Visual Kindle Guide
| As of February 20,2011 Daffy4u ceased updating this guide. If anyone would like to take over or even make the occasional edit, it would be greatly appreciated by the Kindle owning community. Thanks everyone, especially Leep and pilotbob who helped get this project started. A very special thank you to people to created and refined the hacks used in this guide. :) |
This is the home page of the Visual Kindle Guide as created by pilotbob, Leep and daffy4u with contributions from the MobileRead Community.
[edit] How to use the Command Prompt
From time to time, you may need make use of the command line in order to perform some tasks on your Kindle. You need to know how to open a command window. Here are the steps to show you how:
- Command Prompt Vista/XP/Mac - If you are using Windows 7, the Vista instructions should work for you.
[edit] How to install Python for Windows
There are many tools being created to help extend the Kindle to be useful in other areas. Some of those tools require Python scripts. We will show you how to install Python on your Windows computer, so that you can take advantage of those scripts as they come along. NOTE: Even if you are using 64-bit Windows, install the 32-bit Python files.
[edit] How to work with Metadata
Want to manipulate the Metadata, like title and author info of your .azw, ,prc or .mobi books? Mobi2Mobi is the tool for the job. Please note that Mobi2Mobi does not work on Topaz formatted books (.azw1, .tpz). At this time there is no GUI for the Mac side. If you're a Mac programming guru and would like to create one, please drop by Mobileread and let us know. :)
Mobi2Mobi for the Mac is a two part process. First the installation of the mobiperl tools and then the actual commands. Please note that Mobi2Mobi does not work on Topaz formatted books (.azw1, .tpz). NOTE: Due to updates in OSX, the installation instructions below may no longer work. We suggest using Calibre for Metadata editing.
Tips on how to organize your Kindle books by tweaking the Metadata a bit more.
Have you purchased or downloaded a freebie ebook from a retailer other than the Amazon Kindle store? Would you like to be able to sync that DRM-free ebook among your Kindles and Kindle for PC? If that same book is also sold at Amazon and has an ASIN number (eBook or pBook), we have a little trick using the Mobi2Mobi GUI to help you get your sync on. Unfortunately, at this time, this is a Windows only trick.
Now you can use Calibre to organize your book series by using the Plugboards feature.
[edit] More Kindle Fun (Save Your Hack Files)
More ways to extend the usefulness of your Kindle. Beware, these modifications could damage your Kindle if not installed correctly and may void the warranty. Use at your own risk. :) YOU MAY HAVE TO REMOVE THESE HACKS BEFORE YOUR KINDLE CAN BE UPDATED BY AMAZON, PLEASE BE SURE TO KEEP THE UNINSTALL FILES IN A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN FIND THEM EASILY.
[edit] Which Kindle Do you Have?
The first thing you need to know is which Kindle you have.
[edit] Kindle Hacks Threads and Posts
There are many hacks becoming available for Kindle. Some are covered in this wiki others aren't. I am collecting links to threads and posts about any and all hacks I learn about. Feel free to jump in with any I miss. :)
[edit] Kindle Screen Saver Hacks
Now on the the fun stuff.
- Kindle 1 Screen Saver Hack
- Kindle 2 Screen Saver Hack - [U.S. Sprint version only. Does not work with the 2.3 update.]
- KindleDX Screen Saver Hack - [U.S. Sprint DX, no visuals. Does not work with the 2.3 update.]
- Kindle 2 US, Int'l and Kindle DX Screen Saver Hack - [U.S. Sprint & International DX. Only works with the 2.3 update.]
- Kindle Screen Saver Hack for all 2.x and 3.x Kindles - This NiLuJe's version
[edit] Kindle Font Hacks
If you'd like to read books in other languages on your Kindle 2, this is the hack for you.
- Kindle Font Hacks - Kindle 2 U.S. only [Does not work with the 2.3 update.]
- Kindle 2 US, Int'l and Kindle DX Font Hack - [Works with 2.3 update and now includes Kindle DX International.]
- Kindle Font Hack for all 2.x and 3.x Kindles - This is NiLuJe's version
[edit] Kindle Registration Hack
Do you have the U.S. version of the Kindle 2 or Kindle DX and live outside the U.S.? Do you need the ability to register your Kindle so that you can take full advantage of Kindle Updates? This hack will help you.
[edit] How to use Calibre with your Kindle
You've probably heard about Calibre, the eBook Library Management program that is a must have, no matter what eBook Reader you own. For an introduction on how to use it to add books to the Kindle, check out:
