Amazon censorship

[DiapDealer]

but Adobe's app needs to register any new device you want to read them on. Is that just done locally?

No, new device registrations need to contact a server... but new devices wouldn't be very likely in the event of the parent company folding.

[screwballl]

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

But presumably it would be relatively easy to add one if they wanted to? I don't know about Kindles, but Adobe's app needs to register any new device you want to read them on. Is that just done locally?

As a long time computer tech, any type of DRM that has to "phone home" or rely on a base server is extremely dangerous. If the Kindle has to phone home each time it opens one of their books, the person would always have to have wifi/3G on AND a connection. We wouldn't be able to read those books on planes or middle of nowhere with no signal.
As it is now, the Kindle just grabs the file from either PC or Amazon themselves, the Kindle double checks at that time to verify the DRM and thats it.

Thats why I posted this elsewhere:

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

No, new device registrations need to contact a server... but new devices wouldn't be very likely in the event of the parent company folding.

Maybe not long term, but there would still be a few trickling through the retail chain for several months. There would also be a big glut of second hand devices and clear out stock like there was for HD-DVD players a while ago.

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by screwballl

As a long time computer tech, any type of DRM that has to "phone home" or rely on a base server is extremely dangerous. If the Kindle has to phone home each time it opens one of their books, the person would always have to have wifi/3G on AND a connection. We wouldn't be able to read those books on planes or middle of nowhere with no signal.
As it is now, the Kindle just grabs the file from either PC or Amazon themselves, the Kindle double checks at that time to verify the DRM and thats it.

Thats why I posted this elsewhere:

Yes, but presumably Amazon is aware that their DRM has been cracked so they would be looking for something a bit more secure? Adobe seems to update their version on a fairly regular basis, and they have lots of different types of readers to worry about. I would have thought it would be easier for Amazon since they also control the hardware.

[DiapDealer]

Yes, but presumably Amazon is aware that their DRM has been cracked so they would be looking for something a bit more secure? Adobe seems to update their version on a fairly regular basis, and they have lots of different types of readers to worry about.

The basic Adobe Adept DRM scheme hasn't changed in quite some time.
Amazon's changed once... when the 2.5 firmware was released.

[screwballl]

BUT... if you already cracked the files on your PC, then those files no longer report as being covered by DRM and Amazon cannot re-add it after the fact. Especially if you used something like calibre to convert it to another format.

[TallMomof2]

Amazon has done a few things that make it a little more inconvenient to strip DRM. One of the first was to no longer show the device ID under "My Kindle Devices". IIRC, this happened soon after the the iPhone Kindle app was introduced. All you need is the device S/N and a script to get the device ID. Introducing the Topaz file format was also an attempt to stop/slow down DRM strippers. It took awhile before good DRM stripping tools were available. Amazon has also made changes to the firmware on the K2, K3 and KXG to make it more difficult for DRM strippers. Same with the K for PC program. So far it only works until someone develops a work around or a new tool.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

Introducing the Topaz file format was also an attempt to stop/slow down DRM strippers.

I know it's probably a moot point since it achieved the same effect, but I really don't believe the decision to introduce Topaz was made with DRM in mind at all. I honestly think it was a botched attempt to introduce a new format that could achieve many things (with on-screen formatting and different 'fontfaces') that mobi couldn't do easily/well.

And in all honesty, there is absolutely no difference between the DRM on Topaz files and the DRM on mobi files.

[RW2112]

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

So far it only works until someone develops a work around or a new tool.

And that is the crux of the ongoing saga of the DRM wars: new methods only work until the hackers devise a new tool for it's removal. Those determined to remove DRM will always find a way to do so.

[screwballl]

1) remove DRM
2) convert the file to another compatible format so it cannot be added in the future.
3) have multiple backups of your collection in case the company decides to go big brother for whatever reason

[ValSanders]

I think what the content is is irrelevant. Obscenity etc is a whole other argument, but ultimately, they are words on a page.

Amazon is free to carry what the want, too, of course.

But I think if someone purchases a book - any book - with the understanding that they will have access to it, Amazon should provide that access.

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by screwballl

BUT... if you already cracked the files on your PC, then those files no longer report as being covered by DRM and Amazon cannot re-add it after the fact. Especially if you used something like calibre to convert it to another format.

I was thinking of new books released after the change, there wouldn't be any way to retroactively fit a new DRM restriction to files you already have.

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

And in all honesty, there is absolutely no difference between the DRM on Topaz files and the DRM on mobi files.

That may be, but the format/DRM wasn't cracked until Amazon put out the "Kindle For PC" program. (Maybe the mobi DRM crackers worked on it before that, but the format itself was unreadable?) Once Kindle For PC came out, it took only a few weeks for Topaz to be cracked.

I suspect the ibooks DRM will follow the same pattern: once key & lock are both available on a computer that allows programming, someone will figure out how to make unauthorized keys and open the rest of the contents to copying or conversion. Ibooks DRM will remain unbroken exactly as long as Apple keeps it inside the walled garden.

[mjhudston]

Another reason I avoid amazon for ebooks. I only buy content, where I can download it to my PC and then sync it from there to my devices.

[B.K. Wright]

I noticed that when clicking on the book link, it is no longer available at Barnes & Noble PubIt, either. Don't know if author removed it, or the company.