Ebooks formats and DRM

Broadback · Jun 04, 2013, 14:17:36

I have been trying to get my head around this for some time. As I understand it, having a Kindle and a Kobo, my main types of books will be .EPUB and .AZW, now converting these from one to the other is no mean task. First there is the DRM, which I have not yet found an easy satisfactory way to remove, though I have tried a number of software options, none seem to work seamlessly, thank goodness for free trials. The other hurdle to get over is finding the book in the first place, they are not always in "My digital editions" or" My kindle content", if they are they are often disguised with a weird name. If I buy a paper book I can lend it to a friend or take it to a charity shop for them to sell. Even though ebooks are often more expensive than the paper versions they are also so restrictive. Has anyone found a satisfactory way through this maze?

Steve · Jun 04, 2013, 17:48:12

I think I've mentioned this before but it will do anything I need it to.

http://calibre-ebook.com/

talos · Jun 05, 2013, 07:14:48

Quote from: Steve on Jun 04, 2013, 17:48:12
I think I've mentioned this before but it will do anything I need it to.

http://calibre-ebook.com/

Ill second that

Broadback · Jun 05, 2013, 07:49:00

I use calibre, though I find it very good you cannot manipulate files that have DRMs, and almost all have.

Steve · Jun 05, 2013, 09:19:28

It's obviously against the intention of DRM to allow you to manipulate the files, Whilst I cannot tell you how to remove DRM using Calibre it would be against forum rules. However Calibre as I said will do everything I need it to, there are plugins available to go with this software - google should give the answer.

Broadback · Jun 05, 2013, 12:38:38

H, well I tried that, after a struggle it seemed to go on ( I assume you mean Alf) but has no effect. When I unpack the file there is no packed file inside as there is supposed to be. The old I get the harder I find everything. Altogether now "Ah"

talos · Jun 05, 2013, 13:35:09

http://www.obooko.com/
Try this site, plenty of reading here for free and its not pirated just out of copyright or new authors trying to get noticed. But you wont find any of the bestseller list here, those you have to pay for

Broadback · Jun 05, 2013, 16:38:04

Thanks Kalos, I have garnered that. However it begs the question of how restrictive ebooks are. Also why do they make is so difficult to fing ones you have down loaded onto your computer?