Public Service Announcement

[deleted393595]

If you have the option of getting e-textbooks via VitalSource Reader, please don't. That software is a piece of %^$# written by a bunch of 3rd graders.

For beginners, the user interface is horrible. There is no zoom function. It takes a good 10 seconds just to scroll from one page to another in a 700pg textbook. And that's the best case scenario. If I put it in single page view or dual page view, I have to click a button on the side to go through it page-by-page without the benefit of a scrollbar, clearly indicated that some sleazy/lazy coders just ported it from the mobile/iPad version. And the scrollbar in regular view is so incredibly choppy that I can't even get to the page I want since I always end up overshooting/undershooting it.

There is no go-to page function box like the one you'd see in a .pdf file. Updates to this junk software consist of having to download an entire 80MB file for incremental updates because the developers are too lazy/incompetent to put out updates in smaller patches.



It would be so much easier if I could just open up my downloaded textbook file in Foxit Reader or even Adobe. But noooooo. The downloaded file has to be in VSR's *!@# proprietary ".vbk" format so that you're forced to use their software.

Never buying an e-book again.

/rant

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[Cambino]

10/10, will read again.

 

[911 Turbo]

If you have the option of getting e-textbooks via VitalSource Reader, please don't. That software is a piece of %^$# written by a bunch of 3rd graders.

For beginners, the user interface is horrible. There is no zoom function. It takes a good 10 seconds just to scroll from one page to another in a 700pg textbook. And that's the best case scenario. If I put it in single page view or dual page view, I have to click a button on the side to go through it page-by-page without the benefit of a scrollbar, clearly indicated that some sleazy/lazy coders just ported it from the mobile/iPad version. And the scrollbar in regular view is so incredibly choppy that I can't even get to the page I want since I always end up overshooting/undershooting it.

There is no go-to page function box like the one you'd see in a .pdf file. Updates to this junk software consist of having to download an entire 80MB file for incremental updates because the developers are too lazy/incompetent to put out updates in smaller patches.



It would be so much easier if I could just open up my downloaded textbook file in Foxit Reader or even Adobe. But noooooo. The downloaded file has to be in VSR's *!@# proprietary ".vbk" format so that you're forced to use their software.

Never buying an e-book again.

/rant

u
























































mad?

 

[deleted393595]

10/10, will read again.

Can I get my Pulitzer now?

u


mad?

MaximumOverrustle.gif

 

[La Presse]

Our more knowledgeable members do not seem to have an issue with this.

Oh, and "in."

 

[deleted393595]

Our more knowledgeable members do not seem to have an issue with this.

Wat?

 

[Spinach Dip]

Give me my dead tree books any day.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

The solution is to read no books ever. Instead, try eating the book.

 

[La Presse]

The solution is to read no books ever. Instead, try eating the book.

...and since, the book is on the ereader....eat the ereader!!

 

[487806]

If you have the option of getting e-textbooks via VitalSource Reader, please don't. That software is a piece of %^$# written by a bunch of 3rd graders.

For beginners, the user interface is horrible. There is no zoom function. It takes a good 10 seconds just to scroll from one page to another in a 700pg textbook. And that's the best case scenario. If I put it in single page view or dual page view, I have to click a button on the side to go through it page-by-page without the benefit of a scrollbar, clearly indicated that some sleazy/lazy coders just ported it from the mobile/iPad version. And the scrollbar in regular view is so incredibly choppy that I can't even get to the page I want since I always end up overshooting/undershooting it.

There is no go-to page function box like the one you'd see in a .pdf file. Updates to this junk software consist of having to download an entire 80MB file for incremental updates because the developers are too lazy/incompetent to put out updates in smaller patches.



It would be so much easier if I could just open up my downloaded textbook file in Foxit Reader or even Adobe. But noooooo. The downloaded file has to be in VSR's *!@# proprietary ".vbk" format so that you're forced to use their software.

Never buying an e-book again.

/rant

👍 I wasted $20 for an online e-book that's required for intro bio. Too bad there wasn't a refund.

 

[Oo Cipher oO]

I hear ya bro. I'm a biker so carrying around heavy textbooks is murder on the back. I put up with vital source ebooks to compensate but I too found it a confusing, crappy piece of software for the same reasons you listed.

Since starting med school, I finially have found an ebook software that I enjoy. It's called Inkling and it works beautifully for the iPad or laptop. I don't know how the selection is for undergrad books but it has most of the essential med school textbooks (Robbins, Bates, etc).

 

[DrSolus]

When I think of e-books, I think of books on a Kindle, Nook, or on Google Play (mobi, epub, pdf formats). What you have, sir, is a proprietary, DRM rented piece of ****. I'm sorry it didnt work out for you and thanks for the heads up though. =/

 

[deleted393595]

Thanks for the support you guys!

I didn't pay for the book though since my financial aid took care of it, but it's a sad waste of university dollars.