B&N removed download option on all books in "My Nook" library

[odamizu]

Originally Posted by GreenMonkey

... I really prefer epub (I have even spent a certain amount of time fixing errors and editing epubs) but I don't see there's much of a choice left in the U.S. Kobo got ruled out since they started pushing to their kepub, instead.

I'm the same way about epubs: I edit them as well, and they are my preferred format. This is one reason I resisted Amazon for so long. The other reason is I really wanted BN and its brick-and-mortar stores to survive. But when they started blocking downloads, they lost me.

I almost switched to Kobo, but the problems they were having with epub3 not downloading (now fixed) put me off. Plus, I dislike ADE.

Then I learned KindleUnpack could extract an epub that is very close to what you would get from BN or Kobo (all hail KindleUnpack developers!!). The main difference is you lose the filenames (you get generic filenames instead), but the content inside the files is pretty clean, especially compared to kepubs and Google epubs. (Note: This only works with azw3, which most books published after 2012 seem to be. If Amazon gives you a mobi or other variant format, you can still unpack and/or convert it, but you don't get an epub close to what you'd get from BN or Kobo. If this is an issue, you can always download a free sample first to see what format you get.)

I never thought I'd say this, but having epub as the goal and given a choice of going through ADE, NookStudy/Nook for PC/Mac (now deprecated and who knows how long it will continue to work), Kobo's desktop app (which gives you a kepub), or Kindle for PC/Mac (which gives you azw3), my first choice is now Kindle + KindleUnpack. Kinda crazy

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by odamizu

I'm the same way about epubs: I edit them as well, and they are my preferred format. This is one reason I resisted Amazon for so long. The other reason is I really wanted BN and its brick-and-mortar stores to survive. But when they started blocking downloads, they lost me.

I almost switched to Kobo, but the problems they were having with epub3 not downloading (now fixed) put me off. Plus, I dislike ADE.

Then I learned KindleUnpack could extract an epub that is very close to what you would get from BN or Kobo (all hail KindleUnpack developers!!). The main difference is you lose the filenames (you get generic filenames instead), but the content inside the files is pretty clean, especially compared to kepubs and Google epubs. (Note: This only works with azw3, which most books published after 2012 seem to be. If Amazon gives you a mobi or other variant format, you can still unpack and/or convert it, but you don't get an epub close to what you'd get from BN or Kobo. If this is an issue, you can always download a free sample first to see what format you get.)

I never thought I'd say this, but having epub as the goal and given a choice of going through ADE, NookStudy/Nook for PC/Mac (now deprecated and who knows how long it will continue to work), Kobo's desktop app (which gives you a kepub), or Kindle for PC/Mac (which gives you azw3), my first choice is now Kindle + KindleUnpack. Kinda crazy

What's different about Google's epubs? I thought they were standard ADE epubs. I download them using ADE.

[odamizu]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

What's different about Google's epubs? I thought they were standard ADE epubs. I download them using ADE.

Google adds anchors, so the html is littered with things like this: <a id="GBS.0069.01"/>

This is not unlike Kobo, which sprinkles spans through the html like this: <span id="kobo.70.3">

However, I don't think it affects how it renders in a standard epub reader. I think it only really matters if you're persnickety about the epub's innards

[Rich_D]

I keep getting a "not Authorized" error when I try and download books from Kobo. Both the pc and kobo reader are authorized, so I'm not sure what's going on with it. I haven't really had time to dig into anything though I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by odamizu

Google adds anchors, so the html is littered with things like this: <a id="GBS.0069.01"/>

This is not unlike Kobo, which sprinkles spans through the html like this: <span id="kobo.70.3">

However, I don't think it affects how it renders in a standard epub reader. I think it only really matters if you're persnickety about the epub's innards

...and some renderers will get bogged down by the large masses of contorted code.

[Jane12]

Now you guys have me intrigued by this KindleUnpack thing. Is there a way to tell if Kindlebooks have DRM before you buy? (Kobo and Google play list DRM status with each book, which is useful to me since I swore off buying DRMed books after B&N's cruel betrayal.)

[Jane12]

Originally Posted by Rich_D

I keep getting a "not Authorized" error when I try and download books from Kobo. Both the pc and kobo reader are authorized, so I'm not sure what's going on with it. I haven't really had time to dig into anything though I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually.

Are you talking about downloading via Adobe Digital Editions or via the Kobo desktop app?

I occasionally get errors when trying to download via ADE, but if I wait long enough (a few hours, maybe a day or two) it clears up. I think it's a problem on the server end. Rather irritating.

[DBDigital]

Originally Posted by Jane12

Now you guys have me intrigued by this KindleUnpack thing. Is there a way to tell if Kindlebooks have DRM before you buy? (Kobo and Google play list DRM status with each book, which is useful to me since I swore off buying DRMed books after B&N's cruel betrayal.)

Yes, when you look at the book's description it if it says "Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited" then there is no DRM. If that is missing, DRM is used.

[Jane12]

@DBDigital: Thanks! Though I must say, Amazon's way of identifying DRM-free is a little cryptic. Seriously Amazon?

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Jane12

@DBDigital: Thanks! Though I must say, Amazon's way of identifying DRM-free is a little cryptic. Seriously Amazon?

I must admit that I never look at whether a Kindle book has DRM or not. I just import into calibre - the DeDRM plugin from Apprentice Alf will either pass it through unchanged or strip the DRM for me and I don't even notice which happened. And then I convert to ePub.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I must admit that I never look at whether a Kindle book has DRM or not. I just import into calibre - the DeDRM plugin from Apprentice Alf will either pass it through unchanged or strip the DRM for me and I don't even notice which happened. And then I convert to ePub.

That's exactly my method as well.

I always like to have an ePub and an AZW3 immediately available to me, dependent upon whether I choose to put the file on my Paperwhite or my Kobo.

Instant gratification. Wondrous joy. Eternal happiness. Unmitigated bliss.

And no pain in the rear-end.

[Apache]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I must admit that I never look at whether a Kindle book has DRM or not. I just import into calibre - the DeDRM plugin from Apprentice Alf will either pass it through unchanged or strip the DRM for me and I don't even notice which happened. And then I convert to ePub.

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

That's exactly my method as well.

I always like to have an ePub and an AZW3 immediately available to me, dependent upon whether I choose to put the file on my Paperwhite or my Kobo.

Instant gratification. Wondrous joy. Eternal happiness. Unmitigated bliss.

And no pain in the rear-end.

Me three.
Apache

[GeoffR]

Originally Posted by DBDigital

Yes, when you look at the book's description it if it says "Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited" then there is no DRM. If that is missing, DRM is used.

That doesn't work for all books on Amazon though. For example this one does not say "Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited" anywhere that I can see, and yet it is published by Tor who have a DRM-free policy.

[conan50]

My big concern is that in 5 years or less we will be left with only Amazon for ebooks and subject to their whims as to whether drm-free ebooks are possible at all. Look at B&N as a terrible example of how quickly you can potentially lose purchased ebooks or the ability to control what you do with them.
I wish we had more Independent ebook sellers like Baen, but across a broad spectrum of ebook genres with a focus on the open Epub format. I fear Amazon's Kindle store has made things so convenient that we will one day look back at embracing them solely with serious regret. And no one with power to change things like a Google has stepped up to the plate and addressed the problem of DRM, but rather has embraced it.
http://publishingperspectives.com/20...drm-dictators/

Edit: can you imagine if Google or Kobo or anyone seriously involved in this industry said: "We refuse to sell any book with DRM in our store. Remove the DRM or we remove your books".
Amazon changed the course of mp3 digital music going DRM-free. They could do the same for ebooks, maybe they are the only ones who have the power at this point, but format-device lock in is working in their favor now.

[GreenMonkey]

Originally Posted by odamizu

Google adds anchors, so the html is littered with things like this: <a id="GBS.0069.01"/>

This is not unlike Kobo, which sprinkles spans through the html like this: <span id="kobo.70.3">

However, I don't think it affects how it renders in a standard epub reader. I think it only really matters if you're persnickety about the epub's innards

That's good to know, thanks. I have occasionally bought Google epubs as I end up with Google credit a lot. I'm not too picky as long as they convert OK and I can fix missing punctuation and such.

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I must admit that I never look at whether a Kindle book has DRM or not. I just import into calibre - the DeDRM plugin from Apprentice Alf will either pass it through unchanged or strip the DRM for me and I don't even notice which happened. And then I convert to ePub.

I look because I refuse to support DRM'd, full price content. I'm reluctantly willing to spend a certain amount, something like a rental price - so I buy a DRM'd book occasionally. I am willing, however, to buy a non-DRM'd full price ebook.

Even though cracking the DRM has become super easy compared to the earlier methods (manual python script).