Asimovs and Analog Combo Subscription at B&N

[Manabi]

I'm leery of resubscribing with B&N's latest moves. While it seems to work okay with the Nook for PC program now, I'd hate to resubscribe and it stop working in a few months.

[pdurrant]

Cromag says he thinks they don't have DRM. If I was in the US I think I'd risk the subscription.

[Manabi]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Cromag says he thinks they don't have DRM. If I was in the US I think I'd risk the subscription.

I just went to check, both my December issues were there and I copied the epub files over to my tablet and opened them in Moon Reader just fine, so they apparently are DRM free.

I'm just worried they'll block the Nook for PC app and the Greasemonkey script and it won't be possible to download them at all. Can you copy the epubs from the Nook app on Android? (I am rooted, so that's not an issue if required to do so.) If so I may go for it.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Thanks. Alas, not available in the UK.

Then again, given that B&N seem to have changed their DRM scheme for new/changed accounts, I wouldn't buy anyway.

How can B&N change their DRM? If they do change the DRM, how then would the eBooks be able to be used with a nook that doesn't know about this new DRM?

[Manabi]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

How can B&N change their DRM? If they do change the DRM, how then would the eBooks be able to be used with a nook that doesn't know about this new DRM?

They could apply it to new books going forward, so you'd be unable to buy them with an older Nook device, but not lose access to already purchased books.

Then again, technically you don't actually purchase an ebook, but license it, so they might be able to legally yank it from your older devices. The resulting PR disaster wouldn't help their business any.

[cromag]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Cromag says he thinks they don't have DRM. If I was in the US I think I'd risk the subscription.

Just downloaded them (via Greasemonkey script) and they are DRM-free.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

How can B&N change their DRM? If they do change the DRM, how then would the eBooks be able to be used with a nook that doesn't know about this new DRM?

nooks must be sent the key from B&N in some way. B&N just need to change the way they generate that key and send the new key to the nook.

It does seem that for new accounts and accounts where the name/CC# have recently changed that B&N are using a new key generation scheme.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

nooks must be sent the key from B&N in some way. B&N just need to change the way they generate that key and send the new key to the nook.

It does seem that for new accounts and accounts where the name/CC# have recently changed that B&N are using a new key generation scheme.

OK, I have a nook STR. So how would B&N sort out my STR so it would work with this new DRM?

[cromag]

I don't know if this is related, but a few weeks ago I ran into an ebook from B&N that resisted conversion via the "tools." It turns out I had to create a new key file by tweaking my name as it appeared on my CC. I either dropped my middle initial or first name, but after that I've had no problems.

My purchases from B&N have dropped off, largely from my displeasure at their new download policy. I assume the tools try both key files now.

[Manabi]

So I decided to renew with this, and when I try it tells me it's already in my library. Anyone know how I go about actually renewing? My current sub has a month or two left at most.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Manabi

So I decided to renew with this, and when I try it tells me it's already in my library. Anyone know how I go about actually renewing? My current sub has a month or two left at most.

That sounds like B&N. Ummm.. cancel existing subscription and then take out the new subscription?

[Keslynn]

Originally Posted by Manabi

So I decided to renew with this, and when I try it tells me it's already in my library. Anyone know how I go about actually renewing? My current sub has a month or two left at most.

I have an existing subscription for this combo as well, and my understanding was that it would automatically renew. I could be wrong though.

[bgalbrecht]

Originally Posted by Manabi

I just went to check, both my December issues were there and I copied the epub files over to my tablet and opened them in Moon Reader just fine, so they apparently are DRM free.

I'm just worried they'll block the Nook for PC app and the Greasemonkey script and it won't be possible to download them at all. Can you copy the epubs from the Nook app on Android? (I am rooted, so that's not an issue if required to do so.) If so I may go for it.

I was downloading all my books from the website, but it never let me download the Asimov/Analog magazines from the website without the Greasemonkey script. I have always been able to download the magazines to my android device and copy them to my PC.

I talked to B&N the other day, and they told me that I could call B&N to cancel the subscription and then sign up for a new subscription by 10/12. I don't know if the existing subscription will renew at the $29.99 price, so I might do that.

[hwlester]

Originally Posted by bgalbrecht

I was downloading all my books from the website, but it never let me download the Asimov/Analog magazines from the website without the Greasemonkey script. I have always been able to download the magazines to my android device and copy them to my PC.

I talked to B&N the other day, and they told me that I could call B&N to cancel the subscription and then sign up for a new subscription by 10/12. I don't know if the existing subscription will renew at the $29.99 price, so I might do that.

Another workaround besides the GreaseMonkey script is the Nook app for Android (I think the NookStudy app works as well). The magazines are DRM free, so just copy the EPUB's out elsewhere.

[Manabi]

Had some new info to add:

Originally Posted by Keslynn

I have an existing subscription for this combo as well, and my understanding was that it would automatically renew. I could be wrong though.

I did some digging and was able to find in their answers section earlier that magazine subscriptions renew at the current rate. (Can't find it again now to link though, sorry. ) So unless they do another promo when your renewal time comes up, you may be hit at full price (currently $29.90 for BOTH magazines, so $59.80 total).

Also, a yearly sub to Analog and Asimov's both is just 10 issues. I subscribed on 12/29 and now have 44 issues total (24 back issues, and 20 from the new year), so now's probably the time to cancel if you want to avoid potential auto-bill shock.