Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) is one of the tools we’ve needed for several years to deal with the dark art of Digital Rights Management. This post is to summarize the current situation. The latest version is 4.5 although older versions still work – my machine is running 1.7.

4.5 makes it much easier for eBooks to be synchronized across several devices (so long as ADE has the same Adobe ID on each device).

Not all eBooks require it; nor is it needed when reading online. Its purpose is to allow eBooks to be downloaded to a device and read offline. ADE records usage and secures the book so that limits such as loan length, and pages copied or printed, are enforced.

EBL books comprise our largest collection of eBooks that use ADE.

UC owned computers

ITS publish the software but individual users need to install it. In Control Panel go to Install a Program from the Network

If you have a previously installed version the newer version will pick-up your registration details.

If you have never registered, then ADE will prompt you to do so. This is how the DRM keeps track of your usage.

There isn’t much point in students using ADE in the student workrooms as they would need to install, and add their Adobe ID to every machine they used.

Other UC owned devices

These need to have ADE installed as an App or similar. See personal devices.

Personal devices

Computers, tablets, other devices including some e-readers etc.

For computers, ADE is downloaded from the Adobe Site which has been recently revamped to make it easier to use.  The Download tab gives access to the software. For other devices, Google Play and iTunes have it as an App.

Some eBook readers cannot download or install ADE and thus cannot use eBooks that require ADE.  The Kindle is the best known of these. Adobe publish a list of devices that can work with ADE.