Still Struggling!

I was a Computer Science major for crying out loud.  How could this be so difficult?  Last night I attempted to use my public library to check out an ebook, which was surprisingly easy:  I picked the book, added it to my digital cart and checked out.  I am able to download the book 3 times and it will expire in 21 days.  So far so good.

My challenges started when I clicked the download button.  I apparently over simplified the process and thought that what I would get when I clicked that button was a file in the .epub extension.  No.  What you get is a file in a .asmc format.  What is that you ask?  Good question. 

I figured out by reading the tiny print on my library’s website that I need some Adobe program to read that file.  Okay…off to Adobe’s website I went to download and install Adobe’s Digital Editions.  Once that was installed and I went back to the library site and clicked download there, the file opened up in the Adobe program.  Unfortunately, for about 30 minutes I was getting a ‘task is not completed’ error.  Finally it just went away.  I know that’s not very clean or technical but work with me here.  Okay, so now the book was showing up in that Adobe program and it asked me to register my computer.  What? Apparently my computer has to be registered with Adobe.  Okay, fine.  Did that, and then I finally (almost accidentally) I dragged the book showing up onto the nook icon and that is what put the book on my nook.  Hooray!  For a second anyways. 

I went to my nook and looked at the book and got a “User Not Activated” message when I tried to open the book.  C’mon PEOPLE! 

I looked for help on the nook blogs, and other people are saying that Adobe program also needs me to register my nook (like I did for my computer).  But I cannot find a ‘register my nook’ option like the blogs said I should have. 

I work in an IT department.  I’ve been working with software and computers for 10 years.  I am computer savvy.  This nook is making me feel like a technology moron.  What a great gift! (Sarcasm)

I’ll have to find some time today to get back to the troubleshooting and see if I can figure this out.

Ebates for nookbook purchases

I was just reminded Barnes & Noble is an Ebates store…for those of you who already use Ebates, don’t forget to use it when you buy books for your nook!  They are currently offering 8% of your purchase.

If you don’t use Ebates- I would highly recommend it!  You get a percentage back on your online purchase to many, many stores (probably all the ones you shop online at).  And there is no catch – I swear this one is exactly as described. 

Here is a link to the registration on the Ebates site.
Happy Shopping!

Oh, an an update.  I got out the nook again today and everything seems to be working perfectly with the device and the B&N website.  I am no longer frustrated with my Christmas gift and the excitment of having my first e-reader is returning.  Now I am trying to decide what to read first!  Hooray!

Frustration

I’ve been playing with my nook literally since I posted my last blog entry.  And guess what?  I’ve been able to do nothing with it.  NOTHING.  Any interaction with the Barnes & Noble website from my nook fails.  This includes looking for eBooks, downloading free samples, buying one, etc.  Basically everything.  I tried to buy a book from the web directly on the computer, and the b&n website is so slow, I gave up.  I checked my WiFi, and it is set up and working properly.  I managed to work my way to the nook blog on b&n.com and it appears I’m not the only one having this issue – it’s being attributed to the number of people trying to register and use their nook after having received it as a gift yesterday.  Grrrr…

6:36 pm Update.  I’ve successfully purchased an eBook from my nook.  Except that I get a file not found error when I try to download it. 

7:06 Update.  I was able to download my eBook to my nook.   When I attempt to read it I get an error that says Sorry, unable to open this book.   Oh my gosh I’m going to throw this thing out the window.

7:15 Update.  Website is displaying a “Server is too Busy” message. 

8:03 Update.  I managed to get a book onto my nook.  I had to connect it to my laptop via USB, delete the first downloaded copy of it and re-download it from the website.  When I opened it I discovered that the chapters are off by one.  WTH?  I chose a .99 version of the book instead of a 1.99 one.  I thought the difference was an included reader’s guide, so maybe I have shoddy eBook publishing?  Additionally, there are no chapters outlined at all, which makes it difficult for me to know if something is a Forward or an Introduction or what.  Not sure what to do next…

9:32 Update.  I GIVE UP!  For tonight anyways.

Back to it…

Okay, so…keeping up with a blog ended up being much harder than I thought.  Writing regularly is a lot of work AND I’m flighty about things so it didn’t take long to fall by the wayside.  But I’m going to give it another try.  I really do like reflecting on a book I’ve read because it helps me absorb and understand the material in a very personal way which I think enhances my overall reading experience. So here’s to NOT giving up on this blog!  

Let me get you all up to date.  It hasn’t been much.  Here’s what I’ve read since I last posted:

The Search – Nora Roberts (2.5/5)

The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood  (4.5/5) This was on my “Books I’ve Abandoned” page and not only did I get through it, but I LOVED it.

 Happy Ever After (Bride’s Quartet Series #4) – Nora Roberts (Abandoned on page 20)

I am currently reading The Passage by Justin Cronin.  It is a little slow going, but I am sticking with it.  Many readers have said the same thing about this novel, but have indicated the payoff is worth it.

In other news, I got a Barnes & Noble nook for Christmas!  While I’m still concerned about it being impractical, I do feel that receiving it as a gift makes that less important – gifts are supposed to be something you might not buy for yourself, right?  Anyways, I’m still trying to figure it all out, but I will let you know about my experiences with it as I start to use it.

I’m off to update my Read, TBR and Abandoned pages…and then find something to get on my nook so I can try it out!