Comments on: Microsoft LIT, you will be missed http://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/ Everyone can understand technology; sometimes it just takes a little translating. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:47:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mike Canehttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-56037 Mike Cane Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:01:30 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-56037 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">@kirkbiglione Deleted DT Stanza. LIT looks good in iPhone Stanza. http://tinyurl.com/cclb3q -- more or less</span></span> @kirkbiglione Deleted DT Stanza. LIT looks good in iPhone Stanza. http://tinyurl.com/cclb3q — more or less

]]> By: Mike Canehttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43597 Mike Cane Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:24:33 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43597 >>>You *should* be able to, if it weren't for this crazy little thing called 'the law' ... <br><br>HAHAHAHA. Yeah, alcohol was nowhere to be found during Prohibition. *burp* >>>You *should* be able to, if it weren't for this crazy little thing called 'the law' …

HAHAHAHA. Yeah, alcohol was nowhere to be found during Prohibition. *burp*

]]> By: Jessica Fritschehttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43546 Jessica Fritsche Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:17:35 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43546 Yeah, I loved it when Wil did that. He proved that it really can work. I think he also did other formats when people expressed an interest in them, which I thought was really cool. Yeah, I loved it when Wil did that. He proved that it really can work. I think he also did other formats when people expressed an interest in them, which I thought was really cool.

]]> By: Michael Andersonhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43545 Michael Anderson Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:45:07 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43545 I agree - we all know that DRM doesn't work, that the laws were crafted by clueless folks driven by special interest groups representing anti-consumer interests, and that punishing paying customers in order to prevent theft is a lose-lose scenario.<br><br>Wil Wheaton just put out his new 'Sunken Treasure' in ebook form (PDF), and basically said 'hey, don't pirate it, ok'? He knows it will be spread around, but since it already surpassed the sales of the hardcover edition he's already winning. And by not resorting to DRM he wins fans. I agree – we all know that DRM doesn't work, that the laws were crafted by clueless folks driven by special interest groups representing anti-consumer interests, and that punishing paying customers in order to prevent theft is a lose-lose scenario.

Wil Wheaton just put out his new 'Sunken Treasure' in ebook form (PDF), and basically said 'hey, don't pirate it, ok'? He knows it will be spread around, but since it already surpassed the sales of the hardcover edition he's already winning. And by not resorting to DRM he wins fans.

]]> By: Jessica Fritschehttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43544 Jessica Fritsche Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:12:46 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43544 Well, that's part of the reason why I didn't really say anything about it in my post. I don't share the ones I have, I am just interested in fair use. So I don't really broadcast that I do it (though I guess I just did, heh). <br><br>I think that laws against fair use are stupid...I just spent a lot of money on eBooks in various DRM formats and I want to continue to be able to use them on my eBook reading devices even if the format is kind of dead (like LIT). I also spend money on tons of paper books, I support authors (hell, I'm trying to be one) and I hope that someday, if I'm published, I can offer DRM-free eBooks to my readers. Well, that's part of the reason why I didn't really say anything about it in my post. I don't share the ones I have, I am just interested in fair use. So I don't really broadcast that I do it (though I guess I just did, heh).

I think that laws against fair use are stupid…I just spent a lot of money on eBooks in various DRM formats and I want to continue to be able to use them on my eBook reading devices even if the format is kind of dead (like LIT). I also spend money on tons of paper books, I support authors (hell, I'm trying to be one) and I hope that someday, if I'm published, I can offer DRM-free eBooks to my readers.

]]> By: Michael Andersonhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43536 Michael Anderson Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:41:37 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43536 You *should* be able to, if it weren't for this crazy little thing called 'the law' ... and since they made breaking DRM or removing DRM from protected files a crime, it is not something I approach with a casual attitude.<br><br>It makes it hard to be anti-piracy, all of this DRM stuff and the draconian laws and lawsuits that the IP holders have put in place - because it effectively punishes honest folks who just want to get 'fair use' from their purchases and does nothing to stop those who just don't care.<br><br>In short, yes I know how to crack LIT DRM just as I know how to crack iTunes DRM and get no-DVD cracks to avoid added wear on game discs, but since all of it is illegal I don't think it should be put up as a legit way to do things. You *should* be able to, if it weren't for this crazy little thing called 'the law' … and since they made breaking DRM or removing DRM from protected files a crime, it is not something I approach with a casual attitude.

It makes it hard to be anti-piracy, all of this DRM stuff and the draconian laws and lawsuits that the IP holders have put in place – because it effectively punishes honest folks who just want to get 'fair use' from their purchases and does nothing to stop those who just don't care.

In short, yes I know how to crack LIT DRM just as I know how to crack iTunes DRM and get no-DVD cracks to avoid added wear on game discs, but since all of it is illegal I don't think it should be put up as a legit way to do things.

]]> By: Jessica Fritschehttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43531 Jessica Fritsche Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:26:55 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43531 Well, like I said in my other comment, I realized that some of my free LIT books (like the screenshot I took) don't have chapter divisions, which makes the LITs look and feel even nicer in Stanza for me, because it "loads" the next chapter up and makes it feel like you really flipped the page and found the start of a new part. <br><br>I just took a screenshot of Ethan Frome, which I'm reading right now...the file looks good partly because the file is well formatted and partly because Stanza just plain renders it well. The newest version of Stanza handles paragraph spacing really well, which is really nice because I HATE it when the spacing runs together. I can't find a file that has any fancy tables or anything, so I can't see how they handle in the iPhone reader. I'm fairly certain they'd look grand in the desktop reader...maybe you should send me one, Mike. :-)<br><br>I can't edit the post in order to add a screenshot, so I sent it to Judie! Well, like I said in my other comment, I realized that some of my free LIT books (like the screenshot I took) don't have chapter divisions, which makes the LITs look and feel even nicer in Stanza for me, because it “loads” the next chapter up and makes it feel like you really flipped the page and found the start of a new part.

I just took a screenshot of Ethan Frome, which I'm reading right now…the file looks good partly because the file is well formatted and partly because Stanza just plain renders it well. The newest version of Stanza handles paragraph spacing really well, which is really nice because I HATE it when the spacing runs together. I can't find a file that has any fancy tables or anything, so I can't see how they handle in the iPhone reader. I'm fairly certain they'd look grand in the desktop reader…maybe you should send me one, Mike. :-)

I can't edit the post in order to add a screenshot, so I sent it to Judie!

]]> By: Jessica Fritschehttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43529 Jessica Fritsche Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:17:28 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43529 I agree...I actually do have a lot of "liberated" eBooks, I just didn't really know if I should mention that in my post. :-) Sadly it's my "liberated" books that really look the best. Some of the LIT files from Manybooks, I realized tonight, are pretty much straight from Gutenberg and don't really have chapters built in. They still look visually nice, but I do like the chapter divisions. I agree…I actually do have a lot of “liberated” eBooks, I just didn't really know if I should mention that in my post. :-) Sadly it's my “liberated” books that really look the best. Some of the LIT files from Manybooks, I realized tonight, are pretty much straight from Gutenberg and don't really have chapters built in. They still look visually nice, but I do like the chapter divisions.

]]> By: Mike Canehttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43525 Mike Cane Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:35:04 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43525 They can be liberated from DRM and then put back in unprotected LIT. Google is everyone's friend. If you pay for an eBook, you should be able to unshackle it for your own personal use is my opinion. They can be liberated from DRM and then put back in unprotected LIT. Google is everyone's friend. If you pay for an eBook, you should be able to unshackle it for your own personal use is my opinion.

]]> By: Mike Canehttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43524 Mike Cane Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:33:10 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43524 I am now drowning in my own drool at the prospect of seeing a LIT file on a Stanza iPhone screensnap. OMG, just update the post with one for the time being. Save my life! Glug glug! I am now drowning in my own drool at the prospect of seeing a LIT file on a Stanza iPhone screensnap. OMG, just update the post with one for the time being. Save my life! Glug glug!

]]> By: Michael Andersonhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43512 Michael Anderson Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:08:36 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43512 Ah ... so it is only non-DRM. That is a shame. I have a bunch of non-DRM stuff I've converted, but many of my books for MS Reader are protected. The joys of DRM once again bite us in the butt! Ah … so it is only non-DRM. That is a shame. I have a bunch of non-DRM stuff I've converted, but many of my books for MS Reader are protected. The joys of DRM once again bite us in the butt!

]]> By: geardiaryhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43511 geardiary Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:52:14 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43511 I definitely think a full review is in order... :-)<br><br>-original message-<br>Subject: [geardiary] Re: Microsoft LIT, you will be missed I definitely think a full review is in order… :-)

-original message-
Subject: [geardiary] Re: Microsoft LIT, you will be missed

]]> By: Jessica Fritschehttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43509 Jessica Fritsche Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:47:09 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43509 @Mike: Stanza does read non-DRM LIT files. All I do is open them up in Stanza Desktop Reader on my Mac, and then I use the sharing over Wi-Fi to transfer them to Stanza on my iPhone. I'll be happy to do a post with some screencaps. :-) Maybe just a big ol' Stanza review is in order... @Mike: Stanza does read non-DRM LIT files. All I do is open them up in Stanza Desktop Reader on my Mac, and then I use the sharing over Wi-Fi to transfer them to Stanza on my iPhone. I'll be happy to do a post with some screencaps. :-) Maybe just a big ol' Stanza review is in order…

]]> By: Mike Canehttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43506 Mike Cane Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:27:14 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43506 How are you reading LIT files with Stanza Reader? I didn't know it did LIT. Maybe you should do another post with some screensnaps from the iPhone? HowTo:<br><a href="http://www.on-a-mac.com/2008/07/12/iphone-screenshot/" rel="nofollow">http://www.on-a-mac.com/2008/07/12/iphone-scree...</a> How are you reading LIT files with Stanza Reader? I didn't know it did LIT. Maybe you should do another post with some screensnaps from the iPhone? HowTo:
http://www.on-a-mac.com/2008/07/12/iphone-scree…

]]> By: Michael Andersonhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43501 Michael Anderson Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:37:35 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43501 Oh - and on a related note, Powell's is having a sale, just go here (<a href="http://www.powells.com/twin/" rel="nofollow">http://www.powells.com/twin/</a>) and you will see that using the code #powellswin on your online order of $20 or more will net you 20% savings. Oh – and on a related note, Powell's is having a sale, just go here (http://www.powells.com/twin/) and you will see that using the code #powellswin on your online order of $20 or more will net you 20% savings.

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-56038 Judie Lipsett Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:29:35 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-56038 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">@mikecane did you see? http://tinyurl.com/cclb3q</span></span> @mikecane did you see? http://tinyurl.com/cclb3q

]]> By: Michael Andersonhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43489 Michael Anderson Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:56:23 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43489 I remember reading ebooks in LIT format on my HP Jornada 545 when it first came out and I was on a trip, and the look and feel was wonderful. I'd been reading ebooks in text and MobiPocket format on everything from HP200LX to Newton to Palm to Psion over the years, but these were the best looking of the bunch.<br><br>I have used Powells to grab LIT books recently as they seem one of the few left and it is a great format. I convert old text stuff to it regularly to re-read the classics. I remember reading ebooks in LIT format on my HP Jornada 545 when it first came out and I was on a trip, and the look and feel was wonderful. I'd been reading ebooks in text and MobiPocket format on everything from HP200LX to Newton to Palm to Psion over the years, but these were the best looking of the bunch.

I have used Powells to grab LIT books recently as they seem one of the few left and it is a great format. I convert old text stuff to it regularly to re-read the classics.

]]> By: Rayhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/14/microsoft-lit-you-will-be-missed/#comment-43473 Ray Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:40:28 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=25646#comment-43473 I like .lit too, the ebooks are just so well formatted. Especially with the travel guides - you get pop-up maps, just like in the physical versions. And they convert quite nicely to other formats... .pdb and .mobi can't quite compare. One thing I won't miss is the DRM; having to activate an ebook online is overkill.<br><br>That sounded incredibly geeky... I like .lit too, the ebooks are just so well formatted. Especially with the travel guides – you get pop-up maps, just like in the physical versions. And they convert quite nicely to other formats… .pdb and .mobi can't quite compare. One thing I won't miss is the DRM; having to activate an ebook online is overkill.

That sounded incredibly geeky…

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