Dangerous practices -- sending passwords

[tompe]

Originally Posted by epiphany

If you forget your password, BooksOnBoard will email you a new one which isn't a problem.

I would say that is a bigger problem. If somebody see you leaving the computer unlocked (you do not have to log out, you can lock you computer) then they just request a new password or the old and go to your computer and get your account and can start buying books.

[RobbieClarken]

Originally Posted by HarryT

And what dire consequences might result from the interception of your BooksOnBoard password?

People use the same password for different websites. They shouldn't, but they do. So even if a person with malicious intent can't do much damage at BooksOnBoard, if that same password was also used for internet banking then oh-oh.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by epiphany

People use the same password for different websites. They shouldn't, but they do. So even if a person with malicious intent can't do much damage at BooksOnBoard, if that same password was also used for internet banking then oh-oh.

The funny thing is that it probably is because some people do use different password that they have to email them since people will forget them.

I have compromised and use a high security and a low security password. Then I only have to remember two passwords.

[thibaulthalpern]

Originally Posted by HarryT

And what dire consequences might result from the interception of your BooksOnBoard password?

I don't know, Harry. What happens when your Dalek meets the stairs? Or water.

[Krystian Galaj]

I keep all my passwords in PasswordSafe database, synchronized between computers by DropBox, like described here: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/items/2008/09/11b.html
This way I only need to remember the database password.

[cerement]

Either way, like the OP states, sending passwords in the clear is just plain bad policy. And it's a clear indication of sloppiness on part of the website creator.

Standard policy for most websites if you forget your password is they send a reset link or a temporary password to your email. Both methods require you logging on to the website and entering a new password immediately.

If you're really worried about (in)security, just refer to the master. His blog makes interesting reading (or uncomfortable reading if you're one of those who has any illusions about the competance of TSA).

[thibaulthalpern]

BooksOnBoard has replied to my email and the person who replied CC'd to two other personnel at the company. They all agree that the password should not be emailed. They're working on a fix.

[thibaulthalpern]

I want to respond to cerement's signature that says, "To manufacturers: Design an ebook reader for readers that focuses on design and typography."

I wholeheartedly agree with that one! Reading and books is not just about plain text. Plain text is the reason I shy away from .HTML files for digital readers. Typography and book design and layout is very important. Because of that, I generally favour formats that are Adobe Digital Editions or Adobe PDFs or variants thereof because they are not only concerned with plain text but also design and layout.

In fact, I find the whole business of being able to change the font of a digital book to whatever you want rather "insulting". Okay, said in jest. But, the fact that some digital formats allow us to change to any fonts willy-nilly is suggesting that design and layout is merely secondary to plain text. Not so. Communication happens not just through text but through design and so forth.

[cerement]

Originally Posted by thibaulthalpern

Okay, said in jest. But, the fact that some digital formats allow us to change to any fonts willy-nilly is suggesting that design and layout is merely secondary to plain text. Not so. Communication happens not just through text but through design and so forth.

Unfortunately the only standard for ebooks that encourages structured markup and supports good typography is LaTeX which no liseuse currently uses ...

[yes, zelda's got another 'liseuse' convert, 'ebook reader' is just annoying ...]

[RobbieClarken]

Originally Posted by thibaulthalpern

I want to respond to cerement's signature that says, "To manufacturers: Design an ebook reader for readers that focuses on design and typography."

I wholeheartedly agree with that one! Reading and books is not just about plain text. Plain text is the reason I shy away from .HTML files for digital readers. Typography and book design and layout is very important. Because of that, I generally favour formats that are Adobe Digital Editions or Adobe PDFs or variants thereof because they are not only concerned with plain text but also design and layout.

In fact, I find the whole business of being able to change the font of a digital book to whatever you want rather "insulting". Okay, said in jest. But, the fact that some digital formats allow us to change to any fonts willy-nilly is suggesting that design and layout is merely secondary to plain text. Not so. Communication happens not just through text but through design and so forth.

I agree with you! I've compared some mobi books from Amazon to their paper counterparts and the format is totally rearranged. I much prefer PDFs (from sources like Overdrive) because I know the ebook will preserve the intended formatting. I understand the desire for ebooks to be readable on digital readers of all sizes (which requires reflow) but it would be nice if ebooks came with 'original format' and 'reflowable text' options. Perhaps this is what Fictionwise's MultiFormat eBooks offer.

[thibaulthalpern]

Not to mention that PDF and variants thereof allow for multiple kinds of fonts and charactersets (I think they're called charactersets) in the file without having to rely on the digital reader to already have the font. For instance, I have some files that are written in both Traditional Chinese, two-byte Roman Characters, and regular roman characters. I'm not sure if the other formats can handle those appropriately without my reader already having have those fonts.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by epiphany

I agree with you! I've compared some mobi books from Amazon to their paper counterparts and the format is totally rearranged. I much prefer PDFs (from sources like Overdrive) because I know the ebook will preserve the intended formatting.

What is the intended formatting? Hardcover, trade and mass market paperback can have different formatting. Why should one of them be the intended formatting?

[susan_cassidy]

I prefer a good, readable font, with decent spacing between lines to some fancy font that some publisher thought looked pretty. I've had paperbacks that were hard to read due to the font. I'm perfectly happy with my single-font Kindle (I don't do Topaz).

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by tompe

What is the intended formatting? Hardcover, trade and mass market paperback can have different formatting. Why should one of them be the intended formatting?

Usually, the more expensive the product, the more time was spent on typography and design.

I really hope, that a universal ebook standard emerges, which would allow for the same design and typography, as on a printed page. Kind of like what pdfs do for electronic documents.

I suppose ebooks will follow the web model, where initially plain, rather ugly text was the norm, while now much richer and sophisticated options are becoming available.

P.S. On the password issue, I'd personally prefer that they send me the password. And in my experience, most e-tailers do. You have to balance convenience and security, and I'd rather not have to reset a password every time I forget the old one. (for something like a bank account, I can see the point, of course

[thibaulthalpern]

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

I prefer a good, readable font, with decent spacing between lines to some fancy font that some publisher thought looked pretty. I've had paperbacks that were hard to read due to the font. I'm perfectly happy with my single-font Kindle (I don't do Topaz).

In general, I haven't encountered books where the layout was horrendous. Then again, the books I usually read are academic publishers and major general publishers so that could be a reason. Some of the smaller presses don't have staff with the skill set to do proper typsetting and layout.