Quote:
Originally Posted by ProfCrash
I can say the same thing about Sony, BN, and Kobo. They work really hard to make sure I cannot read their books on my Kindle . . .
The bitching that Amazon is not willing to sell EPub while ignoring that Sony, BN, and Kobo do not sell Mobi is almost amusing but really more annoying. Amazon is held to a different standard then the other bookstores. It is an old, boring, tired argument.
It is an argument that is made all that much more tired when you flat out say that you can and will remove DRM if you come across a situation where it is warrented. The decision to remove DRM and convert is one that each person has to make based on their understanding of the law in their country, their ethical barometer, and their level of technical skill.
I am glad that you enjoy using the library. I know folks with Kindles who use the library as well. It is a matter of making decisions that the individual is comfortable with. They have saved themselves a ton of money borrowing library books.
It is not a black and white world.
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Actually this case
IS pretty much black and white -
Amazon - BAD
To put ANY kind of protected content on a Kindle you have to use Amazons AZW formant NOT "MOBI" not "PDF" (which are only supported in unprotected form). Amazon doesn't allow others to have access to the DRM code needed on favorable terms, and given Amazon's LITIGIOUS JERK track record with so called "One Click" shopping (did you know that Amazon invented both the number "1" -AND- the "left mouse button"?), other companies just aren't willing to risk reverse engineering Amazons DRM for commercial purposes. This leaves only a patheticly small group of smaller struggling publishing houses who are willing to sell Non-DRM-Protected books, and though I support their efforts, virtually ALL of the mainstream authors that most folks
actually read are represented by publishers who
insist on DRM protection.
Everybody Else - GOOD
B&N, Borders, Sony, Kobo, and Google, as well as virtually EVERYONE ELSE ON THE PLANET, now use and support the new non-proprietary world wide open-standard EPUB format, with DRM provide by a neutral third party, Adobe, who will license their technology on reasonable terms to anyone. So reasonable in fact, that libraries can afford it even for 'freebie' library book check out. I can read books purchased through Borders, Kobo, or Google, not only on their respective devices, but also on a Sony reader, or a B&N Nook. I can't yet buy B&N books and read them on my Sony, but Adobe and B&N have already agreed to sort this out, so that it should be possible in the future.
Think that Amazon's going to win this battle? Think again. There was a time when it was the other way around and it was Sony that thought that they could be arrogant jerks - Anybody remember the Betamax?
This time around Sony has clearly learned their lesson, and they have my full support.