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| Thread ID: 66969 | 2006-03-13 01:02:00 | I am not a thief - ebooks and DRM | kingdragonfly (309) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 437739 | 2006-03-13 01:02:00 | Careful about the eBook version of some computer "ebooks" from Amazon, such as those published by Que/Sams. It requires Adobe Reader to read. I downloaded one at home, and activated it without realizing the implications. When I took it to work via USB drive, it complained it was already activated. My workplace proxy firewall won't let me re-activate it. If DRM can't work transparently and reasonably, then the manufacturers should stop using it. I'm getting really annoyed with digital rights management. I'm not trying to steal a copy of this book; I just want to use one copy on different PC's as different times. One copy, one PC at a time! Amazon should make it clearer when a book or CD has DRM, and what is the implications of purchasing a product using it. You'd think the Sony CD debacle would have made the point. |
kingdragonfly (309) | ||
| 437740 | 2006-03-13 02:30:00 | If DRM can't work transparently and reasonably, then the manufacturers should stop using it. Sorry mate, different pc, new licence (of course I don't really know). The joys of DRM. Wait till Vista ships :yuck: |
dolby digital (5073) | ||
| 437741 | 2006-03-13 19:43:00 | When I say activate, it's not like a dialog popped up saying "do you wish to activate?". I opened it the first time, and without asking "activated." I'm still not sure what it did, or what information was transmitted over the Internet. Amazon's website mentioned some eBooks don't print, but nothing obvious regarding activation and it's limits. If some kind of EULA had popped up with an "accept" / "decline" buttons, I'd probably not be so mad. |
kingdragonfly (309) | ||
| 437742 | 2006-03-14 05:07:00 | Looks as if you need to keep a backup copy of what you download, and use a copy of that to read the book. Did it actually modify the PDF file the first time it was read? I'm a bit surprised that Acrobat Reader can do that. |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 437743 | 2006-03-14 06:40:00 | Try C&P in to an Open Office Writer document, then convert/save as a PDF. The one snag with this, it may not let you copy to the clipboard. | Murray P (44) | ||
| 437744 | 2006-03-14 22:08:00 | Did it actually modify the PDF file the first time it was read? I'm a bit surprised that Acrobat Reader can do that. I'm not an expert at Digital Rights Management (thank the maker). It did apparently modify the eBook. When I complained to Amazon that limits were not obvious BEFORE the purchase, they told me I could download it four times. Not sure what would happen after activating four times, but it's d**n annoying. Surely they'd have learned after the Sony CD debacle to make it clearer about software modifications / limits of materials with copy protected material. |
kingdragonfly (309) | ||
| 437745 | 2006-03-14 22:22:00 | What about using alternative PDF programs? Say Foxit PDF reader (www.foxitsoftware.com) They also do a PDF editor so try that. Also what about putting it onto a USB Memory Dongle and then locking the dongle? |
bob_doe_nz (92) | ||
| 437746 | 2006-03-14 23:09:00 | Also what about putting it onto a USB Memory Dongle and then locking the dongle?What's a "dongle"? | Greg (193) | ||
| 437747 | 2006-03-14 23:13:00 | What's a "dongle"? /me slaps Greg with a large trout. USB memory stick you taffer! :p |
bob_doe_nz (92) | ||
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