Sideloading is a term that someone at Barnes & Noble came up with to describe the process of downloading books to your Nook eBook reader via your PC. A similar process can be applied to sideloading a Kindle. You can sideload purchased eBooks from SmashWords, free classics from Gutenberg Press, or eBooks that have been emailed to you as attachments.

The following are the steps to follow to sideload your Kindle or Nook (where appropriate, I note differences between the two devices).

1 Select the Correct File Type

Before downloading, be sure that you have found the correct file type for your device. Kindles require MOBI formatted files that typically end with the .mobi extension. Nooks require ePub formatted files that end with the .epub extension. Both devices also support PDF files with a .pdf extension.

When downloading from Smashwords or Gutenberg, select the correct file type from those listed. The same is true when selecting from email attachments. Be sure you have the right file type before you proceed.

2 Plug Your Device Into Your PC

You know that power cable that came with your Kindle/Nook, well it's actually a USB cable with a wall adapter plugged onto one end. Simply remove the wall adapter and use the cable to attach your Kindle/Nook to your PC.

There. That was easy, wasn't it?

3 Save Your eBook File…

3.1 Left click on the file name or button to begin the download.

3.2 Left click on the "Download Attachment" button, if you see one, then left click "Save" in the "File Download" window.

4 … To Your Kindle/Nook

When attached to your PC, your Kindle/Nook becomes a removable drive to which you can save files. Follow these steps to complete your sideload.

4.1 Left click the "Computer" or "My Computer" button in the lower left had portion of the screen (you may need to scroll down to see it). You may have to do this multiple times before your Kindle/Nook appears as a sideloading destination.

4.2 Double click your "Kindle" or "Nook" drive as the save destination.

4.3 Left click on "documents" on the Kindle and "My Documents" on the Nook as the destination folder for the sideload.

4.4 Click the "Save" button in the "Save As" window to complete your sideload.

5 Read Your New Book

After you unplug your Kindle/Nook from your PC, your books should be available. Note that it will appear in the "My Documents" section of your Nook.