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The best solution for readers in the short term would have been for B&N to use AdobeID DRM. However, it isn't exactly clear how B&N could do this since they already released passworded eReader ebooks. How do you go from unlimited devices to 6 devices? On the other hand, I am sure the real reason B&N did not do this is the marginal cost of DRM. Amazon has no such cost, and if B&N is to compete long term they need their own DRM scheme. I don't know what deal B&N has with Adobe, but I'm sure it benefits both parties.
Overall, I think the Adobe passworded DRM is the best solution available. It causes significant disruption in the short term, but if we are lucky by the end of next year all Adobe-compatible devices will read passworded ePubs. DRM-free is best, but second best is password DRM.
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