Baen’s e-book freebie for astronauts: The anti-DRM angle
E-books and outer space—what a natural combo, as indicated by the presence of e-tablets in the works of Arthur C. Clarke and others! A few years ago we learned that astronauts apprently were using a Hewlett Packard PDA to enjoy e-books aboard the International Space Station.
Now Baen is making all of its more than 600 Webscriptions books available to the station’s astronauts for free in nonencryted formats (SFScope and Media Bistro). Great idea, especially Baen’s usual lack of DRM.
Jeez, can you imagine DRM in outer space? Imagine having to check in with the corporate Mothership, even while you’re orbiting on the far side of the moon. Or suffering less-than-real time radio contact?
And speaking of e-book evangelism: The IDPF will exhibit at BookExpo America and hold seminars on ePub and other topics. Good move.
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