FBReader with DRM support?

wallcraft · 01-24-2008, 10:03 PM

The FBReader code base has been scrubbed so that it can be "dual licenced", allowing a 2nd closed source version that includes support for one or more proprietary format (e.g. with DRM). However, Nikolay Pultsin indicates here that so far he has seen no interest from the owner's of proprietary formats in a FBReader version.

Many e-book providers are lacking either a Linux or a Java solution (FBReaderJ is under development). So a closed source FBReader version would seem to make commercial sense as an inexpensive way to expand the market for a given format.

FBReader has rudimentary EPUB support, and this will improve over time. Adobe has the biggest stake in EPUB, and they would benefit from making their DRM "standard" for EPUB. So a FBReader version with Adobe DRMed EPUB would go a long way to pushing this new format.

MobiPocket supports many device types, but not Linux (except when it is tied to specific hardware, e.g. the iLiad) or OS/X. FBReader already has very good support for DRM-free MOBI files, and adding DRM support would help solidify the leadership position of this format (despite its significant technical shortfalls).

To make it a stronger competitor to MobiPocket, eReader needs to be available on the widest range of devices and FBReader would quickly and inexpensively add new device support. Both eReader and EBookWise are owned by FictionWise, so perhaps FBReader can also provide an upgrade path for EBookWise. However, I'm not sure how closely the IMP format is tied to HVGA resolution and how this might effect portability.

HarryT · 01-28-2008, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallcraft

FBReader already has very good support for DRM-free MOBI files, and adding DRM support would help solidify the leadership position of this format (despite its significant technical shortfalls).

I hate to disagree, but I've found FBReader's support for Mobi files to be pretty awful - that's why I stopped using it on the iLiad. A few of the problems I found were:

- It ignored hard pagebreaks.
- There was no way of viewing the cover image.
- It didn't show you the custom Guide (navigation) items.

and a host of other minor "niggles". I didn't like it at all!

Nate the great · 01-28-2008, 07:32 AM

I agree. It does need a lot of work.

Ebook lover · 03-14-2008, 12:07 PM

I think that FBReader is a great software to read books on the Iliad because it supports many different types of file format. Maybe it is a lack of resources or other reasons, the update patches of fixed bugs are not immediate enough. But I think the FBReader is great overall!

Right now, the main problem for FBReader is that it lacks the publicity like Mobipocket. Most e-book users know Mobipocket but not a lot of e-book users know FBReader. Perhaps someone should port FBReader onto different hardware platforms, such as Neolux NUUT, Sony Reader, Amazon Kindle, and Bookeen's Cybook, to make it become a more well-known e-book software. The reader itself is great, but not a lot of people know it.

JeffElkins · 03-14-2008, 05:41 PM

I started that thread regarding non-drm .lit format support for FBReader. They decline because of DMCA issues.

I've only FBReader on three platforms: Linux x86, Arm Linux and Windows, it worked great on each.

Eugene Humbert · 03-15-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebook lover

I think that FBReader is a great software to read books on the Iliad because it supports many different types of file format. Maybe it is a lack of resources or other reasons, the update patches of fixed bugs are not immediate enough. But I think the FBReader is great overall!

Right now, the main problem for FBReader is that it lacks the publicity like Mobipocket. Most e-book users know Mobipocket but not a lot of e-book users know FBReader. Perhaps someone should port FBReader onto different hardware platforms, such as Neolux NUUT, Sony Reader, Amazon Kindle, and Bookeen's Cybook, to make it become a more well-known e-book software. The reader itself is great, but not a lot of people know it.

I'm using FBReader because it's the only one available for the Nokia N800 or N810 Tablet. I love this thing... I have wireless networking in my home, and I can go in any room, sit down, and use this to browse, read mail, or just sit and read a book. I've been sticking mainly with the .html versions of most books because the images are at least available with that format. Unfortunately, most formatting, and most links DON'T work. Some do, most don't. All in all, I'd love to see a MOBI reader for the N800, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. I ditched my palm because it was too small for my old eyes. The N800 is just right!

Gene

Nate the great · 03-15-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eugene Humbert

I'm using FBReader because it's the only one available for the Nokia N800 or N810 Tablet. I love this thing... I have wireless networking in my home, and I can go in any room, sit down, and use this to browse, read mail, or just sit and read a book. I've been sticking mainly with the .html versions of most books because the images are at least available with that format. Unfortunately, most formatting, and most links DON'T work. Some do, most don't. All in all, I'd love to see a MOBI reader for the N800, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. I ditched my palm because it was too small for my old eyes. The N800 is just right!

Gene

Did you know that non-DRM Mobipocket can be read with FBReader?

brecklundin · 03-18-2008, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eugene Humbert

I'm using FBReader because it's the only one available for the Nokia N800 or N810 Tablet. I love this thing... I have wireless networking in my home, and I can go in any room, sit down, and use this to browse, read mail, or just sit and read a book. I've been sticking mainly with the .html versions of most books because the images are at least available with that format. Unfortunately, most formatting, and most links DON'T work. Some do, most don't. All in all, I'd love to see a MOBI reader for the N800, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. I ditched my palm because it was too small for my old eyes. The N800 is just right!

Gene

I too am using Fbreader on my N800 as, like you say, it's the only reasonable game in town unless one installs KDE or takes the GVM route. Bleeeeech on either of those options.

I have been frustrated with FBreader lately as it forgets where to find content or seems to get stuck with a cached library list. Of course I keep my books on the external card which is where FBreader seems to have it's issue. The issue is on the bug list...I just d/l'd a bunch of new books and of course FBreader no longer can find either MMC1 (external card) or MMC2 (internal card). So, it appears I will need to, once again, uninstall and re-install. Last time I had to completely re-flash the tablet OS to fix the issue. Not a lot of fun...

So, for me when the app works, it is GREAT and does a fine job on .mobi format books. But when it gets this issue, it's a POS and bugs me no end as by this time this issue should have long since been fixed. Then again, while I realize it's a free app, this is also why such apps are not the future...the open source comunity is so fragmented, tempermental, clique-ish and at the same time anarchistic (ironic how it can be both, huh?) it seems few apps ever truly mature.

tompe · 03-18-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brecklundin

I have been frustrated with FBreader lately as it forgets where to find content or seems to get stuck with a cached library list. Of course I keep my books on the external card which is where FBreader seems to have it's issue. The issue is on the bug list...I just d/l'd a bunch of new books and of course FBreader no longer can find either MMC1 (external card) or MMC2 (internal card). So, it appears I will need to, once again, uninstall and re-install. Last time I had to completely re-flash the tablet OS to fix the issue. Not a lot of fun...

Are the disks unmounted if you try to look at them in a xterm? I wonder if I saw something similar with FBReader on my n810. I seem to remember a program not finding the disk but I just tried to access the disk from the filebrowser or something like that and it helped. Or maybe I remounted the disk.

brecklundin · 03-18-2008, 11:06 PM

thanks I'll try remounting them. It's a weird thing because it works for a while then suddenly it stops finding the card so it makes sense there is something in how the card is mounted.

My initial though has been to just rename the files in the .FBReader dir and re-install. I have a suspision something in a file is outta whack. It could be related to how the program can sometimes simple not save any config changes.

Anyway, I will give it a shot a bit later tonight and post what happens. Thanks for the suggestion.

brecklundin · 03-19-2008, 02:37 AM

tompe:

well, seems as if re-mounting the card addressed the issue for this microsecond. It even finds books in subdirectories again. If that needs done now and again, easy enough. Annoying but easy enough. But ya never know if some other app caused the prob...or can it? Not being very experienced with Linux I have no idea about even the simplest of issues. pretty sure I can kill a Linux setup but have no doubt I can't fix it...heh-heh...

Thanks for the help!!

01-24-2008, 10:03 PM	#1
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	FBReader with DRM support? The FBReader code base has been scrubbed so that it can be "dual licenced", allowing a 2nd closed source version that includes support for one or more proprietary format (e.g. with DRM). However, Nikolay Pultsin indicates here that so far he has seen no interest from the owner's of proprietary formats in a FBReader version. Many e-book providers are lacking either a Linux or a Java solution (FBReaderJ is under development). So a closed source FBReader version would seem to make commercial sense as an inexpensive way to expand the market for a given format. FBReader has rudimentary EPUB support, and this will improve over time. Adobe has the biggest stake in EPUB, and they would benefit from making their DRM "standard" for EPUB. So a FBReader version with Adobe DRMed EPUB would go a long way to pushing this new format. MobiPocket supports many device types, but not Linux (except when it is tied to specific hardware, e.g. the iLiad) or OS/X. FBReader already has very good support for DRM-free MOBI files, and adding DRM support would help solidify the leadership position of this format (despite its significant technical shortfalls). To make it a stronger competitor to MobiPocket, eReader needs to be available on the widest range of devices and FBReader would quickly and inexpensively add new device support. Both eReader and EBookWise are owned by FictionWise, so perhaps FBReader can also provide an upgrade path for EBookWise. However, I'm not sure how closely the IMP format is tied to HVGA resolution and how this might effect portability.

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01-28-2008, 07:32 AM	#3
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	I agree. It does need a lot of work.

03-14-2008, 12:07 PM	#4
Ebook lover NUUT, Cybook Device Posts: 49 Karma: 11 Join Date: Aug 2006 Device: O2	I think that FBReader is a great software to read books on the Iliad because it supports many different types of file format. Maybe it is a lack of resources or other reasons, the update patches of fixed bugs are not immediate enough. But I think the FBReader is great overall! Right now, the main problem for FBReader is that it lacks the publicity like Mobipocket. Most e-book users know Mobipocket but not a lot of e-book users know FBReader. Perhaps someone should port FBReader onto different hardware platforms, such as Neolux NUUT, Sony Reader, Amazon Kindle, and Bookeen's Cybook, to make it become a more well-known e-book software. The reader itself is great, but not a lot of people know it.

03-14-2008, 05:41 PM	#5
JeffElkins Guru Posts: 780 Karma: 1416 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Kobo Clara 2E/HD, Kindle PW	I started that thread regarding non-drm .lit format support for FBReader. They decline because of DMCA issues. I've only FBReader on three platforms: Linux x86, Arm Linux and Windows, it worked great on each.

03-18-2008, 11:06 PM	#10
brecklundin Banned Posts: 1,906 Karma: 15348 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: mine	thanks I'll try remounting them. It's a weird thing because it works for a while then suddenly it stops finding the card so it makes sense there is something in how the card is mounted. My initial though has been to just rename the files in the .FBReader dir and re-install. I have a suspision something in a file is outta whack. It could be related to how the program can sometimes simple not save any config changes. Anyway, I will give it a shot a bit later tonight and post what happens. Thanks for the suggestion.

03-19-2008, 02:37 AM	#11
brecklundin Banned Posts: 1,906 Karma: 15348 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: mine	tompe: well, seems as if re-mounting the card addressed the issue for this microsecond. It even finds books in subdirectories again. If that needs done now and again, easy enough. Annoying but easy enough. But ya never know if some other app caused the prob...or can it? Not being very experienced with Linux I have no idea about even the simplest of issues. pretty sure I can kill a Linux setup but have no doubt I can't fix it...heh-heh... Thanks for the help!!

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