Obligation to register to use the reader creates problems

[marp68]

Yesterday's problem with the temporary unaccessible Kobo site made me think of other problems that may occur with this obligation to register and staying logged in, in order to be able to use the reader.

I logged out from Kobo and I suddenly wasn't able to read any of my existing books already on my reader. After I logged out, the reader rebooted and I was told to chose language, connect to Kobo through wifi and register again. But since the page was down, I couldn't register and was stuck on the registration page. If I didn't had access to wifi I was asked to connect to computer through USB and download the kobo app to register through it. But since the page was down, I couldn't download or register through my laptop neither.

This made me also think of another scenario. What happens if I am registered and everything works fine, but I have to do a reset or get logged out in a place where I don't have internet connection? I have been out sailing or hiking where there are no internet connection. Then I will not be able to register again, staying logged in, and therefore not read my already side-loaded books or, in case of a reset, side-load them again and continue reading.

The obligation to register and be logged in to be able to use the reader for just reading the existing books is a huge mistake. The only reason for being logged in is if you buy books from Kobo and want to sync everything through them. I never use the Kobo bookstore or page.

What do you think?

[MGlitch]

The number of thongs you can do that would require a factory reset and not require a computer are rather slim. Not having a phone to use as a hotspot is also an ever shrinking issue.

I’ve had a kobo since the H2Ov1 launched just about. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve had to reset due to an issue that didn’t involve getting rid of mods or an improper eject causing an issue on one hand and still have enough fingers on it to bowl.

[marp68]

I just don't like to be forced to register and stay logged in to a company just because I have bought a product from them. Especially if I'm not using them or their site.

In my thread about the situation yesterday someone recommended a modification in the reader's registration routine that made it possible to bypass this. Should still be possible to update the reader, even though the sync is not visible and it will of course not sync any books etc between the reader and the kobo bookstore.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...2&postcount=14

What do you think about this modification? Is is safe or is there any other good way to use the reader without having to be logged in all the time?

[marp68]

Another strange thing is that just because I logged out from the kobo account, I had to go through the whole registration process again.

And when I had gone through the registration process, my side loaded books where still there, but they were all marked as unread. So I had to use koboutilities plugin in Calibre to restore reading status etc.

[bookaho!ic]

why log out of the kobo account can't you just turn your reader's wifi off. I never have wifi on on my reader and have no problems. Sideload books through calibre, registered the reader through desktop app

[marp68]

Originally Posted by bookaho!ic

why log out of the kobo account can't you just turn your reader's wifi off. I never have wifi on on my reader and have no problems. Sideload books through calibre, registered the reader through desktop app

If you need to do a reset you need internet connection and a kobo running page to be able to register the reader again. I sometimes bring my reader to places without internet connection. I only logged out because I was trying to make it connect at least to the internet, since I knew my wifi connection worked.

But why should I have to register in the first place. If I buy surf tab or phone, I don't have to register to, for example, Samsung to be able to use it. If I want to buy something from Samsung, or download more apps from their page or use other services, yes, I have to register.

So I don't see the benefit for me to have to register and create an account, when only side load books that I borrow from my local library or get from other places. I would also rather like to have a neutral reader, so could get an account in a lot of different bookstores.

Just because I drive a Volvo, doesn't mean I have to buy things only from them to my car.

It's probably has to do more with Kobo gathering information from the owners.

[Nightflyer]

(I think) There is a difference between
1) owning or borrowing an ebook, and
2) having a specific piece of hardware in this case called a Kobo to read it on.

The books are still available even if a specific Kobo ereader is not accessible to it.

Kobo sells an ebook, and sells a piece of hardware to read it on.

The ebook is still available, even if that specific Kobo ereader piece of hardware runs into problems. The ebook can still be accessed through other methods.

Logging in gives a specific Kobo device authorization to access purchased ebooks related to a specific account, and separate authorization to put those books on that specific ereader.

There are apparently ways to use Kobo ereader without registering with Kobo. So can still use it outside of Kobo ecosystem for things like side loaded ebooks.

[MGlitch]

I swear it’s hilarious to me that you find these paranoid theories online of all places. You’ve already given away your information by existing online.

You want to know why Kobo makes you register? They want to sell you ebooks. That’s where they start to make money. Even on the premium devices the profit margins are slim because they’ll have fewer people buying them.

It’s the same reason Amazon makes you register, as does Barnes and Noble, and I suspect any ereader with a storefront built in.

They just want your money. Side loading exists as a nicety likely largely due to library lending and the fact that not all libraries use overdrive. That and none of the companies have successfully taken it away. BN tried by limiting the user accessible storage and customers raised a stink to the point BN released a fix for it.

[Gadgetguy]

Originally Posted by marp68

Yesterday's problem with the temporary unaccessible Kobo site made me think of other problems that may occur with this obligation to register and staying logged in, in order to be able to use the reader.

I logged out from Kobo and I suddenly wasn't able to read any of my existing books already on my reader. After I logged out, the reader rebooted and I was told to chose language, connect to Kobo through wifi and register again. But since the page was down, I couldn't register and was stuck on the registration page. If I didn't had access to wifi I was asked to connect to computer through USB and download the kobo app to register through it. But since the page was down, I couldn't download or register through my laptop neither.

This made me also think of another scenario. What happens if I am registered and everything works fine, but I have to do a reset or get logged out in a place where I don't have internet connection? I have been out sailing or hiking where there are no internet connection. Then I will not be able to register again, staying logged in, and therefore not read my already side-loaded books or, in case of a reset, side-load them again and continue reading.

The obligation to register and be logged in to be able to use the reader for just reading the existing books is a huge mistake. The only reason for being logged in is if you buy books from Kobo and want to sync everything through them. I never use the Kobo bookstore or page.

What do you think?

I see no reason whatsoever to follow the registration process. There is no "obligation" as one can take these steps:
https://yingtongli.me/blog/2018/07/30/kobo-rego.html
to activate the unit (works probably on all Kobo units - worked on my Forma with no problem).

That allows for using Calibre etc.

If you do not want to use Overdrive or if you do not want to buy books from Kobo - maybe you have a large library already which can be all sideloaded: using the steps in the link above disconnects you from any requirement to ever connect with Kobo.

And if there are updates: you can update manually too by copying the update file to the unit.

Simple - in case you want to do this...

I personally (after using the hack yesterday since Kobo was down) did a factory reset and properly registered this morning, since I like to have the option to buy books and to use the Overdrive library offer...

[the.Mtn.Man]

Originally Posted by marp68

I logged out from Kobo and I suddenly wasn't able to read any of my existing books already on my reader.

This is only a problem if your files are infected with DRM. There are ways around it, but that's all I will say on that topic.

[PeterT]

Actually those instructions are not quite correct. A few additional columns do need to be populated. Check the Kobo developers forum.

[rashkae]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Actually those instructions are not quite correct. A few additional columns do need to be populated. Check the Kobo developers forum.

Those instructions are fine.. you don't actually have to fill any of the other columns.. I've tested this before with great success, and the same command has survived a few database scheme changes that added more columns..

[marp68]

Originally Posted by the.Mtn.Man

This is only a problem if your files are infected with DRM. There are ways around it, but that's all I will say on that topic.

Thanks, yes, I know. No DRM on my books. They are sideloaded via Calibre and dedicated plug in.

So I guess it has more to do that Kobo wants you to stay logged in, with or without an connection, to be able to use the reader. Or, I don't know what else could have caused the reader to get into registration process efter logging out.

[rashkae]

Originally Posted by marp68

Thanks, yes, I know. No DRM on my books. They are sideloaded via Calibre and dedicated plug in.

So I guess it has more to do that Kobo wants you to stay logged in, with or without an connection, to be able to use the reader. Or, I don't know what else could have caused the reader to get into registration process efter logging out.

"Logging out" is a very oversimplified misnomer. What that option really does is delete your database on device. It's a great way to clear up problems that might have cropped up from bad data in the database. "Logging out" in this case, is just a side effect of your user ID being wiped out, along with everything else.)

[marp68]

Originally Posted by rashkae

"Logging out" is a very oversimplified misnomer. What that option really does is delete your database on device. It's a great way to clear up problems that might have cropped up from bad data in the database. "Logging out" in this case, is just a side effect of your user ID being wiped out, along with everything else.)

After registrering again and logging into Kobo, the books where on my reader, but the Collection categories and reading status were gone.