Why Drm Sucks...

So, I bought the 2012 US Specialized Scott Catalog on my iPad last year. I thought it was insanely convenient.

But now I have hit the DRM snag. I switched from the iPad to the Nexus 10 tablet. The Scott 2012 US Specialized is pretty much trapped on the iPad. My hopes of Scott releasing an Android app seem dashed, and there is no web interface to view the files, even though they are just encrypted PDFs.

So, until Amos coughs up some actual PDFs I can purchase, or gives me a way to view my purchased content across multiple platforms, it's back to buying bulky unsearchable books.

Hi apastuszack,

That is truly a bummer. I will heed your experience and put off any move to digital catalogues for now. I have just recently acquired a 2011 Scott Specialised US catalogue (paperback) in tip top condition for $8.00. Stamp values not too out of date, and it beats the Stanley Gibbons US catalogue for ease of use, detail, and clarity of information. I am on the look out for a Scott Classic catalogue now in similar condition.

Terry

Edit for omission. TC.

These companies shoot themselves in the foot whenever they make DRM too restrictive. Pirates can find it easily online and use it on any tablet or computer yet legal purchasers are locked and restricted. Makes no sense.

If they are just encrypted PDF files, you might want to try an online PDF decrypter or else the program Calibre and search for the anti-DRM patches. You bought it, you should be able to view it how you want.

There are two problems with the PDFS.

1. It's not just one file, it's dozens of files. Why, I don't know.
2. The PDF decryptor I tried to use told me it was going to have to brute force the file for something like 6 months.

IMHO, I already bought the catalog, so if I find a 2012 US Specialized PDF online somewhere, then I should be able to grab it guilt free. But the encryption must be pretty good, since no one has posted one anywhere.

The only semi-acceptable DRM for me is what Amazon does. You buy the book from them, and they make an app for almost EVERYTHING. And when all else fails, they have a web based reader.

Sounds nightmarish apastuszack, I am definitely staying with printed catalogues. Off to search Amazon and the bay for a 2011 or 2012 Scott Classic.

Terry

My fairly straight forward solution to this was to stick with my iPad. That said, it will never replace a real book. I love e readers but not for catalogs.

As much as I love Apple products, the iPad was stating to annoy heck out of me when it came to loading stuff on it. The electronic catalog is great, since you can search it. But the fact that it's locked to a certain class of device is beyond annoying.

Plus, you can't resell it. If I buy a 2014 Scott Specialized, I could sell my old 2013 Scott Specialized and recoup some of my costs.