Teddypig Hacks An eBook: iTunes For eBooks
June 25, 2007
One thing I realized recently since I started buying eBooks is I had no way of really tracking them besides dumping them into a folder on my hard drive. I have tons of them now and I found myself starting to purchase eBooks that I already had. That’s when I knew something must be done.
I buy PDF files instead of the myriad of other formats available. Why? Because the lowly PDF file has honestly transcended “just being” a format created by Adobe. PDF is now supported across the board by just about every operating system you can name. Most, if not, all of the products I use in my job as a system administrator have PDF manuals that are available online. There are tons of products that let you read them and the format may not be the most cutting edge but it is highly adaptable and always readable. I tend to suspect the usefulness of any gadget or software that cannot support the common and proven to be useful PDF file.
So back to my pile-o-eBooks… What to do? Well I recently took a shot at converting an eBook to a text file to read on my iPod. It sorta worked but I do not recommend it because quite frankly the actual experience of reading an eBook on an iPod sucks major ass. But… iPods use iTunes and I read somewhere that iTunes recognizes PDFs. OH! Hmmmmm…
First download iTunes from Apple, it’s free you know. Now, after it installs open it up and let’s get started.
Say you are on Samhain and you see the new J. L. Langley book My Fair Captain for sale and you just have to have it because it is J. L. Langley and she is so cool. You purchase it and download it and you get a PDF file from Samhain that says myfaircaptain.pdf well that’s great but the file does not tell you who wrote it or any other useful information does it? Usually I tend to rename the file like JLL_myfaircaptain.pdf so I at least have an idea how to identify it and then stick it in my eBooks folder.
But now I have iTunes opened I can drag that file into iTunes. Notice iTunes does not erase the original when you drag it in? It just makes a nice copy for you and stashes it in it’s own application library system. Is that nice or what?
Once the file is listed and is sitting there in your iTunes you will notice the only information is the name of the file and there are all these columns that mean nothing to an eBook. So select View at the top of the application window and select View Options which brings up a little box and then I make sure only Artist, Date Added, Year and Comment are checked because that is all I think I really need. So click the OK button after making your selections and all those extra columns go away.
Now “right click” on the listing of the PDF file you just dragged into iTunes and select Get Info.
Then select the Info tab in the box that pops up.
Now just fill out Name with the series title *If applicable* and eBook title. Artist with the author’s name. Year it was published and I use the Comment to remind me what publisher the eBook came from.
Once that is all filled out click the OK button and you now have all the information you need about the eBook file you just put into iTunes.
Now try this. double click that My Fair Captain listing…
Up pops the Adobe reader and you are reading the eBook. Excellent!
But that’s not all sports fans!
Check this out, another free iTunes trick… Put a blank CD-ROM in your computer drive. Select File at the top of the application window and then select Back Up To Disc…
Your whole PDF library that you just spent the time to list in iTunes is now being backed up to a CD-ROM for ever and ever and ever. AMEN!
So where do you do most of your ebook reading for pleasure? I’m curious because I am literally physically surrounded by books here and, as with CDs, finding some way to move them into the digital realm while not lessening the experience would save a lot of space.
I can deal with ebook versions of reference books on my computer, but a few years ago when I ordered Harry Potter 5 for its release day and it arrived late, I got a couple different ebook versions and found it uncomfortable to read on my laptop for very long, and when I copied it to my Zaurus (Linux-based PDA with a PDF reader that I had at the time) so that I could sit in an easy chair or bed and read it, it was better but the screen was still too small.
I assume the same would be true of the Nintendo DS, though currently the only way to read PDFs on there is to either extract the text or convert each page to an image and read it in one of the many comic book readers available for the platform.
Do you actually have one of those ebook reader devices, or do you use a tablet PC or something?
Right now I have an IBM Thinkpad with built in wireless that I can take to bed with me and prop myself up on pillows while reading.
Next I will be purchasing an iPhone since I cannot bring myself to pay for a single function device like an eBook reader that seems way over priced for the amount of money they want and the amount of memory and screen sizes you actually get. What really trips me out is how many of them cannot display a silly PDF. I mean any Linux install can display a PDF natively. They seem to be pushing DRM formats big time reminding me they probably are being funded by some publisher wanting to make a easy buck from scamming the reading public.
Have you seen what Sony originally wanted for their piece of crap reader? I have seen laptop computers with Windows Vista and 2 gigs of RAM go for less at Fry’s! I think most people who buy a eBook reader are getting ripped off by some really dishonest companies.
I am SO doing this! For real! Thank you for the how-to :D
My 12″ iBook goes with me everywhere (seriously, everywhere) anyway, so right now I read on that. But I’m totally GAGGING for an iPhone! I want it soooooooo bad!! Argh! And my iPod is a real dinosaur, it’s like second generation I think. Works find, but I WANT a new one, and I WANT an ebook reader to take with me when it’s too hard to carry the laptop, and I REALLY want a new cell phone because mine’s an evil bitch and I hate it. So, yeah. iPhone does it all!
**tech-gasm**
Excellent Teddy. I can’t think on how many times I’ve wished I could catalogue all my ebooks as easily as iTunes does my music, and now it can!
Off to give it a try!
I have pretty much tried everything — my current “take it everywhere” favorite is my Palm T/X. The Palm reader works great. Of course, you are somewhat limited in the available books because not all publishers produce eReader versions of the work.
Other than that I use my UMPC which works ok but the battery life is very short and it is a little heavy not to mention a lot pricey! If I want to make use of the almost ubiquitous PDF this is undoubtedly the best way to go. I also use it for Mobipocket files although Mobi works on just about anything. The problem with Mobi is the same as the problem with eReader although that is rapidly changing.
I keep looking at dedicated readers and while I like the idea of the e-ink for daytime reading I have a real problem with the fact that there is no back lighting. My favorite part of reading eBooks is going to bed at night and being able to read myself to sleep and not wake up at 2am with a crink in my neck and the light in my eyes.
I got a Phillips IREX as an eval/review item. I was less than impressed, however it has gotten better over time, but is still WAY too expensive.
The real problem is the DRM used by the publishers. . . most of them produce books in protected PDF form. Unless you use a Windows PC based reader you will have a hell of a time being able to read these files.
Sony has recently announced that they will support the new Adobe Digital Editions which would make it the only dedicated reader out there that can handle protected PDFs. But the price point is VERY high for what it can do.
Am anxious to see what the Amazon Kindle looks like but I fear it will only handle Mobipocket files and I still won’t be able to used my PDFs.
I suspect over the next few years that smart phones will become popular reading devices for the younger generation and some dedicated (book –like) eBook reader will make a hit with the “older” generation — all of us aging Baby Boomers with very bad eyes.
I dream of the day when a $100 dollar reader becomes available. If you can produce a fully functioning laptop for every child at that price there is certainly NO reason why you couldn’t produce an eBook reader for a $100-150.
I bought a reconditioned Webdt 375 tablet pc on ubid.com for $155.00. Screen is about trade paperback side with adjustable brightness. I originally bought it to attach to the internet while traveling so I don’t have to drag my laptop everywhere, but it also make a good ebook reader. There’s an installed pdf viewer and also you can download mobipocket for WinCE 4.xx. I keep my books on compact flash cards.
You, brilliant man, you. Good job.
I want a ebook reader, but they are really expensive for being so useless. In an age where even the toaster does extra shit, an ebook reader had been give me manicures while I read or something at that price.
[...] Teddy Pig gives us all a lesson on how to organize our ebooks on itunes. Its very neat and he also shows how (with PICTURES) to save your ebooks on a CD. Marvelous! [...]
Thank you. I just backed up all my Ebooks. It’s good to know i won’t lose them.