Comments on: Kindle hack lets you read DRMed Mobipocket—and meanwhile a ‘Kindle swindle’ tag campaign is starting up http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:56:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Rory Bellows http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/comment-page-1/#comment-941168 Rory Bellows Sun, 26 Oct 2008 03:38:47 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/#comment-941168 Nobody can figure out a way to transfer files from the kindle back on to your computer and still be able to read the .azw's? Anybody?... Bueller? Nobody can figure out a way to transfer files from the kindle back on to your computer and still be able to read the .azw’s? Anybody?… Bueller?

]]> By: Top 19 Amazon Kindle Tips - Do You get the most out of Your Kindle? « Amazon Kindle Guide, Free Books & Kindle News http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/comment-page-1/#comment-913561 Top 19 Amazon Kindle Tips - Do You get the most out of Your Kindle? « Amazon Kindle Guide, Free Books & Kindle News Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:47:28 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/#comment-913561 [...] is DRM protected and technically while it is possible to do it there are legal issues doing so. See http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/ for more [...] [...] is DRM protected and technically while it is possible to do it there are legal issues doing so. See http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/ for more [...]

]]> By: nowhining http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/comment-page-1/#comment-910583 nowhining Sat, 20 Sep 2008 00:24:12 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/#comment-910583 You know, no one is forced to buy a Kindle. I purchased one with a full understanding of the issues and constraints. It meets my needs, and I am fine with paying for what I want. If you bought a Kindle, and were shocked to discover that it is primarily a device for buying content from Amazon, I suggest you send it back for a refund or sell it on ebay. If you haven't bought a Kindle then you haven't been harmed in any way, except for feeling a little frustrated that you can't have your way in everything in life. If that description fits you, grow up, quit whining, get counseling for your narcisstic personality disorder, and try to contribute to the world instead of just sitting around throwing rocks at the people who are contributing. sheesh. You know, no one is forced to buy a Kindle. I purchased one with a full understanding of the issues and constraints. It meets my needs, and I am fine with paying for what I want. If you bought a Kindle, and were shocked to discover that it is primarily a device for buying content from Amazon, I suggest you send it back for a refund or sell it on ebay. If you haven’t bought a Kindle then you haven’t been harmed in any way, except for feeling a little frustrated that you can’t have your way in everything in life. If that description fits you, grow up, quit whining, get counseling for your narcisstic personality disorder, and try to contribute to the world instead of just sitting around throwing rocks at the people who are contributing. sheesh.

]]> By: Jeff Brewer http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/comment-page-1/#comment-890077 Jeff Brewer Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:27:26 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/#comment-890077 I am not really up to speed on these readers, but I am interested. Questions? How is it possible to download out-of copyright titles (Gutenberg Project?) Why should copyright management be tied to the device? This whole Kindle thing looks like a move by Amazon to tie up the digital market and create a monopoly. Authors and publishers should certainly have the right to protect their works, but shouldn't the protection be tied to the files themselves and not to the reading device? Manufacturers have forever wanted to created proprietary systems that give them monopolistic advantages. If they are successful, it usually leads to anti-trust action. My suspicion is that the DRM is doomed from the start. I am not really up to speed on these readers, but I am interested.
Questions?
How is it possible to download out-of copyright titles (Gutenberg Project?)
Why should copyright management be tied to the device? This whole Kindle thing looks like a move by Amazon to tie up the digital market and create a monopoly. Authors and publishers should certainly have the right to protect their works, but shouldn’t the protection be tied to the files themselves and not to the reading device? Manufacturers have forever wanted to created proprietary systems that give them monopolistic advantages. If they are successful, it usually leads to anti-trust action. My suspicion is that the DRM is doomed from the start.

]]> By: wenywen http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/comment-page-1/#comment-711796 wenywen Sat, 09 Feb 2008 07:23:33 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/#comment-711796 DRM does nothing to assure a publisher that they will get paid nor do I see it lower the prices. Baen Books the only publisher that I am aware of that publishes all their books in non-DRMed electronic format, at the same time as the hardcover for a fraction of the price. Most other publishers using DRM charge the same price as a hardcover even though the overhead is much less. Amazon who is charging less than normal hardcover price (aprx $10) is still charging more than Baen. I am not a thief so why should publishers treat me like one? In fact, their attitudes make me want to rip them off. Where as, when I read a book in Baen's free library that I enjoy I purchase the electronic copy and often a dead tree version as well. Sell electronic books in an open format for a reasonable price and people like me will buy them. The authors only seem to benefit from having their books available. Several of Baen's authors have reported increased sales in their backlist when they add a book the free library. I believe that the majority of people will live up or down to expectations. If we as a society expect everyone to be a thief,even as we condemn it; we are making theft the standard of behavior. It is a subtle errosion of society. DRM does nothing to assure a publisher that they will get paid nor do I see it lower the prices. Baen Books the only publisher that I am aware of that publishes all their books in non-DRMed electronic format, at the same time as the hardcover for a fraction of the price. Most other publishers using DRM charge the same price as a hardcover even though the overhead is much less. Amazon who is charging less than normal hardcover price (aprx $10) is still charging more than Baen. I am not a thief so why should publishers treat me like one? In fact, their attitudes make me want to rip them off. Where as, when I read a book in Baen’s free library that I enjoy I purchase the electronic copy and often a dead tree version as well. Sell electronic books in an open format for a reasonable price and people like me will buy them. The authors only seem to benefit from having their books available. Several of Baen’s authors have reported increased sales in their backlist when they add a book the free library. I believe that the majority of people will live up or down to expectations. If we as a society expect everyone to be a thief,even as we condemn it; we are making theft the standard of behavior. It is a subtle errosion of society.

]]> By: richpm http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/comment-page-1/#comment-700798 richpm Tue, 29 Jan 2008 02:56:03 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/#comment-700798 For my purposes I prefer a DRMed ebook to paper books. - <strong>I want authors and publishers to be re-assured they will get paid for their work</strong> and in return I get a lower price when buying their book. - Unprotected ebooks will simply destroy the ability of authors (except the mega-stars) from earning a living, as many if not most people will not pay for what they can readily get for free. - Anyone can publish through Amazon - try to publish through a paper book publisher. - I get to read the first chapter before I decide to buy the book - which I can't do with paper. - ebooks have a lower cost to me, are easier to carry and store. I am also getting newspaper subscriptions. If I loose my Kindle, I can just get a new one and load all I have purchased. I have never recovered a book that was lost or stolen. Paper books have "DRM" built in as using a copy machine is time consuming and costs about as much as the actual book. - ebooks and enewspapers are GREEN. Books and Newspapers are carbon-energy intensive ways to publish. For my purposes I prefer a DRMed ebook to paper books.

- I want authors and publishers to be re-assured they will get paid for their work and in return I get a lower price when buying their book.

- Unprotected ebooks will simply destroy the ability of authors (except the mega-stars) from earning a living, as many if not most people will not pay for what they can readily get for free.

- Anyone can publish through Amazon - try to publish through a paper book publisher.

- I get to read the first chapter before I decide to buy the book - which I can’t do with paper.

- ebooks have a lower cost to me, are easier to carry and store. I am also getting newspaper subscriptions. If I loose my Kindle, I can just get a new one and load all I have purchased. I have never recovered a book that was lost or stolen.

Paper books have “DRM” built in as using a copy machine is time consuming and costs about as much as the actual book.

- ebooks and enewspapers are GREEN. Books and Newspapers are carbon-energy intensive ways to publish.

]]> By: Misha Sestak http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/comment-page-1/#comment-686116 Misha Sestak Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:21:31 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/#comment-686116 I am really getting fed up with Amazon and Mobipocket. I have some ebooks that I purchased a year or two ago, through sites other than Amazon or Mobi, that now cannot be downloaded. They generate an error that the title is "no longer registered for that retailer." I can keep a cheap paperback copy on my bookshelf for decades, but this ebook becomes useless after only a couple years. So, if I bought a Kindle, I'd be even more tied to these DRM curmudgeons. No thanks! Baen Books has not gone under though they have a website selling DRM free multiformat ebooks, so I don't think publishers need a universal file format or DRM for ebooks to succeed, and I am sure consumers do not. I am really getting fed up with Amazon and Mobipocket. I have some ebooks that I purchased a year or two ago, through sites other than Amazon or Mobi, that now cannot be downloaded. They generate an error that the title is “no longer registered for that retailer.” I can keep a cheap paperback copy on my bookshelf for decades, but this ebook becomes useless after only a couple years. So, if I bought a Kindle, I’d be even more tied to these DRM curmudgeons. No thanks!

Baen Books has not gone under though they have a website selling DRM free multiformat ebooks, so I don’t think publishers need a universal file format or DRM for ebooks to succeed, and I am sure consumers do not.

]]> By: john http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/comment-page-1/#comment-675126 john Thu, 27 Dec 2007 14:39:10 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/#comment-675126 could some one post a walk thru on the python script, this is not going easy for me. thanks could some one post a walk thru on the python script, this is not going easy for me.
thanks

]]> By: Mike Cane http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/comment-page-1/#comment-658554 Mike Cane Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:52:58 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/#comment-658554 >>>I mean, couldn’t I just as easily argue that Sony *created* BBeB specifically to hurt independent sellers who tended to use DRMed PDF, Mobi or MS Lit? Sony's argument to me was that the BBeB format was the only one -- at that time -- that permitted reflowable text at different typesizes. I have not paid any attention to ebook file formats and their individual format limitations, so I can't judge whether what Sony told me is true or not. Just passing on what I was told. Until everyone rallies around a universal ebook file format and a consumer-friendly method of deterring theft, ebook growth will remain stunted. >>>I mean, couldn’t I just as easily argue that Sony *created* BBeB specifically to hurt independent sellers who tended to use DRMed PDF, Mobi or MS Lit?

Sony’s argument to me was that the BBeB format was the only one — at that time — that permitted reflowable text at different typesizes.

I have not paid any attention to ebook file formats and their individual format limitations, so I can’t judge whether what Sony told me is true or not. Just passing on what I was told.

Until everyone rallies around a universal ebook file format and a consumer-friendly method of deterring theft, ebook growth will remain stunted.

]]> By: Tamas Simon http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/comment-page-1/#comment-658445 Tamas Simon Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:08:52 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/#comment-658445 hi Brian I agree about HTML. SONY Reader does not support it. There are utilities to convert HTML into SONY's LRF format... these more or less work. It's usually a hassle though. The Kindle has an "experimental" web browser, that would be a cool thing when it matures. I don't have hands-on experience with it. Cat, this email conversion sounds good. Would provide a way to read more blogs. Unless Amazon sets a limit :) It's kind of weird to have a webservice implemented via email... hi Brian

I agree about HTML.
SONY Reader does not support it.
There are utilities to convert HTML into SONY’s LRF format… these more or less work.
It’s usually a hassle though.

The Kindle has an “experimental” web browser, that would be a cool thing when it matures. I don’t have hands-on experience with it.

Cat, this email conversion sounds good.
Would provide a way to read more blogs.
Unless Amazon sets a limit :)

It’s kind of weird to have a webservice implemented via email…

]]> By: Cat Faber http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/comment-page-1/#comment-657610 Cat Faber Fri, 14 Dec 2007 01:49:39 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/#comment-657610 Tamas writes "but since PDF, RTF and HTML are not natively supported you have two options convert to MOBI and load it through USB; use Mazon conversion and pay for the download." No, you have a third option--e-mail it to Amazon for conversion and have Amazon e-mail it back to your computer. This is free. You then use the included USB cord to move the file from your computer to your Kindle. Furthermore, though the converted file Amazon e-mails you has an azw extension, it is actually unsecured Mobipocket, and can be displayed by any e-book reader or program that can handle Mobipocket if you just reset the extension to prc. Tamas writes “but since PDF, RTF and HTML are not natively supported you have two options convert to MOBI and load it through USB; use Mazon conversion and pay for the download.”

No, you have a third option–e-mail it to Amazon for conversion and have Amazon e-mail it back to your computer. This is free. You then use the included USB cord to move the file from your computer to your Kindle.

Furthermore, though the converted file Amazon e-mails you has an azw extension, it is actually unsecured Mobipocket, and can be displayed by any e-book reader or program that can handle Mobipocket if you just reset the extension to prc.

]]> By: Brian Carnell http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/comment-page-1/#comment-657518 Brian Carnell Fri, 14 Dec 2007 01:19:02 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/#comment-657518 BTW, my big fear with the Kindle is not that they're going to look at my books, etc., etc. I think the big fear with the wireless is that one day they'll decide that they're losing too much to the non-DRMed Mobipocket sellers like Fictionwise and push an update that would disable that as well. Sure a few nerds like me would be upset, but I bet 95% of the folks who buy the Kindle will only ever use it with AZW files. Tamas, I have used a Sony Reader in stores but haven't ever had one to really test. Does the Sony Reader natively support HTML? Personally, I think it is next to criminal not to ship an ebook device that doesn't natively support HTML. Amazon should have done so for the Kindle. Hopefully someone will figure out a hack into fooling the Kindle into viewing HTML on an SD card the same way it reads HTML over the EVDO network. BTW, my big fear with the Kindle is not that they’re going to look at my books, etc., etc. I think the big fear with the wireless is that one day they’ll decide that they’re losing too much to the non-DRMed Mobipocket sellers like Fictionwise and push an update that would disable that as well. Sure a few nerds like me would be upset, but I bet 95% of the folks who buy the Kindle will only ever use it with AZW files.

Tamas,

I have used a Sony Reader in stores but haven’t ever had one to really test. Does the Sony Reader natively support HTML?

Personally, I think it is next to criminal not to ship an ebook device that doesn’t natively support HTML. Amazon should have done so for the Kindle. Hopefully someone will figure out a hack into fooling the Kindle into viewing HTML on an SD card the same way it reads HTML over the EVDO network.

]]> By: Tamas Simon http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/comment-page-1/#comment-657425 Tamas Simon Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:45:35 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/#comment-657425 Thanks Brian, I think the Kindle would be great with a proper software so that you could use it with a computer through USB. The good thing is that it is recognized as a USB mass storage device, but since PDF, RTF and HTML are not natively supported you have two options convert to MOBI and load it through USB; use Mazon conversion and pay for the download. I think DBD's campaign is important so people understand what exactly they're paying for when buying content. Thanks Brian,

I think the Kindle would be great with a proper software so that you could use it with a computer through USB.

The good thing is that it is recognized as a USB mass storage device, but since PDF, RTF and HTML are not natively supported you have two options
convert to MOBI and load it through USB; use Mazon conversion and pay for the download.

I think DBD’s campaign is important so people understand what exactly they’re paying for when buying content.

]]> By: Steve P. http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/comment-page-1/#comment-657384 Steve P. Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:25:54 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/#comment-657384 If amazon doesn't want this to work all they have to do is have mobi change the drm server that all the independent ebook stores use so it won't allow kindle PIDS to be serviced from non-kindle bookstores. This would take maybe a short day of work for the mobi engineers. But really, why don't they just open up kindle for mobi sales? Does multi-billion dollar Amazon really fear little Fictionwise and BooksOnBoard? If amazon doesn’t want this to work all they have to do is have mobi change the drm server that all the independent ebook stores use so it won’t allow kindle PIDS to be serviced from non-kindle bookstores.

This would take maybe a short day of work for the mobi engineers.

But really, why don’t they just open up kindle for mobi sales? Does multi-billion dollar Amazon really fear little Fictionwise and BooksOnBoard?

]]> By: Brian Carnell http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/comment-page-1/#comment-657226 Brian Carnell Thu, 13 Dec 2007 23:10:58 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2007/12/12/kindle-swindle-tag-campaign-from-defectivebydesignorg/#comment-657226 "But, Brian, doesn’t Amazon say it has the right to poke inside your Kindle? Not sure if Sony claims that right and if it’s as easy since the Reader is normally offline." Yes, that certainly is a major difference. "Nothing existed before BBeB. A major issue with Amazon is whether it cooked up the DRMed Kindle format to, say, hurt the indies using Mobi." I'm not sure what you mean by "Nothing existed before BBeB." I mean, couldn't I just as easily argue that Sony *created* BBeB specifically to hurt independent sellers who tended to use DRMed PDF, Mobi or MS Lit? Clearly, companies who develop ebook readers tend to go all control freak on consumers, which runs exactly opposite to the openness of p-books. “But, Brian, doesn’t Amazon say it has the right to poke inside your Kindle? Not sure if Sony claims that right and if it’s as easy since the Reader is normally offline.”

Yes, that certainly is a major difference.

“Nothing existed before BBeB. A major issue with Amazon is whether it cooked up the DRMed Kindle format to, say, hurt the indies using Mobi.”

I’m not sure what you mean by “Nothing existed before BBeB.” I mean, couldn’t I just as easily argue that Sony *created* BBeB specifically to hurt independent sellers who tended to use DRMed PDF, Mobi or MS Lit? Clearly, companies who develop ebook readers tend to go all control freak on consumers, which runs exactly opposite to the openness of p-books.

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