Live data from Hacker News

A search engine for searching books in the Z-Library index on the IPFS network

zlib.zu1k.com

51–60 of 215 posts

Re: A search engine for searching books in the Z-Library index on the IPFS network

#51

A question about z-lib, libgen, and regular libraries Suppose I check an e-book out of my local library. Because Reasons, the library doesn't "own" unlimited "copies" of the book, so each "copy" can only be checked out to one patron at a time and if there are enough holds then a patron can't renew a checked out book. In short, ebooks in libraries are just like regular paper books, except to you don't have leave your…

My layman's understanding of copyright law says you didn't commit a crime, but whoever sent you the book did commit a crime. My understanding is that it's not illegal to download a book, it's illegal to distribute a book. (Or other copyrighted work.)

Re: A search engine for searching books in the Z-Library index on the IPFS network

#52
post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So, you mean, the current copyright solution? That has seen creation of works skyrocket? Or do you mean a system where people can steal what they want because 'reasons' and 'they want to pay less because xyz'? Do you propose a system that takes ownership from authors and redistributes their works maybe? Why shouldn't owners get to set the pricing? Just because people want to steal doesn't mean it's ok to. Just becaus…

> Or do you mean a system where people can steal what they want because 'reasons' and 'they want to pay less because xyz'? If you have a copy of something, and I make a copy of it, and you still have your copy of it, what was stolen? If I find a book in the library and take pictures of each page, is that also theft? What if I write all the words down? What if I use a hand scanner and OCR to copy and transcribe it, is…

Not an author, are you. Not a lawyer either. When you have spent years honing your craft and spent many months creating a work so that you can buy what you need to live and can't afford to support your self and your family without that income and then YOU give that work away - then I may find some value in your self serving questions. By the way, the answer to your questions is yes.

Re: A search engine for searching books in the Z-Library index on the IPFS network

#54
post #31

Well, nice work. But poor authors...

If you like a book, buy it. I do. I love physical books. But, my interests are varied enough that I need multiple sources - sometimes I’m only mildly curious. Libby/Overdrive has been a lifesaver in this regard.

I would love to have a digital library of my physical books though, and that’s where this is coming in handy because I don’t want to buy it twice, especially when the ebook almost costs the same as the physical one. It would be nice if there was a “for ${1..5} more, get the digital one too!” - but then there’s DRM to fight with also.

Re: A search engine for searching books in the Z-Library index on the IPFS network

#55
post #25
post #18

I'm looking forward to some new AI system making it possible to generate high quality audiobooks from epub files. This "AI book reader" doesn't exist yet, right?

The Google Books mobile app will read any(?) book in your library, and at least they used to support uploading your own books, although I haven't tried it in a while: https://play.google.com/books/uploads?type=ebooks and in the individual book, tap on it, tap the bamboo menu, choose "Read aloud"

Thanks - that is really goodand didn't realise that was something I already had installed.

I'd be happy to pay for a service where I can adjust the readers voice and speed, but this worked amazingly well, and the enhanced version of the audio is really good.

Re: A search engine for searching books in the Z-Library index on the IPFS network

#56
Something that has always bothered me about z-lib and libgen and so on is the impossibility of being able to tell quality from the different uploads.

Sometimes the epubs are very good, with a good cover and metadata as well as chapters and no weird aberrations; other times, they're unreadable. But the only thing you have to judge quality is size and general description of the upload which in this website it's been reduced so everything looks the same.

I think the website looks good, but yeah, would be nice if we could rate quality in some way.

Re: A search engine for searching books in the Z-Library index on the IPFS network

#59
post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Or do you mean a system where people can steal what they want because 'reasons' and 'they want to pay less because xyz'? If you have a copy of something, and I make a copy of it, and you still have your copy of it, what was stolen? If I find a book in the library and take pictures of each page, is that also theft? What if I write all the words down? What if I use a hand scanner and OCR to copy and transcribe it, is…

Not an author, are you. Not a lawyer either. When you have spent years honing your craft and spent many months creating a work so that you can buy what you need to live and can't afford to support your self and your family without that income and then YOU give that work away - then I may find some value in your self serving questions. By the way, the answer to your questions is yes.

   > By the way, the answer to your questions is yes.
You say it's theft to take pictures of the pages of a library book? I would need you to cite your sources please.

If it matters, I recently ordered 6 hardcovers from an author who's book that I downloaded from libgen was so impressively written, well sourced and thought provoking that I just had to put his best works (the book I "stole" by downloading, and 5 of his other works) in my physical library.

On the flipside, I recently wanted to read a book (different author) so badly but it wasn't available anywhere for less than $100 since it's out of print, so I downloaded it and don't feel bad at all. I haven't read that one yet, and if I love it I might spend the money for a physical copy, but it wouldn't matter since it's out of print and used and wouldn't make a difference to the author (also, he's dead).

Re: A search engine for searching books in the Z-Library index on the IPFS network

#60

Something that has always bothered me about z-lib and libgen and so on is the impossibility of being able to tell quality from the different uploads. Sometimes the epubs are very good, with a good cover and metadata as well as chapters and no weird aberrations; other times, they're unreadable. But the only thing you have to judge quality is size and general description of the upload which in this website it's been re…

Large pdf and djvu files generally means low quality scans.
Post reply on HN