Update On Free eBooks From eReader.com

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.ereader.com/promo">http://www.ereader.com/promo</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=35078">Last week we notified you </a>that eReader.com was giving away a free ebook a day in December. In my post I said <i>"These are probably books that are out of copyright and normally cost a few dollars, which is the charge for formatting them. Still, this is much better than downloading raw text at Gutenberg and trying to get it into a nice ebook. "</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.ehansberry.com/pages/pocketpc/palmreader.gif" /> I am quite happy to report that statement was incorrect! :way to go: Today, they are giving away a recent book called <a href="http://www.ereader.com/product/detail/12454">Star Trek: New Frontier: Stone and Anvil</a>. So, head over their daily and check out their offerings. I missed the past few days, so no telling what goodies I skipped. :oops: <br /><br /><span style="color:green">Note to self: Set up repeating task on my Pocket PC to check out the book a day at eReader.com.</span> :mrgreen:

[crashdau]

Hey Ed. Is there anyway to find out what was released on each day so you know what you missed out on?

[ctmagnus]

Saturday's, Sunday's amd Monday's books (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=307927#307927)

(listing only, no downloads)

[WindWalker]

Indeed, the book on Friday was the 9/11 Commission Report. They aren't giving away "The DaVinci Code" or anything, but they also aren't completely cheaping out either. Kudos to them.

[jonathanchoo]

These are the ones from 3rd Dec

Star Trek: New Frontier: Stone and Anvil by Peter David

At Christmas Time by Anton Chekhov

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad

The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States by National Commission on Terrorist Attacks

[McFLY]

The site may be totally reputable, but I will never enter my credit card number to get something for free. It's shady. Come on guys, design your database so that you can work without it.

[Paragon]

The site may be totally reputable, but I will never enter my credit card number to get something for free. It's shady. Come on guys, design your database so that you can work without it.

You credit card is the method of DRM with eReader. It is very effective...just as Ed. ;)

Since at least some of these books are still DRM protected they need to be protected and licenced to you, the person they gave them to.

[phillypocket]

The site may be totally reputable, but I will never enter my credit card number to get something for free. It's shady. Come on guys, design your database so that you can work without it.

I was going to give this a look but now.... :evil:

I may be in the minority, but there is no way I'm going to enter a credit card number for a free book either. Nor would I do it for a drm scheme.

[sfjlittel]

Too bad you need a credit card... I don't have one.

[jonathanchoo]

Personally I think palmreader/ereader's DRM scheme is one of the best out there. It is obvious that a sort of DRM is needed for e-book distribution but its clever for the original developers of eReader (PeanutPress) not to tie down its users to devices (like MSReader).

The reason why eReader still needs to DRM'ed those 'free' e-books are so it is tied to the user who 'bought' it. They do not want people to illegally distribute it. It is free only for that day and for the people who have accounts.

[Ed Hansberry]

The site may be totally reputable, but I will never enter my credit card number to get something for free. It's shady. Come on guys, design your database so that you can work without it.

I was going to give this a look but now.... :evil:

I may be in the minority, but there is no way I'm going to enter a credit card number for a free book either. Nor would I do it for a drm scheme.
Just curious. How would you propose they deliver this to you with assurances that you won't share it? They can either lock it to the device with complex software and make it a pain for you to transfer to a newer Pocket PC later, or you can open an account with them and they can encrypt it using a one way hash derived from your credit card number. The only way you'd share it is if you also shared your credit card - something you aren't likely to do. :D

[maximus]

... and what happened when you change credit card number ?

[christak]

The site may be totally reputable, but I will never enter my credit card number to get something for free. It's shady. Come on guys, design your database so that you can work without it.

I was going to give this a look but now.... :evil:

I may be in the minority, but there is no way I'm going to enter a credit card number for a free book either. Nor would I do it for a drm scheme.
Just curious. How would you propose they deliver this to you with assurances that you won't share it? ... :D

How does Handango do it? They are giving away free app's every week through the end of the year and don't need a credit card number... I'm sorry that I'll miss out on the freebie, but I'm not typing in a credit card number... Full name or address wouldn't be a problem, but a credit card is asking too much for this IMHO...

:|

[Janak Parekh]

... and what happened when you change credit card number ?
You can transfer your ebooks to a new credit card number. So yes, you could have a "sharing" backdoor by changing your credit card frequently, but I think if you try to transfer too frequently they'll notice.

--janak

[Janak Parekh]

How does Handango do it? They are giving away free app's every week through the end of the year and don't need a credit card number... I'm sorry that I'll miss out on the freebie, but I'm not typing in a credit card number... Full name or address wouldn't be a problem, but a credit card is asking too much for this IMHO...
Handango managed to negotiate freebies with small software publishers, which is an entirely different thing than large book publishers. The latter often won't release ebooks without some DRM.

Of all companies to trust your credit card with, I think I put eReader high up on the list. They've been around forever (previously known as Peanut Press and Palm Digital Media), and have had a very good reputation for those years. Now if only they released a fully VGA-aware version of their reader so it doesn't need any third-party hack...

--janak

[ignar]

If you see it as "buying" an ebook for $0.00, giving credit card number will be a bit easier. :)

Personally, I have no problem with that. I guess that's because I've been a customer for some time, and I like its service and DRM policy.

[limit]

pls forgive my ignorance, what program is needed to view these ebooks.

[christak]

...Of all companies to trust your credit card with, I think I put eReader high up on the list. They've been around forever (previously known as Peanut Press and Palm Digital Media), and have had a very good reputation for those years. ...

--janak

Good to know -- Honestly, I had forgotten (can I blame "old age"?) that eReader was formerly Peanut Press... That does make a difference.
8)

[T-Will]

Crap, I need to kick myself in the pants for not reading this right! I thought this promo was for MS Reader books not eReader so I blew it off...

[Jonathan1]

#$)*@#. So when is the freaking expiration time each day?! It’s obviously not 11:59AM CST because the blasted book is back up to $5 at 11:22PM. Wanted to see if Star Trek books had made their way out of the gutter. Guess I won't find out now. :? Yes its $5. But after about 2 dozen ST books I realised that hey. This stuff is really crap and haven't looked at them since.

[Jonathan1]

pls forgive my ignorance, what program is needed to view these ebooks.

the reader that is on their site. Palm Reader

[Jonathan1]

The site may be totally reputable, but I will never enter my credit card number to get something for free. It's shady. Come on guys, design your database so that you can work without it.

Get real. It’s not called Digital Rights Management for nothing. You enter your CC to authenticate the book. That is how YOU own the book not someone else and its a heck of a better system then Microsoft has.

[sylvangale]

In real life when you make an online purchase you usually provide a credit card number for said purchase. That is how ereader operates... they just lowered the price of some books to $0.00 as a Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanzaa/Yule gift for ereader users.

FYI... your credit card number is NOT embedded in the ebook. They formulate a number from your credit card number which cannot be traced back to your credit card HOWEVER they DO embed your full name on the ebooks as such. Which is fine and dandy... unless you like to distribute ebooks (for shame).

[jonathanchoo]

... and what happened when you change credit card number ?

As long as you do not purchase a book, and just buying 'free' books then its fine. My eReader account is still embedded with my old CC which has long since expired.

BTW, today's free e-book is H.G. Well's classic The Time Machine.

[Ed Hansberry]

December 8
Time Machine
HG Wells.

www.ereader.com/promo

[McFLY]

The site may be totally reputable, but I will never enter my credit card number to get something for free. It's shady. Come on guys, design your database so that you can work without it.

Get real. It’s not called Digital Rights Management for nothing. You enter your CC to authenticate the book. That is how YOU own the book not someone else and its a heck of a better system then Microsoft has.

I realize that. I also realize the fact that credit cards are for spending money, not identifying people. They could simply identify you with a UID and a PIN, randomly generate a unique psuedo-credit card number to be used for the DRM, and associate them in their system.

Would you be comfortable if you had to give them your social security number too? Just because it's a unique identifier that many people have, it doesn't make it the right one to use.

eReader is probably a totally trustworthy site. I may eventually by some books from them, and when I do I'll give them my CC#. Until then, the fewer sites storing my info, the better.

[phillypocket]

The site may be totally reputable, but I will never enter my credit card number to get something for free. It's shady. Come on guys, design your database so that you can work without it.

I was going to give this a look but now.... :evil:

I may be in the minority, but there is no way I'm going to enter a credit card number for a free book either. Nor would I do it for a drm scheme.
Just curious. How would you propose they deliver this to you with assurances that you won't share it? They can either lock it to the device with complex software and make it a pain for you to transfer to a newer Pocket PC later, or you can open an account with them and they can encrypt it using a one way hash derived from your credit card number. The only way you'd share it is if you also shared your credit card - something you aren't likely to do. :D


Well... they could provide it in MSreader format. My passport works just fine, and doesn't have a credit card attached to it. :D I support the DRM that's most convienent for me.... not for them.

BTW, I'm not faulting them for their choice. Their method is just not for me. And I can live with that. 8)

[McFLY]

If you see it as "buying" an ebook for $0.00, giving credit card number will be a bit easier. :)

Personally, I have no problem with that. I guess that's because I've been a customer for some time, and I like its service and DRM policy.

I think this is a good promotion for existing customers since they've already got your card. It's probably not the right way to draw suspicious new people (like me :wink: ) in.

[coder33404]

I have been getting one book a day since it started and you for the The Land That Time Forgot, which is what I'm reading right now. It's great. 0X

[Ed Hansberry]

The site may be totally reputable, but I will never enter my credit card number to get something for free. It's shady. Come on guys, design your database so that you can work without it.

Get real. It’s not called Digital Rights Management for nothing. You enter your CC to authenticate the book. That is how YOU own the book not someone else and its a heck of a better system then Microsoft has.

I realize that. I also realize the fact that credit cards are for spending money, not identifying people.

1. Airports use credit cards to identify people. I swipe it all of the time at the checkin kiosks.

2. eReader gets your credit card when you buy stuff. If you never do any business with them and only want the freebies, I think your concerns are falling on deaf ears. If, on the other hand, it gets you to open an account with them, you both win. You got some free books and eReader got a new potential customer.

It amazes me how much people can complain over free things. :roll:

[weisco]

AMEN! Ed is correct--why are people whining over something that is FREE.

So maybe I'm biased. I have been using eReader software for a few years and I think their DRM system is the best I have encountered. From eReaders perspective, people are probably not likely to hand out their credit card number so their books are protected. For users, I don't have to worry that I will use up my available registrations aka: Microsoft (From upgrades &amp; defective units I've had four PPC's in three years).

I have NEVER had an issue with an online company misusing my credit card.

If someone from eReader is reading this forum...I think the Pro Version of your software is excellent (I challenge anyone to compare it to MS Reader &amp; disagree). Most of us think your FREE promotion is great. Thanks for offering it.

[jonathanchoo]

1. Airports use credit cards to identify people. I swipe it all of the time at the checkin kiosks.


Do they? I thought they use passports!

[T-Will]

Dangit I would have like to download Time Machine, but it's already 10PM PST........... :roll:

[jonathanchoo]

December 9th

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
by Mark Twain

[weisco]

jonathanchoo--at the airport in the U.S., we can use credit cards to check in at automatic kiosks for U.S. flights. We have to show id (drivers license, passport etc. when going through security).

We only need passports for international flights.

[Jonathan1]

They could simply identify you with a UID and a PIN, randomly generate a unique psuedo-credit card number to be used for the DRM, and associate them in their system.
And there's the rub of it. You are totally dependant on their systems. Just as you are dependant on MS to never change the way reader activates else you and all the existing ebooks you own are screwed. 20 years from now, assuming I can even run ereader on a system by then, the company that provides the e-books for ereader could have closed up shop, taken all their servers down, the internet as we know it could implode and I can still access my e-books simply because neither the reader nor the books themselves have to "call home to mama".
This is what makes peanutpress's (Or whoever they are now.) system so much better then everyone else's. The fact that you have to hand over a cc doesn't detract from the fact that it’s the best DRM system on the market short of none and that just ISN'T going to happen. Your expectations from a business that needs to cater to the demands of the industry are unrealistic. They have provided the most flexible method of DRM. Period.


Would you be comfortable if you had to give them your social security number too? Just because it's a unique identifier that many people have, it doesn't make it the right one to use.

No because the diff being that I can cancel my ccard anytime I want. Not only that but in most cases now a days there is fraud protection on multiple levels. The comparisons aren’t even realistic. It’s next to impossible to alter your SSN at least not without going through a ton of red tape. But the simple fact doesn't change that they aren't asking for a SSN. They are asking for a CCard. There is a simple solution here. You don't like it don't use the system. The rest of us who aren't concerned about a very creditable business using our cards for ill-gotten gains will enjoy these books.

eReader is probably a totally trustworthy site. I may eventually by some books from them, and when I do I'll give them my CC#. Until then, the fewer sites storing my info, the better.

*shrugs* Your choice. Your loss.

[Ed Hansberry]

December 10
Some Christmas Stories
By Charles Dickens

http://www.ereader.com/promo

[digital843]

I see the book as $5.12 in your link and not at all in the free books.

John

[Darius Wey]

I see the book as $5.12 in your link and not at all in the free books.

It's actually on the screen of the PDA picture in nice, big font. It's definitely a free download from what I can see.

[Ed Hansberry]

December 11, 2004
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Samuel Clemens :wink:

http://www.ereader.com/promo

[ipaqgeek]

...In my post I said "These are probably books that are out of copyright and normally cost a few dollars, which is the charge for formatting them. Still, this is much better than downloading raw text at Gutenberg and trying to get it into a nice ebook. "

http://www.ehansberry.com/pages/pocketpc/palmreader.gif I am quite happy to report that statement was incorrect! :way to go:

Perhaps a little too hasty in that assessment. There's been a couple of copyrighted works, but most of these titles are in the public domain, already available in other reader formats.

[Steven Cedrone]

12 Stories and a Dream by H.G. Wells today... :D

Steve

[Ed Hansberry]

December 13, 2004
The Art of War
Sun Tzu

www.ereader.com/promo

[emuelle1]

I don't know if it's fair to say that people who aren't comfortable with giving their Credit Card number away are whining over free stuff. Forgive me if that is a twisting of words. It is a legitimate concern when you consider all of the scams and identity theft going on out there. Court TV had a one hour "Holiday Safety" program about a week ago. That alone is enough to make you wary.

I have no doubts that this emerchant is highly trustworthy. However, producing a credit card number is not a task to be taken lightly in modern society.

I'm about to start lecturing restaurants. When I produce my checkcard to pay for a meal, I always lay it face down. This is so that the numbers can't be read. It's always brought back to me face up, and a lot of places, especially the Chinese buffets, have your entire number printed on the receipt. Sure, guys, let's make it challenging for someone to steal your number.

[Ed Hansberry]

December 14, 2004

Tarzan of the Apes
Edgar Rice Burroughs

http://www.ereader.com/promo

[Ed Hansberry]

December 15
The Secret Garden
Francis Hodgson Burnett

http://www.ereader.com/promo

[Ed Hansberry]

December 16, 2004
Anna Karenina
By Leo Tolstoy

www.ereader.com/promo

[Ed Hansberry]

December 17, 2004
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Emmuska Orczy

www.ereader.com/promo

[T-Will]

December 19, 2004
The War of the Worlds
by H. G. Wells

www.ereader.com/promo

Dangit Ed...missed two books cause you didn't post for the past two days...you're slackin' on the job... :wink:

[Ed Hansberry]

Dangit Ed...missed two books cause you didn't post for the past two days...you're slackin' on the job... :wink:
ARG!!! I had something going on yesterday and this AM. Sorry. :oops:

[Jeremiah]

Have you checked this link...

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2838

It shows all free ereader e-books, including those for the next coming days.

[Ed Hansberry]

December 20, 2004
The Bird's Chirstmas Carol
by Kate Douglas Wiggin

www.ereader.com/promo

Awesome link by the way Jeremiah. December 21 and 30 look like dates to watch out for for those interested in those series. (serieses? :-) )

[Steven Cedrone]

Damn, I wish I didn't miss War of the Worlds...

Steve

[Hx4700]

Rather than signing up on another site -- I want to thank Morpheus here for providing the list of ebooks to come.
On one hand, I'm kinda of disappointed that there are only three relatively new books in a month of freebies.
On the other hand -- that's three new books I get for free - plus 2 more 'old' ones I thought might be interesting. As a previous member of eReader, it was no effort to get the new and old books I chose to download.
So 5 free interesting (to me) ebooks is not a complete wipeout -- so why get too upset????
IMHO... Ron...

[Ed Hansberry]

December 21, 2004
Body Of Evidence
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation #4
by Max Allan Collins

www.ereader.com/promo

[Ed Hansberry]

December 22
Study of the King James Bible
Cleland Boyd McAfee

www.ereader.com/promo

[maximus]

December 21, 2004
Body Of Evidence
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation #4
by Max Allan Collins

www.ereader.com/promo

Doh. I missed this one.

[Steven Cedrone]

December 24th
The Night Before Christmas
By Clement Clarke Moore

http://www.ereader.com/promo

[ctmagnus]

Doh. I missed this one.

It's surprising how many hardcore Pocket PC users don't know about simple things like recurring tasks/appointments ;)

[Darius Wey]

December 25th
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens

http://www.ereader.com/promo

[Darius Wey]

December 26th
Little Women
By Louisa May Alcott

http://www.ereader.com/promo

[ctmagnus]

Ya, but that's still two hours away ;)

[Darius Wey]

Ya, but that's still two hours away ;)

No. It's well and truly December 26 on my turf. eReader.com has been updated as well. ;)

[Darius Wey]

December 27th
The Thirty-Nine Steps
By John Buchan

http://www.ereader.com/promo

[Darius Wey]

December 28th
The Last of the Mohicans
By James Fenimore Cooper

http://www.ereader.com/promo

[Darius Wey]

December 29th
Robinson Crusoe
By Daniel Defoe

http://www.ereader.com/promo

[Darius Wey]

December 30th
Star Trek: Enterprise: Shockwave
By Paul Ruditis

http://www.ereader.com/promo

[Ed Hansberry]

December 30th
Star Trek: Enterprise: Shockwave
By Paul Ruditis

http://www.ereader.com/promo
You keep jumping the gun. It is still the 29th here and at ereader.com. :wink:

[Darius Wey]

You keep jumping the gun. It is still the 29th here and at ereader.com. :wink:

Oops... I keep forgetting I'm a day ahead of everyone else. :bangin:

[Ed Hansberry]

Ok, now go get the Star Trek book. :)

[Darius Wey]

Ok, now go get the Star Trek book. :)

:razz: :D

[Darius Wey]

December 31st
Andersen's Fairy Tales
By Hans Christian Andersen

http://www.ereader.com/promo

And a happy new year to all. :)