Database Users

[HOW-TO] create ebooks from PDF

I haven't contributed much to this forum, therefore, I decided to make this how-to thread for those of you who would like to be able to read PDF files in ebook readers (i.e kindle). I should also mention that the same technique can be used for .doc and other file formats but since most of the books are in .pdf format on the web, I decided to make this thread for those of us who enjoy reading books on our devices but would rather have the ebook version of those books so we can use them in ebook readers.
Advantage of turning pdf files into ebook formats (.epub):
1) you can easily transfer them to your nook or kindle or ipads and read them when you dont have your TF handy!
2)The greatest satisfaction of all for me is when I go to turn pages I would love to see the actual page curling animation! which can not be used with regular pdf readers.
3) ebook readers give you the advantage of selecting night/day which in turn makes it much easier to read at night.
4) A single .pdf book can exceed 30Mb but the same book in ebook format is only 170 Kb! its good for those of us with space limitations.
- first of google or locate on ur device the .pdf file of the book you would like to turn into an ebook.
- now head over to www.epub2go.com (using your mac, linux or pc) make a free account first then
- go ahead and either upload the file or give it's URL on the homepage of epub2go. give it a minute to turn the files into ebook, then it asks you if you'd like to send it to your iphone or just view/save on your computer, choose the latter one. It asks you where you would like to save it, give it a destination and remember it!
-now at this stage I email the .epub file as an attachment to myself (to read on my TF)....at this stage your ebook is ready, if you'd like to read it on your ipad,kindle,nook etc, you would just need to transfer the file to your device and enjoy it! (I know with ipads you can just drag and drop the file in itunes 'books' interface)
-on your TF download FBreader app.
-download the .epub file you emailed yourself and save it. (note: your email client should save the attachments in 'Download' directory in your SD card).
-open up the FBreader app and on the first page tap on 'File tree'
-locate SD card then 'Download' folder... you should see your file listed there.
-ENJOY!!
Hopefully this was helpful
Let me know if you got any questions

Nice job. Added to ultimate thread. Personally I prefer Calibre, as you dont have to register and you don't have to upload anything. It also converts to a massive range of formats:
Input Formats: CBZ, CBR, CBC, CHM, EPUB, FB2, HTML, HTMLZ, LIT, LRF, MOBI, ODT, PDF, PRC, PDB, PML, RB, RTF, SNB, TCR, TXT, TXTZ
Output Formats: EPUB, FB2, OEB, LIT, LRF, MOBI, HTMLZ, PDB, PML, RB, PDF, RTF, SNB, TCR, TXT, TXTZ
Link here if anyone's interested in trying it: http://calibre-ebook.com/

I also prefer calibre, you have got quite a lot of different options while creating ebooks and is very easy to use.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA Premium App

Good to know about the Calibre.
One challenge I have is that I wanna create ebooks that can be read in TF's own MyLibrary app, I would to be able to read the ebooks just like the ebooks that came stock on MyLibrary basically you can see two pages on the screen and you get the actual full page curling effect when you try to flip pages.
I tried reading the ebooks I created on MyLibrary to see if I get the same effect as the books that came stock with the TF but it was unsuccessful.

peyman_2002 said:
I tried reading the ebooks I created on MyLibrary to see if I get the same effect as the books that came stock with the TF but it was unsuccessful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What specifically is different with Calibre converted ebooks. Is it some feature / function that you're not able to use?
Thanks

I've been using ePubBuilder, it supports intelligent chapter splitting, white space cleaning, import from UMD, SND, PDF, TXT and a ton of other format. Add book cover and description at book creation and saves it in a format that makes it easily editable in the future. I'm not sure if its available in English yet, but I saw this language setting in options.
Sent from my Transformer TF101

Another +1 for Calibre here

Calibre, hands down.

does the calibre recognizes your TF? when I connect my TF to my PC, calibre won't recognize it even as an SD card.

MobiPocket Creator is also good.

Calibre's great, been using it since my old Sony-PRS 500, currently using it with an Android phone, and hope to soon be using it for my Transformer. I've been using Aldiko on my phone and have no complaints, hope it makes the jump to tablet ok, or that Honeycomb has a good native Epub reader.

I have tried to open an ebook, i made with calibre with "MY Library", but it want not open. If i tab the book in "My Library" the app closes.

sr-ha said:
I have tried to open an ebook, i made with calibre with "MY Library", but it want not open. If i tab the book in "My Library" the app closes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly my problem! I really like the MyLibrary interface.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App

seshmaru said:
Calibre, hands down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With Calibre, one thing I haven't figured out is to get it to handle the table of content correctly in PDF ebooks. Anyone has any hints?

peyman_2002 said:
does the calibre recognizes your TF? when I connect my TF to my PC, calibre won't recognize it even as an SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With calibre you can do internal web publishing, and point your transformer's browser via wifi to your computer and from there download your epub.
I use fbreader as my primary reader. To get fbreader to successfully download the books I always have to install aldiko.
Here's the web page that better details calibre internal web publishing.
http://en.flossmanuals.net/e-book-enlightenment/ch025_calibre/
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

I also think that Calibre is the best software there is for preparing files for a phone or tab, but as an aside, Zinio is now avaiable for Android.

+1 Calibre here. Been using for months for my Kindle

Another +1 Calibre user.
Have thousands of books in Calibre library that transfer easily to the Ipad, Kindle and Android.
Transformer should arrive Tuesday and Calibre will definitely be used.
Another good thing about Calibre is that it is free and is updated CONSTANTLY and is customizable to how you want your epubs to be formatted.
You never know what new feature might drop any day.

Thanx sooo much this helped me out alot

Great thread! I've been reading and rereading.
Question that maybe some of you have already solved(s). Text to Speech apps.
One of the main reasons I wanted the TF is to at sometime not to have to replace my Kindle DX, which I really enjoy. I'm half and half on reading and listening on driving, but it seems the apps are few for this...only found 2 of them.
I'm familiar with years of working with Calibre and Mobipocket and I'm through my learning curve with an SD card to transfer from my computer/e-mail the different formats.
Here's the two apps I found:
ezPDF Reader - I may have to go back to this, couldn't figure out how the TTS works. Yet, I'm not crazy on PDF format for book reading....guess Calibre spoiled me.(s)
Moon+Reader Pro - $4.89 and worked with yesterday. I wouldn't suggest anyone try this yet,had to delete. I've already wrote for a refund and haven't heard back. The book reading part seemed fine and when I did the TTS and got out, my screen started blinking real fast, continuously (never happened before)....I gave it 3-4 minutes to see if it stopped, it didn't.
As soon as I deleted it, everything came back to normal and my screen has remained fine. Pretty sure it only started with the TTS.
Any suggestions on apps for reading and TTS...maybe more will come along in the future. And I did ask Moon+Reader Pro if they do an update, let me know - I'd like to try it again, but can't risk it now.
Thanks

ereader that support colored fonts

I'm fairly new to all of this so forgive me if this is a stupid question.
I'm using uSD cm7 on my NC and loving it. I frequently use word documents with colored text for presentations. I found a software (calibre) that converts documents to epub format but I lose the colored fonts when I view it in aldiko. I've got a friend who is doing the same thing only on an Ipad and his colors stay. Am I doing something wrong or should I be using a different ereader or converter?

calixt0 said:
I'm fairly new to all of this so forgive me if this is a stupid question.
I'm using uSD cm7 on my NC and loving it. I frequently use word documents with colored text for presentations. I found a software (calibre) that converts documents to epub format but I lose the colored fonts when I view it in aldiko. I've got a friend who is doing the same thing only on an Ipad and his colors stay. Am I doing something wrong or should I be using a different ereader or converter?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are talking about Microsoft Office documents (doc, docx, ppt,pptx, etc.) you can get the app called DocumentsToGo or QuickOffice. This way you won't have to convert them into epubs. I personally recommend QuickOffice it's better looking
Edit: Scratch QuickOffice since the one in the market works only with version 3.0 (honeycomb) and up. I got my copy from someone who posted it in the forum, which was extracted from another device...maybe a search could find the post.
Second edit: Check out this post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=934916&highlight=Notion+Ink you can get a working version of QO for the nook there.

jgaf said:
If you are talking about Microsoft Office documents (doc, docx, ppt,pptx, etc.) you can get the app called DocumentsToGo or QuickOffice. This way you won't have to convert them into epubs. I personally recommend QuickOffice it's better looking
Edit: Scratch QuickOffice since the one in the market works only with version 3.0 (honeycomb) and up. I got my copy from someone who posted it in the forum, which was extracted from another device...maybe a search could find the post.
Second edit: Check out this post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=934916&highlight=Notion+Ink you can get a working version of QO for the nook there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually prefer using something easy like a book. I may just end up going back to the nook color software that is easy to use and works like I want it to. I can't get the nook app to find my loaded ebooks only stuff from Barnes and Noble

calixt0 said:
I actually prefer using something easy like a book. I may just end up going back to the nook color software that is easy to use and works like I want it to. I can't get the nook app to find my loaded ebooks only stuff from Barnes and Noble
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, this is how I got my epubs working in the Nook:
sdcard/Nook/My Documents
I dropped my epubs in that folder, then went into the nook app and refreshed (they should be under "My files"
Hope this works.

jgaf said:
Ok, this is how I got my epubs working in the Nook:
sdcard/Nook/My Documents
I dropped my epubs in that folder, then went into the nook app and refreshed (they should be under "My files"
Hope this works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I can't get my downloaded books or epubs to show in the nook app on the android side of my uSD card cm7. when I tried putting my epubs in the my documents folder of nook it wouldn't allow it.
Please help.

calixt0 said:
Ok I can't get my downloaded books or epubs to show in the nook app on the android side of my uSD card cm7. when I tried putting my epubs in the my documents folder of nook it wouldn't allow it.
Please help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are you transferring your files? If your are moving them from inside the nook using a file manager, then use Root Explorer and when in the documents folder press the button that says mount R/W and try to paste the files that way.

jgaf said:
How are you transferring your files? If your are moving them from inside the nook using a file manager, then use Root Explorer and when in the documents folder press the button that says mount R/W and try to paste the files that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was using the usb cable. I got it now thanks. not sure what different happened but finally it worked.

Rooted Nook Touch: Calibre friendly?

I rooted my N2E, and played around with it a bit, using TN. Then I restored my unrooted backup, because I couldn't seem to find a convenient way to do the one thing I want to do.
I want to wirelessly browse my calibre library, and download books from it to my nook.
I don't care what method is used. Calibre's content server, dropbox, whatever. I just want a convenient way to sideload books from calibre onto my nook without plugging it in.
But I couldn't find a way that would be simpler than just plugging it in and using Calibre's 'send to device' command, so I unrooted and went back to my backup.
Did I miss something?

On my Nook color with CM7 I use the following setup:
- I set up Calibre to mount a folder as a device, pointing to a dropbox synced folder, so that "send to device" sends epubs to dropbox folder.
- I also use calibre2opds to create a dropbox accessible library to browse from any device (it creates also an HTML browsable version).
- on NookColor I use FolderSyncLite to automatically sync the dropbox folder with a folder on sdcard (eg Nook's MyDocuments).
Then I can use sync feature of Mantano Reader to keep its library in sync with dropbox calibre device or simply use Nook which doesn't need an explicit import to use books in its folder.
I plan to replicate this setup on my Nook Touch, which should arrive today

hello,
I'm using Samba server on nook. Then on Windows I mapped nook as a drive and set up calibre to sync with My Files folder. Works like a charm.
PS I'm new around here so I can not post links. Search market for com.funkyfresh.samba

I use a combination of two methods to sync my books with Calibre and reading devices:
Calibre Library in Dropbox -
Syncs between Computers, can download any Calibre book via Dropbox.
I use this for books I don't want to carry around all the time, school books, manuals, etc.
There are multiple apps which will sync specific folders in Dropbox with specific folders on an android device. One of these could work for automatic syncing.
Wired Connection -
I use this for a large updates of my devices library since it's faster than Dropbox.
When I want to immediately sync a new book to read that I've just obtained.

Oooh, goody
GabrialDestruir said:
I use a combination of two methods to sync my books with Calibre and reading devices:
Calibre Library in Dropbox -
Syncs between Computers, can download any Calibre book via Dropbox.
I use this for books I don't want to carry around all the time, school books, manuals, etc.
There are multiple apps which will sync specific folders in Dropbox with specific folders on an android device. One of these could work for automatic syncing.
Wired Connection -
I use this for a large updates of my devices library since it's faster than Dropbox.
When I want to immediately sync a new book to read that I've just obtained.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gives me a good reason to root again. I will try it out, but not until after I sort out the stock 1.1.0 WiFi issues I'm having.

met67 said:
On my Nook color with CM7 I use the following setup:
- I set up Calibre to mount a folder as a device, pointing to a dropbox synced folder, so that "send to device" sends epubs to dropbox folder.
- I also use calibre2opds to create a dropbox accessible library to browse from any device (it creates also an HTML browsable version).
- on NookColor I use FolderSyncLite to automatically sync the dropbox folder with a folder on sdcard (eg Nook's MyDocuments).
Then I can use sync feature of Mantano Reader to keep its library in sync with dropbox calibre device or simply use Nook which doesn't need an explicit import to use books in its folder.
I plan to replicate this setup on my Nook Touch, which should arrive today
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this is an old thread but just want to say thanks for spelling this out. some day I will try and mirror this set-up and may have questions

Do Aldiko and Moon+'s ability to add an OPDS catalog not work on a rooted NST?
I have a server in my basement hosting my library. I use CalibretoOPDS to generate both OPDS and HTML catalogs. It's a 'dead' list, in the sense that there's no decent searching, but I have access to it basically anywhere. I can expose it publicly as I'm using Apache and can easily password protect that directory.
There's a Calibre PHP app, that I may move to, just so I can search my library before downloading.
I also use FolderSync to move audiobooks, music, and pictures to my portable devices. I guess I could add epubs to the list if the above doesn't work.
On my server, I have a root folder for each mobile device, then subfolders for audiobooks, music, etc. I have parallel folders on my mobile devices. I run FolderSync on each mobile devices with 2 'folder pairs' for each matching pair of folders. One is SMB, runs locally every night, the other is SFTP, and runs only on demand.
To move something to a mobile device, I just copy it to the appropriate folder on my server, and everything happens 'automatically' - unless I'm on the road, at which point i have to trigger the synchronization.
BTW, for SFTP on windows, I'm having best luck with Sysax 'Multi Server'. Not open source, but you can get a personal use license for free. (As a side note, Aldiko, and maybe Moon+, allow me to specify a port, so I could, but don't currently, set this up to use a commonly-not-blocked port, like 443. I'll do this if I get blocked. FTP is often blocked, also BTW)
I do all this now for a smartphone and a tablet. I recently decided I wanted a specific-purpose reader with e-ink. The NST jumped right out as the right choice. I'm figuring I'll root mine as soon as I get it and so these same things with it, but I'm just planning to use it as a reader (well and maybe limited browsing as I sometimes do that with my library before downloading via OPDS).
Hoping this is more helpful than confusing.

Calibre settings
this seems to be the best place for this question.
I changed the settings in Calibre as to the sort title appending with a letter so I can have books of a certain type listed at the back-end of the Nook Library but they do not sort that way so I have to put the letter in the actual title does anyone know of a better way to sort books using the following set-up?
Nook touch rooted cynogenmod7
Nook Library
Using Calibre to load books with the generic android device (could not make the nook plugin work) would not send to the right place on the Nook
Thanks for any resonses

Droidatar said:
Nook touch rooted cynogenmod7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure you have a Nook Touch?

Googie2149 said:
Are you sure you have a Nook Touch?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I have the nook color
I have noticed with Calibre it actualy brought my B&N books into the Calibre library, some I can view some I cant. I believe the books I could view were the magazines.

bobkoure said:
[...] I do all this now for a smartphone and a tablet. I recently decided I wanted a specific-purpose reader with e-ink. The NST jumped right out as the right choice. I'm figuring I'll root mine as soon as I get it and so these same things with it, but I'm just planning to use it as a reader (well and maybe limited browsing as I sometimes do that with my library before downloading via OPDS).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your plan is a good one. I have done similar. The biggest problem has been that the NST only runs Android 2.1 eclair, and many of my favorite apps seem to require 2.2 froyo or above. I've had to search around for equivalents in some cases.
Dropsync works very well for file synchronization, within the limitations of Dropbox.
---------- Post added at 10:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:17 AM ----------
tonyx3 said:
[...] I don't care what method is used. Calibre's content server, dropbox, whatever. I just want a convenient way to sideload books from calibre onto my nook without plugging it in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dropbox + Dropsync works very well for this. I have calibre news feeds set up to download several newspapers and web sites on a schedule. I have a cron job on my home linux server set to grab select titles and move them into dropbox folders (e.g. magazines, newspapers). Dropbox on the server takes care of synchronizing them to the Dropbox cloud.
Each morning, I fire up my NST, enable wireless, and launch Dropsync to synchronize those specific folders.
You could, of course, just synchronize the entire calibre folder, but I like sorting things and limiting what comes down to the latest couple of days worth, so the cron job periodically deletes old stuff from the dropbox folders.
The other nice thing about dropsync is that it is two way. Files I delete on one device (I also have a NOOK color) get deleted off the dropbox folders, then off the other device when I next sync.
I'm using the stock reader, so no syncing of reading positions or any of that nice stuff.

Looks like I might be OK.
FolderSync supports "2.1 and up".
Tasker, "1.6 and up".
Aldiko and Aldiko Sync "2.1 and up"
Moon+ reader "1.6 and up"
EsFileExplorer "1.6 and up" (with a separate version for Cupcake
Root Explorer "1.1 and up" (!)
Dolphin HD "2.01 and up"
Looks like all apps I was thinking of using support 2.1. They may be utterly bad on an e-ink screen, though.
BTW, is that why you're using the stock reader?

bobkoure said:
Looks like I might be OK.
[...]
Tasker, "1.6 and up".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Tasker to only fire up wifi when specific apps run. It works fine, but it is hard to determine whether an app is selected or not in the list. It takes some trial and error.
[...] Root Explorer "1.1 and up" (!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RE works just fine.
BTW, is that why you're using the stock reader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't keep notes, but I recall that there were some ebooks that didn't format as nicely with other readers, or options that were difficult to spot on the e-ink screen. It's mostly just a personal choice thing, though. The other readers do work well.

Can't read library books (OverDrive) with 1.2.1?

I haven't heard that anyone has had a problem borrowing library books (with OverDrive) with the Nook 1.2.1?
I've not been able to open library books for a while.
The error message was "User not activated".
Re-activation with the Adobe Digital Editions on the PC proceeded fine but did not fix it.
Now I've got a fix that works fine. (No, stripping the DRM externally was not my solution).
Before I let the cat out of the bag, I'd like to know if this affected others and how they dealt with it.
I'm interested to know this all in depth because some of this might affect how many Adobe licenses you use up.

Maybe this thread would have generated more interest if I had named it "Hacking Angry Birds". :silly:
The stock Nook Reader uses two different kinds of DRM (Digital Rights Management a/k/a encryption).
One variant is for Barnes & Noble purchased books.
The other is the standard Adobe Adept DRM used for borrowing library books with OverDrive.
This is only about the Adobe Adept DRM.
It's not about defeating or stripping the DRM, only on getting it to work properly
One of the critical things on DRM is to identify the device.
In the file /media/.adobe-digital-editions/device.xml is such identification.
It is contained in a XML entry called "fingerprint".
Up to Nook version 1.1.5 this was:
fingerprint=Base64Encode(SHA-1Hash(<16 ASCII chars of /rom/devconf/DeviceId>)).
In Nook version 1.2.1 this is now:
fingerprint=Base64Encode(SHA-1Hash(<16 bytes of /media/.devicesalt>, <16 ASCII chars of /rom/devconf/DeviceId>)).
/rom/devconf/DeviceId is the serial number, something like "3000111122223333".
/media/.devicesalt is a random 16 bytes.
Exactly what it was put in to address is another question.
Who creates this snippet and when is not yet clear.
If you do an update from Nook1.1.5 to 1.2.1 and don't re-register anything you may still download books over USB and the desktop Adobe Digital Editions but they will not load.
Internally they will generate a mismatched fingerprint error and externally a "user not activated" on the screen.
Of course, if you re-register and perform whatever rewrites device.xml to agree with the new fingerprint, that will work.
The question remains, does this new fingerprint use up one of your allowed Adobe Adept device licenses?
This also ties into the Android app OverDrive Media Console.
That also uses a different fingerprint.
Besides the question of whether that uses two licenses for a single device, it also make it impossible to download a file using OMC and then read it on the Nook stock reader instead of the horrible OMC reader.
Questions, comments, answers?
Implemented & tested: A simple way to keep the same fingerprint after an upgrade.
Note: Yes, I know about Calibre and plug-ins, but that's not at all what I want to do.

Renate NST said:
Of course, if you re-register and perform whatever rewrites device.xml to agree with the new fingerprint, that will work.
The question remains, does this new fingerprint use up one of your allowed Adobe Adept device licenses?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will, but I've also seen credible reports that Adobe silently expand your activated device allowance to deal with lost/sold devices. Only if you register a number of devices in quick succession will you hit the limit. Even then, people have managed to get in touch with Adobe by phone or email and have their accounts reset/manually edited. I've re-registered my Adobe DRM devices a number of times and haven't yet hit the limit.
Besides the question of whether that uses two licenses for a single device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will do.
it also make it impossible to download a file using OMC and then read it on the Nook stock reader instead of the horrible OMC reader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite so. OMC and your Nook are two different devices as far as Adobe is concerned, along with whatever Adobe DRM-enabled readers you've activated on different devices.

So, to cut to the chase...
ReaderRMSDK.apk 1.2.1 is tied to Nook 1.2.1 and libpdfhost.so 1.2.1
You can't use mixed versions of these three things.
As stated, 1.2.1 uses .devicesalt which 1.1.5 doesn't use.
To patch libpdfhost to totally ignore .devicesalt:
Code:
/system/lib/libpdfhost.so 9,695,904
[002b647c] E593F018 => EAFFFFFF (little-endian)
You will have to (and want to) use the same fingerprint as before.
This appears in device.xml and activation.xml

I don't understand all of the tech notes in the thread, but back to the original question:
I have installed the Overdrive app on my rooted nook (1.2.1) and am able to download and read books in the Overdrive app itself.
However, I am unable to use the stock reader (which I would rather use) with books that I've downloaded (i.e., go out and find the EPUB file using a file manager on the device and launch from there). That would be a bonus if I could get that to work.
I haven't tried the "old" way of sideloading books from the Adobe application on my PC since I re-rooted my device.

Getting rid of UMS
I've kept to the standard and legit way of borrowing library books using Adobe Digital Editions on my desktop which links over USB to my Nook.
It uses UMS (USB Mass Storage).
UMS is pretty stupid. It shares computer volumes by just presenting the raw disk blocks over USB.
I have been using ADB (and particularly my utility adbsync.exe) for all my synchronizing.
The only holdout of why I still had UMS was for library books using ADE.
Here is how you keep semi-legit, use ADE and just do the connection to your Nook over ADB with WiFi or USB.
Take one of those too small USB flash drives that you have collecting dust, maybe a 256M.
Plug it in the back of your computer, out of the way.
Assign it a drive letter conveniently out of the way.
Create directory .adobe-digital-editions
Copy /media/.adobe-digital-editions/device.xml, /media/.adobe-digital-editions/activation.xml to the flash.
Run ADE, it should recognize your flash as a portable reading device.
Transfer your borrowed book to the flash.
Sync the flash to your Nook.
Read.
Oh, and disable UMS so you can use ADB over USB without disabling your Nook.
Code:
echo -n 0 > /data/property/persist.service.mount.umsauto

Renate NST said:
One of the critical things on DRM is to identify the device.
In the file /media/.adobe-digital-editions/device.xml is such identification.
It is contained in a XML entry called "fingerprint".
Up to Nook version 1.1.5 this was:
fingerprint=Base64Encode(SHA-1Hash(<16 ASCII chars of /rom/devconf/DeviceId>)).
In Nook version 1.2.1 this is now:
fingerprint=Base64Encode(SHA-1Hash(<16 bytes of /media/.devicesalt>, <16 ASCII chars of /rom/devconf/DeviceId>)).
/rom/devconf/DeviceId is the serial number, something like "3000111122223333".
/media/.devicesalt is a random 16 bytes.
Exactly what it was put in to address is another question.
Who creates this snippet and when is not yet clear.
If you do an update from Nook1.1.5 to 1.2.1 and don't re-register anything you may still download books over USB and the desktop Adobe Digital Editions but they will not load.
Internally they will generate a mismatched fingerprint error and externally a "user not activated"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am just finding this thread and am wondering if this may provide a fix for my vexing situation.
I am trying to run Mantano with my drmed books (both band n books, and overdrive). The DRM works the same as my normal android devices (nexus 7, Nook color, eris, and rezound).
However, when the app closes, the DRM resets. Oddly enough, Aldiko works fine.
I really like mantano's way of displaying the books accurately and the way it syncs notes and highlights, so I am kind of married to this app. So, I know I have asked before, but does anyone have any thoughts? This could be the beginning to figuring this out yes?
~Leko

lekofraggle said:
However, when the app closes, the DRM resets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea what you mean by that.

Renate NST said:
I have no idea what you mean by that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Renate,
Thanks for responding. This is driving me crazy.
What happens is that after I open the app, I can register it with adobe and read my overdrive books. I can also read my Barnes and Noble books by entering my login and credit card number (what they use as a password). This is the way they use adobe DRM.
But, when I close the app, it seems to unregister itself. After closing the app. (Forcing it to quit, waiting a long time, or rebooting the nst), I have to reenter my adobe or Barnes and Noble credentials in the app. With adobe, this does count as a new device each time.
Aldiko does not seem to have the problem.
I have taken decompiled Mantano and tried to figure out how to fix it, but cannot. I have also reached out to the company, they have not helped too much either.
I use mantano as my everyday reading app on my nexus, and want to sync my notes and reading position (which it does well).
Sincerely,
Leko

I don't know Mantano at all.
It has to save the credentials somewhere, apparently it's not.
Explore around
/data/data/com.mantano.whatever/databases
/data/data/com.mantano.whatever/files
using ADB shell
Is there something there before you shut Mantano down?
Is it still there later?
Is it wiped out on restart?

Renate NST said:
I don't know Mantano at all.
It has to save the credentials somewhere, apparently it's not.
Explore around
/data/data/com.mantano.whatever/databases
/data/data/com.mantano.whatever/files
using ADB shell
Is there something there before you shut Mantano down?
Is it still there later?
Is it wiped out on restart?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Renate,
Thanks a lot. There are some weird happenings indeed.
So, I browsed the folders, and did not get too far. Here is what I did...
adb shell ls data/data/com.mantano.reader.android
the folders were
shared_prefs
cache
databases
lib
files
In the cache folder was one file
WebviewCache
In the databases folder were three files
webviewCache.db
google_analytics.db
webview.db
In the files folder
licence
.salt
.mno002
.mno001
mantano
I tried to poke around with a database viewer but did not get too far. most of the databases were empty (I have not done much with this app since trying different versions. The only database that seemed to have data was the google_analytics, and none of that looked like password data.
Two more odd things.
There is a .adobe-digital-editions folder on the sd card. Mantano writes to it, because if I delete the folder, it is respawned with mantano mentioned in device.xml.
And, if I run aldiko, its registration seems to overwrite device.xml, but it can read from it (the source of the two reading apps are completely different.)
I wonder if it is a permissions error. The permissions on the .adobe editions folder are ---rwxr-x I tried to find a way to change that, but they do not stick because it is an sd card. 16 gig class 4.
Mantano also has a folder on the sd card with a database, but I am not sure that is where we need to be.
Thanks again for your help.
~Leko

Your SD card is probably FAT, which is why permissions are not really serious.
I think that you are getting all confused by alternating between Mantano & Aldiko.
(I've not even seen either of these.)
I think that they are both trying to store conflicting credentials in the same place.
The stock ReaderRMSDK.apk uses libpdfhost.so
libpdfhost.so has hard-coded paths in it for .devicesalt, .adobe-digital-editions/device.xml, .adobe-digital-editions/activation.xml on /media
See the start of this thread for "un-salting" the stock ReaderRMSDK.

Renate NST said:
Your SD card is probably FAT, which is why permissions are not really serious.
I think that you are getting all confused by alternating between Mantano & Aldiko.
(I've not even seen either of these.)
I think that they are both trying to store conflicting credentials in the same place.
The stock ReaderRMSDK.apk uses libpdfhost.so
libpdfhost.so has hard-coded paths in it for .devicesalt, .adobe-digital-editions/device.xml, .adobe-digital-editions/activation.xml on /media
See the start of this thread for "un-salting" the stock ReaderRMSDK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Renate, I actually am not as confused between the two as it seems. I only installed Aldiko after I discovered the DRM issue with Mantano.
Beyond wiping my device, is the other fix for un-salting deregistering the nook? If so, I will try that next.
I think the sdcard is fat, but Mantano does not seem to acknowledge the /media partition. I wonder if that has something to do with the issue.
~Leko
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Well then just stick to Mantano.
See when the stuff in .adobe-digital-editions appears.
Back it up somewhere.
Close Mantano and open it.
See if the stuff is still there.
activation.xml has to be writable to add new books.

Renate NST said:
Well then just stick to Mantano.
See when the stuff in .adobe-digital-editions appears.
Back it up somewhere.
Close Mantano and open it.
See if the stuff is still there.
activation.xml has to be writable to add new books.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I deregistered my nook, and rerooted it. I installed es file explorer and mantano (nothing else).
If In delete the folder or the stuff in it, Mantano recreates it on launch (on the SD card). If I open a book, I have to register. Once I do, it works for a while (an hour or so it seems), but then asks me to re register.
If I move the folder while the app or books are open, it immediately recreates the folder and the three files, but the book needs to be re registered. I seem to get the same result if I move just the files.
I also tried disabling all of the bn apps in the nook manager with the same result.
I am at a loss.
~Leko
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Point #1: Don't deregister your device ever.
When stuff is working, backup the relevant directories.
When stuff stops working copy that back to where it was.
Using ADB stop or reboot is the safest/cleanest way to restart apps.
Every time you re-register it (probably) generates new salt.

Renate NST said:
Point #1: Don't deregister your device ever.
When stuff is working, backup the relevant directories.
When stuff stops working copy that back to where it was.
Using ADB stop or reboot is the safest/cleanest way to restart apps.
Every time you re-register it (probably) generates new salt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Renate,
Thanks for the advice. I am trying to figure out how to desalt. Moving the relevant files do not seem to work. I get the same result as if the original ones stayed in one spot.
~Leko

New Nook goes backwards a version
With the new NG2 (the new white Nook) came a surprise.
/system/lib/libpdfhost.so (which is the driving force on the Reader) went backwards a version.
1.0, 1.1 and now the 1.3 has RMSDK9.2.1+/NDKr5 libpdfhost.so
1.2.1 has RMSDK9.3.1/NDKr7b
I wonder why they did that?

Hi
Sorry to post in an old thread, but this does seem most relevent to what I want to achieve.
I am struggling to read borrowed library books in Aldiko or Mantano readers on my NSTG rooted v1.2.1. I cannot login to my library using Aldiko, it just hangs - either a cookie or security certificate problem, I've tried workarounds listed on other forums without success. So I figure importing the acsm or epub downloaded using overdrive might be the answer.
I can checkout books in overdrive, open the .acsm file and read them in overdrive. But I cannot then open the epub using Aldiko/Mantano, nor can I open a brand new (different book) acsm file using Aldiko to generate the epub.
I don't have access to ADE on a PC so cannot transfer onto my Nook that way.
So ideally, I'd like to be able to simply open the epub that is generated when Overdrive on the NSTG reads the acsm file - or to fix the "hanging" in Aldiko when logging into the library website.
Is there any way of doing this? I've tried lots of versions of Aldiko and Mantano, old and new, without success.
Thanks!

gwapenut said:
[…]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, so here's the deal, gwapenut. (Love your username, by the way - #GrapenutsFTW!)
The Aldiko login bug has been present since Aldiko first was installed on the Nook - it's basically an issue no one's been able to fix. (As you suspected, it's a security certificate invalidity) So, that option's out.
From my personal experience, you can only open borrowed OverDrive books with Aldiko/Mantano if you borrow them using ADE on a PC and then sideloading them onto your Nook - they don't open properly if you borrow them straight from your Nook.
TL; DR - If you don't have PC ADE access, you cannot accomplish what you are asking for.
Sorry about that.

[Q] NSTG Want B&N Reader to for their books and cool reader for .epub possible?

Hello,
I am having trouble get took setup in manner I want for my family.
I would like option to access B&N books on the device so I need to use default reader however for all other books .mobi/,epub I much prefer to use cool reader as I can adjust the margin to avoid the light bloom at the top as well as various spacings to my preference.
Using nookmanager/relaunch, Renate's Simple Library.
If I chose a default app for .epub B&N are treated the same way. Is this possible to sort in manner I'm after by perhaps hacking around with /data/system/packages.xml?
Thanks
Crispy

Crispy3000 said:
Hello,
I am having trouble get took setup in manner I want for my family.
I would like option to access B&N books on the device so I need to use default reader however for all other books .mobi/,epub I much prefer to use cool reader as I can adjust the margin to avoid the light bloom at the top as well as various spacings to my preference.
Using nookmanager/relaunch, Renate's Simple Library.
If I chose a default app for .epub B&N are treated the same way. Is this possible to sort in manner I'm after by perhaps hacking around with /data/system/packages.xml?
Thanks
Crispy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BN books are epub, but they are protected epubs (they use adobe drm). I think cool reader may be able to open them too, but the Nook stores them in a place the reader has trouble finding them. Because they are epubs, setting the default would be tricky (one app for downloaded epub, and another for purchased from BN, how would the app know).
I think your best bet would be to use Mantno or Aldiko which can handle all of your epubs because they support drm. Then,all the epubs are handled by one app, and all the mobis by cool reader. That is as simple as clicking the always do this checkbox you open the book from a file manager.
The alternative is to set defaults based on file location, but I think you will need another app running like tasker. Then, you can create shortcuts with a launcher and have the shortcut open the assigned book. The later is much more complicated.
Good luck,
Leko

Thanks for that.
I did try downloading the books from the website to PC to have a look at what format they were etc but could not find a way.
It is indeed the path screwing things up. They live it seems in /data/media/B&N Downloads/Books/ a directory only accesable to system apps.
Copying them to sdcard coolreader had no problem what so ever reading them.
I guess setting up a script to copy the books to another nonroot location would be easiest solution.

Crispy3000 said:
Thanks for that.
I did try downloading the books from the website to PC to have a look at what format they were etc but could not find a way.
It is indeed the path screwing things up. They live it seems in /data/media/B&N Downloads/Books/ a directory only accesable to system apps.
Copying them to sdcard coolreader had no problem what so ever reading them.
I guess setting up a script to copy the books to another nonroot location would be easiest solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not know if this would mess everything up, but what if you changed the permissions on that folder?

It may well do messing with those permissions or at least cause the nook to reset to factory. Not something I am going to consider
I want to remove all the B&N crap stealing battery anyway so side loading the books to my sdcard is way to go and thats fine.
What I need to know now is how to get the books I've paid for in .epub format from B&N when the nst does not download them.
Part of my brain remember Renate does something like this using an Adobe product?
I will google abit after coffee and some Jelly Defense. If someone knows good method please chime in.

Crispy3000 said:
It may well do messing with those permissions or at least cause the nook to reset to factory. Not something I am going to consider
I want to remove all the B&N crap stealing battery anyway so side loading the books to my sdcard is way to go and thats fine.
What I need to know now is how to get the books I've paid for in .epub format from B&N when the nst does not download them.
Part of my brain remember Renate does something like this using an Adobe product?
I will google abit after coffee and some Jelly Defense. If someone knows good method please chime in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point. I did that with Nook color tools. Not fun.
To get the books...
Go on a browser (this may work on opera on the device, I am not sure).
Got to bn.com
sign in and go to your nook library.
right click on a book and download it.
Save it to disk. If you have A.D.E. installed it will want to open it.
Move it to your device.
Open the book in a reader which supports A.D.E.
Enter your login in password which is your full name (As they have it on file, spaces count but I do not know about middle names)and credit card you used to purchase the book.
Enjoy.
You should only need to enter the credit card once.
Good luck.
~Leko
Now, I just need to find the full screen version of Mantano. Grrr.

lekofraggle said:
Good point. I did that with Nook color tools. Not fun.
To get the books...
Go on a browser (this may work on opera on the device, I am not sure).
Got to bn.com
sign in and go to your nook library.
right click on a book and download it.
Save it to disk. If you have A.D.E. installed it will want to open it.
Move it to your device.
Open the book in a reader which supports A.D.E.
Enter your login in password which is your full name (As they have it on file, spaces count but I do not know about middle names)and credit card you used to purchase the book.
Enjoy.
You should only need to enter the credit card once.
Good luck.
~Leko
Now, I just need to find the full screen version of Mantano. Grrr.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
# right click on a book and download it.
This is the bit I was having trouble with. I see now its the difference between the UK and USA site. UK one only gives archive and delete where USA gives the additional option of download. Luckily USA site seems to honor my UK purchases now. It did not when I tried it long time ago I suspect they synced them because they accidentally sent a load USA nst to uk to meet demand.
EDIT: Works great. Downloaded, ADBed across (will setup Renate's adbsync for automation later), Renate's simply library app, opens with cool reader ^_^. Thanks
Only other thing to do on my todo list in this particular process is to change screensaver timeout on command line as I usually keep the 2min but if ADBing going into screensaver mode disrupts the connection either to sleep or wireless turning off.

You could try dropbox, then there is no need for adb. The current apk does not work. I found an old xparent version which does, but as you could imagine xparent is not so good on the nst. Let me know if you want it.
As for screensaver timeout, it is one of the options in settings.
~Leko
Go forth and work toward your salvation with diligence.

It may also be possible to put a link in the default directory for coolreader and point it to the location of the books downloaded from B&N.

David0226 said:
It may also be possible to put a link in the default directory for coolreader and point it to the location of the books downloaded from B&N.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link would inherit the permissions. I prefer ADB / adb sync for large merging of files as it can be done over my LAN not my very tiny pipe to the internet. I do use dropbox for other stuff.