eBook
Pro ($197) This link goes to the
sellers descrption and order page. It opens in a new window.
eBook
Pro is indeed clever software. Unlike other ebook-maker software,
it is designed to increase security. Here's how it does it.
In order to read her ebook, the user has to download the and
install the reader software. Then she must be online, and
register it with the server, using the unique registration
code.
By
the way, this is where part of Rudl's sneakiness shows through.
When the reader registers the ebook she is sending you her
personal information, which Rudl suggests you glean for future
sales email or your newsletter. Sorry folks, but I only practice
deliberate permission-based opt-in email gathering. Making
it a requirement to give personal information in order to
use an ebook you paid good money for, is not an ethical practice
in my opinion.
Now
whenever the user wants to read the ebook, the software will
occasionally, randomly check online to see whether the code
is still valid and active. In other words, you can disable
her ability to read it remotely.
The
disadvantage for the reader is this - suppose you want to
read the book on an airplane on a laptop, or some other place
where there is no connection. Or suppose you are just opposed
to the idea that the computer will want to dial-up (yes many
people are still on dial-up) whenever it feels like verifying
the user. If I buy an ebook, I want to be able to read it
when and where I please. And I don't want extra software installed
on my machine.
The
software also may not work if you are on a company server
behind a firewall.
You
have to weigh the risk of putting off customers with the rewards
of protecting your copyright. I personally prefer to risk
loss of product in favor of the customer's convenience, but
that's me. Take your pick. I do not use eBook Pro. You may
want to. The price is not too outrageous if you plan on selling
ebooks. But there are many good ebook-maker products out there
to choose from as well.
If
you plan to market your ebook to a high hacker-density community
- say it's an ebook for teens on how to cheat at videogames
- you may really have to use this kind of protection.
One
option might be to offer your customer two prices. A higher
priced (say double-priced) non-secure version in, say, PDF
format, and a lower-priced alternative in the secure format.
Then at least the customer knows she is giving up the convenience
for the lower price.
Another
option is to walk a middle ground and control the download
site with a product such as Easy-Download Protector (see it
on the Michael Green detail page), but not control each individual
reading of the product. It's less protection, but strikes
a good compromise.
By
the way, there IS a way for clever techies to rip off your
eBook Pro book, but I'm not going to tell you how (and no
I don't do it myself). I just want you to know it is not 100%
secure. So if you think it will stop ALL theft, it will not.
It will, however, slow it way down.
ebook
Pro ($197) This link goes to the
sellers descrption and order page. It opens in a new window.
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