Highly Ironical or Market Segmentational?

Gummby · 05-17-2010, 01:21 AM

Just a general observation. Curious about anyone else's opinion.

While Fictionwise is still promoting the secure ereader format (as evidenced with the additional 5% off), the B&N website seems to be systematically replacing all of the PDB files with EPUB. Even a couple of freebies I downloaded last week as PDB are now in my online library available as EPUB only.

Perhaps it is market segmentation, and if so, I don't blame them.

However, since neither my Treo nor my Sony will read their DRM'd EPUBs, though, I (sadly) will have to forego their $1.99 sale on the B&N classics.

Thoughts?

Tamara · 05-17-2010, 08:06 AM

You do realize that you can get the Classics DRM-free from Gutenberg and Manybooks. It's not necessary to pay B&N for DRM versions.

bwaldron · 05-17-2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamara

You do realize that you can get the Classics DRM-free from Gutenberg and Manybooks.

And many from right here at MobileRead, in oft-superior versions.

cfrizz · 05-17-2010, 02:31 PM

Have you downloaded Adobe Digital Editions for your pc & Sony reader? If you did, you would have no problems dl epubs.

EowynCarter · 05-17-2010, 02:42 PM

Buy from someone else

As you seam to be in the US, the sony store seams the best right now.

cheerio6414 · 05-17-2010, 05:23 PM

Cant find anything better yet

Gummby · 05-18-2010, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfrizz

Have you downloaded Adobe Digital Editions for your pc & Sony reader? If you did, you would have no problems dl epubs.

Are you sure? My understanding was that the Barnes & Noble EPUBs come with additional DRM (requiring credit card entry), and so they are only readable on the nook.

Gummby · 05-18-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwaldron

And many from right here at MobileRead, in oft-superior versions.

I have downloaded several items from Mobileread, PG, and Manybooks. I don't remember any of them having additional notes or essays like the B&N editions do.

Mobileread also doesn't support ereader format. I don't blame them - it's a legacy format, to be sure.

Worldwalker · 05-18-2010, 02:52 PM

Calibre can convert between most formats (except, of course, if they're DRM-locked), including pdb.

Do B&N's notes and essays add that much value to the book? Enough to make up for not only the financial price, but for supporting DRM?

I've bought pbooks with similar added content, and found myself not reading it because, by and large, it seemed to be either trivial, irrelevant, or things I already knew; ymmv, of course. I can see how that might be handy for a student, but for general reading, I didn't find it added much if any value.

cfrizz · 05-18-2010, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gummby

Are you sure? My understanding was that the Barnes & Noble EPUBs come with additional DRM (requiring credit card entry), and so they are only readable on the nook.

Ahh you are correct you have to have B&Ns reader/software in order to order from them.

Which is why I'm not interested in their store or reader. That's why I went with a Sony reader.

05-17-2010, 01:21 AM	#1
Gummby Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 34 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS-600, GEB1150, Treo 680	Highly Ironical or Market Segmentational? Just a general observation. Curious about anyone else's opinion. While Fictionwise is still promoting the secure ereader format (as evidenced with the additional 5% off), the B&N website seems to be systematically replacing all of the PDB files with EPUB. Even a couple of freebies I downloaded last week as PDB are now in my online library available as EPUB only. Perhaps it is market segmentation, and if so, I don't blame them. However, since neither my Treo nor my Sony will read their DRM'd EPUBs, though, I (sadly) will have to forego their $1.99 sale on the B&N classics. Thoughts?

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05-17-2010, 08:06 AM	#2
Tamara Evangelist Posts: 446 Karma: 1812 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: iPhone	You do realize that you can get the Classics DRM-free from Gutenberg and Manybooks. It's not necessary to pay B&N for DRM versions.

05-17-2010, 02:31 PM	#4
cfrizz Wizard Posts: 1,561 Karma: 36389706 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Quincy, MA Device: Samsung 54A, Kobo Libra H2O, Samsung S6 Lite	Have you downloaded Adobe Digital Editions for your pc & Sony reader? If you did, you would have no problems dl epubs.

05-17-2010, 02:42 PM	#5
EowynCarter Wizard Posts: 4,337 Karma: 4000000 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Paris Device: Cybooks; Sony PRS-T1	Buy from someone else As you seam to be in the US, the sony store seams the best right now.

05-17-2010, 05:23 PM	#6
cheerio6414 Addict Posts: 210 Karma: 36 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kindle 2	Cant find anything better yet

05-18-2010, 02:52 PM	#9
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	Calibre can convert between most formats (except, of course, if they're DRM-locked), including pdb. Do B&N's notes and essays add that much value to the book? Enough to make up for not only the financial price, but for supporting DRM? I've bought pbooks with similar added content, and found myself not reading it because, by and large, it seemed to be either trivial, irrelevant, or things I already knew; ymmv, of course. I can see how that might be handy for a student, but for general reading, I didn't find it added much if any value.