New Installer Available

Please note that Java WebStart is no longer the suggested way to install ShelfServer. Please see ShelfServer Installers for platform-specific installers for Windows & Mac plus a tarball for *nix-based operating systems.

The original WebStart instructions remain below in case you need to use WebStart for some reason.

WebStart Instructions for ShelfServer

ShelfServer, the desktop component of BookShelf provides access for your phone to the book content on your desktop computer. You might think of it as a very simple iTunes for books (or not...).

ShelfServer can be started in one of two ways. Either downloading it as a ZIP file containing a double-clickable JAR or by using Java WebStart. For most users with a properly configured Java environment, WebStart is the easier way to go.

When you click the WebStart link, your browser should prompt you to download or open the file shelfserver.jnlp. You'll need to open this file, either with the initial dialog or by finding it in your Downloads folder and double-clicking it. This file is tiny and so should download in a matter of seconds.

When you open the jnlp file, either your browser or your operating system may give you some various warnings about the impending demise of your computer. Running ShelfServer has not been known to cause any desktop's to burst into flame, but your mileage may vary...

Once opened, you should see the Java WebStart splash screen briefly and a download progress bar for ShelfServer. The total ShelfServer download is 1.5MB, so it shouldn't take too long.

Once the download is complete, you'll be prompted by Java to accept the certificate which signed the application and (possibly separately) to grant permissions for the application to run. These prompts look something like the screen shots that follow. You need to choose "Trust," optionally selecting "Always trust www.thebedells.org" in order for the application to run. You may be prompted to enter your login password to authorize the certificate, and you may receive additional admonitions of certain doom from your operating system. Select Ok/Yes/Proceed/etc. for any such dialogs.

Once you've passed the gauntlet of various warning messages, ShelfServer start start up automatically:

Assuming your computer is on the same network segment as your iPhone or iPod touch, the ShelfServer should show up in BookShelf like this:

New in BookShelf 2.0:
Download Books without using ShelfServer

Click to Install BookShelf with iTunes or AppStore

Latest News

• Apr 3, 2010v2.3 Approved w/ native iPad supportBookShelf 2.3 is approved for sale. This version adds native iPad support, an improved download screen, and many small fixes and enhancements.[More...]
• Nov 3, 2009iPhone presentation @ Tech Valley Code CampIntroduction to iPhone Development at the free Tech Valley Code Camp, November 7, 2009 at SUNY Albany, NY[More...]
• Apr 29, 2009ePub Support addedShelfServer now supports the ePub format[More...]
• Apr 29, 20092.0.1738 submitted to AppleMinor bugfixes & iPhone 3.0 support[More...]
• Mar 24, 2009BookShelf 2.0 Released!FeedBooks.com support and cover art[More...]
• Feb 22, 2009BookShelf down southBookShelf goes to college in New Zealand![More...]
• Nov 11, 2008Temporary Support Slow down [Click 'All News' for details]Developer is moving house.[More...]
• Nov 6, 2008Version 1.3 AvailableStability & Plucker fixes[More...]
• Oct 8, 2008Server issues nearly resolved[More...]
• Oct 4, 20081.2 Available NOW[More...]

[All News]