eReader that is friends with Linux
December 27, 2010 7:33 PM Subscribe
I want is an eBook reader that will allow me to get books from my county's library system (via Overdrive), download them to my Linux machine, and send them over to said eBook reader.
I purchased a Nook color today thinking I'd be able to do this, but since there is no Linux version of Adobe Digital Editions (which is what the Nook uses to get the books from the library's website to the Nook), I am out of luck.
I tried using Calibre, which appeared to be a similar program with Linux support, but it doesn't like the *.acsm format of the file from Overdrive. "Use Adobe Digital Editions to convert it to a usable format" is the only advice I've seen.
So what can I get that would work?
I purchased a Nook color today thinking I'd be able to do this, but since there is no Linux version of Adobe Digital Editions (which is what the Nook uses to get the books from the library's website to the Nook), I am out of luck.
I tried using Calibre, which appeared to be a similar program with Linux support, but it doesn't like the *.acsm format of the file from Overdrive. "Use Adobe Digital Editions to convert it to a usable format" is the only advice I've seen.
So what can I get that would work?
Best answer: You can apparently run Digital Editions from WINE (I found a bunch of threads like this).
posted by people? I ain't people! at 7:52 PM on December 27, 2010
posted by people? I ain't people! at 7:52 PM on December 27, 2010
With an iPad and the Bluefire app, I download the .ascm file to my Mac and load it into my Dropbox, then when I tap the .ascm file in the Dropbox app on my iPad, it gives me the option to open the file in Bluefire. It's not the best e-reader app out there, but it's good enough for free.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:53 PM on December 27, 2010
posted by Rock Steady at 7:53 PM on December 27, 2010
As far as I can tell, the .acsm file is just a pointer that digital editions uses to download the actual EPUB. It's not really an e-reader error but a problem with the adobe DRM itself. You'll need some version of that adobe reader app to get the EPUBs. That said, you can either root your nook color, or there is an update for the nook color coming that may enable you to install 3rd party apps. That might let you install something that would allow you to read the DRMed files.
Unfortunately, the libraries that I have access to have thousands of dreadful romance novels and one or two bestsellers with a 30-deep waiting list in their overdrive library. It's terrible, and borderline useless.
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 9:01 PM on December 27, 2010
Unfortunately, the libraries that I have access to have thousands of dreadful romance novels and one or two bestsellers with a 30-deep waiting list in their overdrive library. It's terrible, and borderline useless.
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 9:01 PM on December 27, 2010
Response by poster: So after having my husband tell me that WINE was a total pain to work with, I bit the bullet....and had absolutely zero problems whatsoever, once I figured out the order in which things needed to be done (mount the nook first, THEN open Adobe Digital Editions).
THANK YOU. You have no idea how happy I am right now. :)
posted by Lucinda at 9:26 PM on December 27, 2010
THANK YOU. You have no idea how happy I am right now. :)
posted by Lucinda at 9:26 PM on December 27, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Is it possible that you'd download the books directly to your reader instead of getting them via the computer first?
posted by bluedaisy at 7:44 PM on December 27, 2010