these products in town to have a look and see which one I prefer.
Thank you everybody for your posts, they have been most informative.
JJ