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@Big Library Guy.
Let me summarise. You were new to the plugin. You ran into problems. You assumed that the problems were with the plugin or calibre, and not with you. You posted here, a forum where the rules did not allow us to help you. You were directed in multiple posts to a forum where you could and would have got help. You were advised not to buy the program you no doubt bought and were informed of the misappropriation of the code. You then bought the product, knowing that it was using misappropriated code. You failed to make a single post seeking help at Apprentice Alf's blog, though you seem to have had no difficulty posting here at Mobileread.
It is your right to be ripped-off. As the old saying goes, "You can lead a horse to water .........." Your last post in reply to escwartz has a number of issues which I feel the need to address.
The beauty of open source code is that the source code is available. Given that you have "written programs for 30 years" and hence "following, or writing, instructions is very familiar" to you, you would presumably be capable of reading the code to check for viruses. But only, of course, if the code is available to you. You were specifically advised about the "stolen" code but chose to ignore this advise. Quite frankly, the availability of the source code makes your statement that open source code is more vulnerable to viruses and stolen code is ridiculous.
The main purpose of the plugin is not to "break the law". A cursory reading of the Anti-Piracy Notice at Apprentice Alf's blog explicitly states the purposes of the Tools including the plugin. Removing DRM may indeed be illegal in some jurisdictions. In others it is permitted. In some it is unclear. The Internet spans all legal jurisdictions. If removing DRM is illegal in your jurisdiction don't do it. Mobileread has issued guidelines that the forum cannot be used to help posters remove DRM. However, DRM can be and is discussed. Given the sometimes aggressive approach adopted by rights-holder's on occasions the ban on providing actual assistance is a sensible precaution. If help was provided on Mobileread to a person in a Country where DRM removal is illegal there is a remote possiblity of Mobileread being involved in any ensuing litigation. You will appreciate that forums like Mobileread cannot afford this, even if their actions are ultimately held to be correct. The Mobileread library excludes many books which are in the Public Domain in some jurisdictions but not in others for this reason. Your allegations of hypocrisy are unfounded. If you do post again you should consider having the grace to apologise.
eschwartz is a supporter of Open Source Software, as am I and many others on these forums. Quite frankly, I don't know whether he is against commercial software. Personally I am not, though I don't have need for much of it. I run Sabayon Linux and I understand he runs Arch Linux. I do have 3 pieces of Commercial Software installed, all fully paid for. But I could easily get by without any. There is little need for Commercial Software in Linux. Your implication that eschwartz is a software pirate is not only offensive but has no basis whatsoever. Again you should apologise.
I suppose we will never know why this plugin did not work for you. However, as the program we assume you bought uses the same base code, my money is on user error.
The thread was a waste of time because of your arrogant failure to follow the good advice you were given.
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