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A good test book for checking eReader-format support  XML
Forum Index » jetBooks
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BlairH



Joined: 01/05/2010 00:32:34
Messages: 15
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Before this thread was sidetracked, Robert had made a very worthwhile suggestion. Rather than using an actual book, might it not be better to use a document specifically designed to stress a reader for a specific format? I know that various implementations of TeX and LateX, come with standard files that allow you to test both the implementation and your installation of the software. Such a document shouldn't be too hard to concoct.
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kmrowley



Joined: 12/31/2009 17:14:27
Messages: 106
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I'm a little surprised that there isn't some standardized test document available. But, I really don't know who would need to be the one that should be tasked with developing such a file and offering it.

I see the ebook industry as being at the stage that computer software was when PC first started showing up in homes. Back when everything was DOS based and there was no commonality between programs and the files that they used. I remember thinking back then, when deciding on buying some new program "Will this work on my machine?"

(cont.)
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kmrowley



Joined: 12/31/2009 17:14:27
Messages: 106
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(cont.)

I would probably buy more ebooks that I do now - if I knew for certain that the files would work with what I have. I haven't bought any books from B&N yet, simply because from what I read on their forums that you can't be certain if the books will be in PDB or EPUB format. And I'm not sure the B&N EPUB format works with my JBL. I would like to see a standardized test document be offered for download by all sellers, so that you could test the compatability of their ebooks with your device. I wouldn't even have to be a real "book", maybe just something filled with fake latin / Lorem Ipsum from a Lipsum generator.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 02/08/2010 07:42:49

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ezeechair



Joined: 02/13/2010 10:38:59
Messages: 82
Location: Ottawa, Canada
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Where can one go to find out more info on e-readers and what they support. I am refering more to the DRM side. I have the JetBook now but I did try out the Alurateck Libre Pro which is identical to the JB but hold the Dictionary and the PDF rendering is different. The Libre supported Adobe Digital Editions as it's drm manager. This allowed me to purchased a book from Kobo (Chapters). I switched to EB because of the Dictionary access. Being the same physical device and sporting the same range of formats I assumed that ADE would work with this unit as well.

Ezeechair
Retired
JetBook since Feb 2010
Aluratek Libre Pro since June 2010
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ezeechair



Joined: 02/13/2010 10:38:59
Messages: 82
Location: Ottawa, Canada
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Cont'd (boy is this lame)

Actually what I thought was the ADE on my PC would authorize my e-reader regardless of brand if I was able to hook it up to my PC via USB.

Being new to the whole reader scene I am getting very confused.

Now the JB doesn't support DRM period and if it did it would probably be non ADE compatable. I still don't understand why DRM has not been introduced to the JB when it exists for the JBL.

The whole scene is very disturbing. There should be a DRM available that is supported by all E-Book retailers and e-Readers(in general). I understand the need for DRM but it still shouldn't prevent me from shopping around for e-books.
Pricing, hardware, features and support should be what attracks you to a retailer whether ebooks or ereaders. DRM should not be part of that.

Just my opinion.


Ezeechair
Retired
JetBook since Feb 2010
Aluratek Libre Pro since June 2010
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ezeechair



Joined: 02/13/2010 10:38:59
Messages: 82
Location: Ottawa, Canada
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As DRM won't disappear we need an 3rd party Co that you obtain a personal ID from. Then as you go about purchasing e-books the Retailer, book title and key will be stored within your profile on that Co.'s server. Within your profile a record would be kept of what devices you own and what books you have (purchased). Non drm books would obiviously not be affected.

Using your ID code you manage your e-readers. There could be limits as to how many can exist in one profile at a time.

2 b cont'd

Ezeechair
Retired
JetBook since Feb 2010
Aluratek Libre Pro since June 2010
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ezeechair



Joined: 02/13/2010 10:38:59
Messages: 82
Location: Ottawa, Canada
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Cont'd
Should you have a hardware failure or replacement and you need a fresh copy you should be able to get one by logging into the retailer site and your id should be proof of purchase etc.
The cost of the DRM provider could be part of the e-book/e-reader sales as well as maybe a membership fee or maintenance fee. After all we are probably getting nailed for those cost as i8t is anyways.


Anyways that's how I see it should run.

Ezeechair
Retired
JetBook since Feb 2010
Aluratek Libre Pro since June 2010
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pgovotsos



Joined: 12/22/2009 14:30:04
Messages: 114
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ezeechair wrote:As DRM won't disappear we need an 3rd party Co that you obtain a personal ID from. Then as you go about purchasing e-books the Retailer, book title and key will be stored within your profile on that Co.'s server.


This is the main problem I have with most ebook DRM - authentication being handled by an external source. What if that source is out of service or goes away? What happens to my books? I can't read them.

That's one of my favorite things about the ereader format. A hash of the unlock info is stored in the file so you can download it (repeatedly if necessary) and read it on any device. When you open the book, just enter your name and credit card number used to encrypt the book and start reading.

I like this because it's a secure DRM (I'm not giving anyone my credit card#) and it gives me maximum flexibility (I can read it on anything that reads the format (which is any OS plus several dedicated ereaders).

Panagiotis
ezeechair



Joined: 02/13/2010 10:38:59
Messages: 82
Location: Ottawa, Canada
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Please eleaborate. Which format are you referring to? Which retailer deals that way? Which ereader? I am not being funny here I truely would like to know?

I have very little experience with all this and right now I feel I should abondon the whole concept. It's not that ahard to play CD's or DVD's.



Ezeechair
Retired
JetBook since Feb 2010
Aluratek Libre Pro since June 2010
[Email]
pgovotsos



Joined: 12/22/2009 14:30:04
Messages: 114
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Sorry the following is so long - I've tried to be a clear as I can. Some of the detalis with these formats might be glossed over a bit, but you'll get the main ideas.

eReader (DRMed pdb files from Barnes & Noble, Fictionwise, and many others) when you purchase the book, your purchase info is used to encrypt the book. A hash of your info is stored in the document (not the actual data, just a calculated value). Download the book. First time you open the book, it will ask you for the unlock info (name and credit card number - case sensitive and no spaces in CC#). Once downloaded, you can install anywhere you have a eReader compliant reader (JetBook Lite, nook, PC, Mac, PalmOS, Android, iPhone, Blackberry, Symbian, Windows Mobile / pocket PC), just enter the unlock info and read.

...

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 02/14/2010 03:57:03

pgovotsos



Joined: 12/22/2009 14:30:04
Messages: 114
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When you initially purchase the book, it's encoded and you can stick it anywhere, unlock it, and read it. Aside from the initial encryption from the seller, there is NO contact with the world needed. As long as you remember your name & credit card number, you can do whatever you want with it.

Effectively what this means is if you buy a book from B&N today and B&N close tomorrow, you can still enjoy your book forever.

...

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 02/14/2010 03:13:37

pgovotsos



Joined: 12/22/2009 14:30:04
Messages: 114
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Adobe PDF DRM documents are encrypted and you are validated by a central ADE server. If your vendor and/or the validation server goes away, bye bye book

EPUB DRM documents function the same with different validation source.

Mobipocket DRMed files are a little different. Each device used to read the book must be registered at Mobipocket - with a max of 4 or 5 devices currently registered (you can delete on and register another if you need to in the future). The book is encrypted so that only machines with current registrations can open the book. If you get a new device, you need to register it and redownload the book so the new devices ID is included in the encryption. If Mobipocket goes away, you can continue to read your books on any registered device, you just can't add/delete registrations and you can't redownload them because each time you do the seller contacts Mobipocket to get the IDs to encrypt with.

...

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 02/14/2010 03:22:04

pgovotsos



Joined: 12/22/2009 14:30:04
Messages: 114
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Kindle editions can only be downloaded and read by Kindles and iPhones and PCs. They can only be read on one Kindle or authorized iPhones or PC. PC & iPhones cannot read newspapers, magazines, or blogs. The books are downloaded and validated from Amazon server. If there is any disruption an their end, no new books and no validations. Also the books are only readable on 1 Kindle - if you get an additional or replacement one (for other than warranty reasons) you need to repurchase the books.

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pgovotsos



Joined: 12/22/2009 14:30:04
Messages: 114
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Sony reader books are again device dependant (Sony reader and / or PC). Only purchased from Sony, Borders, or other authorized sellers. Validation again from central server. PDF files validated with ADE. Others with their respective sources. I don't know if books can be transferred to a new device. This is the format I am least familiar with in the details.

Of course, rtf, txt, html, doc and other formats have no DRM and can be freely used as supported by your device.

...
pgovotsos



Joined: 12/22/2009 14:30:04
Messages: 114
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So you see why I like eReader the best of current DRM formats. It's a very robust and mature format. It supports pretty much all features you could want in a document (with the exception of image maps) and it's been time tested for over 10 years adding features as it goes - stabilizing (without the need for changes / updates other than new OS support) since 2004 (last date I found in changelog other than new OSes).

Once I purchase and download a book, I can do anything and go anywhere with it as long as I know my name and CC#. It's perfect both for seller and buyer. The seller knows you're not going to pass around your credit card number and, while I've seen many tools to do this with other formats, I haven't come across any tools to break the DRM on eReader books. It's perfect for the buyer because once he has the book, he's got it to do anything without interaction with, or interference from, any external source.

I hope this helps clarify formats.

Panagiotis

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 02/14/2010 03:47:16

 
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