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Thanks for explaining what’s entailed in owning and running a website and the reason for using anti-theft software. People need to read instructions on how to download software, etc. – it’s only as good as the user. I vote to keep the anti-theft software in place so it can be purchased as an eBook and the price down.
ReplyI am sorry te hear of all the crap thrown at you from rude and disgruntled ebook readers.
I do not have space for paper books and prefer the ebooks, with security features and all.
Why not publish it for the specialised ebook reader tablets only, to keep you from hassles?
Regards.
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David,
I have purchased all of your books and I completely agree that they are absolutely top notch! It is obvious how much work went into them and to have people demanding that you simply remove any protection shows that they don't know the first thing about the amount of time and effort is required to write something original! My feeling is that the complainers are just the squeaky wheel and, while it is true that they tend to get the grease, I don't believe that they represent the majority of your customers.
My vote is to keep the protection and keep the system as it is. Your work is valuable and has the potential to change the world. Don't let small-minded people who don't share your vision deter you from your important work because of such a trivial thing.
Thanks for everything you do!
Daniel Kainer
ReplyI can sympathise with both sides here, but the fact of life is that customers expect eBooks to be (almost) as easy to use as paperbacks. This means unrestricted use on any computer or capable device and full printing ability. Maybe a minor solution would be to embed the customer's name into the pdf along with a strongly worded copywright notice. This would at least deter some people from sharing their eBook with others.
ReplyDon't have any thoughts as to what you should do. But, if you do decide to shut it all down will I still have access to the books? I have all of them.
ReplyA little clarification here. I’m not shutting down the website. I’m not quitting writing books. I’m just doing away with the digital editions. As far the any past customers go, of course you’ll still have access to the books. I won’t leave anyone high and dry. I don’t operate like that.
I may have found a solution that might be acceptable to everyone, or at the very least a compromise. Talking to my publisher today, they told me with my volume of sales (in paperbacks) he would reduce the unit price if I went to stright to paperbacks. (Good news for you) it still doesn’t solve the bonus issue though. What I could do is sell the main books in paperbacks, and make the bonuses available immediately by .pdf. You’d still have to pay, and wait for a paperback, but the bonuses could be downloaded immediately. No anti-theft. Straight pdf’s.
Any one have any thoughts on this?
ReplyHi, sorrry to hear about your problem. I am an aussie and work at sea but my wife is indonesion. Some of her relatives live by the sea next to disused prawn ponds, and I've been wondering if it were possible to do something there, but at the moment I have no time. Paper books would be inconvenient(with no fixed postion in the world),but I have more than enough to go on with your previous books until such time as I start to do something. Then it wouldn't matter what form they were in.Paper books with PDF bonus's would be fine.
Regards Julian
ReplyG'Day David,
Sorry to read about your troubles with your ebooks and the internet mob. I have a frase of my own: "once you build a pond, loads of frogs will jump in and start singing". All visionaries were, are, and will be plagued by mediocrity. Hang in there buddy you are doing good work. Your knowledge, your memories, and your deeds, are yours alone. They become part of your soul and no one can steal that. Pesonally I thank you for your work, I bought two paperbacks from you because I'm old fashion and I like to read when I'm not pluged in to a powerpoint. One day I will have my own biorefinery, and I like you to know that you and your knowledge are part of it. Thank You !
Best wishes,
Nick Pucea
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David,
I have been following your articles for at least a year and a half. I have also downloaded several sample chapters out of your books. I started researching algae biofuels in September 2007. I even went as far as creating a corporation and had a business partner. We went for a funding opportunity and we both thought that we were going to get it, but at the last moment the other company backed out. My business partner left and got a job and I had to look for employment as well. Currently I drive a tow truck at night. I would have loved to have gotten a digital copy of all your books but I simply cannot afford it since I am barely making ends meet now. I am truly sorry that so many people have been so negative about your ebooks. You are right they have to deal with anti-priracy in all other areas of their offline lives. I wish there was a way that I could get a digital copy of your entire library…as a former IT professional I know what you mean when you have a good product and you want to protect yourself. Again I am sorry that so many have made it a stressful time in your life. I believe the future is still in algae and I am still researching algae when I can. I am sure that the information in your books would be a great addition to what I have already learned.
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