1. pick a device. Your computer will do. Download the offered file and store it. It’s about the size, as Sweetbo pointed out, of an MP3 download.

2. unzip it: just click on it. You will find 11 types of files (I think.) Now…

3. go to our left sidebar and download both Mobipocket Reader and Calibre. Calibre can be useful later.

4. click on the file labeled mobi or .prc (same thing).

5. Mobipocket Reader will automatically open and start displaying the e-book for you.

That’s the short version. If you click on the e-Pub file, Calibre will open and start displaying. But Calibre has one other important trick: once you start investigating it, you’ll find it can convert that e-Pub file into about 10 other formats, which cover just about every variety of dedicated reader-device on the market. So if you ever need something converted, bring it up in Calibre and tell it to convert. It will even, I think, do a USB transfer to put the newly converted file INTO the device you want.

Two very nice pieces of software, for sure.

I do apologize that the test download is shaggy: it shouldn’t have subfolders, and the better version, once the store opens, won’t, which will simplify your life greatly. The file will be cleaner, too, which is why I’m not encouraging anybody to save the original download. Wait and download it (again for free) once the shop doors open—which may happen this weekend.

In the meanwhile you have something to play with, poke at, and investigate. There’s no way I know of that you can hurt a reader by uploading the wrong software: either it can read it or it can’t, and if it can’t, just dump it off your device, and you’re good. Same with your computer.

Hope that helps. Practice with this one and don’t worry about mistakes. Ask if you get stuck. This is a practice piece.