4 steps to buying eBooks

Sunday

Sep202009

Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 7:28PM

There are 4 steps to buying eBooks:

Install the software you need
Buy and download an eBook
Put your eBook into your eBook Library
Transfer your eBook to your eReader

Step 1: Install the software you need

Prepare your computer to store eBooks:

To read eBooks on your eReader, you first need to install some software to your computer.

eBook Library (only applicable for the Sony Reader)
Adobe Digital Editions - suppors PDF and EPUB, a reflow-centric XHTML-based format

Install eBook Library

To install eBook Library onto your computer use the CD-ROM that came with your Sony eReader or Download here for PC and Mac here (you will be taken to the Sony website).

Simply follow the installation instructions and your eBook Library should now be on your desktop in: Start/ All Programs/ Reader/ eBook Library.

Installing Adobe Digital Editions

You need to install this software in order to be able to download eBooks to your computer. Adobe Digital Editions enables you to download and read DRM (digital rights management) protected items from online retailers and libraries. It makes it easy to transfer protected eBooks between multiple computers and mobile devices. To enable these features, you need to authorise each of your machines with your adobe ID. Authorising your computer enables you to read protected items that you download with Digital Editions on up to six computers and mobile devices. It also enables you to restore your eBooks from backup should you ever need to re-install your operating system.

Install Adobe Digital Editions here (you will be taken to a page on the Adobe website)

Activate Digital Editions when prompted - you'll need to be online

You'll need your Adobe ID for this step. Register with Adobe if you haven't already

Authorise your computer to protect your digital content. You can authorise up to 6 computers with the same Adobe ID

Accept the user agreement

Your eBooks are assigned to your Adobe ID, not your computer so by activating:

you can transfer eBooks onto up to 6 (authorised) machines
your eBooks are protected if your computer should break For more information, visit Adobe's Digital Editions Help

Step 2: Buy and download an eBook

You can buy and download eBooks from the following recommended merchants: Waterstone's, Borders, Blackwell Online.
Browse eBooks or search to locate the eBook you would like to buy
Buy online and you will usually receive an order confirmation email following by a separate email containing a link to download your eBook.
Click the Download link in the email.
Your eBook will be saved on your computer in: My documents/ My Digital Editions

Step 3: Put your eBook into your eBook library

Open your eBook Library (in Start/ All Programs/ Reader/ eBook Library)
Select File/ Import Files.
Go to My Documents/ My Digital Editions.
Double click to see all your eBooks and double click on the eBook you want.
Your eBook should now be in your eBook Library. Check by going to your eBook Library and clicking Status.

Step 4: Transfer your eBook to your eReader

Connect your eReader to your computer with the USB cable.
Check the eReader symbol is showing in the list on the left-hand side of your eBook Library.
If it's not, check the USB cable is connected properly and the Reader is turned on.
Left click the title of the eBook you want to transfer and drag it into your eBook Library and drop it onto the eReader symbol.
Your eReader will see that an eBook has been added to the library and automatically transfer it.