Friends of Murphy Library : Tech Classes

Presented by Coconutz (We Fix Computers)

Nicky & Iain Grant

ALL ABOUT EREADERS, EBOOKS AND AUDIOBOOKS

WHAT IS AN EBOOK? The content of a printed book (magazine, newspaper or comic book), offered in a digital

format that can be read on computers and other electronic devices

Can contain text and images (photographs, charts, drawings, mathematical formulae)

Can contain HYPERLINKS that when touched or clicked on JUMP to another location

Examples: Table of Contents, Dictionary lookup, Bookmarks, Search, Wiki

HOW IS IT BETTER THAN A PRINTED BOOK?

EASIER TO READ. CONTROL HOW IT LOOKS. Text font can usually be changed, or made larger or smaller, and all the content of the

ebook is REFLOWED - The ebook may have more or fewer “pages” than the print book.

Exceptions: Manga and PDF formats maintain the identical look of the printed book, but the zoom control can magnify those images

Takes up no space, can carry thousands of ebooks with you all the time

Keeps your bookmarks and remembers your last place in each book opened

Less expensive than new print books

Can buy and have ebook to read within seconds (with Wifi or Cell data connection)

HOW IS IT WORSE? Electronic devices need to be powered! And are fragile

Touch screen controls difficult to get used to

Ereader may be a significant cost – but many new models are under $100

Different ebook formats are incompatible and confusing (Amazon Kindle vs EPUB)

Publishers and authors impose Digital Rights Management (DRM) to combat piracy of ebooks. Geographical restrictions make it even more confusing for customers.

Cannot lend ebooks. The exception of Digital Library ebooks will be covered later.

Cannot resell or give away ebooks - More expensive than USED print books

Not all printed books are available as ebooks

WHAT ARE EREADERS? Basic Dedicated E-Ink (Unlit, Monochrome)

Amazon Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook Simple Touch, Sony PRS, JetbookEASY TO READ IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT, NEED EXTERNAL LIGHT AT NIGHT

Frontlit E-Ink (Monochrome)

Amazon Paperwhite and Voyage, Kobo Glo and Aura, Nook GlowlightADJUSTABLE BUILT IN LIGHT, EASY TO READ IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT

Backlit LCD

Windows and Mac Computers, Apple iPad and iPhone, Android Tablets and Smartphones (including Kindle Fire), Windows Tablets and SmartphonesRUN MANY OTHER APPS/PROGRAMS, DIFFICULT TO READ IN SUNLIGHT, CAN CAUSE EYESTRAIN & HEADACHES WHEN USED FOR LONG PERIODS

BUYING AN EREADER Do research and look at different types before you make your decision

Prices start at $79 (new Kindle)

Refurbished ereaders readily available

Your Smartphone or Tablet is an Ereader!

Android, iPad. iPhone and Windows devices all have access to ereading APPS for Kindle, Nook, EPUB and PDF

Kindle Fire tablets can install APPS for non-Kindle ebooks

ACCESSORIES AND CHARGERS Almost ALL devices now use the universal MICRO-USB PORT

for charging and data transfer

iPad/iPhone use proprietary cables - 30-pin or 8-pin (Lightning)

Additional wall and car chargers inexpensive and are HIGHLY recommended

CASE to protect your device highly recommendedAuto-Sleep/Wake cases are convenient

Electronic wipes should be used to clean your screen

Screen protectors available but may inhibit the touch sensitivity

Stylus can be used instead of your finger, and to keep your screen cleaner

Stand for easy hands-free reading (some cases fold to create a stand)

WHERE TO GET EBOOKS?

BUY Dedicated stores

Amazon (Kindle Store), Kobo (Epub), Barnes & Noble (Nook), iBooks, Google Play Books AMAZON KINDLE UNLIMITED SERVICE $10/month

Other Ebook Stores offer your choice of format (Pottermore, Smashwords, Baen)

GET FREEPublic Domain from Project Gutenberg & Mobileread

BORROW NCLive.org, Overdrive (e.g. Brooklyn), 3M Cloud Library

MAKE YOUR OWN Create your own ebooks by typing in word processing APP

Use Calibre to convert to EPUB or use “Send to Kindle”

Save images, Google maps & directions on your device to use without internet connection

SELF PUBLISH YOUR EBOOKKindle Direct Publishing https://kdp.amazon.com/

CREATE EBOOK FROM PRINT BOOK Scan and save as PDF file

Use OCR program to convert to editable & flowable text – or read as PDF

Use a service to do this for you

Bookscan.us http://bookscan.us/

1DollarScan.com http://1dollarscan.com/

PUTTING EBOOKS ON YOUR DEVICE Buying ebooks from the supplier of your device (Kindle or Kobo)

is the easiest way – ebooks appear on the device automatically

Kindle makes it easy with “Send to Kindle”

Android devices with external storage can add ebooks to your “library” by indexing the content on the SD card

SIDELOADINGThis means using a USB cable from your computer to the device and copying the digital files. The destination of those files depends on your device and its internal file system

Kindle – put files in the “Documents” folder

Android devices – look for a “books” subfolder, usually under a “media” folder

AUDIOBOOKS The leading universal format is MP3 Professional narration is much preferred to Text-to-Speech

SOURCES of Audiobooks Audible.com (owned by Amazon) is the industry leader, and offers 4 proprietary formats in

varying quality/file sizes

iTunes – Audiobooks and Podcasts

My Favorites: Downpour.com (Buy or Rent) and Tantor.com – (MP3 downloads or CDs)

Librivox – Free Public Domain audiobooks

Most Digital Lending Libraries use the Overdrive App for download and playback of audiobooks

COST OF EBOOKS AND AUDIOBOOKS Many free books available either in the Public Domain or as special deals

Most novels in ebook format are $10 or less, including new releases and bestsellers

Audiobooks tend to be much more expensive, $10 to $40 per book whether as a download or as audio CDs but deals abound

Subscription deals bring down the price of audiobooks

Audible.com $14.95 per month for 1 credit, 30% off retail for members

Downpour.com up to 70% discount off retail, borrow for 30 to 60 days

Borrow from your library for free, or paid out-of-state membership

NCLive.org Brooklyn Public Library $50/year Philadelphia Library $50/year

HOW LIBRARY BORROWING WORKS Overdrive system the leading digital library system worldwide

30,000 libraries in 40+ countriesCatalog contains over 2 million eBooks, audiobooks and videos.Software required available for download at the library’s website

Need membership number and 4 digit PIN to log in

Search for available books: by genre, author, title, keyword(s)

If book is in the library’s collection but not available, put on holdExample: Brooklyn Library allows up to 15 items checked out, 10 on hold

Borrow for 7, 14 or 21 days (depending on your library and available choices)

Download borrowed item and open in appropriate APP, or transfer to device via USB

Your loan expires automatically, no need to return the item. Some can be returned early.

OTHER THOUGHTS

Mobileread.com http://www.mobileread.com/ is a website forum dedicated to ebooks and audiobooks, run by enthusiasts

Amazing library of beautifully formatted public domain ebooks in Kindle & EPUB

Guides and user tips for all devices used for ebooks

Daily deals posted by forum members

Learn from experts

Participate in discussions with like-minded people from all over the worlde.g. Monthly Book Club

FIXING PROBLEMS Best to use the APP from the supplier of the ebook whenever possible

INCOMPATIBLE FORMAT?

Calibre http://calibre-ebook.com/with appropriate plug-ins, can remove the encryption from Kindle, EPUB and Nookbooks and convert them to any other format suitable for your deviceLIBRARY MANAGEMENT is a key featureEDIT your ebooks to correct errors, improve formatting and structure

Soundtaxi http://www.soundtaxi.info/can convert any audio and video files from one format to another

DEVICE MISBEHAVING? Most have a RESET button, or FACTORY RESTORE setting.

FRIENDS OF MURPHY LIBRARY Is a non-profit organization which raises funds to benefit the Murphy Public Library and

the local community

Our website http://friendsofmurphylibrary.com/ contains an events calendar and details of upcoming fundraising events, classes, weekly movies, children’s events, potlucks

Membership is $10/year for an individual, $25/year for a family

Membership renews on July 1st each year

Newsletters and other notices are sent by email

Printed newsletters available at the library, online version always available

SUPPORT US BY BECOMING A MEMBER, VOLUNTEERING OR DONATING MONEY OR ITEMS FOR SALE

COCONUTZ 837-4920 SHOP@COCONUTZ.US

WE FIX COMPUTERS Owners Nicky & Iain Grant

Free Pickup and Dropoff in Murphy, Peachtree and Brasstown

Favorite Meeting Spot – The Daily Grind @ 11am Weekdays

We also do Housecalls

Remote Repair service available (Teamviewer)

Most Computer Repairs are $50 to $75

COMING SOON – COCONUTZ DOG BOARDING KENNELS

THANK YOU TO SHOEBOOTIES This room is provided for our use at no charge

Please show your appreciation by having lunch after this class or at another time, or recommend to your friends and family!