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| Should sold ebooks have a license key to limit viewing? |
| Yes-allow viewing on only purchasers PC |
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0% |
[ 0 ] |
| Yes-allow viewing on any computer with purchaser's license key (password) |
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28% |
[ 2 ] |
| Yes-allow purchaser to install it on 2-3 computers only |
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0% |
[ 0 ] |
| Yes, but not until the software glitches are resolved |
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14% |
[ 1 ] |
| No-usually not |
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14% |
[ 1 ] |
| No-never |
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42% |
[ 3 ] |
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| Total Votes : 7 |
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| Author |
Message |
mdr02125
Joined:
13 Jan 2004
Posts:
146
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 2:06 am
Post subject: ebooks - to lock with license key or not?
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PDFs are great for many things, including ebooks. my adobe reader v. 5 prompted me to upgrade and I was going to do it, but I hapened to notice a lot of people having trouble with the new version and how it offers ways for ebook sellers to have a license key, etc. It also appears a lot of people running Windows XP are having touble with Adobe Reader v. 6 even aside from the license key issue.
In short, apparently, users can only use the ebook on one computer (not at home and at work even) which leads to a lot of angry users. SOme apparently bought a new computer or had a hard disk crash and were not able to open certain PDF ebooks after that. Apparently adobe on limited basis will "reset" this for users but some ebook sellers are lobbying adobe hard to never do that.... I don't exactly know how this works, but that's the general idea.
Microsoft has also come out with a reader.
so, my question is for opinions on selling ebooks do you think it should have a license key or password to prevent buyers from sending it around to others ?
We are at a certain point in history and I suppose soon enough the technical issues will be resolved that will let me use my ebooks on any computer I want to use it on --perhaps even on when I travel to visit grandma's (on her computer or when I rent time at Kinkos), without letting me loan it to my friend (he has to buy a copy). Still if i buy a paper book I can loan it to my firend without sending a check to the publisher.
then, there is also the question of printing - do you allow it or not?
Mark
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Debs
Joined:
16 Aug 2003
Posts:
4296
Location:
NY
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 3:12 am
Post subject:
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Personally I think printing should be allowed. Not everyone wants to sit at the computer to read a long book. Plus, it can be essential to the buyer (espcially with internet marketing ebooks) to be able to print and make notes in the columns of the pages so they can understand the concepts presented, and remember them.
As far as key access is concerned, yes, I think it is a much needed aspect of marketing/selling ebooks. I think, however, that a "one time only" access key is harsh. A key should allow maybe 5 access times for downloading to a new computer, or reinstalling. This would cover the need to have it on several computers for work and home, as well as those nasty crashes and reformats. After that, an additional key could be purchased.
As far as lending the ebook? Print it out, then lend it, no problem  Lending via the internet would also falls under that 5 key limit I mentioned above.
Debs
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tmendham
Joined:
30 Aug 2003
Posts:
31
Location:
Edinburgh
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 9:14 pm
Post subject:
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With my user hat on: I wouldn't buy any ebook that restricted my ability to read it at any time on any computer. I wouldn't buy any ebook I couldn't print. Nor would I buy anysoftware that restricted my ability to back it up and restore it, possibly to a different PC.
Password access and/or stamping the book with my name are acceptable. Nothing more.
Yes I understand the piracy concerns, like I said that's the user in me speaking.
Put the interests of the user first. If you annoy the users then piracy won't be a problem because you'll not sell anything!
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OleTom
Joined:
03 Jan 2004
Posts:
94
Location:
Jax Beach FL
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 2:04 pm
Post subject:
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Hi All 
I voted no because one of the best things about writing your own eBooks it to fill them with links back to you by PW protecting it you lose that advertising
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Life is Good,OleTom
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thepoolroom
Joined:
11 Dec 2003
Posts:
89
Location:
Australia
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Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 2:19 am
Post subject:
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I hate ebooks and software with special passwords, licenses, activation, hardware dongles, etc. I've purchased several items over the years that I can no longer use, either because the original disks no longer work (and I couldn't copy them to keep a backup), or the dongle doesn't work with modern operating systems, or the password/license software doesn't work with modern OSes, or the company has gone out of business and can thus no longer provide registration/activation of the product, or whatever.
Now, if I buy software or an ebook, I make sure it doesn't have any of that stuff. Especially ebooks - they only need to be a PDF file, nothing more complex, and I need to be able to print it. That way, I'm protected against future technology changes, and I'm protected against the company disappearing. Whatever happens, I can still use the book I paid for.
As another poster suggested, by all means imprint the ebook with my name or some other identifiable ID. That should help catch pirates. But the people you least want to annoy are those that purchase your product - don't make them jump through hoops just to use something they bought!
I have heard of people who had such trouble using/activating registered software, that they returned it for a refund and then downloaded a pirate copy that had all the 'protection' removed. You definitely don't want to drive your customers to that!
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