| There tends to be some confusion among new e-reader owners on what formats their new device reads. Numerous Kindle owners try to buy eBooks at a good price online, only to get disgruntled when they aren’t compatible. In order to solve many of the top customer concerns Kobo now lists the format their eBooks are in and whether or not they have Digital Rights Managment (DRM). When you are browsing the online Kobo catalog their is a new section at the bottom of the description. It is called Download Options and lists the eBooks are EPUB 2, EPUB 2 (Adobe DRM), PDF, PDF (Adobe DRM). When you buy an eBook with DRM on it, the title is only compatible with Kobo e-readers and tend not to play nice with any other device. Things get easier if you manage to find something that does not have any encryption, this means you can basically load in on your smartphone, tablet, e-reader or loan it out to a friend and not need Adobe Digital Editions to facilitate the transfer. The new download system is live in most countries. We have confirmed reports that Canada, US, Australia, UK all have it, but sadly not New Zealand. Kobo Now Lists eBook File Type and if it has Adobe DRM is a post from: Good e-Reader |
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Kobo Now Lists eBook File Type and if it has Adobe DRM
Support the People Who Make the Web with Google Contributor
| Advertising sucks in general, but we recognize it as a necessary evil in a lot of situations –not the least of which being a means to raise the funds required to keep the Internet going (or at least the content contained ‘within it’). Now, what if you could visit your favourite sites, and instead of seeing an advertisement block on the screen and being encouraged to click on it… you could just donate a little money to the site and not go through that dance? Google is betting you might just take them up on that offer, creating a new service that does that exact thing: Google Contributor. Contributor is being labeled as ‘alternative monetization’, allowing us to designate a monthly fee we are willing to sacrifice in the name of Internet content with the promise of not having to see Google ads (though you will still see a pixelated box in the space where the ad would have been displayed). Contributor is currently in beta, with participants getting involved by invitation only. During this phase, there are 10 publishing partners (like Mashable, Imgur, and WikiHow) with an opt-in dollar amount of $1, $2, or $3. I’m not sure I see Contributor as a viable alternative to advertising… at least not in it’s current form. I would wager that most seasoned web surfers are already quite familiar with tuning out advertisements. Now, if I could see an ad-free version of the site (where the entire screen real estate was given to the content I’m actually interested in seeing), I’d be much more likely to toss in a few dollars.
Support the People Who Make the Web with Google Contributor is a post from: Good e-Reader |
What do you Look for in an e-Reader?
| When it comes to buying an e-reader for the first time or upgrading to the largest and greatest, there are lots of factors to consider. Do you want a very large screen to fit a copious amount of text or are you looking for something with a great ecosystem to buy eBooks? Over the course of the last month we asked the question, what do you look for in an e-reader? 694 people weighed in and today we look at the results. Arguably the most important factor people look for in an e-reader is a large screen. 25.43% of the voting popular made it apparent that when it comes to reading digital books, a very large screen makes a world of difference. High resolution came in second with 16.62%, which makes it quite evident that high PPI and overall screen clarity matters. Things were more competitive with the next tier down. 9.68% of the vote said that portability was important while 7.66% mentioned that an e-reader with open Android is important. 7.66% of the population stated that price is most important while 7.23% of the said that a particular e-reader brand, such as Kindle, Kobo or Nook weighed in on their decision. What was most surprising about this vote is that serious readers aren’t engaged with gimmicks such as GoodReads, X-Ray, Badges, social media or achievements. A paltry 1.01% of the vote said things were totally unimpressive. What do you Look for in an e-Reader? is a post from: Good e-Reader |
Oyster Launches Online Literary Magazine
| Oyster is hoping to appeal to literary buffs that aren’t currently paying for their eBook subscription service. The company has launched a new online book blog that will feature original essays, book reviews and interviews with prestigious authors. Oyster's editorial director, Kevin Nguyen described the publication as the company's "latest discovery project," explaining that "some readers want algorithmic recommendations, and others want editorial recommendations, or reviews." He went on to say "We really want to be a part of the publishing community. We want to use the Oyster Review to bring Oyster to a new audience." It remains to be seen on what type of traction this book new initiative will get in the greater book community. Many readers are wary of reading this type of content from a company that peddles eBooks. This is the chief reason why many people don’t pay attention to the Amazon book blogs and prefer 3rd parties that are unbiased. Oyster Launches Online Literary Magazine is a post from: Good e-Reader |
Washington Post App Exclusive to the Kindle Fire
| When Jeff Bezos purchased the Washington Post last year for $250 million, many people were wondering what role it would play on the Amazon ecosystem. There is a new Post app exclusively available on the Kindle Fire line of tablets. Users will get access to two editions per day which the editorial team for The Washington Post will release at 5 am ET and 5 pm ET. The new app, with pre-loaded stories, pictures and even advertisements, was designed in close collaboration with Mr. Bezos, said Shailesh Prakash, The Post's chief technology officer. "We talked to him constantly," Mr. Prakash said, describing feedback Mr. Bezos gave to developers. "He's our most active beta tester." The Washington Post app has been developed to replicate the experience of reading the paper as if it was in print, the "pinch view" feature in this app attempts to replicate that experience. The app will be free for Kindle Fire owners for six months, and will then cost a dollar for the next six months. A version of the app will be available for Android and iOS operating systems next year, at $3.99 a month. Washington Post App Exclusive to the Kindle Fire is a post from: Good e-Reader |
Simon & Schuster Makes Buy it Now Button Optional for Libraries
| Simon & Schuster first got involved in distributing their vast collection of eBooks to libraries earlier this year. In order for libraries to carry their titles the publisher was basically forcing 3M, Baker & Taylor and Overdrive to implement a buy it now button as part of the arrangement. Many libraries and consortium’s did not want to sell eBooks on their websites and resisted carrying any titles by S&S. Today, the publisher relaxed their restrictions. "From the beginning, the ALA has advocated for the broadest and most affordable library access to e-titles, as well as licensing terms that give libraries flexibility to best meet their community needs," said ALA President Courtney Young. "We appreciate that Simon & Schuster is modifying its library ebook program to provide libraries a choice in whether or not to participate in Buy It Now. Providing options like these allow libraries to enable digital access while also respecting local norms or policies.” "This change also speaks to the importance of sustaining conversations among librarians, publishers, distributors and authors to continue advancing our shared goals of connecting writers and readers," Young added. "We are still in the early days of this digital publishing revolution, and we hope we can co-create solutions that expand access, increase readership and improve exposure for diverse and emerging voices," said DCWG Co-Chairs Carolyn Anthony and Erika Linke. "Many challenges remain including high prices, privacy concerns, and other terms under which ebooks are offered to libraries. We are continuing our discussions with publishers." I think S&S have relaxed their policies because libraries simply don’t want to be getting themselves involved with retail. Libraries exist because of public funds and forcing them to become a bookstore in order to carry specific titles is tantamount to extortion. Simon & Schuster Makes Buy it Now Button Optional for Libraries is a post from: Good e-Reader |
Simon & Schuster eBooks available without Buy It Now
| The Simon & Schuster catalog is now available to purchase without the previously-required Buy It Now feature. In addition, Simon & Schuster titles are now available for Canadian public and government libraries. Public and government libraries in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand may now add eBooks from Simon & Schuster without also having to offer a Buy It Now option. You can find Simon & Schuster titles in OverDrive Marketplace, and titles purchased will be made available to your users within 24 hours. Simon & Schuster eBooks are available with a one-year term limit from the date they become available in your library's digital collection. If you have any questions, please contact your Collection Development Specialist.  |
Northern Ireland’s first Raspberry Jams
| Liz: Andrew Mulholland is a first-year undergraduate student at Queen’s College Belfast, and the overall winner of 2014’s Talk Talk Digital Hero award. We’ve known him for a few years (he did work experience with us this summer – he created the Grandpa Scarer learning resource for us with Matt Timmons-Brown). Andrew’s been setting up events to introduce other young people to computing for some years now. He‘s recently been running the very first Raspberry Jams in Northern Ireland, and is doing a lot of computing outreach with local schools. I asked him how the kids who’d attended the Jams had found the experience, and he sent me the blog post below. Well done Andrew – it’s brilliant to see how much fun an introduction to computing can be. You’re doing an amazing job. Northern Ireland November Raspberry JamSeptember, NI Raspberry Jam 5. On Saturday 8th November 20+ soon-to-be Raspberry Pi enthusiasts arrived at Farset Labs for the 6th Northern Ireland Raspberry Jam. This months main activities? Sonic Pi 2 and Minecraft Pi! At the Jam we also have all the previous months’ activities printed out, so that if the kids want to try something else out, they are more than welcome to. There are activities ranging from Sonic Pi, to Minecraft Pi, to physical computing projects like creating a reaction timer game in Scratch GPIO, along with quite a few others.  Lots of cool stuff to play with! I asked a few of the kids at the jam to write down what they though.  Haley (11) having way too much fun hacking someone else's Minecraft Pi game! Haley: “It was my first Raspberry Jam and I was quite nervous when I walked in but one of the mentors came over and introduced himself to me and explained what we would be getting up to. He found me a chair and showed me how to connect all the wires together and by the end of the Jam I was laughing my head off! I really enjoyed learning how to make music using Sonic Pi. I made the tune Frère Jacques. My favourite part was learning how to code while playing Minecraft. Andrew told me I should learn how to code because I had never done it before. I used a programming language called Python to hack others Minecraft games and to teleport them to a random place. I heard another kid start exclaiming after teleporting her several times, initially she had no idea it was me! Andrew and Libby were very supportive the whole day and I learnt a massive amount thanks to them. It was great fun!”  Apparently Haley enjoyed her first Raspberry Jam. Katie: “I heard about the Raspberry Jam because one of the mentors volunteers at my school and the Jam was announced in Assembly as part of EU Coding Week. My friend Rachel and I decided to give it a go. I didn’t know anything about a Raspberry Pi and had no idea what to expect before I went but Andrew and the mentors have taught me loads and are very encouraging. I have just done my second Raspberry Jam and I loved it! I created a piece of music using Sonic Pi, played/hacked Minecraft and played with an LEDBorg in Scratch GPIO! Also we got doughnuts and got to make use of Farset Lab's huge blackboard! It is the biggest blackboard I've ever seen. I don’t have a favorite part because everything I did was great fun and everybody was helpful. I definitely suggest anyone my age giving it a go!”  Rachel and Katie creating music with Sonic-Pi 2 Rachel “I had a great time at my second Raspberry Jam at the weekend. The thing I enjoyed the most was learning with Scratch with the GPIO pins. This is something my school doesn't teach so I don't get the chance to do anything like this normally. It was great fun programming the LEDs to change different colours using a program I wrote. The Raspberry Jam is such an amazing workshop and I am very grateful to Andrew and Libby for running it! I can't wait till the December Jam!!” We didn't just have young people at the NI Raspberry Jam this month! The Jam is open to people of all ages, coding knowledge and backgrounds.  Never to old to play Minecraft! John (70) getting taught how to play Minecraft Pi by Isaac (10) A parent: "These events are really great. It lets the kids experiment with technology that they wouldn't otherwise have got the opportunity to use in school. Most schools in Northern Ireland don't seem to offer any coding opportunities for the kids so stuff like this is essential. And Andrew and Libby are great, giving up their Saturdays to come and teach these kids and my son!” Next month is the Christmas special Jam! We have some secret new activities planned and of course, lots of food!  Some awesome cupcakes baked by @baker_geek for last months Jam. Want to come along to the next NI Raspberry Jam?Northern Ireland Raspberry Jam is on the 2nd Saturday of every month with NI Raspberry Jam 7 (Christmas special) being on the 12th December at Farset Labs, Belfast. Tickets are free! (Although we ask for a £3 donation towards the venue if able to). The event is especially aimed at complete beginners to the Raspberry Pi or people just starting out, but we do have some more complex projects and challenges for you if you are an expert. Special thanks to Libby (16) for helping me with this months Jam, and to Farset Labs for basically letting us take over the building for a Saturday afternoon! You know when you are onto something good when you overhear one of the kids on their way out saying: "Daddy, daddy, can I borrow your phone to book next month's tickets before they all go?” Interested in finding a Raspberry Jam near you? Check out our Jams page! |
Weekly eHighlights: Adult Audiobooks Edition
| We have nearly two hundred new audiobook titles worth considering for your end of the year budget. Click here for the Marketplace cart of the title below and more. 
No Introduction Needed: Top Authors David Baldacci – The Escape – Blackstone – read by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy Maeve Binchy – Maeve's Times: In Her Own Words – Books on Tape – read by Kate Binchy Suzanne Brockmann – Undercover Princess – Dreamscape Media – read by Erin Yuen Suzanne Brockmann – Gone Too Far and Into the Night (Troubleshooters series) – Blackstone – read by Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank George W. Bush – 41: A Portrait of My Father – Books on Tape – read by the author Lee Child – Not a Drill (a Jack Reacher short story) – Books on Tape – read by Dick Hill Deepak Chopra – The Future of God – Books on Tape – read by the author Mary Higgins Clark & Alifair Burke – The Cinderella Murder – Simon & Schuster Audio – read by Jan Maxwell Andy Cohen – The Andy Cohen Diaries – Macmillan Audio – read by the author Michael Connelly – The Burning Room – read by Titus Welliver Bernard Cornwell – The Winter King (Warlord Chronicles #1) – HarperAudio – read by Jonathan Keeble Bernard Cornwell – Enemy of God (Warlord Chronicles #2) – HarperAudio – read by Jonathan Keeble Bernard Cornwell – Excalibur (Warlord Chronicles #3) – HarperAudio – read by Jonathan Keeble Bernard Cornwell – Gallows Thief – HarperAudio – read by Jonathan Keeble Patricia Cornwell – Flesh and Blood – HarperAudio – read by Lorelei King Clive & Dirk Cussler – Havana Storm – read by Scott Brick Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg – The Job – Books on Tape – read by Scott Brick Richard Paul Evans – The Mistletoe Promise – Simon & Schuster Audio – read by January LaVoy Michael Faber – The Book of Strange New Things – Books on Tape – read by Josh Cohen Tess Gerritsen – Under the Knife – Dreamscape Media – read by Erin Yuen William Gibson – The Peripheral – Books on Tape – ready by Lorelei King Christopher Golden – Sons of Anarchy: Bratva – Macmillan Audio – read by Peter Berkrot Mark Greaney – Tom Clancy Full Force and Effect – Books on Tape – read by Scott Brick John Grisham – Gray Mountain – Books on Tape – read by Catherine Taber Laurell K. Hamilton – Jason – Books on Tape – read by Kimberly Alexis Stephen King – Revival – Simon & Schuster Audio – read by David Morse Ann Lamott – Small Victories – Books on Tape – read by the author Jeff Lindsay – Dexter by Design – Books on Tape – read by Nick Landrum James Luceno – Tarkin (Star Wars)- Books on Tape – read by Euan Morton Phillip Margolin – Woman with a Gun – HarperAudio – read by Hillary Huber George R. R. Martin, et al. – The World of Ice and Fire – Books on Tape – read by Roy Dotrice and Nicholas Guy Smith John McCain & Mark Salter – Thirteen Soldiers: A Personal History of Americans at War – Simon & Schuster Audio – read by John McCain Haruki Murakami – The Strange Library – Books on Tape – read by Kirby Heyborne James Patterson – Hope to Die – Blackstone – read by Michael Boatman and Scott Sowers James Patterson – Private India – Blackstone – read by Ashwin Sanghi Jodi Picoult – Leaving Time – Books on Tape – read by Rebecca Lowman, Abigail Revasch, Kathe Mazur, and Mark Deakins Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child – Blue Labyrinth – Blackstone – read by Rene Auberjonois Anne Rice – Prince Lestat – Books on Tape – read by Simon Vance Lisa Scottoline – Betrayed – Macmillan Audio – read by Maria Bello Brook Shields – There Was a Little Girl: The Real Story of My Mother and Me – Books on Tape – read by the author Martin Short – I Must Say: My Life As a Humble Comedy Legend – HarperAudio – read by the author David Foster Wallace – The David Foster Wallace Reader – Blackstone – read by various, including the author Jennifer Weiner – Disconnected (short story) – Simon & Schuster Audio – read by Jess Weixler
Fiction Gabriel Chevallier – Fear – Blackstone Audio – read by Clive Chafer Barbara Cleverly – Enter Pale Death – Blackstone – read by Matthew Brenher Nathan Filer – The Shock of the Fall – Dreamscape Media – read by Bruce Mann Charles Finch – The Laws of Murder – Macmillan Audio – read by James Langton Assaf Gavron – The Hilltop – Dreamscape Media – read by Tavia Gilbert Lynne Hinton – Sister Eve, Private Eye – Blackstone – read by Hillary Huber Lindsay Hunter – Ugly Girls – Blackstone – read by Kathleen Early Denis Johnson – The Laughing Monsters – Macmillan Audio – read by Scott Shepherd K'Wan – Revelations – Blackstone – read by Cary Hite Mark Leibovich – Citizens of the Green Room: Profiles in Courage and Self-Delusion – Books on Tape – read by Joe Barrett Cixin Liu – The Three-Body Problem – Macmillan Audio – read by Ken Liu Sarah MacLean – Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover – HarperAudio – read by Justine Eyre C. B. McKenzie – Bad Country – Blackstone – read by Mark Bramhall Lydia Millet – Mermaids in Paradise – Dreamscape Media – read by Cassandra Campbell Bradford Morrow – The Forgers – Mysterious Press-Highbridge Audio – read by R. C. Bray Imogen Robertson – The Paris Winter – Macmillan Audio – read by Rebecca Night Patrick Taylor – An Irish Doctor in Peace and at War – Macmillan Audio – read by John Keating Ashley Weaver – Murder at the Brightwell – Dreamscape Media – read by Billie Fulford-Brown
Nonfiction Peter Ackroyd – Rebellion: The History of England from James I to the Glorious Revolution – Blackstone – read by Ralph Cosham Karen Armstrong – Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence – Books on Tape – read by the author Russell Brand – Revolution – Books on Tape – read by the author Paul Brannigan – Into the Black: The Inside Story of Metallica, 1991-2014 – Blackstone – read by Ray Porter James Carroll – Christ, Actually: The Son of God for the Secular Age – Books on Tape – read by the author Luke Dormehl – The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems…And Create More – Gildan Audio – read by Daniel Weyman Kirstin Downey – Isabella: The Warrior Queen – Books on Tape – read by Kimberly Farr Bartow J. Elmore – Citizen Coke: The Making of Coca-Cola Capitalism – Blackstone – read by William Hughes Martin Greenfield – Measure of a Man: From Auschwitz Survivor to the Presidents' Tailor – Blackstone – read by Stefan Rudnicki Mireille Guiliano – Meet Paris Oyster: A Love Affair with the Perfect Food – Blackstone Audiobook – From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of French Women Don't Get Fat comes a memorable look at the French appetite for oysters, the characters who harvest and serve them, and the compelling reasons why we should all enjoy them. Anjelica Huston – Watch Me – Simon & Schuster Audio – read by the author Simcha Jacobovichi & Barrie Wilson – The Lost Gospel: Decoding the Sacred Text That Reveals Jesus' Marriage to Mary Magdalen – Blackstone – read by Bob Souer Boris Johnson – The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History – Books on Tape – read by Simon Shepherd Timothy Keller – Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God – Books on Tape – read by Sean Pratt Gary Krist – Empire of Sin: A Story of Sex, Jazz, Murder, and the Battle for Modern New Orleans – Dreamscape Media – read by Robertson Dean Shawn Levy – De Niro: A Life – Books on Tape – read by Mark Deakins Carine McCandless – The Wild Truth – HarperAudio – read by the author Kelly McEvers – NPR Driveway Moments Love Stories – HighBridge – read by various Bill Nye – Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation – Macmillan Audio – read by the author Mark Owen – No Hero: The Evolution of a Navy SEAL – Penguin Audio – read by Paul Michael Andrew Roberts – Napoleon: A Life – Books on Tape – read by John Lee Wendy Ruderman and Barbara Laker – Busted: A Tale of Corruption and Betrayal in the City of Brotherly Love – HarperAudio Carlos Santana – The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story to Light – Blackstone – read by Jonathan Davis Howard Schultz – For Love of Country: What Our Veterans Can Teach Us About Citizenship, Heroism, and Sacrifice – Books on Tape – read by Rajiv Chandrasekaran Mark Schultz – Foxcatcher: The True Story of My Brother's Murder, John du Pont's Madness, and the Quest for Olympic Gold – Penguin Audio – read by Stephen Mendel J. J. Virgin – J. J. Virgin's Sugar Impact Diet – Blackstone – read by Tara Ochs Nick & Kanae Vujicic – Love Without Limits: A Remarkable Story of True Love Conquering All – Books on Tape – read by David Franklin, Tara Sands, and Nick Vujicic Andreas Wagner – Arrival of the Fittest: Solving Evolution's Greatest Puzzle – Gildan Media – read by Sean Pratt Kim Zetter – Countdown to Zero Day: Stuxnet and the Launch of the World's First Digital Weapon – Books on Tape – read by Joe Ochman
Holiday Books Collen Coble – All Is Calm: A Lonestar Christmas Novella – Oasis Audio – read by Pam Turlow Jeaniene Frost – Home for the Holidays – HarperAudio – read by Tavia Gilbert Sarah Jio – The Look of Love – Blackstone – read by Julia Whelan and Cassandra Campbell Joanne Huist Smith – The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle – Books on Tape – read by the author
Click here for the Marketplace cart of the title below and more. Geographical rights may vary by title  |