Really paying for ebooks this time

ereaders · 07-17-2013, 05:35 PM

OK

I have been using my tablet and ereader to read/view PDF files or free ebooks.
I will be traveling very soon and I need to purchase some IT ebooks.
Questions:
1. Can I transfer the purchased ebooks from my laptop to my ereader?
2. Will the purchased ebook license still valid after sharing with my tablet and ereader (laptop, tablet and ereader each has a copy of the ebook) ?
3. Will the license of the ebook void if I do a laptop backup to an external hard drive?

Thank you.

Rbneader · 07-17-2013, 05:48 PM

1) It depends on what program / store you are using. Typically, you have to install a program on your computer that downloads your library. For Sony, it's the Reader for PC program. Amazon has Kindle for PC, B&N has Nook for PC, etc. If you buy DRM-free, (ex. O'Reilly tech books) that's not an issue.
2) I think so. Most companies are fine with multiple devices so long as you're using their apps.
3) I think the backup ebook will just be unreadable? If you're backing up all programs and data, then the reader app would be backed up too. If you're talking about just copying the book file to the external hard drive, that will only work if the book is DRM-free.

BWinmill · 07-17-2013, 07:23 PM

If you're buying through Amazon and your tablet supports the Kindle App, you're going to be able to read books on both your laptop and your tablet. Other vendors offer PDF and ePub titles using Adobe's DRM scheme. You can use those titles on multiple devices too, provided that they're registered with the same Adobe account. (It is possible to use Adobe's DRM without registration, but you can only use those books on one device.) Many apps support registration directly, but some devices must be registered via ADE on your computer. Of course, it is best to buy DRM free if possible. If you're planning to keep the book for a long time, it is probably worth paying a little extra to do so. (After all, who knows where these companies will be in 10 years?) Oh, on point 3, most DRMed ebooks are encrypted so I doubt that backing up the file will have any effect on the license agreement.

drjenkins · 07-18-2013, 07:43 AM

I purchase most of my IT books from O'Reilly Media. This gets me DRM free MOBI, EPUB and PDF copies of the books I purchase. I registered the hard copy books I had purchased previously and was able to purchase the ebook versions for only $4.99.

DrNefario · 07-18-2013, 08:25 AM

I think it's typically five devices, max, for a DRMed book, isn't it? I'm not really sure where I remember that from, but I haven't run into any problems with any of my books, yet, and quite a few of them are on more than one device. They will need to be able to use the same account and DRM scheme, though.

pidgeon92 · 07-18-2013, 09:44 AM

On Amazon, the restriction is often 6 devices simultaneously. If you have 10 different devices registered, you can have any 6 with the book on it at any given time.

cortman · 07-18-2013, 09:56 AM

If I'm planning on actually buying an ebook (which almost never happens) I usually go to B&N, simply because their DRM is so easy to remove. Can't stand DRM; if I own the book I prefer to be able to read it on any device I want.

pidgeon92 · 07-18-2013, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cortman

If I'm planning on actually buying an ebook (which almost never happens) I usually go to B&N, simply because their DRM is so easy to remove.

Everbody's DRM is easy to remove. I've purchased (and liberated) ebooks from all of the major sellers.

HarryT · 07-19-2013, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

Everbody's DRM is easy to remove.

Not quite everybody's. Apple's isn't so easy (which is why I never buy books from them).

cortman · 07-29-2013, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

Everbody's DRM is easy to remove. I've purchased (and liberated) ebooks from all of the major sellers.

Cool! Do you use the Calibre plugin?

07-17-2013, 05:35 PM	#1
ereaders Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 605396 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Canada Toronto Device: Sony T2	Really paying for ebooks this time OK I have been using my tablet and ereader to read/view PDF files or free ebooks. I will be traveling very soon and I need to purchase some IT ebooks. Questions: 1. Can I transfer the purchased ebooks from my laptop to my ereader? 2. Will the purchased ebook license still valid after sharing with my tablet and ereader (laptop, tablet and ereader each has a copy of the ebook) ? 3. Will the license of the ebook void if I do a laptop backup to an external hard drive? Thank you.

07-17-2013, 07:23 PM	#3
BWinmill Nameless Being	If you're buying through Amazon and your tablet supports the Kindle App, you're going to be able to read books on both your laptop and your tablet. Other vendors offer PDF and ePub titles using Adobe's DRM scheme. You can use those titles on multiple devices too, provided that they're registered with the same Adobe account. (It is possible to use Adobe's DRM without registration, but you can only use those books on one device.) Many apps support registration directly, but some devices must be registered via ADE on your computer. Of course, it is best to buy DRM free if possible. If you're planning to keep the book for a long time, it is probably worth paying a little extra to do so. (After all, who knows where these companies will be in 10 years?) Oh, on point 3, most DRMed ebooks are encrypted so I doubt that backing up the file will have any effect on the license agreement. Last edited by BWinmill; 07-17-2013 at 07:25 PM.

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07-17-2013, 05:48 PM	#2
Rbneader Fanatic Posts: 503 Karma: 2661351 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: None	1) It depends on what program / store you are using. Typically, you have to install a program on your computer that downloads your library. For Sony, it's the Reader for PC program. Amazon has Kindle for PC, B&N has Nook for PC, etc. If you buy DRM-free, (ex. O'Reilly tech books) that's not an issue. 2) I think so. Most companies are fine with multiple devices so long as you're using their apps. 3) I think the backup ebook will just be unreadable? If you're backing up all programs and data, then the reader app would be backed up too. If you're talking about just copying the book file to the external hard drive, that will only work if the book is DRM-free.

07-18-2013, 07:43 AM	#4
drjenkins Addict Posts: 250 Karma: 1702156 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle Voyage	I purchase most of my IT books from O'Reilly Media. This gets me DRM free MOBI, EPUB and PDF copies of the books I purchase. I registered the hard copy books I had purchased previously and was able to purchase the ebook versions for only $4.99.

07-18-2013, 08:25 AM	#5
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,201 Karma: 12029046 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	I think it's typically five devices, max, for a DRMed book, isn't it? I'm not really sure where I remember that from, but I haven't run into any problems with any of my books, yet, and quite a few of them are on more than one device. They will need to be able to use the same account and DRM scheme, though.

07-18-2013, 09:44 AM	#6
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	On Amazon, the restriction is often 6 devices simultaneously. If you have 10 different devices registered, you can have any 6 with the book on it at any given time.

07-18-2013, 09:56 AM	#7
cortman Zealot Posts: 138 Karma: 1025658 Join Date: Jun 2013 Device: Kobo Glo, Kindle 3 3g, Nook HD+, Nexus 4 (Mantano)	If I'm planning on actually buying an ebook (which almost never happens) I usually go to B&N, simply because their DRM is so easy to remove. Can't stand DRM; if I own the book I prefer to be able to read it on any device I want.

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