Re: ebook security

On Fri, 26 Feb 2010, Stuart Bray wrote:

From http://www.ebook-security.com/faqs.html

>> What operating systems does the Virtual Vault work with?
>>
>> The Virtual Vault works with PC's running Windows. It will also work with 
>> Mac computers that have the Windows operating system installed (Mac users 
>> will need to run Windows). This applies to both the Virtual Vault itself and 
>> also to secured ebooks generated by the Virtual Vault.

Second, as I read it, it locks your PDF into being read by Foxit.

So ...

- first, although you wrote a PDF, it is choosing the reader software for me. 
So in fact, it IS an exe - and it's duplicating functionality that most of your 
customers already have.

- as a piece of software, it's not going to work at all in some corporate 
environments (some will block any non-approved software)

- it's likely going to run afoul of firewalls if the software goes out to check 
with the website (which I assume it must, otherwise I can easily share the 
downloaded version)

- it only works with Windows users - Mac users, Linux users are completely out
(it's comment about supporting Mac users who are running Windows users means, 
in effect, it only supports Windows users.)

- those users with standalone PDF readers are out. One of the key factors in 
many standalone e-reader purchase decisions is that it can do PDF. PDF isn't 
always a great decision, but it is *popular*.


It's hard to remain unbiased at this point. What precisely is the *benefit* to 
your potential customers in doing this?

I'd be a little concerned about the professionalism of this company. It took me 
about 30 seconds to find at least one product from a multi-billion dollar 
company already called "Virtual Vault". For a company that claims to be helping 
defend your copyrights, I'd expect a little more in the way of care with 
trademarks.

Finally, the fact that there is still a PDF buried in the file somewhere 
suggests that it's not going to be too much work to dig it out. Moreover, since 
your paying customer *benefits* by doing this (use it on Mac, with Adobe 
Reader, or on a standalone device), I expect it will happen shortly and 
regularly.

... Chris

: chris smith ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
: nihil tam munitum quod non expugnari pecunia possit - cicero :


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