Turn off/Block AI features

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Would it be possible to release an 8.16.3 to give the AI haters the option to turn off the AI options?

Read the thread. They don't want to turn off the AI options. They want the code not be there at all.

[Wiggo]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Hmm. I don't remember a lot of people saying that they don't have any paper books in their homes. Many have said that they no longer read paper books for a number of reasons, but that's different.

You're right. I should have said that they no longer buy dead wood, but you don't have to take everything so literally and seriously.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Wiggo

You're right. I should have said that they no longer buy dead wood, but you don't have to take everything so literally and seriously.

Personally, I don't feel any particular desire for the bookshelf view (and I'm one of those who no longer buy paper books). Never understood the fascination, and the same applies to cover grids and browsers. List view for me, always.

OTOH, several people have asked for the bookshelf over the years, so obviously it's attractive for some.

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Hmm. I don't remember a lot of people saying that they don't have any paper books in their homes. Many have said that they no longer read paper books for a number of reasons, but that's different.

I still order physical books, but only if they're not available digitally, digital edition behind unbreakable DRM, or format doesn't work well (heavy layout coffee-table books).

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

I still order physical books, but only if they're not available digitally, digital edition behind unbreakable DRM, or format doesn't work well (heavy layout coffee-table books).

I sometimes do too, but it's becoming increasingly rare for me - maybe one paper book per year or so. I already have far too many unread books, both paper and digital, and as I have little room for physical stuff, it must be a book I absolutely have to have. Doesn't happen too often these days.

I'm curious, what books are behind unbreakable DRM? I haven't really met any among the books I usually read. Textbooks, yes, but I don't have anything to do with those.

[ownedbycats]

I haven't actually come across any, lol.

[nabsltd]

Originally Posted by Quoth

I'm told that some Android & Fire TVs / Projectors now have no function unless you connect and log in at least once.

So, don't buy those TVs. Vote with your wallet.

In the same way, don't use Calibre, and don't support it (i.e., give money to support development of Calibre).

I am one of those people who rip out AI hooks from anything that has them. In most cases, all that is required is simply clicking a "disable" button. Sometimes I have to do more. But, with Calibre, all I have to do is nothing, since AI hooks aren't enabled at all. And, now I can hide the menu options, so that's perfect.

In other words, I don't care if someone else wants to use AI. If they do, that's their choice. But, I don't want to use it, and will disable it on all devices I use. As long as AI can be disabled for me, I'm fine with using a device (or software) that contains it.

[nabsltd]

Originally Posted by sushigal007

I don't like or trust the people behind the GenAI push, does that help clarify things? They're trying very very hard to make me use something I don't need, and pretending it's for my own good

Have you never seen an advertisement on TV? Many claim that using the product will make your life better. But, it's just an advertisement designed to get you to buy the product. This is because the people who make the product want to make money.

So, why do you think "the people behind GenAI" are working so hard advertising it to you? If you said "because they want to make money", you win a gold star.

They want to get people to sign up for subscriptions to use the AI. But, even without that, the AI companies want a higher user count so they can keep getting venture capitalists to fund them. The claim is that users will eventually pay for AI, and then the VCs will make money.

My belief is that AI use will be like music consumption...people will want access, but will be willing to pay very little for it. Music producers ended up just having to settle for what the public would pay, and AI companies will likely have to do the same.

[rowe]

With the new Gemini Flash that came out this week, the tech is moving at a rate where many of the anti-AI arguments are starting to look redundant for the best offerings. The default version is fast, good, free to use, energy efficient, and Google have very significant data rights for training.

OpenAI will continue to do reckless things as they're desperate, but perhaps their era of subsidised hype might be starting to end.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by nabsltd

So, don't buy those TVs. Vote with your wallet.

In the same way, don't use Calibre, and don't support it (i.e., give money to support development of Calibre).

I am one of those people who rip out AI hooks from anything that has them. In most cases, all that is required is simply clicking a "disable" button. Sometimes I have to do more. But, with Calibre, all I have to do is nothing, since AI hooks aren't enabled at all. And, now I can hide the menu options, so that's perfect.

In other words, I don't care if someone else wants to use AI. If they do, that's their choice. But, I don't want to use it, and will disable it on all devices I use. As long as AI can be disabled for me, I'm fine with using a device (or software) that contains it.

Thing is, there's no replacement for these top TVs and no replacement for calibre. So if you want these things, you have to just ignore the AI when possible.

Can you find a program to replace calibre? Can you find a TV to replace these top OLED TVs?

[John F]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

...

Can you find a program to replace calibre? ...

Isn't calibre open source? For those who want calibre but not the AI features, couldn't they support a fork without the AI code?

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by John F

Isn't calibre open source? For those who want calibre but not the AI features, couldn't they support a fork without the AI code?

see ==>> https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...1&postcount=25

[John F]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

see ==>> https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...1&postcount=25

So everyone should be content? Those that object to the AI code, and want to continue using "calibre", can support the new fork. Maybe a good thing, we may get the best of both worlds from two versions. (And please, no need to post the cartoon about multiple standards..)

[DiapDealer]

The fork will eventually be abandoned and then they'll need to come back. But by all means, use a strictly cosmetic fork of Calibre while it lasts because principles.

[JSWolf]

I'm sticking with the official calibre. If I don't want, the AI code won't run and I don't have to use it. It's my choice. I'm good with that.