Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
Calibre provides all the elements you need to organize and manage an e-book collection. With a simple set of tools and a helpful layout, this program is a nice choice for any electronic reading lover.
The program's interface is a snap to understand because of its professionally designed layout and easy-to-use command icons. Calibre lets you open a variety of e-book types and read them. You download your e-books from your desktop or hard drive directly into Calibre. The entire process is so simple that we never felt the need to consult the Help file. You can easily sort your titles by alphabetical order, cover image, or tags. We especially like being able to customize tags and covers, which is handy if the book doesn't come with any. While all these functions worked well, the program didn't feel like an essential utility until we tried out its special features, which elevate Calibre from a mere reader into an e-book manager. The conversion feature converts any e-book's file type with a few clicks, which we like because some handheld readers only accept specific file types. The uploading feature lets you send your e-books directly to one of those handheld readers or other portable device with equal ease. Calibre covered every base, from downloading and cataloging our electronic book collection to putting the words in the palm of our hand.
Calibre is freeware. It installs desktop icons without permission. We loved its simple operation and impressive results, and we recommend this program.
Calibre - Manage your eBook library and synchronize it to reader devices - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From Kovid Goyal:
Calibre is program to manage your eBook collection. It acts as an e-library and also allows for format conversion, news feeds to eBook conversion, as well as e-book reader sync features and an integrated e-book viewer. It features library management, format conversion (all major eBook formats), syncing to e-book reader devices, fetching news from the Web and converting it into eBook form, viewing many different e-book formats, and giving you access to your book collection over the internet using just a browser.
What's new in this version: Version 0.9.31 fixes incorrect playOrders in the generated toc.ncx when editing the toc in an epub file, this apparently affects FBReader.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 197 votes
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Current version:
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"great free softwer!!!"
Version: Calibre 0.9.28
Pros
Does what it says!!
Cons
I think v.27 is beter( v.28-converter is slow)
Summary
Best free program for e-books
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"incomplete download,unable to verify download exists!"
Version: Calibre 0.9.28
Pros
cannot complete download due to inability to verify the download actually exists.
Cons
Have downloaded but am being asked to verify from Cnet that the programme actually exists! Do you have any idea of what it is talking about and how I can verify and finalise the download so I can send you a review?
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"Absolutely the best ebook management program available."
Version: Calibre 0.9.24
Pros
Multiple formats
Multiple devices
Converts from one format to another very easily.Cons
None I can find
Summary
Calibre is absolutely the best ebook management program going. It just works. I recommend the portable version so you can carry your library with you anywhere. The portable version works equally well from a USB drive or from a directory on your hard disk.
I suspect using the portable version would fix many of the Windows permissions problems I see in other reviews. Those issues are likely Windows related, not calibre related. -
"Past was great but updates bad!"
Version: Calibre 0.9.24
Pros
The earlier versions were great and easy to use
Cons
Newer updates caused error messages on my Win 7 machine about not having permissions to use the program! Unable to revert to earlier versions, Now they all say the same message. Completely unusable now!
Summary
Great program in the Past but the constant, newest changes ruined it!
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"Does not correctly configure file for use in reader"
Version: Calibre 0.9.20
Pros
None - besides going to their website to download directly meant no malware and or virus attachments.
Cons
Download didn't take as long as expected as many complained it would. I transferred many PDF's to be configured to Mobi. Was able to connect them to my Kobo with ease. Looked like any other ebooks in my Kobo which made me excited, because as you know reading PDF files on your e-reader is a pain. There was no improvement from PDF style to Mobi, besides that it looked as if it was a scanned copy of the book it's self. I couldn't read a single word because the text was so small and both pages showed up on my 4 x 6 screen. I suppose this could be modified if you were using an Ipad or an e-reader that had zoom in features. Although my read has that option, it is limited, and the text was just that small that my e-reader could not accomplish the modification needed for the ebook.
Summary
All that aside, it still showed white lines. Three to be exact down the page(s). So download at your own risk. Wasn't going to waste anymore time on it. My point of getting it was to convert pdf's. It did not do that function well at all, so I removed the program.
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"Ease of use makes Calibre a Winner!"
Version: Calibre 0.9.20
Pros
I have found that for a free ebook reader, the Calibre is an excellent program to use. There are many features which can be manipulated to please any reader's particular preferences. The ease in upgrading demonstrates the programmer's care in development. I would recommend Calibre to everyone who needs an ebook reader.
Cons
I found no limitations or restraints which would limit my reading pleasure.
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"Got a virus called iminent with my dowload"
Version: Calibre 0.9.16
Pros
Can't get rid of the virus
Cons
Infected computer
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"the best ebook manager"
Version: Calibre 0.9.15
Pros
easy, converter included, fetch news function, supports eReaders
Cons
some problems with sending emails, categories system is not perfect
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"Buggy as all get out"
Version: Calibre 0.9.12
Pros
Does most of the stuff that Calibre always does
Only program that actually will do everything you wantCons
Generates errors for no reason not related to task
Slower and bulkier
Instructions tend to be tech babble
Answers from source site tend to be tech babble
Replys from forum tend to be tech babble with low tolerance to newbies or those who are not tech inclinedSummary
It works sort of. It is an overweight ghost of the program it use to be. Slow and bulky with 3 processes running everytime you try to do something it slows you down. It isn't packaged with malware unless you download from the wrong site. Mine wasn't.
It started getting bad in 8.7 when some of the epub files I imported would not see " or other symbols like that properly instead giving me ascmii code symbols. I had to manually fix by going in and telling it a font. At 9.12, it is still doing the same dang ole thing. Now however it is giving me an error code that makes no sense from the actions I am trying. If I am in edit Metadata and want to go to next it tells me it cannot change the book I am working on's location. I DID NOT ASK IT TO MOVE THE BOOK.
I'm really hoping someone decides to come out with a program like this that works and has a manual that someone who doesn't have 6 years of college computer tech can understand. Calibre has forgotten the users in it developing. Someone creates that and calibre won't see my dust. Heck I'll even pay for it. -
"Caliber 09.11"
Version: Calibre 0.9.11
Pros
It does convert file formats, albeit slow. There isn't much to like with this product.
Cons
If you are not careful, it changes search engine and home page of your browser to a website identified by the Web of Trust as containing malware.
Caliber is updated too often and is always buggy.Summary
I no longer use Caliber. The program is buggy, installs malware, and is slow.
