Kindle Skills

Originally posted April 10, 2010 by Cindy O'Neal
File Extensions: The Adult View 
Windows hides File Extensions by default. File Extensions are the three letters after the dot at the end of any file name and are used to let your computer know what type of file it is. For example, if it is a .jpg file, your computer knows it is an image file. If it is an .exe file, your computer knows it is a program.

If YOU can't see those file extensions, how are you supposed to know what kind of file you are looking at? Well, you could learn to identify the icons, but some files have generic icons and it is hard to tell. Set your computer up so you can see your file extensions. In Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7, click the Start button. Move the mouse pointer up to Computer or My Computer (Computer in Vista and Windows 7), right click and choose Explore (choose Open - Windows 7). At the top of the next window, click the word Tools, then Folder Options. Click the View tab and scroll until you see Hide extensions for known file types. Uncheck the box to the left. Click OK and you will be able to see your extensions from now on...The Adult View.

It is very important to not change file extensions unless you have a very good reason. Changing the extension can (and usually does) make the file unusable.

Common File Extensions:

.txt - text files

.doc - Word Document

.rtf - Rich Text format (a little fancier than plain text)

.jpg - image file (could be a photo)

File types (extensions) your Kindle likes:
.azw (native Kindle file)
.txt
.mobi
.prc
.pdb
.pdf (not as pretty as it would be on your computer screen, but viewable)

Kindle Skills

Originally posted April 8, 2010 by Cindy O'Neal

Opening Kindle Files on your computer:
Just because you download a file for your Kindle doesn't mean you can double click it and your computer will know what to do with it.

Kindle files are special and unless it is a text (.txt) file, chances are you won't be able to just double click it and expect it to open with something. You may even get that special Windows message that suggests it doesn't have a clue what kind of a file it is, and what do YOU want to open it with. Trust me... this is NOT your cue to pick your favorite word processor because you are comfortable with it. I sure wish Windows would word that message a bit differently. For years people have been taking it the wrong way. What it really means is if you know what software is needed to open a particular file, and you know where the software is located on your computer, you can navigate to the location of that software and choose it to open a particular file type. If you have no idea what I was just talking about, you should always click the CANCEL button when you see that special Windows message. It will keep you out of trouble and from associating a file with a wrong program. In Windows it is always better to cancel than guess and click OK to something that may make unwanted and hard to reverse changes.

The files I usually like to get from manybooks.net are .mobi. If you have the FREE Mobipocket reader installed, double clicking on a .mobi file after you download it will cause the Mobipocket reader software to open and you will be able to view your book right in the reader. You don't have to have it though. If you download a .mobi file for your Kindle, you can copy that file to the documents folder on your Kindle and after you disconnect your Kindle from your USB connector, your .mobi book will be available on your Kindle Home screen.

You can download the free Mobipocket reader from mobipocket.com.  This little bit of software will also import other files, like word documents (including .rtf files), html, epub, chm and others with a simple drag and drop operation right into the open book listing area on the right of the main Mobipocket reader window. When you drag and drop a file, the Mobipocket software will convert it into a .prc file and store this converted file in a folder in your My Documents folder called My Ebooks. You can open that folder and drag any of those .prc files right to the Documents folder on your Kindle and your Kindle will have no problem letting you view them. I use this little feature all the time to quickly convert various books and personal files when I need to. Most of the time, the file you download will be something your Kindle will be able to process with no conversion.

File types your Kindle likes:
.azw (native Kindle file)
.txt
.mobi
.prc
.pdb
.pdf (not as pretty as it would be on your computer screen, but viewable)

Other files your Kindle likes:
.mp3 (music and audiobook files...these go into the music folder on your Kindle)
.aa (audible.com files... these go into the audible folder on your Kindle) You need to have an audible.com account for these audio books.

No Kindle Required:Most of the books are going to be "protected" (meaning you can't read them on anything other than an approved Kindle device) with DRM (digital rights management) code embedded in the files. This doesn't mean you absolutely have to have a Kindle to read them. You can download special software from Amazon to read Kindle books you purchase on your PC, Mac, iPod, iTouch, Blackberry, and now even the iPad. Go to the Kindle Store on Amazon and look in the far left column for the various software applications (Kindle Reading Apps). Download and use the one you need for free. Yep... you can read free Amazon books, and the ones you purchase on something other than your Kindle, in addition to your Kindle, no Kindle even required. Neat huh?