CNET 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 0.9.35 has added a markup analyzer that identifies and removes redundant markup generated by Word.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 200 votes
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Current version:
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"I love this program"
Version: Calibre 0.9.31
Pros
Very intuitive and easy to use.
Converts between various formats.
Simple interface for editing meta data in files.
Built in readers for different eBook formats.
Great for organizing your library and tracking what is on your computer vs. on your Kindle (I haven't tried it with other readers).Cons
I'm sure it has some "cons," but it does everything I need it to do.
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"Unauthorized Software Installs"
Version: Calibre 0.9.31
Pros
I love the "older" version that I have on my laptop, which is definitely a great program.
Cons
If you are not careful during installation, "this version" will change your default search engine to bing.com, change your home page to bing.com, install a SweetPacks toolbar and SweetPacks program, which are adware, install the PC Optimizer Pro program, which is classified as malware. I don't know how CNET can give this version 4 1/2 stars, considering what this "package" contains.
Summary
Stick with your old version, or wait for a new version with a clean install i.e. malware and adware free.
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"Easy to use my @$@$@ CNET Idiot Reviewers"
Version: Calibre 0.9.31
Pros
NoneNoneNoneNoneNoneNoneNone
Cons
Open opening for the first time, I see there is one book already in library. I click on it. There's text there that says "click to open". I cannot resist. What does that do. Nothing really. Just gives me a bigger picture of the cover. Again...I see the "click to open". I cannot resist. That must do something. NO. IT DOES NOTHING BUT OPEN EXPLORER WINDOW TO SELECT A FILE. WHAT? I AM DONE HERE. IT HAS TAKEN TOO LONG TO DO A SIMPLE F@$@$ TASK AS TO OPEN THE BOOK.
FYI. ANY E-READER THAT DOES NOT OFFER SOME ABILITY TO TAKE NOTES IS DF@$@ WORTHLESS....PERIOD. -
"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










