ASCM - Let me see if I have this right

jbcohen · 10-22-2010, 01:59 PM

I have been over reading the wiki on this site and I have found that if I ever encounter a ASCM file I can assume that the file is DRM. When I buy from my current favorite estore, borders, they sell you an ASCM file which is my license to read the book, I use that file to obtain the book that I jsut bought. I assume that since borders sells me an ASCM file that borders is selling me DRM books. Do I have this right?

AnemicOak · 10-22-2010, 02:10 PM

Basically. The ASCM is a pointer file that tells the DRM server (Adobe Content Server 4) to let you download the book (ePub or PDF). The content server then sends your book to ADE (or the Sony software) encrypted using your Adobe ID.

And yes, Borders books are DRM'd (at least the ones I've seen are).

jbcohen · 10-22-2010, 02:48 PM

Have you seen any from Kobo Books? They look like a good priced estore.

ATDrake · 10-22-2010, 02:56 PM

Kobo also serves DRM-ed ePubs using .acsm files. And they offer discount coupons (can only be used on non-Agency pricing model books) and most of the time you can also read the book online via their website as well as downloading it as ePub or via their Kobo Desktop Reader software (proprietary format).

They've a number of promotional free books available, you could try one and see how you like using their webstore.

abookreader · 10-22-2010, 02:59 PM

Kobo Books are also ADE DRM (ASCM files). In fact, Kobo Books powers the Borders eBook store so they inventory and prices should be fairly equivalent.
I have seen times where a book will be offered for free on Borders and then when you look at the same book on Kobo it isn't, so I don't know how that works.

The best thing about Kobo is their coupon codes. If you buy a non-Agency priced book from Kobo make sure you check and see if they have a current coupon code going. They are usually posted here in the deals and freebies forum.

jbcohen · 10-22-2010, 05:16 PM

What is your favorite non-DRM book store?

Jack Tingle · 10-22-2010, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbcohen

What is your favorite non-DRM book store?

Baen or Fictionwise Multiformat, depending.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

wallcraft · 10-22-2010, 07:33 PM

It is possible for a DRM-free ePub to be delivered by an .acsm file. All this means in principle is that an Adobe server is fulfilling the ebook order. However, since it costs the bookstore money to deliver an ebook via Adobe (and a DRM-free ePub can be delivered directly as an .epub) the vast majority of .acsm deliveries are for DRM-ridden ePubs.

FizzyWater · 10-22-2010, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Basically. The ASCM is a pointer file that tells the DRM server (Adobe Content Server 4) to let you download the book (ePub or PDF). The content server then sends your book to ADE (or the Sony software) encrypted using your Adobe ID.

Isn't it more correct to say that it's encrypted to both your Adobe ID and device? If it was just your Adobe ID, you could copy that file with a simple copy-and-paste to any other device. But you actually have to have the devices registered to your Adobe ID for the file to be readable. Yes?

jbcohen · 10-23-2010, 12:18 PM

I know about fictionwise multiformat, it seems to be a competitive ebook store. My purpose here is to ensure that I have a few resources that can get me some ebooks that are compatible with my reader. Does anyone know of any others besides fiction wise?

SensualPoet · 10-23-2010, 12:32 PM

There are lots of books here at mobileread and wide variety of public domain sources. I particularly like manybooks.net.

abookreader · 10-23-2010, 01:21 PM

It really depends on what types of books you like to read, favorite authors, what formats you are looking for and to a certain extent -- whether or not you are willing to break the DRM.

I don't by many Indie books, but I have bought some out of print, backlist titles at Smashwords.

10-22-2010, 01:59 PM	#1
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	ASCM - Let me see if I have this right I have been over reading the wiki on this site and I have found that if I ever encounter a ASCM file I can assume that the file is DRM. When I buy from my current favorite estore, borders, they sell you an ASCM file which is my license to read the book, I use that file to obtain the book that I jsut bought. I assume that since borders sells me an ASCM file that borders is selling me DRM books. Do I have this right?

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10-22-2010, 02:10 PM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Basically. The ASCM is a pointer file that tells the DRM server (Adobe Content Server 4) to let you download the book (ePub or PDF). The content server then sends your book to ADE (or the Sony software) encrypted using your Adobe ID. And yes, Borders books are DRM'd (at least the ones I've seen are).

10-22-2010, 02:48 PM	#3
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	Have you seen any from Kobo Books? They look like a good priced estore.

10-22-2010, 02:56 PM	#4
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	Kobo also serves DRM-ed ePubs using .acsm files. And they offer discount coupons (can only be used on non-Agency pricing model books) and most of the time you can also read the book online via their website as well as downloading it as ePub or via their Kobo Desktop Reader software (proprietary format). They've a number of promotional free books available, you could try one and see how you like using their webstore.

10-22-2010, 02:59 PM	#5
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	Kobo Books are also ADE DRM (ASCM files). In fact, Kobo Books powers the Borders eBook store so they inventory and prices should be fairly equivalent. I have seen times where a book will be offered for free on Borders and then when you look at the same book on Kobo it isn't, so I don't know how that works. The best thing about Kobo is their coupon codes. If you buy a non-Agency priced book from Kobo make sure you check and see if they have a current coupon code going. They are usually posted here in the deals and freebies forum.

10-22-2010, 05:16 PM	#6
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	What is your favorite non-DRM book store?

10-22-2010, 07:33 PM	#8
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	It is possible for a DRM-free ePub to be delivered by an .acsm file. All this means in principle is that an Adobe server is fulfilling the ebook order. However, since it costs the bookstore money to deliver an ebook via Adobe (and a DRM-free ePub can be delivered directly as an .epub) the vast majority of .acsm deliveries are for DRM-ridden ePubs.

10-23-2010, 12:18 PM	#10
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	I know about fictionwise multiformat, it seems to be a competitive ebook store. My purpose here is to ensure that I have a few resources that can get me some ebooks that are compatible with my reader. Does anyone know of any others besides fiction wise?

10-23-2010, 12:32 PM	#11
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	There are lots of books here at mobileread and wide variety of public domain sources. I particularly like manybooks.net.

10-23-2010, 01:21 PM	#12
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	It really depends on what types of books you like to read, favorite authors, what formats you are looking for and to a certain extent -- whether or not you are willing to break the DRM. I don't by many Indie books, but I have bought some out of print, backlist titles at Smashwords.