![]() |
#1 |
Fully Converged
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 18,166
Karma: 14021202
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Switzerland
Device: Too many to count here.
|
Princeton University goes digital - the wrong way
![]() Alas, the e-books are encoded in DRM which pretty much spoils the potential success of this pilot project:
If this hasn't scared you off already, click here to read the rest in the press release. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Groupie
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 160
Karma: 3134
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: United States
Device: Palm Treo 700p & iPaq hx2755
|
Um, so keeping a "collection" of your college text books (which I do, even after 12 years) ... itsn't a possibility if you do the digital route via this method.
That sucks. I'd not participate. I do NOT like to waste my time and money, and that is exactly what this is. What brainiac thought of this plan?! Why the heck aren't they living here on earth with the rest of us, so they can get a CLUE! |
![]() |
![]() |
Advert | |
|
![]() |
#3 |
Uebermensch
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 2,583
Karma: 1094606
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Italy
Device: Kindle
|
This is a joke, isn't it? Why would anyone sane in his mind (especially at Princeton U) spent ANY money on a product that expires in five months?? This doesn't make sense. You get more back by selling used textbooks than you save by buying the electronic editions.
Silly people. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Nameless Being
|
Crack that sucker
You paid for the use of the book. The fact that there are all of these stipulations is crazy. I would just crack the pdf. PDF encryption is a joke now a days anyways.
|
![]() |
![]() |
#5 | |
Guru
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 914
Karma: 3410461
Join Date: May 2004
Device: Kindle Touch
|
Quote:
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
Advert | |
|
![]() |
#6 |
Little Computer Guy
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 73
Karma: 2466
Join Date: Aug 2005
Device: Treo 650 + iPaq
|
With all the things they are doing wrong in regard to DRM, this pilot project reads like a sly campaign by someone who is against e-books.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Little Computer Guy
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 73
Karma: 2466
Join Date: Aug 2005
Device: Treo 650 + iPaq
|
Small update I found via Freedom to Tinker:
It's the Princeton University Store, a bookstore that is located on the edge of the campus but is not affiliated with the University, who will be the entity offering DRMed textbooks. Not that it would make a big difference in regard to how these textbooks are introduced (DRM), but at least it puts Princeton's name into a better picture again ![]() More: http://www.freedom-to-tinker.com/?p=881 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Fully Converged
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 18,166
Karma: 14021202
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Switzerland
Device: Too many to count here.
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 | |
Nameless Being
|
Quote:
1) drm was requested by the publishers for protection of their intellectual property. these publishers were invited to participate in the pilot program developed by mbs. 2) yes, the textbook will be locked to a single computer. that software, however, does allow for backups and unlimited printing (with a few exceptions). also, in the case of crashes, technical support will be available for those that have purchased these ebooks to allow for a second download. 3) yes, drm will prevent copying to secondary saving devices or tools as requested by the publishers. 4) the five month activation only applies to specific books which are being discontinued and no longer published. some ebooks, at the publishers request again, are set to a minimum of 5 months activation. 5) true, ebooks will not be returnable. 6) again, yes, no buybacks. think about it for a second. if you decide to purchase a book for full price at $50.00, that's what you pay. the ebook would only run you $33.50. if you're short on cash, that seems like a good option. you can use the $16.50 for food or whatever you like. at the end of the semester, you'd be lucky to get 50% of what you paid anyway, and sure, there are bookstores that offer that. still, for most students, you get anywhere from 25-50% of the full purchased price. some, people lose some money, others benefit from it. i think what most people are forgetting is that students have a choice now. for those that have the laptops and prefer ebooks, well, you have the choice to buy ebooks instead at a much lower cost. if you prefer to buy the actual book, well, go right ahead, they will still be there. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
#10 | |
Uebermensch
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 2,583
Karma: 1094606
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Italy
Device: Kindle
|
Quote:
Alas, for the remaining points, I just don't understand why it shouldn't be possible to sell an e-book once you don't need it anymore. After all, I paid for the book, it is my property, and shouldn't I be able to decide whether to sell it or not? |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Nameless Being
|
i think people need to take it into perspective that this is just the pilot program. what this means is that they are in the process of testing the program and everything that encompasses it. tad, i think you have a valid point and am anxious to see the results of this pilot.
|
![]() |
![]() |
#12 | |
Groupie
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 160
Karma: 3134
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: United States
Device: Palm Treo 700p & iPaq hx2755
|
Quote:
Yes. True, a lot of the stuff put in here are the things requested by the PUBLISHERS. I also understand that it's a PILOT program. Frankly, I'd give them my feedback and tell 'em to stick it back in the printing press. I'd stick with the Hardcover paper books since I don't have to worry about the doggone crap DRM restrictions. Let me make an enduser point here: AS A CUSTOMER, it is NOT MY JOB to work with a HELP Desk. Doing so takes MY VALUABLE time away from doing other things in my life. As such, Anything that means that the only way out of a bad situation is to call a help desk is to be avoided. In the case of the DRM scheme above, these kids have way too much other stuff to do (studying, etc) to have to deal with the crap ebooks limiting them to only (1) one computer, (2) one download, (3) Only being able to keep/use the ebook for 5 months (as per request of publisher). As I've mentioned before, I've kept 75% of my hard cover books from when I went through College. I have found them on occassion to come in handy STILL! Why on God's Green Earth would I want to take AWAY THAT VALUABLE RESOURCE?!?!?!?!?!?!? This is just mind numbingly stupid as far as Restrictions (DRM) go! /walks off the soapbox/ |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Guru
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 914
Karma: 3410461
Join Date: May 2004
Device: Kindle Touch
|
As a student once myself, I know how much to value the benefit of having access to my old school textbooks. I actually keep a few of them at my work place, where I can lookup important topics whenever I need to refresh my minds. So now publishers want to take this away from students by creating this b-i-z-a-r-r-e DRM scheme?
Based on what reasoning do electronic textbooks have to expire after a certain time? |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 | |
Is papyrophobic!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 1,926
Karma: 1009999
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: USA
Device: Dell Axim
|
Dailypenn paper has a follow-up to this story:
http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/vn.../43163c51c22f2 Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 1,462
Karma: 6061516
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Cascais, Portugal
Device: Kindle PW, Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2", OnePlus 6
|
So... Any news about the results of this "pilot" program?
Did they conclude that students don't like eBooks? ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Princeton University Network Has Issues With iPad | Lotus Esprit | Apple Devices | 8 | 04-14-2010 08:23 PM |
Princeton Kindle DX Pilot Program | sirbruce | News | 23 | 09-29-2009 07:24 PM |
Article about Kindles being used at Princeton | ylsul | Amazon Kindle | 1 | 09-29-2009 05:14 PM |
Princeton University Kindle Pilot Program | Nate the great | News | 0 | 05-10-2009 12:04 PM |
Princeton University to sell Kindle Formatted Textbooks | daffy4u | News | 16 | 06-27-2008 01:29 AM |