If you have an extra Kindle or not, you still need to install Calibre, another great open source offering (free). It will transfer files to your regular Kindle without you having to worry about where or what folder. It just works, and it knows when your Kindle is hooked to your computer. I am really learning to apreciate software like this. It's about time programmers began thinking about us normal people.
Another nice trick I discovered Calibre can do is send files wirelessly to other devices, like ... oh... your iPhone? Oh yes! It is an amazing trick, and you almost have to see it to believe it. And you won't have to waste any brain cells during the process. It just works.
Content Server is what allows your iPhone to download ebook files from your Mac or PC over the air... it is so neat. Turning it on is as easy as clicking the Connect/share button and choosing (with a single click) Start Content Server. I have tested this on my PC and Mac and once turned on, each machine became a server with all the books I had organized with Calibre listed. I was able to use e-reader apps on my iPhone and iPad and easily browse each computer and choose just the books I wanted to download to the little device. And I am the queen of loving stuff that just works!
When turned on, it makes your computer available to the device over your wireless Internet connection. Actually, it makes what you have stored with Calibre available. The rest of your computer is quite secure. You can use Tomes or Stanza (ereader apps for non Kindle ebooks), and others to download available books. You open the ereader software on your device, then look in the add books area. You will probably see your computer and Calibre listed as a book source. Follow your instincts and before you know it, you will have new goodies to read. Probably the most difficult thing you will have to do is figure out which app you want to use for reading on your device. Stanza and Tomes are both free, and very good. Don't be afraid to have several on your device. It won't hurt a thing, and some are better than others for different reasons. You will eventually settle on the one or two you like the best. That's half the fun!
Open Calibre
Click Connect Share button in menu button area at top fo main window.
Choose Start Content Server.
Then go to your device and download your books.
So disgustingly fun!
Ask Mrs. Wizard: Please send me a personal email (mrswizard@mrswizard.com) if you have any questions. I answer all my emails and am more than happy to help any time I can. Your questions mean a lot to me, and may even inspire an article that will help others and make this a more valuable resource to anyone who reads it.
If you are reading this on your computer and would like to have this blog delivered to your Kindle wirelessly every day, click the link below. New subscribers will get the first two weeks free! If you know of a fellow Kindle owner, please share a good word and let them know about From the Desk of Mrs. Wizard - A Kindle Blog
