Linux and Borrowbox

Eyeful

I dual boot as well, with no problems.
Windows 10 with Linux Mint.

goodValue

PS. Do you need to use Borrowbox? Ask your library about possible alternatives, such as reading books in a browser.

When I login to BorrowBox at the library, it always gives me the option of Reading Online, or downloading to Adobe Digital Editions.

So you could read through a browser on Linux without having to make any other changes.

flaneurs_lobster

This sounds a bit like the problem I had with Linux some time ago, borrowing books from libraries using Borrowbox and Libby in a browser window. In order to transfer borrowed books onto an eBook reader you need to download the files via Adobe Digital Editions which handles the DRM. ADE for Linux isn't a thing. 

Not a fan of running emulators, especially on creaky only just worth saving laptops. 

This, and the need to run some other Windows-only software kicked me enough to go buy a new W11 laptop.

bob2302

If Borrowbox is the only thing tying you to Windows, you would IMO be better off using a different device: phone, tablet, or ebook reader. Even if you have to buy one it could be a lot cheaper than a new laptop.

BFBW

BrilliantButScary said:

We have installed Linux on our laptop, to see if we want to swap from Microsoft, ahead of the 
October deadline!

We use Borrowbox to borrow ebooks from the library, which utilises Adobe Digital Editions. It appears from searching the web, that this is not possible using Linux. 

Anyone know anything different?

Otherwise, we may need to bite the bullet and buy a Windows 11 compatible computer, or a Mac.

Don't panic with regard to any deadline. You have many options open to you.
You still have the option to upgrade to Windows 11, even if your device isn't listed as eligible.
You still have the option of paying for another year of support beyond October 2025.
You still have the option of backing your PC settings up the the cloud via a Microsoft account, in order to get the extra year of Windows 10 support for free

Microsoft has announced that it’s making Windows 10’s extended security updates (ESU) program free for anyone who syncs their PC settings data to the cloud via a Microsoft Account, using the new Windows Backup app. While mainstream support still ends on October 14 this year, the company is making it very easy to remain supported via security updates until October 2026 for free.

Microsoft makes Windows 10 security updates FREE for an extra year — but there's a catch, and you might not like it | Windows Central
Alternatively if you have any Microsoft Reward Points, you can pay with those.

There are more options, but they are for more advanced users.

BrilliantButScary

Thank you once again for all your replies. 

It appears you pays your money and takes your choice!

We are not panicking about any deadline, just exploring possibilities and deciding what is best for us. Security is our main concern.

We actually use our phones for most things, for example internet banking, but I prefer using my Kobo ereader for reading, and I definitely do not want a Kindle.

bob2302

BFBW said:

BrilliantButScary said:

We have installed Linux on our laptop, to see if we want to swap from Microsoft, ahead of the 
October deadline!

We use Borrowbox to borrow ebooks from the library, which utilises Adobe Digital Editions. It appears from searching the web, that this is not possible using Linux. 

Anyone know anything different?

Otherwise, we may need to bite the bullet and buy a Windows 11 compatible computer, or a Mac.

Don't panic with regard to any deadline. You have many options open to you.
You still have the option to upgrade to Windows 11, even if your device isn't listed as eligible.
You still have the option of paying for another year of support beyond October 2025.
You still have the option of backing your PC settings up the the cloud via a Microsoft account, in order to get the extra year of Windows 10 support for free

Or do nothing, and just occasionally reboot into Windows 10 as needed. The most dangerous thing is general web surfing, and you don't need Windows for that.

BFBW

BrilliantButScary said:

Thank you once again for all your replies. 

It appears you pays your money and takes your choice!

We are not panicking about any deadline, just exploring possibilities and deciding what is best for us. Security is our main concern.

We actually use our phones for most things, for example internet banking, but I prefer using my Kobo ereader for reading, and I definitely do not want a Kindle.

It was a figure of speech. Simple answer is to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2, bypassing the superficial restrictions. Then to 25H2 after it's released. That will take you up to October 2028. No issues with 'security' there.

N13L0

I thought it might be handy for anyone finding this thread to know you can use BorrowBox with Linux Mint- I'm doing so. All you have to do is to use the Linux Mint "Web Apps" feature. All you really need to know is the BorrowBox URL your local county library uses togehter with your username and password (you enter those two after you fire up BorrowBox in your web app). As for the URL, it is usually in the https form followed by "countyname(dot)borrowbox(dot)com" e.g. hampshire(dot)borrowbox(dot)com. You can download a BorrowBox icon using a search engine and just point you web app to it. You can even find the 'BorrowBox' web app in the Linux Mint start menu and create a shortcut to it on the desktop. Simples!

flaneurs_lobster

N13L0 said:

I thought it might be handy for anyone finding this thread to know you can use BorrowBox with Linux Mint- I'm doing so. All you have to do is to use the Linux Mint "Web Apps" feature. All you really need to know is the BorrowBox URL your local county library uses togehter with your username and password (you enter those two after you fire up BorrowBox in your web app). As for the URL, it is usually in the https form followed by "countyname(dot)borrowbox(dot)com" e.g. hampshire(dot)borrowbox(dot)com. You can download a BorrowBox icon using a search engine and just point you web app to it. You can even find the 'BorrowBox' web app in the Linux Mint start menu and create a shortcut to it on the desktop. Simples!

Good to know.

Does that mean that you are limited to reading the borrowed books on your Linux device?

Further problem is getting these borrowed books from the Borrowbox box (!) onto an eReader like a Kobo, can you do that?