The advisability of stripping DRM - a cautionary tale - Page 4

Timboli · 10-18-2016, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

AZW is Mobi (or was, see below). I have no idea what XLF is, but perhaps you mean KFX.

Had a dyslexic moment there.

I was only reading up about them all the other day, and if I remember right the original MOBI was different. I also did a big compare between files on my Kindle Keyboard and Paperwhite 2 and Kindle For PC, because I was trying to overcome an issue with one ebook that refuses to stay in a collection.

Anyway, it is not just the extension that may or may not be as you say, there is also the different companion files. Some ebooks are also contained in folders (based on title) others as just files.

No KFX files on the Kindle Keyboard for recent releases that are KFX on the Paperwhite, just AZW3 for them.

spindlegirl · 10-19-2016, 05:17 AM

That's why I strip all my bought books. When I buy something I like to take it home, not only have access to it when I happen to be near the store again. :P

I have this weird sense of entitlement when I pay more for an e-book version of a book (which I have sometimes), than the paperback, that I for some reason now own it. So I'm keeping it

arjaybe · 10-19-2016, 12:37 PM

OP, given what happened to you, I think there's every reason to strip DRM. If they can arbitrarily make you "incompatible," then you should be able to arbitrarily make yourself compatible.

crich70 · 10-19-2016, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean

Also in order to strip the DRM from a book you need to download it to your computer and you need to choose a device you are downloading it for. I used to specify my K1 (which is no longer an option for many of my books) because you can't download a book for the Fire.

I am now using Kindle for PC to download my books to and uploading to Calibre from there.

I never have any trouble with books going to my Kindle Fire. I get some here, at Gutenberg, make ebooks from fan fiction, etc. and they work on the KF that I have just fine.

DiapDealer · 10-19-2016, 01:01 PM

I think the "incompatible" part only affects the MYK's Download for USB Transfer feature (with regard to the 1st Gen Kindles). Provided it's not one of the specially formatted books that truly do require specific devices to read, it seems past (and new) purchases can still be sent to the K1 via Whispersync (and transferred to a PC to have the DRM removed and backed up).

Whether this is just a new "glitch" on the MYK webpage, or a "testing of the waters" in advance of a complete K1 phaseout remains to be seen. Too soon to tell, in my opinion. Meanwhile, there are still options to read past and present purchases on K1s and multiple options to back up DRM-free copies of purchases that will be compatible with K1s. That still bodes well in my book.

pidgeon92 · 10-19-2016, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean

I can confirm that downloading a book via Wi-Fi on my Kindle does work. I'm not certain if it has anything to do with the format though because I have 27 books from 2008 alone that don't work using a download cable

I don't recall the original Kindle having wi-fi? I don't think the second generation had it either. My DX doesn't have it.

pidgeon92 · 10-19-2016, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I checked the above books and they are all available for download to my old Kindle 2 which like the Kindle 1 doesn't support newer formats like AZW3/KF8 or KFX. It will let me send them straight to the device or transfer via USB.

Under "Available on these devices" on the store page for each book it does indeed not list the 1st gen Kindle but does list the second gen.

I looked at a few of the titles on Amazon, and I see Kindle listed under Available on these devices, second from the bottom, right above Kindle Oasis. I assume this refers to the original Kindle.

AnemicOak · 10-19-2016, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

I looked at a few of the titles on Amazon, and I see Kindle listed under Available on these devices, second from the bottom, right above Kindle Oasis. I assume this refers to the original Kindle.

No, that refers to the current basic Kindle.

Jean · 10-19-2016, 03:33 PM

Pidgeon92 - 'Kindle' appears to refer to something other than a K1. If you click the link it takes you to a page describing something other than a K1.

Jean · 10-19-2016, 03:36 PM

Pidgeon92 - I use the term 'wifi' in order to make myself understood. My K1 actually connects through the Verizon cell phone network.

crich70 · 10-19-2016, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timboli

Had a dyslexic moment there.

I was only reading up about them all the other day, and if I remember right the original MOBI was different. I also did a big compare between files on my Kindle Keyboard and Paperwhite 2 and Kindle For PC, because I was trying to overcome an issue with one ebook that refuses to stay in a collection.

Anyway, it is not just the extension that may or may not be as you say, there is also the different companion files. Some ebooks are also contained in folders (based on title) others as just files.

No KFX files on the Kindle Keyboard for recent releases that are KFX on the Paperwhite, just AZW3 for them.

It is. I have some books from Mobipocket.com which is owned by Amazon now days, and at least a couple of them I can't read on my Kindle. I was able to run most of them through Calibre and get them to work but one or two still wouldn't convert last time I tried and so they are unreadable.

AnemicOak · 10-19-2016, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

I don't recall the original Kindle having wi-fi? I don't think the second generation had it either. My DX doesn't have it.

Correct. It has a cellular connection, but no WiFi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean

Pidgeon92 - I use the term 'wifi' in order to make myself understood. My K1 actually connects through the Verizon cell phone network.

Sprint actually.

Jean · 10-19-2016, 04:06 PM

Mine is Verizon. They switched to Sprint later

AnemicOak · 10-19-2016, 04:29 PM

Then your is the only one. The original 2007 Kindle and first release of the Kindle 2 used Sprint's EVDO network and were US only releases. Later they released the K2 and all subsequent cellular equipped models that had GSM modems using AT&T in the US, which opened the way for international releases.

LadyKate · 10-20-2016, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crich70

It is. I have some books from Mobipocket.com which is owned by Amazon now days, and at least a couple of them I can't read on my Kindle. I was able to run most of them through Calibre and get them to work but one or two still wouldn't convert last time I tried and so they are unreadable.

Just a suggestion... if you really want to be able to read those few books that will not convert... have you tried converting them the htmlz and then modifying the html? Or just trying the convert from htmlz to format of your choice.

OR perhaps contact Kovid about them with a sample for him to check if possible.

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10-19-2016, 05:17 AM	#47
spindlegirl Wizard Posts: 1,594 Karma: 21245891 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra h20, Paperwhite 2017, Phone & Tablet w Moonreader	That's why I strip all my bought books. When I buy something I like to take it home, not only have access to it when I happen to be near the store again. :P I have this weird sense of entitlement when I pay more for an e-book version of a book (which I have sometimes), than the paperback, that I for some reason now own it. So I'm keeping it

10-19-2016, 12:37 PM	#48
arjaybe Wizard Posts: 1,074 Karma: 12500000 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Okanagan Device: Sony PRS-650, Kobo Clara	OP, given what happened to you, I think there's every reason to strip DRM. If they can arbitrarily make you "incompatible," then you should be able to arbitrarily make yourself compatible.

10-19-2016, 01:01 PM	#50
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,880 Karma: 207000000 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I think the "incompatible" part only affects the MYK's Download for USB Transfer feature (with regard to the 1st Gen Kindles). Provided it's not one of the specially formatted books that truly do require specific devices to read, it seems past (and new) purchases can still be sent to the K1 via Whispersync (and transferred to a PC to have the DRM removed and backed up). Whether this is just a new "glitch" on the MYK webpage, or a "testing of the waters" in advance of a complete K1 phaseout remains to be seen. Too soon to tell, in my opinion. Meanwhile, there are still options to read past and present purchases on K1s and multiple options to back up DRM-free copies of purchases that will be compatible with K1s. That still bodes well in my book.

10-19-2016, 03:33 PM	#54
Jean Zealot Posts: 110 Karma: 1069296 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Washington State Device: Kindle 1 / Kindle Fire / Kindle Paperwhite / Kobo Libra Colour	Pidgeon92 - 'Kindle' appears to refer to something other than a K1. If you click the link it takes you to a page describing something other than a K1.

10-19-2016, 03:36 PM	#55
Jean Zealot Posts: 110 Karma: 1069296 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Washington State Device: Kindle 1 / Kindle Fire / Kindle Paperwhite / Kobo Libra Colour	Pidgeon92 - I use the term 'wifi' in order to make myself understood. My K1 actually connects through the Verizon cell phone network.

10-19-2016, 04:06 PM	#58
Jean Zealot Posts: 110 Karma: 1069296 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Washington State Device: Kindle 1 / Kindle Fire / Kindle Paperwhite / Kobo Libra Colour	Mine is Verizon. They switched to Sprint later

10-19-2016, 04:29 PM	#59
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Then your is the only one. The original 2007 Kindle and first release of the Kindle 2 used Sprint's EVDO network and were US only releases. Later they released the K2 and all subsequent cellular equipped models that had GSM modems using AT&T in the US, which opened the way for international releases.