How do you feel about DRM?

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Yes, I do think it's a good idea - for library books. <snip>

I agree 100%. I can think of no legimate reason for removing DRM from library books.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Yes, I do think it's a good idea - for library books. To repeat the question I've just asked Harmon, how could a library lend eBooks without DRM?

I have no objection to time-limiting DRM for library ebooks.

I think the poll and this discussion is really about ebook purchases.

[spindlegirl]

Exactly. I'm cool with Library books having some encrypted code attached to them that make it so books can be borrowed and returned accordingly. That's why library books didn't enter my radar when I made the poll.

[Gronk]

Originally Posted by Rhialto

Calibre (with 3rd party plugin) removes DRM so seamlessly that I usually don't even notice if DRM is present. So for me DRM is evil in the way a wet noodle is evil.

My Calibre plugin quit working two months ago so I'm shut out again.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Gronk

My Calibre plugin quit working two months ago so I'm shut out again.

The current plugins work fine with the current calibre. If you have problems, asking questions at Apprentice Alf's blog will probably help you get sorted out.

[no.guru]

Agreed about library books having DRM protection. I've written elsewhere on MR lately about my opinion of DRM otherwise, but my signature should make it clear.

[Yapyap]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Yes, I do think it's a good idea - for library books. To repeat the question I've just asked Harmon, how could a library lend eBooks without DRM?

They could do what our central library - the first to start loaning ebooks here, from January this year - just did and loan ebooks that can only be read in the computer, in the browser, online.

No downloading, no reading from e-readers.

*headdesks, massively*

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Yapyap

They could do what our central library - the first to start loaning ebooks here, from January this year - just did and loan ebooks that can only be read in the computer, in the browser, online.

No downloading, no reading from e-readers.

*headdesks, massively*

Most people wouldn't consider that to be better than those files having DRM. I hate reading books on a computer screen.

[Yapyap]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

Most people wouldn't consider that to be better than those files having DRM. I hate reading books on a computer screen.

I completely agree. I think it's a horrible solution, really, and I wouldn't borrow library books that way (even if there was anything more to borrow than a handful of press releases and sheet music, which is currently pretty much the extent of "ebooks" available in library here).

So, yes, I'd much rather have DRM for this use. But it is a way for library ebook borrowing to work without DRM... just a really bad way.

[Gronk]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

The current plugins work fine with the current calibre. If you have problems, asking questions at Apprentice Alf's blog will probably help you get sorted out.

Thank you. It turned out to be a Kindle problem.

[stonetools]

The poll creator is a newbie who doesn't realize that DRM has been done to death here and that the traditional anti DRM argument (DRMdoesntworkagainstpiracyandinconveniencestechie consumerssoDRMisevil!!!) is insufficient. I would ask that she add more options to reflect the advancing debate.

1. DRM is seen by the publisher as a useful tool to prevent unlimited casual sharing by unsophisticated consumers across networks of family and friends. In this way it protects lost sales and thus makes economic sense to bestselling authors and their publishers.


2. DRM is necessary for facilitating library lending.

[spindlegirl]

I've actually read archives, and have seen that DRM is a frequent topic. Even by people who have had accounts here for many years, and even recently. (and some older members who participated and brought their opinions to the thread)

I've had an account here for nearly a year now (and started reading the forums as well as downloading the classic books from here, for many months prior), and still hold the same opinions about drm as I did then.

So the "newbie" thing somehow diminishing my opinion isn't gonna wash with me nor make me crawl into some corner while I watch the big boys play. Sorry.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by stonetools

The poll creator is a newbie who doesn't realize...<snip>

Please watch out with statements like that.

Spindlegirl's postcount is just a third of your's, but her karma is almost 7 times higher. It seems she often says things that hold some value, at least in other people's eyes.

My account is even worse. With only around 1/10th the number of posts compared to you, I should be considered an even "newer" newbie, but even so, my Karma score is 3 times higher than your's already, and my account being two years older.

Watch out for the numbers on forums, because they're just like statistics: often wrong, and many times useless to base statements on.

(And that's all I'll ever say about it, lest I turn into the dreaded wannabe-moderator.)

[stonetools]

Originally Posted by spindlegirl

I've actually read archives, and have seen that DRM is a frequent topic. Even by people who have had accounts here for many years, and even recently. (and some older members who participated and brought their opinions to the thread)

I've had an account here for nearly a year now (and started reading the forums as well as downloading the classic books from here, for many months prior), and still hold the same opinions about drm as I did then.

So the "newbie" thing somehow diminishing my opinion isn't gonna wash with me nor make me crawl into some corner while I watch the big boys play. Sorry.

Hey, I didn't mean to diminish or disrespect your opinion. Your opinion is after all the majority opinion around here (indeed most people here simply view it as revealed truth ). I was just suggesting some options that would add variety and reflect another, albeit unpopular viewpoint. And to me, you are a newbie. Sorry if my post made you feel diminished.

[stonetools]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Please watch out with statements like that.

Spindlegirl's postcount is just a third of your's, but her karma is almost 7 times higher. It seems she often says things that hold some value, at least in other people's eyes.

My account is even worse. With only around 1/10th the number of posts compared to you, I should be considered an even "newer" newbie, but even so, my Karma score is 3 times higher than your's already, and my account being two years older.

Watch out for the numbers on forums, because they're just like statistics: often wrong, and many times useless to base statements on.

(And that's all I'll ever say about it, lest I turn into the dreaded wannabe-moderator.)

Guess I need to watch it. As for karma, karma reflects popularity -and my opinion on this matter isn't popular. You might want to at least consider that popular doesn't mean right.