Does anyone browse the darknet library before buying an ebook?

greenapple · 07-31-2010, 12:32 AM

Since we can't browse at ebook stores, does anyone use the darknet 'library' for browsing before actually buying the ebooks?

happy_terd · 07-31-2010, 12:48 AM

I usually check google books and see if there is a preview available. A lot of times you can get a pretty big hunk of preview from there.

carld · 07-31-2010, 12:49 AM

Nope, but I sometimes Google to see if books I'd like to read are available for sale, and I've seen how easy it is to find pirated books for download.

Edit: I've never actually intentionally downloaded one, but I clicked on one link and it started to download a PDF of the book I was looking for. Opps.

Sweetpea · 07-31-2010, 01:38 AM

No, rather the opposite. I first browse the various stores and when it's not available there (either because it's simply not available or because they don't want to sell to me), I'll browse the darknet and get the book from there.

banjobama · 07-31-2010, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

No, rather the opposite. I first browse the various stores and when it's not available there (either because it's simply not available or because they don't want to sell to me), I'll browse the darknet and get the book from there.

Same here. I do try stores first. But if the price is unreasonable (and I'm usually eager to give money away for things I want) then I'll get it by other means.

sabredog · 07-31-2010, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

No, rather the opposite. I first browse the various stores and when it's not available there (either because it's simply not available or because they don't want to sell to me), I'll browse the darknet and get the book from there.

Same here.

I am not really worried about DRM or price as they do not mean a jot if I cannot actually even buy the ebook due to geographic restrictions.

Geographic restrictions force me to make the choice of obtaining a desired ebook from the darknet. I would be quite happy to buy the ebook if I could.

HarryT · 07-31-2010, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banjobama

Same here. I do try stores first. But if the price is unreasonable (and I'm usually eager to give money away for things I want) then I'll get it by other means.

A seller has the right to put whatever price they wish on their products, just as you have the choice to decide whether or not to buy at that price. But I don't personally believe that one has the "right" to "get it by other means" simply because one feels that it's too expensive. Just read something else instead.

jerrywojo · 07-31-2010, 08:39 AM

I'll usually check my local library system and see if a book I want is available and place a hold. Most cases it is. I only tap the "Darknet" for hard to find vintage titles.

Must admit I have see whats available and it is tempting. But why go there when most everything is at the library for free anyway.

Solicitous · 07-31-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banjobama

Same here. I do try stores first. But if the price is unreasonable (and I'm usually eager to give money away for things I want) then I'll get it by other means.

Well I try bookstores first, and if available I will buy. You mention if the price is unreasonable, well for me if the price is higher than I value the ebook to be worth I wont buy it (I wont look for it on the darknet either). I keep tabs on the book to see if it drops over time. There are plenty of other books out there that I want to read. If one is too high I can wait. The darknet is a last resort because of geographic restrictions (however lately my purchases have been mainly from Baen so no issues there).

For me the only real places I buy books are Baen and Kobo (I don't bother with Borders Australia or Angus and Robertson, which for some reason they are at times are priced a little higher than Kobo), and for some reason readwithoutpaper do not provide any gst information on invoice/receipts.

GeoffC · 07-31-2010, 09:14 AM

Nope - I use legal stores and take my pick from whatever books they want to offer me ... I am rarely displeased with my choices and in doing so I have read authors I would, otherwise, have not enjoyed ...

Talldog · 07-31-2010, 09:18 AM

I've always said that I wouldn't consider darknet if the books were available legally, and I recently got to put my money where my mouth is when about 75% of the Nero Wolfe books finally became available on Amazon. It was a big nut, but I bought 'em all, and was happy to do it.

DixieGal · 07-31-2010, 09:28 AM

Hey guys, do I need to remind you AGAIN that you never know who is reading this thread. It is OK to keep some questions to oneself sometimes. If you do not care what you publicize -- for all posterity -- then you also put others in danger. Discretion please.

mr ploppy · 07-31-2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenapple

Since we can't browse at ebook stores, does anyone use the darknet 'library' for browsing before actually buying the ebooks?

What ebook shops are you using that won't let you see a list of what is available and read short samples of the ones you are interested in?

banjobama · 07-31-2010, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

What ebook shops are you using that won't let you see a list of what is available and read short samples of the ones you are interested in?

Yes, this is a very good question.

ardeegee · 07-31-2010, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Hey guys, do I need to remind you AGAIN that you never know who is reading this thread. It is OK to keep some questions to oneself sometimes. If you do not care what you publicize -- for all posterity -- then you also put others in danger. Discretion please.

Paranoid much?

There is a difference between publicly confessing to murder and to doing something that almost everyone considers to be about as serious as recoding a game without the express written consent of Major League Baseball.

07-31-2010, 12:32 AM	#1
greenapple Evangelist Posts: 404 Karma: 664 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle DX, Kobo Aura HD	Does anyone browse the darknet library before buying an ebook? Since we can't browse at ebook stores, does anyone use the darknet 'library' for browsing before actually buying the ebooks? Last edited by Jellby; 08-02-2010 at 07:15 AM. Reason: Fixed typo in the title

07-31-2010, 12:49 AM	#3
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Nope, but I sometimes Google to see if books I'd like to read are available for sale, and I've seen how easy it is to find pirated books for download. Edit: I've never actually intentionally downloaded one, but I clicked on one link and it started to download a PDF of the book I was looking for. Opps. Last edited by carld; 07-31-2010 at 01:03 AM.

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07-31-2010, 12:48 AM	#2
happy_terd Banned Posts: 13,045 Karma: 10105011 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Finally made it to Walmart. Device: PRS 420	I usually check google books and see if there is a preview available. A lot of times you can get a pretty big hunk of preview from there.

07-31-2010, 01:38 AM	#4
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	No, rather the opposite. I first browse the various stores and when it's not available there (either because it's simply not available or because they don't want to sell to me), I'll browse the darknet and get the book from there.

07-31-2010, 08:39 AM	#8
jerrywojo Connoisseur Posts: 70 Karma: 40 Join Date: Apr 2006	I'll usually check my local library system and see if a book I want is available and place a hold. Most cases it is. I only tap the "Darknet" for hard to find vintage titles. Must admit I have see whats available and it is tempting. But why go there when most everything is at the library for free anyway.

07-31-2010, 09:14 AM	#10
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Nope - I use legal stores and take my pick from whatever books they want to offer me ... I am rarely displeased with my choices and in doing so I have read authors I would, otherwise, have not enjoyed ...

07-31-2010, 09:18 AM	#11
Talldog Addict Posts: 293 Karma: 1431716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Connecticut Device: Kindle Paperwhite, KDX Graphite, Surface Pro	I've always said that I wouldn't consider darknet if the books were available legally, and I recently got to put my money where my mouth is when about 75% of the Nero Wolfe books finally became available on Amazon. It was a big nut, but I bought 'em all, and was happy to do it.

07-31-2010, 09:28 AM	#12
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Hey guys, do I need to remind you AGAIN that you never know who is reading this thread. It is OK to keep some questions to oneself sometimes. If you do not care what you publicize -- for all posterity -- then you also put others in danger. Discretion please.