E-BOOK DRM DILEMMA

I EXPECT PEOPLE TO USE THESE TOOLS ONLY TO GAIN FULL ACCESS TO E-BOOKS THEY HAVE BOUGHT THEMSELVES.  PLEASE ONLY USE THIS INFORMATION FOR ACCESS TO YOUR OWN EBOOKS FOR ARCHIVING/CONVERSION/CONVENIENCE.

I hope all users of these de-drm tools will be sensible enough to realise that de-drmed ebooks should not be uploaded to open servers, torrents, or other methods of mass distribution. It is illegal and phony.
Authors, bookshops and publishers all need to make a living, so that they can continue to produce books for us to read. Don’t be a parasite.

I trust the the above message is clear enough.  Lets proceed... 

Is this the feeling you got when you downloaded your first e-book on to your new Kindle?

I think when you buy an e-book you should have control over it.  If you buy something it's yours, right?  Not so in the shady world of e-book publishing.  Now that I have a Kindle this bullshit concerns me.  Below are a few tips in how you can free your e-books of publishers Digital Rights Management software (DRM).

1. Go and get the amazing program called Calibre.  This program can take any format of e-book and convert it to any other format with just a mouse click.  It is also a fantastic way to organize your e-books on your computer and integrates seamlessly with your e-reader of choice.  Oh... did I mention it is FREE, yes thats right the program doesn't cost anything.  Of course if you like it and use it please throw some bucks towards the developer he is a very generous fellow. 

Calibre is available here

This is the introduction video you watch when first going to their website.  

2. Most books are DRM protected so you'll have to remove the DRM before converting with Calibre.  Apprentice Alf was kind enough to explain what DRM is and provide the instructions on how to get rid of it. 

DRM and how to strip it, instructions here.

For MAC users who are not using Calibre go here.

3. Once you have done the two steps above your ready to go!  I suggest checking out MobileRead Forums for info and questions that might pop up.  

MobileRead Forum home page here

Edit: A comprehensive article by a man named John Schember, a member of the Calibre team, on e-book DRM and how to deal with it here.  Don't forget all the free books available over at the totally awesome Project Gutenberg. 

Reading!