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Re:Retirement of Amazon MOBI eBook file format by II2II on Thursday August 11, 2022 @02:34PM (#32429907)
Yeap, I definitely prefer Kobo. I plug it into my PC to copy over public domain and DRM-free ePubs with ease, or DRMed ePubs via ADE. I am not tied to any ecosystem. As for the development community, I feel far more secure knowing my Kobo is not locked down. There are no cat-and-mouse games being played with encryption or other protection mechanisms. Modifying the software is a matter of creating a tarball or by popping out an internal SD card and inserting it into my PC (or using ssh, once some initial setup is done).

I don't have to say, imply, of even think that Amazon is "second-rate" to make myself feel secure about my decision. If anything I had to choose any word, it would be "monopolistic" or "vendor lock-in". But don't get me wrong: if Kobo changed their practices such that those words did apply, I would happily move elsewhere. (Kindle and Kobo are by no means the only companies out there.)

Re:Retirement of Amazon MOBI eBook file format by filmgirlcw on Thursday August 11, 2022 @02:48PM (#32430082)
Hey, if you’re happy with what you’re using, that’s great. I’ve put hacks or modified OSes on various Kindles over the years, used DeDRM for Calibre, and very much had a solid experience.

I also have a Remarkable 2 and a Boox Note Air that are obviously much more hackable.

I’ve reviewed many Kobo devices over the years. I do find them second-rate compared to what you can get from the Kindle line. That's my honest opinion. That isn’t me feeling insecure about my decision (I am an e-reader enthusiast and have reviewed dozens of devices and have the money to buy whatever device I want. I think Sony made the best devices if I’m really being honest, and they shut down their storefront over a decade ago and barely sell any units now), it’s my personal opinion and I said “I’ve always seen it as” — I didn’t declare that as fact. You disagree, which is fine!

I’m glad we have a choice of things. I still stand by my opinion that if I’m going to be tied down into an ecosystem, I’d rather be tied down to the one with the most books. And where I live, that’s Amazon.

Re:Retirement of Amazon MOBI eBook file format by kcartlidge on Thursday August 11, 2022 @03:01PM (#32430225)
Sony. Ah yes, I feel the nostalgia kicking in. The PRS all metal range were superb (in their time of course).