Okay, I lied. The best DRM isn’t DRM at all. I’m not a huge fan of DRM because it always seems to get in the way when you’re trying to use something that you’ve bought in a way that you think is appropriate. No, the best DRM in the world just makes sure you don’t redistribute the stuff you’ve bought, or makes sure you can get in trouble if you do.
The above screenshot is from the PDF version of the upcoming Agile Web Development with Rails book. They have these PDF-aware gerbils at The Pragmatic Programmer that generate (and regenerate upon request when a new version is out) PDFs on the fly, with your name on the bottom of each page.
Having your name plastered all over the place is one sure way to discourage sharing it with friends or on file sharing networks. Imagine what would happen if the publisher found out htat you’re the guy responsible for the book ending up on BitTorrent?
Granted, this method isn’t foolproof, and I’m sure that if you really wanted to you could figure out a way to remove your name from the PDF. The exact same thing can be said for the vast majority of DRM out there though, if you really want to get around it. I’m very glad that I can just use the stuff I paid for without having to deal with DRM silliness.
My hat is off to the publisher and authors of this awesome book for “getting it.” In related news, the book rocks. It’s definitely worth having if you’re using or thinking about using Rails.
Comments
38 responses to “Best. DRM. Evar!”
This is an interesting approach to DRMs … it’s like a watermark, but the watermark is your name….
! Nice info ! Thanks 🙂
Best Blog keep it up… Digital Satellites
nice one…now even i feel like starting a blog like the one you have now …
insurance…
manifolds flex civilian scoff Gotham ballparks annuity http://annuity.insurance-related.com/ …
Van Insurance…
words sturdiness.animized!In Insurance [url=http://www.costumedesignersguiild.com/#]In Insurance[/url] http://www.costumedesignersguiild.com/# …
domain registration search…
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. Some of them are really interesting….
gigantic entry you carry
However, If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it must be a duck.
Yet again you come out with information. would anyone that kind of information noticed customer, and trying to find such.
I saw a lot of website but I conceive this one contains something extra in it in it
Damn, cool website. I came across this on Ask Jeeves, and I am really happy that I did. I will definately be coming back here more regularly. Wish I could add to the info and bring a bit more to the table, but am just absorbing as much info as I can at the moment.
Regards
cheap theatre tickets london
very good \o/
After drinking 2 cups of yerba daily for 20 yrs, suddenly it seemed to eat my stomach up, even with the large amount of half & half I put in it.
Wow What we have here is someone’s just-missed interpretation of that one.
This post was very well written, and it also contains a lot of useful facts. I appreciated your distinguished manner of writing this post. Thanks, you have made it easy for me to understand. Instead, look for ones that ring true as if a real person with real problems found hope and peace through a book meant to help heal troubled relationships.
An extra 1 bites the dust , or at minimum another web log post stings the dust. Your weblog rocks my article network last the terrifying causes.
Thanks so much for posting. Interestingly enough I had the feeling that you would upload another jewel to reveal the truth. Put these in a play list and will be back.Have a great weekend,Lisa
good layout and great post.thanks this is fantastic information
woh I your articles , saved to bookmarks ! .
continue with the the great work on the site. I like it. Could use some more frequent updates, but i am sure that you have got better or other stuff to do like we all do. 🙂
We just couldnt leave your website before saying that we really enjoyed the useful information you offer to your visitors Will be back soon to check up on new posts
is there any video to know this
Hello there,Thank you  for your cool submit, there’s a lot of practical advice that I’m positive decent quantity of persons on the market do not know.
Thanks for the new blog sharing. It is certainly a time made version. I love the content shared.
Cartoon Michael Jackson Sings Smooth Criminal
I wish to show my appreciation to you just for rescuing me from such a circumstance. Right after looking out through the world-wide-web and obtaining techniques which are not pleasant, I assumed my entire life was over. Living devoid of the answers to the difficulties you have fixed as a result of your good website is a critical case, and those which may have negatively damaged my career if I had not noticed your site. The talents and kindness in dealing with almost everything was priceless. I’m not sure what I would have done if I had not encountered such a solution like this. I can at this moment relish my future. Thanks so much for your high quality and sensible guide. I will not be reluctant to refer your blog post to anybody who needs to have guide on this matter.
After i open your Feed it provides me with a bunch of garbled text, may be the issue on my end? Just thought I would comment and say cool theme, did you make it yourself? Looks really good!
continue with the the great work on the blog. I appreciate it. Could maybe use some more updates more often, but i am sure you got more or better things to do like we all have to do unfortunately. =p
Howdy, thnxx for sharing this article. I identified it very good. Best regards
Especially interesting and useful entry. I have often follow your web page and study all your publications. As I see you’ve got accomplished a massive job writing this write-up and you’ve mentioned the major things which we really should know about the managed world. Thank you a great deal one more time for that nice and useful entry and preserve up publishing these ones within the future.
I do not know what to say except that I’ve appreciated reading. Good blog. I’ll continue to keep going to this web page quite more often than not.
|.. give thanks to you.;|.
continue with the the nice work on the blog. Do like it! :p Could maybe use some more updates more often, but i’m quite sure that you have got better things to do like we all have to do unfortunately. :p
keep up the nice work on the site. I like it. Could maybe use some more updates more often, but i am quite sure that you have got better stuff to do like we all have to do unfortunately. :p
continue with the the great work on the blog. I love it. Could maybe use some more updates more often, but i’m quite sure that you have got more or better stuff to do like we all have to do unfortunately. :p
i have visited this blog a few times now and i have to say that i find it quite good actually. continue doing what you’re doing! =p
I’d have to concede with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to speak my mind!
keep up the good work on the blog. I love it. Could maybe use some more updates more often, but i am sure you have got better stuff to do , hehe. 🙂