Or maybe I should ask why you do?
Mostly in order to be able to read an e-book on a different device - most of the library books available through BPL are Adobe Protected PDFs (through Overdrive), which the last time I checked can only be opened on a PC. Not a Mac, and not on a mobile device. So I strip the DRM in order to put them on my phone/iPad/Kindle/etc.
Likewise, if I ever decide I want to switch to a non-Kindle e-reader, I would either have to break the DRM on my Amazon books or buy them all again.
[edit: And yeah, Calibre plugins will do this easily.]
What Dana said. Also, because I hate the way Amazon organizes (or rather, DOESN"T organize) my purchased Kindle books. I can't sort them like I want. I prefer Calibre for that. It also allows you if one site is having a deal on a book to buy it at that site, and then put it on your other-type-of-device.
Jessica, I haven't stripped any library books (though admittedly, most of the library books I've read electronically have been pretty terrible). But you can use the overdrive app on iPad or iPhone, and it's pretty nice. And I've downloaded them to my kindle also, though it's a bit more of a step (so these days I mostly ipad, if I"m reading library books)
Amazon better not take my books away.
I have Calibre, but I haven't really played with it. I guess I should do that.
you can use the overdrive app on iPad or iPhone, and it's pretty nice.
Oh, that's good to know! The last time I borrowed a library e-book, it was not mobile-compatible in any way. (And then after I'd finally wrangled it into a format Kindle would read, the formatting was all fucked up and it was no fun to read anyway. YOU WIN THIS TIME, COPYRIGHT LAW!)
Jessica, I haven't stripped any library books (though admittedly, most of the library books I've read electronically have been pretty terrible). But you can use the overdrive app on iPad or iPhone, and it's pretty nice. And I've downloaded them to my kindle also, though it's a bit more of a step (so these days I mostly ipad, if I"m reading library books)
I don't use the overdrive app (though I probably should), instead I use Adobe Digital Editions which works fine, though not speedily. I also read them on my nook, ipad, and my computer.
I've used Overdrive to download library books to my Kindle, but I can't strip them of DRM (nor would I feel comfortable doing so).
How do you strip DRM? Or maybe I should ask why you do?
Amy, I posted a link upthread within the last week: it's a blog post about DRM and books and using Calibre to manage an ebook library. It has pretty much all the information you could want, plus screenshots.
I had forgotten, Consuela -- I bookmarked that the first time you linked it a while back, and I do have Calibre, I just haven't fooled with it much yet. Thanks!
I was perusing Sotheby's website, playing "If I was obscenely rich" and looking at various art, jewelry, and book auctions. In an English literature and illustration auction, there were several items for J.K. Rowling, illustrations for a limited edition of one of the Harry Potters. The estimate was 3,000-7,000 pounds. There was also a book that she'd used a pseudonym for, which was authographed with the pseud and her real name, that was also estimated at several thousand. So I'm guessing her stuff is going to be in print for a while.
There was also a First American Edition of The Hobbit, in an exquisite scarlet leather binding with a gorgeous multi-color image of Hobbiton, I think one that Tolkien himself painted. Want. I promise, if I win the lottery, I won't squander it on drugs and garish cars and parties, I'll only spend it on rare book auctions. And Pre-Raphaelite paintings.
