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Old 12-11-2011, 03:24 PM   #1
BillSmithBooks
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Why log in to read samples?
Does anyone know why most of the major ebook retailers (Amazon, Sony, Kobo, B&N, Feedbooks retail) require you to log into your account to read an ebook sample...if a sample is offered at all?

The fact that this policy is so common suggests to me that this is a requirement on the part of publishers (another sign of "duh, they just don't get it"?). Does anyone know for sure?

This doesn't make much sense to me...especially since you can listen to MP3 samples on many sites without logging in. It would seem to me that decent, no strings or hassles attached sampling would encourage sales. Personally, I don't want to take the time to log into a site just to check out something I am only casually browsing.

Kudos to Smashwords, Baen/Webscriptions and the widely maligned Google bookstore for allowing generous sampling, by the way.
Last edited by BillSmithBooks; 12-11-2011 at 03:27 PM.
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Old 12-11-2011, 03:26 PM   #2
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You don't have to log on to anything to read samples of Kindle books. You have to be using a registered device to download it, but once you have the sample you can read it at your convenience.

One reason for the need for the store to identify you is of course so that the appropriate geographical restrictions can be checked. You can't read a sample of a book that you don't have access to due to your location.
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Old 12-11-2011, 03:30 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT View Post
You don't have to log on to anything to read samples of Kindle books. You have to be using a registered device to download it, but once you have the sample you can read it at your convenience.

One reason for the need for the store to identify you is of course so that the appropriate geographical restrictions can be checked. You can't read a sample of a book that you don't have access to due to your location.
Harry: Thanks for the quick response!

Geographic restrictions...that make sense.

I was just curious, that's all. I run a Linux Live CD and tend to do most of my websurfing anonymously without logging into anything...so having to identify myself to just find out if I maybe-kinda-sorta might be interested in a book is annoying...especially with Google and Smashwords saying, "Hey, come on in, check this out."

But having a registered device vs. log in is the same difference IMO...Amazon (and other vendors, not harping on Amazon specifically) still knows exactly who you are. I prefer anonymous browsing and sampling.
Last edited by BillSmithBooks; 12-11-2011 at 03:33 PM.
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Old 12-11-2011, 03:31 PM   #4
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I think you can read enough just from the picture...
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Old 12-11-2011, 03:33 PM   #5
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What on Earth does that mean, Phogg?
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Old 12-11-2011, 03:41 PM   #6
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What on Earth does that mean, Phogg?
It's a picture of a character called Junior Samples from an old TV show.

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Old 12-11-2011, 03:43 PM   #7
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Thank you.
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Old 12-11-2011, 03:46 PM   #8
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What on Earth does that mean, Phogg?
Its an American Pop Culture reference.
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Old 12-11-2011, 03:46 PM   #9
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I got it, guess that shows my age!!
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Old 12-11-2011, 03:46 PM   #10
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I got it, guess that shows my age!!
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And nationality
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Old 12-11-2011, 05:51 PM   #11
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Old 12-11-2011, 07:06 PM   #12
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At a guess, for profiling purposes. If they know what sort of books you are interested in they can advertise similar books at you.
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Old 12-11-2011, 07:43 PM   #13
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