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Don’t let the ugly UI scare you off. Once you get past that awful first impression, Calibre turns out to be a pretty great app.
Couldn’t have said it better myself. The UI looks ancient and cartoonish, but once you actually start using it, you don’t even notice because of what it can actually do.
Nice web frontend that doesn’t look like 1993:
https://github.com/janeczku/calibre-webI run that, but somehow the web database got borked when I setup the Kobo Sync. DB works fine in Calibre desktop but web UI only shows new books unless I search for them. Haven’t messed with it much, but on my to-do list to figure out why.🤦♂️
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Buy a Kobo EReader.
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Hack the EReader so you don’t have to sign up with Walmart.
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Install Calibre.
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Install Kobo Driver Extension for Calibre.
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Use a VPN (I prefer Mullvad), and go to your favorite Book piracy website for epubs.
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Download epub books.
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Connect Kobo device to your PC via USB.
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Use Calibre to upload epub books to Kobo.
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Disconnect Kobo from PC.
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Profit.
I have a kobo but I don’t remember having to do anything with Walmart. Rest is spot on though.
Kobo was sold exclusively through Walmart in the US (at least when I bought my Kobo). I think they recently ended the partnership.
I thought they’ve been available directly from Kobo since they launched in the US.
As for other retail stores, they used to be exclusive to Walmart, but I now see them elsewhere (e.g. Target and Amazon both have them).
Got mine off Amazon in 2021, am Murican
Or just:
- buy a Kobo eReader from Kobo directly
- connect Overdrive w/ your local library
No need for piracy, read a bunch of library books if you don’t want to pay for books.
Bought a kobo recently. Bought it direct from Kobo, Walmart wasn’t involved at all in any step. Worked perfectly out of the box with Caliber too. Nice little device, library interface could use some work but it’s functional.
I recommend installing calibre web on a home server, installing koreader on the Kobo, and accessing your eBook library over your WiFi and OPDS.
Koreader is such a good reading experience, I never want to go back to stock firmware (well, except for the dictionaries maybe, those are better.)
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Step 1: Buy a Kindle on Amazon…
You gotta be kidding me
Well what were you expecting? This is like when people install GrapheneOS on Pixels, because it’s still the best platform to have a Google-free device.
It’s entirely possible that someone wants to buy a Kindle because of it being a great device, but not be tied to Amazon’s data mining exercises and buying books from them.
I think he’s trying to point out that if someone were that concerned with trying to not be data mined by Amazon, they wouldn’t have an Amazon account to be able to order a Kindle in the first place.
The article starts out explaining that other devices are not sold in Brazil; Kindle is the only option.
Why not buy a Kobo eReader? Just as good, and better in some ways.
That said, I’m in the US, so I don’t know about other countries.
I fall into this category.
Why? I wrote about how to use a Kindle without tying it to Amazon. Kinda hard buying one anywhere else but from Amazon…
It was a good article. I bet if you think really hard you will see the irony this reader found with an Amazon-free Kindle… Purchased from Amazon.
Also, I heard that some people pirate books for Kindle.
Hardware and software are different things.
It’s perfectly reasonable to want the hardware of a Kindle, while not wanting to deal with the software shenanigans. I’m sure plenty of people on Lemmy have bought a laptop before then put a different OS onto it, for example.
Even putting that aside, did you not read the first paragraph? The author clearly states that alternatives like Boox and Kobo aren’t available in their country.
You actually as if their position is unreasonable. It really isn’t.
I was wondering why anyone would go to the trouble when you can just buy a different brand.
In Brazil, you can pick any e-reader you want, as long as it’s a Kindle. (Kobo, Boox, and other brands don’t sell their devices here.)
That’s too bad, and surprising since later in the article it mentions that Kobo does have a store in Brazil to sell EPUB files, but not their readers.
It’s a shame indeed. Kobo used to sell their devices here, but they pulled out years ago. We also had a local bookseller that tried to face off Amazon, Saraiva, that released its own e-reader in ~2017, called Lev. (Probably a rebranded Chinese device; it was awful.) It didn’t last. Right now, we have only Kindle devices for buying, and even that isn’t complete — Kindle Scribe hasn’t arrived yet.
I bought a Kobo Clara last year and it works. I can even buy books. I live in Brazil.
Where did you get your Kobo?
Ebay or Aliexpress, I don’t remember. It works in conjunction with “Livraria cultura”, though.
I expected a method to root the device…
deleted by creator
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Choose Your Kindle Device Ensure your Kindle device is fully charged. This method works on most Kindle e-readers, but newer models might have more restrictions.
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Download Calibre Calibre is a free and open-source eBook management tool. It allows you to convert and transfer eBooks to your Kindle without relying on Amazon.
Download Calibre: Visit Calibre’s official website and download the version compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux). 3. Install Calibre Follow the installation instructions provided on the Calibre website. Once installed, launch the program.
- Add eBooks to Calibre You can obtain eBooks from various sources, including:
Project Gutenberg: Offers thousands of free public domain eBooks. Open Library: Provides access to millions of eBooks that can be borrowed. Other eBook retailers: Many online stores sell DRM-free eBooks. Add eBooks to Calibre:
Open Calibre. Click on “Add books” and select the eBooks you’ve downloaded. 5. Convert eBooks (if necessary) Kindle devices primarily support MOBI and AZW formats. If your eBooks are in a different format (e.g., EPUB, PDF), you can convert them using Calibre.
Convert eBooks:
Select the eBook(s) you want to convert. Click “Convert books” in the toolbar. Choose the output format (MOBI is a safe choice). Click “OK” to start the conversion. 6. Transfer eBooks to Kindle You can transfer eBooks to your Kindle using a USB cable or wirelessly.
Using a USB Cable:
Connect your Kindle to your computer using a USB cable. In Calibre, select the eBooks you want to transfer. Click “Send to device” in the toolbar. The eBooks will be transferred to your Kindle’s “Documents” folder. Wirelessly:
Set up Calibre’s content server (if you prefer wireless transfer). In Calibre, go to “Connect/share” and select “Start content server”. On your Kindle, open the web browser and enter your computer’s IP address followed by “:8080” (e.g., 192.168.1.2:8080). Browse and download the eBooks from the Calibre content server. 7. Use Alternative Reading Apps (Optional) For a more versatile reading experience, you can install alternative reading apps on your Kindle, but this might require jailbreaking your device, which can void the warranty and risk bricking the device.
Install KOReader (Jailbreak Required):
Search for jailbreaking guides specific to your Kindle model. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid damaging your device. Once jailbroken, you can install KOReader, an open-source eBook reader that supports various formats and offers more customization. 8. Manage Your Library With Calibre, you can organize, edit metadata, and even download cover art for your eBooks, providing a seamless library management experience.
Tips:
Regularly back up your eBooks: Ensure you have a backup of your eBooks in case of device failure. Keep Calibre updated: Regular updates ensure compatibility with new eBook formats and devices.
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That was pretty thin on details.
I’ve had a Fire 8 for a while now that I bought because it was cheap as hell, thinking I could subvert it to the side of good. To an extent I guess I did, but I’d still rather use an old android 4.1 7" that doesn’t have a lock screen I can’t get rid of, so I have one less swipe to read for a few minutes when I wake up in the middle of the night.
I wish I could make it work like that one, but so far no go. And you can’t get rid of some of the Amazon bullshit, so there’s that. It just feels like its sitting there waiting to fuck me over somehow so I don’t bother.
By buying a Kobo instead.
