JeffKirvin.net

Credit Where Credit Is Due Dept: I bought some ebooks from Barnes & Noble yesterday, and I’m reading them on my Pocket PC! Yep, you read that right. Seems that not all of the ebooks on BN.com use the DRM5 encryption that renders them unusable on existing Pocket PCs. Reader actually supports three types of DRM: none at all (what I use), DRM5 or “owner exclusive” and a third form that does not require “activation” but just brands the book with your name. This is almost identical to the way Peanut Press does it, except that the branding is burned in to the book itself, and you don’t have to remember your card number to unlock it later. Currently there’s no easy way of telling exactly which books will work with the Pocket PC (you have to click on each book and see if the description reads “This eBook is available for only your desktop or laptop computer.” or “This eBook can be read on your Pocket PC, as well as on your desktop or laptop computer.”), but they are in there somewhere. I picked up Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Teachings of the Buddha, Teachings of Zen, and Meditation in Action, but I saw Pocket PC readable books in every category. Check it out, and email Barnes and Noble to support more Pocket PC readable ebooks and an easier way to find them!