Sony Reader vs. iRex Iliad e-book reader - Page 7

doctorow · 03-10-2006, 03:05 PM

History has shown many times that there ain't no security through obscurity. If their DRM system has a bug, it'll be cracked, no matter whether it's open-source or not (in the latter case crackers will use tools such as IDA to reveal the underlying code). If Sony truly wants to convince us and their publisher partners that their system is fool-proof, they better make sure their system is bug-free and perhaps analyzed by some respected cryptologists.

Laurens · 03-10-2006, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorow

History has shown many times that there ain't no security through obscurity. If their DRM system has a bug, it'll be cracked, no matter whether it's open-source or not (in the latter case crackers will use tools such as IDA to reveal the underlying code). If Sony truly wants to convince us and their publisher partners that their system is fool-proof, they better make sure their system is bug-free and perhaps analyzed by some respected cryptologists.

Agreed. And I can safely predict their DRM will be cracked, just as most other protection schemes have been cracked in the past. I'm not talking about the technical aspect but about the potential liability due to unintentionally revealing too much about your DRM by opening the source.

As long as they open the BBeB spec, there will be some savvy coder who'll write a library for it. (In fact, there already are BBeB tools.) This is not rocket science. Besides, I can't imagine Sony embracing OSS all of a sudden.

doctorow · 03-10-2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurens

Besides, I can't imagine Sony embracing OSS all of a sudden.

That is probably true, they most certainly won't do it. Too bad. You're also right, it's perhaps easier for publishers to sue Sony for releasing buggy DRM code open-source than for crackers managing to circumvent their "invincible", obscure protection mechanisms.

CommanderROR · 03-10-2006, 07:29 PM

a bit OT, but still interesting:

has anyone ever seen what kind of "cover" the Iliad uses? I've only ever seen it open...I have no idea where the cover is attached, what it weighs, whether you can "fold it back" or have to take it off...I hope it works like hte Hanlins cover...that seems to be rather well done judging from the V8 videos.
A device with a touchscreen is always a bit of a problem...screen protectors are always important there in my opinion...and transporting it without "hardcover" would probably not be a good idea...

If I decide to get the Ilead I certainly hope brando will make screen-protectors for them...I simply love their "no-glue" solution and their simply excellent and tough foils.

rlauzon · 03-10-2006, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCDMan

You must not be in business....
Linux meets the needs of 1.4 % of the customers and to serve those they either have to:

1)Write new conversion SW which may not be worth it for a lousy 1.4 % of the market. And indeed it probably is not even that since many Linux users
also have Windows machines.

I don't have a Windows machine. Well, I take that back. I think I have an old machine in the closet that still has Windows on it - if it still fires up.

If they would have written the software in a cross-platform language - like Java - then they would be able to get 100% of the market instead of 80% (which is closer to the real Windows market).

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCDMan

2) Allow direct import of standard file formats. I agree that this would be nicer it but does take some added capability within the device, which will add to the device cost. They clearly decided that this was cheaper to do in SW. It will also be more versatile as new formats can be added much more easily.

All they needed to do was choose a standard format. Making the device handle that format takes just as much resources as handling a proprietary one. No added cost.

Quote:

Sure, what is good for stockholders is bad for consumers. This is often true and only sometimes avoidable.

Not usually. What's bad for the consumers doesn't get sold. Companies that make products that don't sell have mad stockholders.

CommanderROR · 03-12-2006, 03:32 PM

Just a suggestion:

Why not compile a list of Questions we all have about the new readers (Iliad, Sony and Hanlin V2) and them send them to the companies in the name of the Forum...

Maybe that is a good way to get answers from people like iRex? If they see there is interest from a larger audience they might be more willing to reply.

Snappy! · 03-14-2006, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorow

How about releasing all the specs (which they are rumored to do for the BBeB format) and to make the available tools open-source? Sure enough the Linux community would write their own tools then.

I agree with the open-source part. That will allow commercial and non-commercial parties to write their own tools. I write code myself, and a good part of them are freeware tools for windows, wince (HPC & pocketpc) and Palm.

I believe you didn't mean to refer only to linux communities so tot I should clarify that open-source can benefit not just linux community but also other coding communities.

Snappy! · 03-14-2006, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurens

Not quite. Data represents actual work done by a user. Not being able to get to your data means that work is lost. Hence, more and more governments demand open formats.

An application (should the source not be available) can be recreated by any team of capable programmers, OTOH.

For example, it's far more important that HTML is an open standard than that Firefox is an open-source application.

Good point there! Actually to write a new tool for a product like say Sony Reader or iRex iLiad, I just need the SDK to be released and I can write something to work with it. *IF* I want to modify the product itself, only then would I want the OS to be open-sourced.

Alexander Turcic · 03-14-2006, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommanderROR

Just a suggestion:

Why not compile a list of Questions we all have about the new readers (Iliad, Sony and Hanlin V2) and them send them to the companies in the name of the Forum...

Maybe that is a good way to get answers from people like iRex? If they see there is interest from a larger audience they might be more willing to reply.

Good idea! Let me think about it today.

TadW · 03-15-2006, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommanderROR

Maybe that is a good way to get answers from people like iRex? If they see there is interest from a larger audience they might be more willing to reply.

Nick just joined. This is a good place for asking questions to begin with.

flamaest · 08-05-2007, 03:20 PM

So now that the Sony reader can be had for $50 from a USA credit card, seems like the $750 iliad's fate is umm... questionable?

F.

Adam B. · 08-05-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamaest

So now that the Sony reader can be had for $50 from a USA credit card, seems like the $750 iliad's fate is umm... questionable?

F.

The Sony reader and iLiad are definitely marketed at different audiences. For those who want an iLiad, the price of the sony really don't have any impact on their decision.

DeGodefroi · 08-06-2007, 10:27 AM

Amnd the Sony is US only.
The rest of the world will also use the Iliad.

JSWolf · 08-06-2007, 10:30 AM

Yes, I agree that the ilIad and Sony are two different markets. If you want a reader just for reading books, the Sony is better. But the iLiad is better at PDF and it does a lot more. So before you choose, make sure you know what it is you want to do so you get the correct device for your needs. And the iLiad will read books just fine too using MobiPocket.

Do MobiPocket books have line spaces since it was origianlly for PDA type small screens?

HarryT · 08-07-2007, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Yes, I agree that the ilIad and Sony are two different markets. If you want a reader just for reading books, the Sony is better. But the iLiad is better at PDF and it does a lot more. So before you choose, make sure you know what it is you want to do so you get the correct device for your needs. And the iLiad will read books just fine too using MobiPocket.

Agreed entirely - that's why I now have both

.

Quote:

Do MobiPocket books have line spaces since it was origianlly for PDA type small screens?

There's nothing inherent in the format which says that they have to - it's down to the creator. The BD books I've converted to MobiPocket format certainly don't have blank lines between the paragraphs.

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03-10-2006, 03:05 PM	#91
doctorow Guru Posts: 914 Karma: 3410461 Join Date: May 2004 Device: Kindle Touch	History has shown many times that there ain't no security through obscurity. If their DRM system has a bug, it'll be cracked, no matter whether it's open-source or not (in the latter case crackers will use tools such as IDA to reveal the underlying code). If Sony truly wants to convince us and their publisher partners that their system is fool-proof, they better make sure their system is bug-free and perhaps analyzed by some respected cryptologists.

03-10-2006, 07:29 PM	#94
CommanderROR eink fanatic Posts: 2,022 Karma: 4924 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Germany Device: STAReBOOK, iRex Iliad, Sony 505, Kindle 2	a bit OT, but still interesting: has anyone ever seen what kind of "cover" the Iliad uses? I've only ever seen it open...I have no idea where the cover is attached, what it weighs, whether you can "fold it back" or have to take it off...I hope it works like hte Hanlins cover...that seems to be rather well done judging from the V8 videos. A device with a touchscreen is always a bit of a problem...screen protectors are always important there in my opinion...and transporting it without "hardcover" would probably not be a good idea... If I decide to get the Ilead I certainly hope brando will make screen-protectors for them...I simply love their "no-glue" solution and their simply excellent and tough foils.

03-12-2006, 03:32 PM	#96
CommanderROR eink fanatic Posts: 2,022 Karma: 4924 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Germany Device: STAReBOOK, iRex Iliad, Sony 505, Kindle 2	Just a suggestion: Why not compile a list of Questions we all have about the new readers (Iliad, Sony and Hanlin V2) and them send them to the companies in the name of the Forum... Maybe that is a good way to get answers from people like iRex? If they see there is interest from a larger audience they might be more willing to reply.

08-05-2007, 03:20 PM	#101
flamaest Groupie Posts: 155 Karma: 1044459 Join Date: Jul 2007 Device: prs-500	So now that the Sony reader can be had for $50 from a USA credit card, seems like the $750 iliad's fate is umm... questionable? F.

08-06-2007, 10:27 AM	#103
DeGodefroi Zealot Posts: 131 Karma: 11 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: Kindle DX Graphite (had Illiad)	Amnd the Sony is US only. The rest of the world will also use the Iliad.

08-06-2007, 10:30 AM	#104
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,792 Karma: 146391129 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Yes, I agree that the ilIad and Sony are two different markets. If you want a reader just for reading books, the Sony is better. But the iLiad is better at PDF and it does a lot more. So before you choose, make sure you know what it is you want to do so you get the correct device for your needs. And the iLiad will read books just fine too using MobiPocket. Do MobiPocket books have line spaces since it was origianlly for PDA type small screens?

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