A hard decision : I'll boycott Amazon's Kindle shop.

[mish]

Converting never worked well for me. 

How are you trying to convert?  I just tried uploading a couple of mobi files to my Sony 350 using Calibre and it autoconverted for me. A quick scan through the book in my Sony and they look pretty good. 

[ETS PRESS]

I've been publishing for a year and a half on a niche market site called Teachers Pay Teachers. It's a vibrant site that is making amazing strides. I make real money there. If SOPA is enacted then all it would take is one person publishing something illegally to cause the entire site to get shut down (which of course the illegal item would be taken down by the site owner if it's flagged). All it takes is one complaint. ONE. As if Amazon or B&N, or any site that allows unchecked uploads by indies never gets someone doing something the shouldn't? Yes. So what happens when a big 6 publisher flags Amazon? Or B&N? Or Smashwords? This is very serious business.

[Krista D. Ball]

How are you trying to convert?  I just tried uploading a couple of mobi files to my Sony 350 using Calibre and it autoconverted for me. A quick scan through the book in my Sony and they look pretty good. 

Non-DRM Amazon files to epub using Calibre. Modwitch has posted the same thing, as have I. Calibre doesn't always work and I don't see why I have to work and fiddle and fuss to read a book in the format I have chosen for my reading.

I'll just go buy elsewhere or, if it's exclusive to Amazon (or B&N, since they refuse Canadian money), another book.

[mish]

... I don't see why I have to work and fiddle and fuss to read a book in the format I have chosen for my reading.

I'll just go buy elsewhere or, if it's exclusive to Amazon (or B&N, since they refuse Canadian money), another book.

I completely agree. I was just curious how you were trying to convert since I just discovered the autoconvert myself (probably was right under my nose the whole time). Previously, I tried to use the manual method where you have to make all types of choices on how to convert. What a bloody mess that was! 

[Krista D. Ball]

I completely agree. I was just curious how you were trying to convert since I just discovered the autoconvert myself (probably was right under my nose the whole time). Previously, I tried to use the manual method where you have to make all types of choices on how to convert. What a bloody mess that was! 

Sorry for snipping. I get indie authors telling me "omgz! zomg! totally use calibre and buy my book!" and it gets on my nerves after a while.

Autoconvert does work better than manual; however, I found the text generally unreadable. If I recall, one came out in cipher. That was interesting.

[ThatGurlthatlife]

I don't confess to understand the whole DRM thing, or why we should get so bent out of shape over it one way or the other. Seems like a lot of majoring in minors. I also don't understand this thread. It doesn't make sense. You're boycotting, but not really, just sorta kind, but only some, but not a lot...huh???

Bahahahaha I was just about to say the same thing.... Um....whaaaaaat? Totally lost and confused...
My books are available everywhere I can think of...I think...so I guess I'm not getting boycotted..kind of sort of...I think... *shrugs*

[mish]

Sorry for snipping. I get indie authors telling me "omgz! zomg! totally use calibre and buy my book!" and it gets on my nerves after a while.

No worries...and yeah, it's right up there with "you don't need an ereader, just download the app and read on your phone or computer".  Um...does that app come with a spork by any chance? 

Autoconvert does work better than manual; however, I found the text generally unreadable. If I recall, one came out in cipher. That was interesting.

I've only tried the autoconvert a few times, but so far the conversion looks really good. I imagine if I used it more I'd run into some funky conversion at some point, but I'm not likely to use it often.  I don't like jumping through hoops to read a book, especially when there are tons of "hoopless" books available.

[Krista D. Ball]

No worries...and yeah, it's right up there with "you don't need an ereader, just download the app and read on your phone or computer".  Um...does that app come with a spork by any chance? 

Yes, this one drives me nuts, too. I'm sorry that I'm so nearsighted that I probably legally blind without glasses (i.e. I can't recognize my own hand). I can read blogs on my cell phone because they are short and easy to read. I can read a couple sentences and put the phone down to rest my eyes. A book? I'd rather never read again.

I've only tried the autoconvert a few times, but so far the conversion looks really good. I imagine if I used it more I'd run into some funky conversion at some point, but I'm not likely to use it often.  I don't like jumping through hoops to read a book, especially when there are tons of "hoopless" books available.

QFT

[JRTomlin]

Non-DRM Amazon files to epub using Calibre. Modwitch has posted the same thing, as have I. Calibre doesn't always work and I don't see why I have to work and fiddle and fuss to read a book in the format I have chosen for my reading.

I'll just go buy elsewhere or, if it's exclusive to Amazon (or B&N, since they refuse Canadian money), another book.

I have *mumbles a ridiculously large number* of novels that are ePub. If I decide I want them on a Kindle (as my Kindle loving family miiight decide to give me one to replace my Sony), I'll convert them. I don't really consider it that big a deal. It's what I did with my mobi files when I switched.

And there are novels and books I would go out of my way to buy even if I couldn't get them in my preferred format. Especially non-fiction for historical research which is a real b!tch to find in ebook form.

I know the whole exclusivity issue annoys a lot of people, but if I sold to a publisher, I would have to sign a non-compete clause that would be a whole lot more restrictive. They don't sue me for publishing other books on other sites at least. I don't love being tied to one retailer even for part of my list, but I know a lot of manufacturers who are in similar positions with retailers who are their sole customers. It's never ideal but sometimes you just deal with the way things are.

[TheSFReader]

Of, maybe my "boycott" word was not the right one, I see it now. Let's say "I've decided to vote with my wallet and my reviews" ... better ?

[TheSFReader]

And last, a short answer regarding DRMs:

For some (me and many others), DRM is only beneficial to DRM sellers and Big6 publishers. It doesn't have any real effect on piracy and annoys consumers.
It also "ensures" that should technical problems happen (and in the long term that's a guarantee), your books will be lost to posterity, whereas without DRMs it's chances are at least slightly increased.

Some author decide that since DRM is a way to antagonize customers without real benefits, it may be better to go without.

For still longer answers (and more articulated debates), you can make a search on this forum, there are numerous threads on the subject :
http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php/topic,85513.0.html
http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php/topic,85280.0.html