Thread: The Road Ahead Left Behind
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Old Today, 05:28 AM   #33
Sirtel
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Estonia
Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by haertig View Post
<Rant>
...I will never go with a system where I don't control my eBooks totally independent from their provider requiring me to use one of their special apps, or authenticate via their server, or even use DRM in any way. Unless I can strip the DRM myself, which is exactly what I do - like most people here do as well. Stripping DRM is the first thing I do when purchasing a new eBook. If I can't strip the DRM, I don't buy any more eBooks from that provider. I am not willing to pay for something (other than things clearly labeled as subscription services) that I can't use into infinity, on my own, without having the provider give me a tool, or authenticate me to use it. ...Once all the other providers go the way of Amazon and wall you into their garden tightly, I just won't buy any more eBooks. I've already got more than enough to make it through the end of my life with plenty to spare.

If you can't move a "book" around from system to system and use different manufacturers programs to read it (like PDF, EPUB, etc.) then I don't consider it a "book" and won't buy it. If the only way to "read" it is to use proprietary software only available from one source, then I don't want it.
</Rant>
Yes, this. Having total control over my ebooks (how I read them and on what device, with the ability to make my own backups and adjust the formatting in any way I want) is a necessity for me. I wouldn't buy any ebook with an unremovable DRM, and I also have far more ebooks than I can read in several lifetimes (I'm not a particularly fast reader).

That is one of the reasons I don't use libraries or book subscription services. Well, the main reason is that they're not available either on my Kobos or in my country, but I'm not sure I'd want to use them even if they were. I prefer to own my ebooks.

Funnily enough, I do use subscription services for movies, but I've never been a passionate movie fan - I watch them only a few times per year. So I don't feel the need to own them (except for some favorites I rewatch occasionally).
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