[Paragon]

Originally Posted by deniski

I love ebooks and wouldn't mind paying the same price as a hardcopy book IF I knew I would continue to have access to my book for as long as I wanted. I've already had problems with DRM ebooks after I upgrade MS Reader, and apparently if I change the email address I use to activate new versions of MS Reader, then I also lose the ability to read old ebooks I bought when I had a different ISP.

So for me, it's hard to get excited about putting my library all in e-format. For books I really want to keep (especially nonfiction), I will still buy hardcopies. sigh. I REALLY would like to take advantage of digital books to save space.... :cry:

Try this:

www.ereader.com

You can change your email as often as you like. You can change devices as often as you like. You can have it on as many devices as you like, including laptop's, tablet's, Mac's, Palm's, and Pocket PC's. They have a good selection of ebooks, and a very good reader appliction......you won't ever look back.

Good luck
Dave

[Paragon]

Originally Posted by deniski

I love ebooks and wouldn't mind paying the same price as a hardcopy book IF I knew I would continue to have access to my book for as long as I wanted. I've already had problems with DRM ebooks after I upgrade MS Reader, and apparently if I change the email address I use to activate new versions of MS Reader, then I also lose the ability to read old ebooks I bought when I had a different ISP.

So for me, it's hard to get excited about putting my library all in e-format. For books I really want to keep (especially nonfiction), I will still buy hardcopies. sigh. I REALLY would like to take advantage of digital books to save space.... :cry:

Try this:

www.ereader.com

You can change your email as often as you like. You can change devices as often as you like. You can have it on as many devices as you like, including laptop's, tablet's, Mac's, Palm's, and Pocket PC's. They have a good selection of ebooks, and a very good reader appliction......you won't ever look back.

Good luck
Dave

[Jorgen]

You can change devices as often as you like.

But what if you look at it long term? Even today you are forced to use the platforms you mention. No support for Sharp or other ereaders.

Jorgen

[ChristopherTD]

With eBooks you have a chance that technology/DRM/gremlins will prevent you accessing your book in 5 years time.

With paper books you have a chance that you will lose/lend/mislay the book in 5 years time (or give it away for lack of storage space).

In my case the probability of either event is roughly equal, and I feel moderately confident that I can shepherd my e-Book collection through any technology misadventure. So I have invested heavily in MSReader and eReader ebooks. I hope my faith is not misplaced!!

[Jorgen]

With paper books you have a chance that you will lose/lend/mislay the book in 5 years time (or give it away for lack of storage space)

If you don't think you have a problem: fine. However, for many of us:
1) I am just reading one of my favourite books (by Len Deighton) that I bought in 1968. I have plenty more from both before and after that year.
2) Give away: voluntary act where you choose which are to go.
3) Lose: again kind-of voluntary as you could do the extra effort and not lose it if you really wanted to.

Jorgen

[ChristopherTD]

I also have paper books of great age! I also have many data files on my computer from the early eighties. However, we are still in the very early days of assessing the longevity of digital content.

I think there is a widespread fear that over zealous DRM "may" prevent you reading a book that you purchased. I admit this is a possibility. The most likely long term problem with DRM ebooks is that the ebook provider may no longer be in existence and if the reader or books require unlocking then you are out of luck. In the event of MS ceasing to support Reader, or eReader closing up shop I am sure the user community will generate tools to unlock old books - the tools already exist.

To me DRM is just one hazard that could endanger my ebook library, just as my ebook library is immune to some of the hazards that could endanger my paper book library.

Having used MS Reader for a number of years on numerous devices I no more think about DRM when I buy a MS Reader book than I think about the possible fate of a paperback that I buy. I buy it, read it, store it, and with the blessing, I may read it again some day.

I am no fan of copy protection and avoid it where I can. I have used Quicken for almost 15 years but their latest version has driven me to MS Money because the Intuit Activation scheme locked me out of my accounts twice because of faults in their "detection" of changes to my machine.

I think the thing that seems to bother folks the most is that they don't have total control over a DRM book, which I agree is vexing.

[Jorgen]

Well, everything depends on the price. If a ebook (paperback-sized) costs, for the sake of the argument, $3 or less, I may accept the risks arising from DRM (though I may accept to pay a little more for newly published books). I would only have a problem if I found a book thay I "could not live without" - however, there is far between such books and I suppose I could buy a pbook as backup.

But everyone for his money!

Jorgen

[splat]

Try www.fictionwise.com

They have most of their books in multiple formats and only the secure books require DRMs.

And the also carry short stories and novellas at a very reduced price, free books and award winners (like the Galaxy awards) either free or greatly reduced in price. And excerpts from other books - usually for free - so you can see if you like it and subsequently buy them.

I enjoy the heck out of them - and they take PayPal as well.

I've found a few authors through them who I might not have found otherwise, as well as tunring a few of my friends on to them.

[Squid]

ChristopherTD said something that got me thinking along a similar vein:

However, we are still in the very early days of assessing the longevity of digital content.

We gave my grandfather an old computer to putz around on. He was interested in e-mailing in WWII buddies, and his kids/grandkids. After he got the thing he decided to write down his story. Experiences growing up, WWII, meeting grandma, starting a family, etc. Some really good stuff! Unfortunately he utilized an extremely old version of Lotus Notes to put it all into. After he passed away I had to jump through all sorts of crazy hoops to get them put into MS Word for me to use. I am looking about trying to digitally "publish" it for family members now.

My point is simply, as one form of DRM/Reader dies there will more than likely be some p***ed off geek with the gumption to get it converted to the new format. Not to worried about my purchases. Besides I rarely go back and reread old books. There are a few exceptions though.

Squid