D&D v3.5 books pulled from DriveThruRPG.com

[Nifft]

They're planning to release 4th Edition this afternoon! Everybody panic!

Somehow, this feels right.

"When in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!"

Cheers, -- N

 

[sckeener]

There are those who have idealogical objections, but for me it boils down to this: it's perishable. In order to use DRM, you have the hassle of dealing with a fickle customer rep if you want to put it on more than 6 consecutive systems. I have no guarantees as to my rights or the longevity as a company. Given the turnover rate I have of new and different systems right now, that makes DRM functionally perishable.

Agreed. I'm up to 5 machines and I'm a bit worried. The last time I went looking for Adobe's phone number I couldn't find it on their site. With work and home, the chances are I will be changing computers soon and that 6 or 7th computer isn't going to be able to read my pdfs because I haven't been able to get the old computers removed.

 

[TheYeti1775]

How does DRM affect if you have all your PDF's on a USB Drive you take computer to computer? Cause I know I use my stuff on at least 10 or so different computers at anytime during a given week.

Yeti

 

[Henry]

How does DRM affect if you have all your PDF's on a USB Drive you take computer to computer? Cause I know I use my stuff on at least 10 or so different computers at anytime during a given week.

Yeti

The DRM rights to each computer have to be registered, or unregistered, to Adobe. If you take it to more than 5 machines, if I understand it correctly, you're out of luck until you un-register one or more of those machines.

 

[GravyFingerz]

The DRM rights to each computer have to be registered, or unregistered, to Adobe. If you take it to more than 5 machines, if I understand it correctly, you're out of luck until you un-register one or more of those machines.

Although I hear if you bribe customer service at Adobe with pancakes and maple syrup, they hang up on you.

 

[JustKim]

It's a pity WotC is still using DRM. I'd have bought several of their books in ebook format by now, but I absolutely refuse to use DRM.

That's a good policy. I have an interest in consumer rights and DRM is one of many small wars being waged on electronics consumers. If we aren't careful, things like DRM, rootkits and end user lockout are going to result in limited leases on anything and everything electronic. This is the kind of Big Brother future Microsoft is actively pursuing with TPM microcontrollers.

Of course, WotC's effort is wasted since every single one of their DRM releases has been pirated. You have greater access to the product if you steal it than if you buy it. And as ugly a thing as piracy may be for people in the business victimized, it's a good fight they're inadvertently fighting.

 

[TheYeti1775]

Generally I have a hard copy (either from Amazon or FLGS) anyways. I just like having PDF's as when I'm at work like now, it is easier then having 20 or so books piled up around me.

 

[TheYeti1775]

The DRM rights to each computer have to be registered, or unregistered, to Adobe. If you take it to more than 5 machines, if I understand it correctly, you're out of luck until you un-register one or more of those machines.

That blows some monkey chunks.

 

[Delta]

You may know there's a big dust-up over DRM in the music industry right now. Two weeks back Steve Jobs posted an open letter saying he'd like to remove DRM from the iPod, but music companies won't let him (or something like that; there's good reason to be skeptical on some of the details):

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughtsonmusic/

Some recording associations are starting to make noises about being unhappy with DRM cutting down on sales. On the other hand, Microsoft's new Zune player relied heavily on DRM to make them happy, and it's not selling so well. On yet another front, in the European Union they're facing a huge anti-competitive action because the DRM locks out potential competing companies.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

WotC's having cold feet and they are trying to work with them to reconsider

Whoa. So it's true. I must contact a dozen people and tell them. You said it, and you're quite dependable as a source. You wouldn't just go around starting rumors!