topic Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN... in eReaders

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

carpetmojo — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 08:53:58 GMT

Blimey......... (putting it mildly)

Things were going fairly swimmingly, having boldly purchased 2 books, both found way to device.

Then thought a free "Treasure Island" would be nice.

Disaster!

For some reason, the PC Library threw a wobbly.

It refused to "accept" my first free d/load of 'T.Islnd'. from Sony recommended site.

Then I tried a different provider. Still no joy - both d/loads were in my 'd/load' box, and trying to drag from box to Reader "Library" panel resulted in a "no go "logo (like an end of speed limit sign) superimposed on the title, and no success.

So I remembered I had no problems with the bought ebooks, bought 'T. Islnd' from Smiths for .60p. They have sent it, I haven't got it - as far as I can see - not in my d/loads box (should I look somewhere else ? )

I then realised I had another "freebie" I overlooked from my very early experiments ,in the d/load box, tried to move that - no joy.

Right clicking on the titles, or indeed anything, in the box refuses to bring up any "extract/Open

containing folder etc..'" facility to mess about with.

( have fired off uncomplimentary email to Sony, fat lot of good that'do)

And how come FAQ's never address any Q's I never want to know? AND is the Sony W/site the slowest in the world or what ?! Sorry, will desist.

Any ideas anyone please?

Should I perhaps install the Calibre software ? Is that any easier/more reliable/sensible/easy

to understand ?

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

carpetmojo — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 14:55:33 GMT

Sorry, I've solved it - and I shall remember if it should happen again.

Scrub it all out - and say goodbye to .60p ! - and start again, VERY SLOWLY, double checking each step.

Now d/loaded 3 freebies, from different sites. I'm going to keep doing a few more - you don't have to actually want them, delete them if not - 'cos I reckon practice & repition is the answer - once you get it right that is !

Phew.

Oh, and (personally) put uit on a list and pibn on wall in clear view !

But, back to my boring premise: why does it have to be so complicated ? ( for a generation not accustomed to I.T. since birth that is.)

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

Thalamus. — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 16:24:15 GMT

Sorry, I've solved it  - and I shall remember if it should happen again.

Glad you managed to solve your problem..:smileyhappy:

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

frustratedreader — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:00:57 GMT

Sorry can't assist but can only say this PRS 650 is the worst device I have ever had - rubbish, complicated and incomplete instructions and so frustrating to even get started - its very close to going in the bin but I'm going to try and get my money back first!!! I hate it!!

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

carpetmojo — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:08:01 GMT

Hi Frustrated reader - I don't work for Sony, or have anything to do with them, so this may be a strange reply, if you see my contribution above, and on another thread aerlier.

My initial, and basic premise remains - why does it have to be so complicated, prone to mistake, and un-user friendly ? AND the manual is absolute rubbish.

Sadly, I've concluded that's so with almost every piece of advanced "techware" I've ever had contact with.

Its almost as if "they" (manufacturers and linked interests) don't want people with only a modicum of knowledge to benefit from the new technologies.

They seem to get more complicated , not easier, despite all the advances made.

BUT......... please don't give up yet.

Because now I can at least download books and get them on the Reader, the PRS-650 is an absolute joy to have and use.

But it is with no help from Sony, or their ghastly website & manual, but rather from this Forum, and the AV Forum, and a couple of people who are tech-savvy (thanks for the patience , son !) .

I think it really has been worth the struggle, and this reader, now I am moderately happy with it, is a terrific adjunct for the serious reader.

And honestly, it is such a delight to look at and use compared to the opposition, the "Big K", which seems a bit cheap in comparison !

(And "Which" rated it top, with the 350 second.)

So my suggestion would be stick with it, it's worth it.

Perhaps pop into your friendly local Computer shop, and beg nicely ? ( Or ask practically anyone under 12 ! )

Best wishes.

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

rogermanley — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:22:06 GMT

I agree that the PRS 650 is great to read once you have a book loaded. But it is a pain to load, delete, move to photographs in the book, use the index in a book or consult footnotes in a book!

The "Sync" function seems to dominate all other activities and frustrate any attempt to circumvent it.

I think Sony need to look at this software and do us all a favour by producing something superior. I bought my Readwer to read books not fight software.

Sadly it is not only Sony's Reader software that is wanting, the software which controls this Forum is also poor. Just like the Sony Home Page, if you elect to have it remember you when logging in it just ignores the command such that one has to go through the whole logging in process each time you visit.

The Sony Home Page also makes it quite complex to even find that this Forum exists!

I know I am am far from the first to complain about such matters. Do Sony read this Forum? Are they listening? Do they answer or at least comment?

SONY WHERE ARE YOU?

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

carpetmojo — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:58:23 GMT

Quote :

"....Just like the Sony Home Page, if you elect to have it remember you when logging in it just ignores the command such that one has to go through the whole logging in process each time you visit....."

Hummph...........

Think yourself lucky - for some reason it's decided to ignore even new passwords from me ! So I request a new password, & it ignores it, until I get lucky, and take it by surprise with one and it lets me through - like this time, which took 2 changes of passwords. I once got through with an old one .

And it likes to "remember" the last one.

Which is wrong.

(Mind you, it might just be that I fall asleep waiting for it to catch up with reality when changing destination - it IS the slowest website in the world after all.)

And when I think I'll simplify this lark and change the abracadra to something I'll remember ...How do you get to "My Account" to change it. Sometimes I'm lucky, sometimes not.....

I'm quite intruiged by the "Sync" feature you have - where'd that come from then, I don't think I've got one of those. Well, I have, but on Windows Media Player , which I used to think was complicated . Not any more !

So yes, Sony must produce better software if they want to make a decent fight of it with the big K, it's ridiculous, frankly. Ah..... that can be retro fitted please, for those of us that have struggled with the old stuff !

BUT............... someone from Sony does look at this site because after I made some disparaging remarks at how silly the stylus was - they sent me a replacement as a gesture of goodwill. Which I'm very grateful for. Doesn't make it a good design, but still, thank you.

Speaking of which/whom.... my lad, who's fairly techy-friendly (despite reading Philosophy) and saved my bacon getting started with my 650, likes the 2 yoofs with Sony laptops on the log-in page very much.

He reckons if you're desperate to get

a) a lot of laughs and derision from your mates, or even perfect strangers,

b) your laptop nicked, probably with 3 years work on it - stand around a station/crowded public place waving it around grinning inanely like they are.

Oh, and choose bright red or subtle day-glow blue !

I must desist...........

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

Thalamus. — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:04:16 GMT

BUT............... someone   from Sony does look at this site because after I made some disparaging  remarks at how silly the stylus was - they sent me a replacement as a  gesture of goodwill. Which I'm very grateful for. Doesn't make it a good  design, but still, thank you.

This is primarily a user forum but some of us do pass comments onto Sony..:smileywink:

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

carpetmojo — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:12:40 GMT

Thanks Thalamus - that's very good news. Probably more efficient that way too !

(Umm.......... I just tried to log out - and they tell me the site's closed for repairs or somesuch !!!)

Can't win 'em all.

Some would be nice.........

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

rogermanley — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:01:11 GMT

IT GETS BETTER.....

Decided to ignore "Log in" and here I am reading and writing a reply!

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

NewtoEreader — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:14:40 GMT

Hi Carpetmojo

Can you let me into how you solved the syn problem.

I have just purchased the PRS650 for my mother who is 85 and I am doing the book loading for her, but I keep on getting syn and no further after I have loaded the first set of books.

Regards

NewtoEreader

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

carpetmojo — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:36:10 GMT

Hello NewtoEreader .

Sorry for delay, server crashed ! That was fun.....................

Anyway, if you refer to "queenofpuddings" post [ 26/12/2010 ] (post's page 3 I believe), the general subject is all there in glorious Sony colour at great length !

Proper experts helped us all solve it, and my "techy yoof" as Qof P succinctly put it, contributed, so here was my contribution :-

---------------------------------------

QUOTE.....

"Written on 01-Jan-2011 22:43

Can't get books to go into Library

Hi Q of P - a tech-illiterete's version of wot I've done thanks to son ! Hope it's right, worked for me. I'm also XP.

Plug in Reader/PRS.

(Open Reader, and MyDocs, or where-ever books are, and minimise them so theres room to deal with both)

Find your ZIP file with the books you've d/loaded.

Rt clik the ZIP logo, and hit "Extract all."

The WizArd should pop up, hit "Next", & again, wait for extraction to finish (watch bar), then hit finish when it's available.

Reader Folder/panel should pop showing title/s .

Drag title over to small "Library panel (top L). If more than one, hit bottom title, then top title, & drag the lot over.

WAIT (" Status" can be checked if you want.)

When the Status shows finished, they should be on the PRS.

I do hope that makes sense !

Good luck. "

-------------------------------------------------

Running through it all again, I realise it is a sort of non-tech's version of the ever-helpful Thalamus' advice.

I'm sure if you have a look through the whole post, it'll generaly help you get on track - I'm fair whistling through the

Fool that I am.

Hope it helps, good luck, carpetmojo.

P.S. After not being on line for a few days, is it my imagination, or has the Sony site got even slower ?!

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

NewtoEreader — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:26:19 GMT

Hi Carpetmojo

Many Thanks for the info have not tried it yet as I have given the reader to my mother with some free classic books on, managed to load 330 books with some difficulty. So will let her use it for a while and will keep your solution ready for when I upload the next batch of books.

I have used the site in the past for other products and agree it does seem to be getting slower.

Thanks again

NewtoReader

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

roaminnl — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:08:20 GMT

If you want to manage you Sony Ereader without all the hassle and annoyance with the Sony software the just download CALIBRE ......

Compared to the Sony software it's a real high-flyer ... so SIMPLE --- and LOTS of functionality..

Software conversion possibilities, edit books and titles, easy administration of what you want on the Reader.

When my wife got her PRS600 a year ago I got sooooooo frustrated and a quick scan on the internet showed me my frustrations were shared by almost EVERYONE... and the solution to getting a lower bloodpressure was CALIBRE.

One used you'll never think of using another software ... it's GREAT.

p.s. Just got my PRS650 today ... and love the screen ... lots clearer than the 600 - shame the 950 is so expensive, I'd have preferred to be able to have two pages visible in landscape mode .. but not for that price.

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

carpetmojo — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 08:46:17 GMT

" IT GETS BETTER..... "

Mmmm... rather depends on your definition of "Better" ....................

I'm now on my 3rd new password in 24 hrs - and this one works !

( Roger, I did try your trick - and got sent to "Shops", which was nice. Tried to go back, and, even more excitingly, got sent to "Products".

You must have Dark Powers... )

Anyway, it's all too much for me I'm afraid, too much of a good thing..................etc.

(I fear it's time for the old darkened room with soothing wave sounds & cucumber slices over me eyes.}

( Incidentally, if Sony do spot this, could I be bold enough to suggest they have a peek at the "AV Forum" website, an excellent Help site for practically all things techy (no Readers as yet, sadly) - even for tech-idiots like me. :smileymischief:

I think it is a superb example of a " Forum"- type site that is well laid out, easy to use, full of helpful experts like Thalamus, very comprehensive, efficient, and, above all, monster fast ! )

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

carpetmojo — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 08:53:36 GMT

Hi roaminnl - interesting to see your comments, I've a 650, agree , it's great, and I use Calibre whenever I have a doubt with the Sony s/ware. I think I may go over completely though.

I also noted your comments on the 900 - out of curiosity, concerning models, are you outside UK , or Europe even ? I thought the 900 wasn't available in UK , so can it be obtained in Europe, or is you Stateside / Oz / NZ etc... ?

Cheers.

Yes, it's the PRS-650 lurgy AGAIN...

roaminnl — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:20:01 GMT

I'm an ex-pat living in Holland ... you can order the 950 though eas-ereader for a measly 399€ :smileyshocked:... I'll never pay that ... but they go for about 100€ less on German e-bay. (shipping costs aren't that much)

However buying it from the States is obviously the cheapest way, even considering you have to pay VAT ... if you have a friend on vacation, there's no shipping.

Shipping costs from USA are totally ridiculous these days.

For the cost of a faily small parcel, I could get a return flight on a budget airline :smileylaugh:.

I had a look in Dubai, Kuala Lupur and Singapore recently .. they do not sell ANY Sony ereaders in Malaysia (strange) and at Dubai they only had the PRS-600 and that was (duty free haha) 30% more expensive than I could buy it over the counter here. (Dubai was a total ripoff on everything I looked at.)

Once I tried Calibre I completely deleted the Sony software from my laptop .. it was a complete waste of space ..:smileycool:.

Message was edited by: -frank-

Mod edited (read deleted) last paragraph due to mention of downloading ebooks via p2p. Mods said it's illegal ... however it's bit strange it being edited because although what I was doing may be illegal (however for personal use I believe the legal challenges have failed ), I don't feel its in terms of references to edit it here in a message .. because mentioning it ISN'T illegal.

I think that the censoring of that is going too far... a bit like China ...

Message was edited by: roaminnl