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[-] z3rOR0ne@lemmy.ml 37 points 20 hours ago* (last edited 20 hours ago)
  1. Buy a Kobo EReader.

  2. Hack the EReader so you don't have to sign up with Walmart.

  3. Install Calibre.

  4. Install Kobo Driver Extension for Calibre.

  5. Use a VPN (I prefer Mullvad), and go to your favorite Book piracy website for epubs.

  6. Download epub books.

  7. Connect Kobo device to your PC via USB.

  8. Use Calibre to upload epub books to Kobo.

  9. Disconnect Kobo from PC.

  10. Profit.

[-] tofubl@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 15 hours ago

I recommend installing calibre web on a home server, installing koreader on the Kobo, and accessing your eBook library over your WiFi and OPDS.

Koreader is such a good reading experience, I never want to go back to stock firmware (well, except for the dictionaries maybe, those are better.)

[-] teuto@lemmy.teuto.icu 7 points 16 hours ago

Bought a kobo recently. Bought it direct from Kobo, Walmart wasn't involved at all in any step. Worked perfectly out of the box with Caliber too. Nice little device, library interface could use some work but it's functional.

[-] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 1 points 16 hours ago

Nice to know. I thought about buying from Walmart so I'd have recourse w/ retail, but if they have any change in firmware, I'll just buy straight from Kobo.

[-] Rolder@reddthat.com 10 points 19 hours ago

I have a kobo but I don’t remember having to do anything with Walmart. Rest is spot on though.

[-] DharkStare@lemmy.world 5 points 18 hours ago

Kobo was sold exclusively through Walmart in the US (at least when I bought my Kobo). I think they recently ended the partnership.

[-] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 6 points 16 hours ago

I thought they've been available directly from Kobo since they launched in the US.

As for other retail stores, they used to be exclusive to Walmart, but I now see them elsewhere (e.g. Target and Amazon both have them).

[-] DharkStare@lemmy.world 2 points 14 hours ago

Not sure when things changed but all I know is that when I bought mine years ago the Kobo site redirected me to Walmart and that's where I had to buy it. My e-reader even displays the Walmart logo on it when I power it off.

[-] Rolder@reddthat.com 1 points 18 hours ago

Got mine off Amazon in 2021, am Murican

[-] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 4 points 16 hours ago

Or just:

  1. buy a Kobo eReader from Kobo directly
  2. connect Overdrive w/ your local library

No need for piracy, read a bunch of library books if you don't want to pay for books.

[-] helenslunch@feddit.nl 3 points 17 hours ago

Is there no way to just install Linux on the Reader? I don't understand any of those words in the hacking instructions.

[-] z3rOR0ne@lemmy.ml 5 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago)

The Kobo EReader is already a Linux machine.

As far as bypassing the sign up, here are my quick notes on how to do so step by step.

[-] helenslunch@feddit.nl 2 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago)

I meant a workstation OS. Or any Linux OS that's not locked to a corporate account and probably filled with spyware.

here are my quick notes on how to do so step by step.

I don't even understand the first sentence of these instructions. "Mount the device" followed by a bunch of seemingly random letters and characters. Mount it on what? What do I do with these?

[-] z3rOR0ne@lemmy.ml 6 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago)

I meant a workstation OS. Or any Linux OS that's not locked to a corporate account and probably filled with spyware.

Yes, though I have not tried to utilize this:

https://github.com/Quill-OS/quill

I don't even understand the first sentence of these instructions. "Mount the device" followed by a bunch of seemingly random letters and characters. Mount it on what? What do I do with these?

These instructions require a very basic understanding of the Linux command line and file system. As does installing a Linux OS without a GUI helper.

[-] helenslunch@feddit.nl 1 points 17 hours ago

https://github.com/Quill-OS/quill

Thanks, this looks like what I was looking for. Unfortunately these install instructions also look complicated.

These instructions require a very basic understanding of the Linux command line and file system.

No tengo, but thanks.

As does installing a Linux OS without a GUI helper.

I don't do that either.

[-] GreenAppleTree@lemmy.world 1 points 14 hours ago

Unfortunately these install instructions also look complicated.

If you read the instructions, it's literally just downloading the binary, and using balenaEtcher to flash it onto the SD card.

[-] z3rOR0ne@lemmy.ml 2 points 13 hours ago

To be fair. I get where they're coming from. Some people simply don't want to take the time to learn the Linux command line nor learn how to utilize the tool, balena etcher.

That said, if one says "Is there a way to simply install a Linux OS", I usually assume said person has at least a passing familiarity with burning an ISO as that is the bare minimum knowledge for starting the Linux installation process.

Hence my assumption that they were familiar with said tools when they asked the question.

[-] helenslunch@feddit.nl 1 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

Did you think I decided the instructions were too complicated without reading them?

[-] mesamunefire@lemmy.world 3 points 16 hours ago

Quil os is an option for some.https://github.com/Quill-OS/quill

It's a bit involved. Def not easier than the above but it's an option. It worked for me for a while.

[-] JustARaccoon@lemmy.world 1 points 14 hours ago

"make" usually implies already having one, advising to just go out when given the option to recycle an existing kindle with a debloated experience to instead go and buy something else is encouraging ewaste

this post was submitted on 17 Oct 2024
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