Monday, September 21, 2009

PRESS RELEASE FROM RANDOM HOUSE NEW ZEALAND

THE LOST SYMBOL NOW AVAILABLE AS AN eBOOK
IN NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA

To tie-in with last week’s publication of Dan Brown’s new novel, Random House New Zealand will be making THE LOST SYMBOL available for sale as an eBook via the Random House Australia website to Australian and New Zealand readers. Also available will be DECEPTION POINT and ANGELS AND DEMONS. We were unfortunately not able to include THE DA VINCI CODE.

The eBooks will be available in ePub format with strict security (DRM) that prevents reproduction or distribution of the eBook. Readers can read the eBooks, once purchased and downloaded, on their PCs, laptops and Macs using a free e-reader programme called Adobe Digital Editions. (The eBooks can also be read on any other e-reading devices capable of reading ePub with DRM.)

These eBooks are the first of the Random house group books to be made available in Australasia and it is all very new and interesting to see what level of interest there will be. In the future, as the eBook market matures, we hope to make many more eBooks available through our retail partners.

The e-book can be accessed via the Dan Brown 'all will be revealed' button on the Random House New Zealand website http://www.randomhouse.co.nz/ which links through to the Dan Brown New Zealand website or directly via http://www.danbrown.co.nz/. In both cases, the would-be purchaser will end up on the Random House Australia website www.randomhouse.com.au/ebookstore to make their transaction, as they have all the technical and back office set-up required to make this possible. This means that New Zealand based buyers can purchase THE LOST SYMBOL eBook if they have the right software to read it. Sales will only be made to New Zealand or Australian based purchasers.

eBooks FAQs and Information

What is an eBook?
An eBook is really just another format like the hardback and paperback. An eBook is a digital version that can be downloaded and read in variety of ways, on a variety of devices, they can be read on desktop or laptop computers, on certain PDAs & smartphones and on dedicated eBook reading devices. Depending on what you use to read your eBook, they have search functionality and are easily navigated.

What format will my Random House Australia eBook be in?
Your Random House Australia eBook will be in ePub format and will be readable on Adobe Digital Editions or any other device that supports ePub with Adobe DRM.
What is ePub?
ePub is a standard eBook format that has reflowable text which is designed so that the reader can have control over how they choose to read a text, no matter what device they're using. You can easily change font size, style, or page sizes and the document will reflow appropriately.

What is Adobe Digital Editions (ADE)?
Adobe Digital Editions is an essential Rich Internet Application which allows you to manage your eBook library, create bookshelves, view bookmarks, make annotations, view a table of contents, increase and decrease text size, and transfer eBooks to your compatible e-reading device if you have one. ADE is essential for Random House Australia eBook users as it can read ePub eBooks which are DRM protected. All eBooks from Random House Australia are DRM protected.
ADE can be downloaded for free from here. Follow the installation procedure until the download begins. Once the download is complete you will be asked to accept a User Agreement. Without acceptance you cannot continue the download and eBooks cannot be downloaded onto your computer.
When the download has finished a 'Setup Assistance' will begin. At this stage you must enter your Adobe ID. If you do not have an Adobe ID you must create one. The Adobe site will take you through the process. If you have any problems with the ADE software please contact Adobe for support.

What device can I read my Random House Australia eBook on?
Your Random House Australia eBook can be read on a PC or Laptop with Adobe Digital Editions which can be downloaded for free from here. It can also be read on certain dedicated eBook reading devices that support ePub format with Adobe DRM. Adobe Digital Editions is actively working on supporting other platforms and devices. Further information can be found on their website.
Will it work on my Mac?
Yes. Adobe Digital Editions is Mac compatible. What are the system requirements for this software? Check the advice here.
Will Adobe Digital Editions work on my iPhone?
Unfortunately, at this stage, Adobe Digital Editions does not work on iPhones. Adobe Digital Editions is actively working on supporting other platforms and devices. Further information can be found on their website.

What is Digital Rights Management (DRM)?
DRM is an encryption layer that prevents the illegal copying, printing, or sharing of files. If an eBook is wrapped with DRM, the eBook can only be read on authorised computers or handheld devices by authorised users. Your Random House Australia eBook can only be downloaded to one device.
How do I buy a Random House Australia eBook?

1. Browse the eBookstore at randomhouse.com.au here. Please note that all Random House Australia eBooksare in "ePub eBook" format and are protected by Adobe DRM. Please ensure that your eBook reader supports this format and DRM. You will need to ensure that you have installed and authorised AdobeDigital Editions. To protect copyright in the digital environment, the eBook file is encrypted and may not be printed or otherwise reproduced.

2. Select the eBook you would like to purchase and click on ‘add to basket’ on the page.

3. Your Random House Australia eBook will only be available to you if you are resident in Australia or New Zealand. If you are based outside Australia or New Zealand, your order will not be accepted and a rejection message will be displayed.

4. If you are based in Australia or New Zealand you will be taken to an order confirmation page outlining the eBook(s) you have selected to purchase.

5. You will now be taken to a page to enter your contact and credit card details. When you have entered the required information click on ‘proceed to checkout’. After you agree to the terms and conditions of sale please select ‘buy now’ to proceed with purchase. When you select ‘buy now’ your payment will be processed.

6. Once your payment has been accepted (usually in a matter of seconds), a page will be displayed with your confirmed purchase and order number.

7. This is your receipt and you can print this page for your records.

8. You will receive an ‘order receipt’ email which will detail your purchase and confirmation of your eBook order and instructions on how to download your eBook.

9. If you experience problems downloading your eBook, please contact us at ebooks@randomhouse.com.au

10. If you experience problems downloading or opening the eBook reader software please contact Adobe Digital Editions here.

Do I need any special hardware to read a Random House Australia eBook?
You need a computer that connects to the internet and to have installed and activated Adobe Digital Editions.Operating System compatible for eBooks:Windows Vista, XP, and 2000 and Mac OSX 10.4 are compatible with Adobe Digital Editions and Adobe Reader.
Internet browsers compatible for eBooks:Internet Explorer 6 , Mozilla Firefox 2 , Safari2 are all compatible.

How do I pay for a Random House Australia eBook?
Random House Australia eBooks can be purchased online with either a Mastercard or Visa credit card.

Is there GST on Random House Australia eBooks?
If you are an Australian customer we must by law charge GST on all eBook purchases. The price displayed includes GST. If you are a New Zealand resident GST is not applicable

Do I have to be online to read my Random House Australia eBook?
No. Once downloaded, your Random House Australia eBook can be read offline.

How long will it take to download my Random House Australia eBook?
Download times for a Random House Australia eBook vary between a few seconds and a few minutes depending on your internet connection and the size of the title ordered.

Can I copy or print my Random House Australia eBook?
No. We do not allow the copying or printing of our eBooks.

Can I return my Random House Australia eBook?
If the eBook has been downloaded to a device then in most instances, no, you cannot return your Random House Australia eBook.
As it is not possible to "return" an eBook in the same way that a physical copy can be returned we are not able to accept returns. If there is an error on our part, or a problem with the eBook file, please contact us at ebooks@randomhouse.com.auPlease read our Terms and Conditions here for further information.

How many times can I download my Random House Australia eBook?
You may download your Random House Australia eBook once to any one device. You may download it on up to three devices.

What if I have trouble downloading my Random House Australia eBook?
If you have trouble downloading your Random House Australia eBook please:
- check your payment has been accepted successfully.- ensure Adobe Digital Editions has been installed.
If you have further trouble please contact us at ebooks@randomhouse.com.au.

1 comment:

Paul Reynolds said...

This article is a complete validation of why I despair of ebooks every taking off.
Have you seen the complexity of this sodding thing - and that's only to get it on the screen.
I downloaded it - and then tried to validate the machine - I gave up - and believe me - I have 14 years experience day in day out using software - and even making it - why does this have to be so complicated Adobe and why is the publishing industry such wimps that they put up with this nonsense!!!!!
complete FAIL!