I'm regretting giving my husband a Kindle 3

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by Newfie56

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum, having been brought here by my attempts to redeem myself -- and the Kindle gift I gave my husband for Christmas. He is a prolific reader, checking stacks of books from the library regularly. When he asked for an e-book reader for Christmas, I posted on my facebook: "Kindle or Nook?" and the Kindle responses outweighed the Nooks. I got him the version with 3G & wifi. I simply assumed (you know what they say about that word) that it would be compatible with the ebooks offered from our library.

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When you asked the question, did you make clear library usage was important? If so, the majority of votes would probably not gone with the Kindle.


Also, have you checked your local library to see if they even have e-book selections that your husband would enjoy? If not, it wouldn't make any difference which reader you bought. If so, contact Amazon and see about a return. They are very liberal.

Too many people think that "reading library books on my ebook reader" means that there is an unlimited number of books out there.

There isn't. Each library has its own selection, some have none, some have few, and a very limited amount of libraries have great selections. Realize that not all books are available in ebook format. This will change, but for now that is the sad fact.

You can't just go to any library, you must be a resident of that city/county's system.

The exception is the Philidelphia Free Library, which offers non resident cards.

However, keep in mind, with so many readers being sold, the wait lists are long.

As for "stealing ebooks" by breaking the drm, if the book is deleted after reading, how is that different from borrowing the book with a reader that doesn't require you to do so?

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The benefit of the Sony is that it's the only ePub device which currently has the same "Pearl" screen that the Kindle does. I suspect the OP would be disappointed going from a Pearl screen to an older 2nd-generation screen such as the nook has.

True.

If you can, go to Best Buy and compare the Nook and the Sony. That should help you make a decision.

[wvcherrybomb]

Because the legalitiy of stripping the DRM from library books for personal use was in question, I went and did some checking.

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act allows for "fair use" with the following stipulation for the user:

“reasonably believe that circumvention is necessary to fulfill the purpose of the use.”

It wasn't specifically referring to library books, or even books. It applies to all digital media. It also didn't specify that it must be purchased media. I would, therefore, think it applies to any media that you have the right to use - including library media as long as you abide by the rules of borrowing.

Since I reasonably believe that circumvention of DRM is necessary to read library books on my Kindle, I am not breaking any laws.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by wvcherrybomb

Because the legalitiy of stripping the DRM from library books for personal use was in question, I went and did some checking.

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act allows for "fair use" with the following stipulation for the user:

“reasonably believe that circumvention is necessary to fulfill the purpose of the use.”

It wasn't specifically referring to library books, or even books. It applies to all digital media. It also didn't specify that it must be purchased media. I would, therefore, think it applies to any media that you have the right to use - including library media as long as you abide by the rules of borrowing.

Since I reasonably believe that circumvention of DRM is necessary to read library books on my Kindle, I am not breaking any laws.

That's not the problem. The problem is that you then gain the ability to retain the book beyond its loan period. Can you put your hand on your heart and swear that you've never kept a library book 1 day beyond its expiration date? That there are no copies lurking on your PC (eg in the Windows Recycle Bin), or in backups anywhere?

[wvcherrybomb]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's not the problem. The problem is that you then gain the ability to retain the book beyond its loan period. Can you put your hand on your heart and swear that you've never kept a library book 1 day beyond its expiration date? That there are no copies lurking on your PC (eg in the Windows Recycle Bin), or in backups anywhere?

Unequivocally YES.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by wvcherrybomb

Unequivocally YES.

Good for you, but I suspect that not everyone is as careful as you. Some people probably think, for example, then deleting a file really does delete it, and don't realise that it simply goes into the Recycle Bin.

[wacomme]

I've never had an issue returning my paper library books in the allotted time. I don't see the issue with e-books as being much different. Read the e-library book. Delete the e-library book.

[SeaBookGuy]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Sure it can be done, but some people don't want to have the hassle of removing DRM, which may also be illegal in some places. And removing DRM from library books isn't like removing DRM from books you've bought for personal use - you're effectively stealing books from the library.

Let us suppose you remove the DRM, put the converted mobi on your Kindle (and read it within the loan period) -- is that "effectively stealing"? I'd say it's more like "effectively" borrowing.

"Hey, Joe ... this new one of so-and-so's is terrific! I'll send you (the library copy I stripped)." THERE'S stealing!

[ProfCrash]

I fear that the OP is going to have to start a new topic.

[Newfie56]

I appreciate everyone's input. Before my husband asked for an ebook reader, he researched and assured himself that our library had plenty of ebooks of the type he wanted. It's true that there appears to be a long waiting list for some of them (he requested them before Christmas... knowing only he was getting an ebook reader, not what kind). He pointed out that it's a shame people have an ebook for the entire time period... whereas he usually finishes a (standard) book in a couple of days and then returns it. I guess there's no way to turn an ebook in early, is there? And still, it's a moot point 'til we figure out the Kindle issue.

abookreader... we've now done steps 1,2 & 3 and Calibre is waiting to go on our PC (Windows 7)

[ProfCrash]

I have read that you can turn in e-books early but doing so seems to screw up your ability to read the books that you downloaded at the same time. So you should only return an e-book early if you have finished all of the books you have borrowed at the same time.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I have read that you can turn in e-books early but doing so seems to screw up your ability to read the books that you downloaded at the same time. So you should only return an e-book early if you have finished all of the books you have borrowed at the same time.

That is of course referring to reading them on an ePub device.

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by Newfie56

He pointed out that it's a shame people have an ebook for the entire time period... whereas he usually finishes a (standard) book in a couple of days and then returns it.

Sometimes they give you a choice of whether you want the book for 7, 14, or, maybe, 21 days. So you can choose 7 days to give another borrower more time.

The lease rate the library pays OverDrive, Inc. reflects how many people will likely use the book. If they let people take out books for even shorter periods, OverDrive probably would charge more in anticipation of there being a greater number of patrons. Similarly, if some day Amazon reaches agreements allowing some eBooks to be used on Kindle devices, you can be sure that OverDrive will charge libraries a higher lease rate to support that option. Or maybe they will make the Kindle library book an entirely different purchase for the library. That's why I do agree with Harry that reading a copyrighted library book on a Kindle is, in morality, stealing, albeit in a quite mild form.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by Newfie56

I guess there's no way to turn an ebook in early, is there?

Of course. If you download an epub book, after its finished, go back to your ADE , and click on the little arrow next to the book.

You'll be given an option to 'return book'. Just click on that and its done

mobipocket books cannot be returned early.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by HarryT

You haven't noticed that I've already done so?

linked to the law that specifically states that stripping DRM is illegal? no