How to Transfer eBooks to the iPhone to Read in Stanza

If you're a book lover with an iPhone, you probably spend a fair amount of time reading in and looking for new books with Stanza -- and there's plenty to choose from.  But what if you have eBook files on your Mac or PC that you want to move to the iPhone for reading on the go?

In this tutorial, I'll show you how to transfer your eBook files off your computer and onto your iPhone in a few simple steps -- and it won't cost you a dime.

To get started you'll need (1) an iPhone or iPod touch with the free Stanza app installed [iTunes Link], (2) the Stanza desktop client installed on your PC or Mac, (3) at least one eBook file on your computer in a Stanza-compatible format, and (4) a wireless network to which both the iPhone/iPod and computer are connected. 

Step 1: Open Your eBook in Stanza Desktop

Open Stanza on your Mac or PC.  From the toolbar select File > Open File:

 

In the Explorer (PC) or Finder (Mac) window, select the eBook file you wish to open and click Open.  For this tutorial, I'll be copying over The Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant:

If you select a compatible file, you'll see the eBook displayed in Stanza.

Step 2: Enable Sharing

To allow Stanza desktop to share content with Stanza iPhone, from the toolbar on your Stanza desktop client choose Tools > Enable Sharing.  Windows users may get a firewall screen asking if you'd like Stanza to be unblocked.  Select Unblock. 

Sharing in Stanza desktop is now enabled.

Step 3: To the iPhone!

Now that sharing is enabled on the desktop, it's time to fire up the iPhone or iPod touch.

On the handheld, run Stanza.  On the main Library screen, you'll see an option near the bottom of the screen called Shared Books.  Select this option and you'll see a list of computers on your network running Stanza in shared mode.  Click the computer with the file you wish to copy to your iPhone or iPod touch.  On your desktop a message will appear asking if you wish to allow the connection.  Select  Allow or Always Allow.  A list of transferable eBooks will then be generated on the iPhone:

Once you find the title of the book you wish to copy, tap it, then select Download from the option menu. 

The file will be transferred over Wi-Fi to Stanza's iPhone database and the book will then show up in your iPhone's Stanza Library:

You're done!  Happy reading.

A Friendly Suggestion

If you're an avid reader, do yourself a favor and get an E-Ink reader -- your eyes will thank you.  My favorite is the Amazon Kindle 2, but there are other options like the Sony Reader. Barnes & Noble will also release the nook eBook reader in November 2009.