04-02-2019, 01:10 PM | #1 |
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Microsoft is taking back ebooks
Cory Doctorow says "Microsoft announces it will shut down ebook program and confiscate its customers' libraries."
https://boingboing.net/2019/04/02/bu...libraries.html Maybe a bit dramatic, but the headline is accurate. Basically, Microsoft isn't making enough money from the bookstore, so they are shutting it down. That's OK so far, but they are also shutting down the DRM authentication servers. They are at least offering refunds for books purchased, but when I buy a book it is because I value the book more highly than the money I spend for it. |
04-02-2019, 01:15 PM | #2 | |
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Here's an interesting bit from the Microsoft FAQ:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4497396 Quote:
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04-02-2019, 01:36 PM | #3 |
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So if you changed credit card companies (canceled your original credit card), then your only option is to get a credit to the Microsoft Store? What if you don't want a credit to the Microsoft Store, since after this fiasco you'll probably never want to buy anything there again? Too bad for you, courtesy of Microsoft?
This has got to be the most poignant illustration for "if you can't remove the DRM, don't buy it" I've ever seen. |
04-02-2019, 02:36 PM | #4 |
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I honestly had no idea the Microsoft Store even had an "ebook" business to get out of. That probably has something to do with me having never been to the Microsoft Store, I suppose.
Wait; is that why Edge on Windows 10 annoyingly tries to open any ebooks I happen to click on? |
04-02-2019, 03:14 PM | #5 |
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Huh. Didn't even realize Microsoft had an ebook store. Thought they'd completely dumped ebooks after they dropped Microsoft Reader (LIT).
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04-02-2019, 05:02 PM | #6 |
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Since I never bought anything from their bookstore I will not have to stay awake at night worrying.
When I first saw this I thought it was an April Fools joke. Apache |
04-02-2019, 05:28 PM | #7 |
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Yep. Isn't DRM wonderful? About a year ago I think someone mentioned that Microsoft was selling eBooks, so I looked into it. I think the reason I didn't pursue it any further (besides the fact I'm not a big Microsoft fan) is that reading the options were pretty limited, especially for a Linux user.
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04-02-2019, 05:42 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
I don't mind Edge as a built in ebook reader even if the store closes. I do hope that they leave the functionality there even if they aren't selling books. Since Edge is moving to a Chromium base, I suppose there's likely a plug-in if they do drop it, but it was nice having the functionality built in. |
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04-02-2019, 06:26 PM | #9 |
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There are many good reasons for "buying a lifetime supply" of various items while you can. eBooks are one (assuming DRM removal). Ammunition is another. Incandescent light bulbs for your Easy Bake Oven. Probably lots of other examples too, but my brain is blank at the moment.
So when people come up and and either want to limit you or mockingly say, "Why do you need so much?!" there are good examples to shove in their ignorant faces. |
04-02-2019, 06:42 PM | #10 | |
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Quote:
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04-02-2019, 08:17 PM | #11 | |
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My first big screen ebook reader was a microsoft tablet back in 2007, before the iPads came out. Never bought any books from them though. |
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04-02-2019, 08:40 PM | #12 |
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On the other hand, if you are one of those people who only read books once (maybe a majority overall, if not on MR), and can get refunded back to your credit card (seems likely in most cases), then it might be the best deal ever.
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04-02-2019, 10:04 PM | #13 | |
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Quote:
I’m sure you can change the settings on Windows 10 so Edge isn’t default app for .epub. |
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04-02-2019, 10:52 PM | #14 |
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Cory Doctorow is a clown. If you want to have a personal book, buy it in a store in paper. The cheap licenses to read the text of a book on your computing devices do not entitle you for a life-long ownership.
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04-02-2019, 11:53 PM | #15 |
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Cheap license? The complaint I have is that the majority of the ebooks I purchase are not that cheap. In point, some of them have been more expensive that the paperback edition.
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