Quote:
Originally Posted by wvcherrybomb
So, with all this talk of piracy and the effects of it, I decided to check it out for myself. I had no intention of keeping any books. I simply wanted to see how easy it was and what was really available.
First, it took me about ten minutes to figure out how to do it and download the appropriate software. About another minute to find which two sites host the largest number of ebooks.
I found out that the selection is not good. I searched both of two top sites for about a dozen books on my wishlist. None were available. I then went through quite a few more books before I finally found one that appealed to me and one best seller.
It took a few minutes to download them and another couple of minutes to get them onto my Kindle. So, in less than 20 minutes, I had two pirated books on my ereader. It would be much quicker the second time around.
Now I took a look at these stolen books. The formatting was a big mess. I mean really, really bad! One of them had the title from the top of the page inserted randomly in between paragraphs. The other had some words that were spelled one letter at a time down the left side of page. I suppose if a person were desperate enough they could read them like this but it was quite unpleasant.
I removed the books from my ereader. I removed the books and software from my computer (including emptying the recycle bin  ).
What I learned from this is that piracy of ebooks doesn't seem to be any real threat. While it was very easy to do, there are just not that many books available and the formatting was a mess. Maybe from being converted all over the place? There is also the risk of downloading viruses, trojans, or who knows what onto your computer. Even if you're not morally opposed, it's just not worth it.
The ebook section of the darknet was the complete opposite of the music section, where any song ever made could be found in quantity. Either ebooks are too new to have made it out there, or readers are a more honest lot. |
In response to: Salgueiros', message: I too have experimented with the sites you elude to having sampled a title or two from. My first search hit on a list containing 599 .mobi formatted, titles; my second, and final search brought me here. I too, do not plan on keeping any of them, but it's a great way to get a trial without having to jump through the credit card hoops. I'd be happy to share the link, however, the language contained in your post seems to indicate this method is discouraged by the members and/or webmaster, here. I have saved all of that time and money usually invested in telephoning for return labels, RMA's, refunds, contacting my bank day after day to check that my refund was processed, etc.. I have eliminated all of that aggravation by responsibly trying what looks good, buying it once I am sure. This method of sampling trials of software, music, movies, etc... by utilizing similar means of downloading those certain utilities, from those certain sites, you mentioned, would be a great trial tool, if it weren't so widely abused.
I did, however, find more content by typing single, or double, word searches such as [Kindle] (that's how I found the 599 list). You wouldn't want to search titles or authors, rather your [device + title] i.e. [Kindle + .mobi] or [Kindle + books] or [Kindle + Audio] (for audio books on a long drive). They are everywhere, all over the Internet, Newly Released, Best Sellers, and they are becoming more popular by the day. Typically, what you will find, are collections and preferences of the up-loader(s) who posted them. They seem to upload their entire collections, in no particular order. I, personally, uncheck all and then place a tick in half dozen, or so, popular and/or classic titles and at least one Best Seller. If I like it, I buy it.
I can assure you, they are every bit the quality of any e-Store purchased title and twice as available. Allow me to add a personal note: Authors have worked hard, their blood and sweat in every line and all to transport us through their works, their world and their minds. If you DO sample from "those" sites, please make sure to use them as a trial only downloads as if watching a trailer or a movie that may pique your interest. I would then look for it here first, and if it's not here, support your favorite Authors, purchase the title, should you decide it meets your expectations.
Anyone interested in just a screenshot of the list of titles or a link, to the site itself, please feel free to message me. I'm a new member and don't know if I would be offending anyone by making this offer. So, I will depend upon those of you who have been here longer, please let me know if sharing information of this nature is frowned
-Andy