Firmware Update to DRM for Jetbook

I too am running with a JB at software v0.34 Patch v15.

I wonder if it was a release that attempted to apply DRM but didn't work. probably no need to back out as the earlier firmware is built in.

Man March - that's the end of Q1 in business terminology - why so long? The word "Soon" usually means earlier than that. I bought my unit at the beginning of Feb.

They should post a change log history.

To tell you the truth I bought the JB thinking that it also had DRM. In the website adv it shows the JB then the JBL just below it and it gave me the impression that the added DRM support was for both units.

I returned an Aluratek Libre Pro that already had all the same format support plus DRM. I thought the JB would give me Dictionary look up but no that doesn't happen either. Now I have to wait to buy books because for some reason DRM across both JBL and JB is different???? What gives?

I am getting a little tired of Ectaco taking so long with the new firmware for the regular Jetbook. I have had mine for about 18 months and feel that they have abandoned the customers that bought the Jetbook in favor of new JBL customers. I won't forget!

Just thought I'd post an update that I'm still having no problem downloading pdb ebooks from the regular Barnes & Noble web site. I've been downloading the sample chapters first to see if they are pdb before downloading the ebook. I'm using the B&N eReader for PC to download the books then copying them to my sd card on the Jetbook Lite. I've downloaded around 10 books so far with no problem. The JBL remembers my account numbers and it installs the books and they are ready to go. Only when I downloaded two free ebooks from B&N did they send me Epub versions. I like the regular B&N site best because its prices are comparable to Amazon. So far so good.

Conan45 did you manage to get the free books as pbd afterwards or were they only offered in epub format.

No, the free ebooks were Epub only. But all the books I've purchased have been pdb so far, and like I said, I download samples first so I can see the format. You can't download samples for free ebooks. I don't really care about there free ebooks as many sites have better editions than the Google books on B&N, such as Munseys, and Project Gutenberg.
I usually download the prc/mobi files from the other sites as they seem to work well in the JBL.

That's not the point. If they offer free ebooks it should be either open epub which we could then read or they should provide a pdb version for those that don't have ePub support. Are they not in the business of attracking customers to their product.

I think ECTACO should re-think using pdb and resort to a more diverse format.

Actually all of the free books I've downloaded have been pdb. Granted, I haven't downloaded a lot and they have been old books (mostly Doyle's Holmes). I think it's a bit of a throw of the dice.

I have noticed that many of the free Google provided books have multiple copies of the same title available. Maybe they have the same book available in both epub and pdb and you just have to dig to find the right format for you. I guess I've just been lucky.

This latest thread seems to be discussing a file format that I don't know (pdb) can anyone explain what it is?

Pdb is the extension (like filename.pdb) used for document files in the eReader format. This format is a very robust one that is supported by the eReader program (from barnesandnoble.com, ereader.com, fictionwise.com) on Windows, Mac, Linux, Palm OS, Android, Blackberry, iPhone and iPod, Symbian, Windows Mobile / Pocket PC.

The ereader format supports DRM - copy protection. It is a very simple protection to deal with. When you purchase a book, you provide your name and credit card number. This information is processed and a value is embedded in the document - NOT the credit card number but a calculated figure. When you open the document, you enter your name and credit card number (with no spaces) and the device will open the document. Your personal info is NOT stored in the document - just a calculated hash.

Panagiotis

Here are a few links that will help explain the whole story behind e-books, e-readers and e-publishing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_rights_management
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_readers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_formats
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-books
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_publishing

Other resource areas

http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_formats
http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_devices
http://ebookarchitects.com/conversions/formats.php

BTW the JetBook Lite reads eReader (pdb) files both with and without DRM.

Panagiotis

green wrote:None of Jetbook Firmware versions support DRM.

We were planning to release updates in the beginning of 2010 but due to technical problems release was rescheduled for March.

Best Regards,

Pavel - technical support

Ectaco INC,

March already ended. Where is the updates. Why regular JetBook users cannot read same formats that JBL users. Unfair!!!!

They don't seem to have a problem running Adobe Digital Editions ePub on this unit. Look familar.

It may not have the Dictionary but I found that most of the words that I go to look up are not in the dictionary anyways.

http://www.aluratek.com/product_info.php?products_id=102&display=All